I have always admired the custom heads which is often featured in the Japanese blog: 伝達戦士コクチバンＲ (Galaxy Police) — they were what inspired me to make my own Taiga Aisaka custom Mini Dollfie dream.
I had been meaning to make a version II of Taiga’s head for a while now, and after I discovered some custom eye option, I decided not to wait any longer, heads were purchased (Thanks again Nicole!) and work was started when the weather became more suitable ^^
I decided to try to open the eyeholes of the closed eyed heads by myself, as the heads cost less than those which already have the eyes opened… ^^;
The thing is, eye opening was a bit more tricky than expected and I managed to blister my fingers in the process ^^; reminded me why I wasn’t doing this too often :P Also due to the customizing being handmade, it is hard to achieve the perfect smooth finish close to the original surface, which is a pity ^^; While looking at the first version for reference, I also made small changes to the 2nd version.
ETA: a custom process by Mazaku found on figure.fm :)
After opening the eyes — dig a hole thru the center of the eye first and carefully carve the rest off with an X-Acto knife, sand and smooth the edges. I lightly sketched some parts with a pencil to see how it look.
Dug out a pair of eyes purchased back in Japan to try the look, also used Sai to quickly paint an idea of how I wanted to do the make up.
Purchased some eyes from Pupa Paradise to customise…
Notice the clear piece seem to magnify the pupil a bit, so trial and error was needed ^^;
Tested the look out, pencil marks were removed by using a clean eraser. To remove the stubborn marks, have to use a fine sanding paper, then buffing with a fingernail buffer stick. Noticed that the custom eyes are rather reflective… ^^;
Before painting the actual face up (or make up) have to spray a coat or 2 of Mr. Super Clear Matt, let it completely dry before painting. While painting, I also have some rubbing alcohol and water ready close by if I make a mistake ^^; After I decided I was done for the afternoon, I still feel that I can do better for the eyeliner… Oh well maybe next time :P And due to that the surface is not factory smooth, the blush looks a bit smudged in person ^^; looks okay in photos?
Used low heat glue gun to fix the eyes… noticed the left eye was a bit misaligned after it cooled down ^^;
Went for tsun tsun Taiga this time… wonder if I should have give her a smirk instead?
Taiga daisuki!
O…M…G! She is so cute! You did an amazing job on her, Chun!
Also, if you don’t mind me asking… how were you able to keep the clear tops on your puppa eyes (which look incredible!!)? I’ve tried to make several differnt pairs with differnt eyes and they keep falling apart. .__.
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chun Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Thank you! And oh I just snapped it on, one of them is a bit loose tho, but then I used the low heat glue gun to install Taiga’s eyes, so that kinda keeps it in place in the head :3
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What a challenge! But Taiga Mk.II sure turned out well! It really helped the weather turned out well. It helps that it’s Vancouver, eh? :D
Whose eyes are those that you used in the Sai version of the faceup?
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chun Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:27 am
don’t tell you, you scalper >:P
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lightningsabre Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:41 am
Nooo! So mean T-T
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Tsun-tsun Taiga looks sooo cute~ You did a really great job with customizing the head.
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chun Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:28 am
Thank you :)
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She is terribly lovely….This is perfect!
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chun Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:28 am
Domo arigato gozaimasu! :D!!! Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog!
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Wow! She looks wonderful! Great step by step process. If you glue the paper iris to the back clear dome its stops the reflecting and enlarging of the eye, in case you want to experiment with other eyes later. Have not tried yet myself but this is what I hear :D
Doing everything by hand is a pain, same with me I don’t have dremel or know how to use such tools. Makes customs more impressive when when completely hand done though ;) I follow galaxy police blog too! Those customs are on another level of awesome ^_^
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chun Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:30 am
OOooh interesting option about glueing paper onto the dome! Thanks :D I think sanding by hand may allow a bit more control, even tho a little time consuming :)
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Nicely done custom head! ^^
Would try and improve the eyes by making the pupil truly black and the surface less reflective though indeed.
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chun Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 am
I’ll have to try what chibinezumi suggested above sometime :D
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OMG GOSH STSUN TAIGA IS SO ADORABLE I COULD EAT HER UP IN AN INSTANT ^o^
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chun Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:13 pm
lol you cannot >:P! lol
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Chun — I would love to buy a Taiga head. She is so adorable I might explode. Seriously, contact me if you ever consider making and selling another.
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chun Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I’m trying to work out some kinks regarding the surface of her cheeks cos right now in person the blush looks kinda patchy ^^; I hope if eventually I get that sorted out I might be able to either sell or auction the head ^^;/ Sorry about that XP!
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Ack, I can’t stop looking at her cuteness! KAWAIIII!
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In fact I use similar eyes parts of yours.~ ^^a
You can try to drip “off oil” into the white part, and then put paper(printed)in side.
Finally drip “off oil” on the clear part, and then cover it back. Use tissue to absorb add oil, check no bubble inside the eye. Finish.~ ^o^
PS:If not ok, try it once again.~ ^^a
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chun Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I see I see, hmm what is “off oil”? Do you have a name for it in Mandarin?
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mazaku Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:07 pm
The type that I use is this one.~ ^^a →http://www.shiseido.co.jp/tiss/oil/
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WAO! Inspiration overload!
Just a question,
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5557411254_4d4c73c197.jpg
What did you use to actually paint the eyeliner? O_O
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chun Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
oops sorry to have taken so long to reply ^^; brush and acrylic?
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fantastic ^^!!!
I didn’t know you could sand the vinil and obtain such differents heads…
by “Sai” did you mean Sai markers? are they similar to Copic too markers?
again congratulation on your Taiga…she is super kawaiii
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chun Reply:
September 16th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Yes the vinyl can be sanded and carved, but it will be difficult to get it factory smooth. No Sai is a program, not markers ^^; Thank you~!
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HI I love your doll and was wondering were you got the eyes and the head thanx!!!
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chun Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 10:39 am
I actually answered the question in some comments above but you can get a blank head/body from http://www.volks.co.jp/en/ or volksusa.com under dollfie dream, they have tools etc as well, please look thru the links.
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