Paper Dolls As An Artist Tool?

I have to preface that I am a casual artist, I love coloring, experimenting with combinations of colors, practicing techniques, honing my skills. For me art is a way to unwind and and unplug from technology. The medium that I also enjoy is colored pencils.

I began an endless search of coloring books that would fit my needs, everything was either too simplistic (like for kids) or so busy and detailed I found it frustrating and tedious. Colored pencils are also a slower medium, coloring a full page of anything will literally take me hours.

So I created my own solution.

I enjoy coloring clothes because they allow me to use any color in my set, they are also a great way to practice transitions and values (lights and darks), create textures, you can draw your own designs or patterns on them, and color a piece at a time.

I designed a paper doll for my needs, reinforcing the old paper doll design and adding a stand for display.

For the clothes, I drew as many pieces of modern capsule wardrobe fashion I can think of, this is an art tool I’m also using so I was generous with the variety (89 different pieces). I kept them minimalistic and basic so that they can be easily be customized. For example you can color a landscape on a skirt, or add flowers to a shirt!

I kind of have a marketing challenge though, as I think most people will think of my paper dolls as something kids play with from bygone eras. Not sure…but I’ll start here I guess.

Here is my paper doll, a fun way to practice your colored pencil skill that also feels like playing, available from my Etsy store (RogueBunnyDesigns):

https://roguebunnydesigns.etsy.com

*For best results you will need cardstock paper, 65lb – 85lb will do, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just something heavier than regular printer paper.