Introduction/Basics
So, you want to make dolls, but you suffer from a lack of funding. Either you have no money, your money is all going to buy ramen noodles and tomato soup, this is just a hobby and you're not going to pay any money for it, your parents don't understand why MSPaint isn't enough for you, or maybe you're just plain cheap. This is fine. I support all of these reasons. :)
The truth is that you just don't need an expensive graphics program to make dolls. If you've already got one, that's fine, but there is absolutely no reason to go out and get one if this is all you're going to do with it.
What you need to accept going out is this: using programs like PSP or Photoshop is "the easy way". If you have one of those programs, things may be easier for you or take less initial effort, but if you have to make do without, the end result can be just as good and with practice, it won't take any more effort in the long run. Your dolls may even end up the better for it because you'll have to learn more about what goes into them. And your dolls won't look like everyone else's because you won't be doing them the same way.
The point of these "tutorials" is to make it easier for anyone to have as much fun making dolls as I do! They are not meant to be complete in and of themselves - I've included many outside links to great resources and other tutorials. I'm starting with the most basic of techniques but I intend to work my way up to some that I still find difficult - the one constant is that everything that you will find here can be done with programs already on most computers or that can be downloaded as freeware.
1: Get the Essentials.
You need two things: a basic paint program and the ability to properly save GIFs.
MSPaint comes already installed on most people's computers. If you've got a Mac, you should have a simple equivalent. If not, Xandorra has a list of freeware programs that you should check out. (Tutorials > Resources > free software links.)
If you have no idea how to use MSPaint, you're going to have to put in a bit of initial work here. You want MSPaint to be cowering before you, not standing over you and laughing. Here's what to do:
- Check out some basic tutorials. Elvish Rose has one that's pretty nice and will get you through the basics. Don't spend too much time on this step.
- Play around for a while. Make some pretty pictures. Draw a little house and then set it on badly spray-painted fire. Whatever. The more you figure out for yourself, the better you will be.
When you're making a doll in MSPaint, always save as a 24-bit bitmap. You want to keep the maximum number of colors possible because MSPaint doesn't know how to cut down the number of colors without making an awful mess.
Total cost so far: $0.00.2: Transparent GIFs are the Rule.
Saving as fuzzy JPEGs or bad GIFs won't cut it, and don't even try to use bitmaps on the web. (I mean, you technically can, but the files are huge and that's bad site design.) Now, here is a Truth that you have probably already guessed if you've been using MSPaint at all: MSPaint can only really save bitmaps. It's really good at saving bitmaps, actually. Nothing beats it! But you do not ever want to use MSPaint to save any other type of file. Very bad things happen.
Having a transparent GIF where the GIF conversion is reasonably well done automatically makes your doll seem that much classier. GIFs are worth the trouble.
Here's what you do:
- Download IrfanView for FREE.
- Learn how to use it using Xandorra's tutorial. (Tutorials > Misc > gifs in irfanview).
Total cost so far: $0.00.
3: Start Dolling!
You're going to learn the most by playing around by yourself. Yes, that means you're going to make a bunch of second- or third- (or fourth-, or fifth-...) rate dolls. Have fun!
Your best tool in making dolls (always, no matter what programs you are using) is patience. You need to have an eye for detail, but more importantly, you need the patience to keep poking at something until it comes out right. You won't be making the most fabulous dolls imaginable overnight - it takes time, effort, and a lot of practice.
| examples: |  |
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| time frame: | Just starting out... | ...three weeks... | ...and six months. | |
| # of dolls made: | 1 | ~40 | ~100 | |
| comments: | Ugh! Badly shaded in MSPaint only, but at least it's a transparent GIF. | Better design and shading. MSPaint + Picture It. | Using my own bases and a whole slew of programs. Foundation work still done in MSPaint! |
...no, wait, I'm not going to leave you like that. This isn't a "how to get started" tutorial, but here are some basics.
- You need a base. If you don't want to use one of mine, Xandorra and Josie have some great pixel-shaded bases for you to use. When you are just starting, you want bases that are small and pixel-shaded.
- You need to know how to pixel-shade. Josie has a tutorial that will get you started out right. (Tutorials > basic shading).
- Dollz of Flavor has a step-by-step tutorial that'll get you all the way through your first doll. (Tutorials > MSPaint users > From Base to Doll).
Total cost so far: $0.00.