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PE - All From One BaseA little under a week before Dolling Week began, ~mariiiis-dolls sent me a note with an amazing idea...
"Many people don't think dolling is very difficult, because we use premade bases and therefore don't put much effort into our dolls....But we do.
How about choosing (or creating, even though it's very spontaneous) a base, and a few dollers with diverse styles who should use the same base? Everyone would doll in their own unique style, to show that bases are more an inspiration, a point to start or a kind of 'collab' with the base maker, rather than a crutch? Maybe even a small description about the techniques the dollers use, technical details (like colors, time spent and so on). Dolling can be much more than using the base because 'we're lazy' - we use bases because we want to work with different styles, and combine styles of our own with styles of the base maker to create unique work."
~mariiiis-dolls happened to be working on a
PE - Intro to PageantsWritten by ~snap-hiss, *slightly-caustic, ~ye-ye, `IridescentStardust
Dolling is fun, whether you start from a base or make one yourself. But what if you want to see how hour skills measure up to everyone else's? There are lots of dolling contests around dA and the web (like the Gender Twisted Redoll contest and the BonBon Base Edit contest),  and a pageant is just a mega-contest! That usually means there are three or four different rounds, and you might have to make more than one  doll for each round.
The first pageants were inspired by real-life beauty pageants  like Miss World and Miss Universe, so they had the standard swimsuit rounds and evening gown rounds.
PE - Welcome to Digital Dolls!Hey everyone! Welcome to Dolling week of Project Educate! I suppose I'll start it out with what the heck I'm even talking about.
Digital dolls! A term coined by DeviantArt, but a very fitting term indeed! Dolls are basically small pixel-art (usually of people) typically created from a base-body (a naked, bald pixel-person) that another doller has made.
That was a mouth-full, huh? Just think of them as digital paper-dolls.

So what's this about a base-body? Bases are actually a huge part of the dolling experience. If you notice, in the three example dolls up there, the artist credits another artist for the 'base'. Almost every doll is like a collaboration between two artists, making dolling that much more fun! Some people choose to edit the base they use til it's barely recognizable, and some people prefer to leave them as they were!

So where can
PE - History of DollingWritten by `IridescentStardust and ~ye-ye
The original idea behind dolls (and why they're called dolls in the first place) comes from the cut-out paper dolls - a paper cut-out of a figure (typically in underwear) with separate clothes that hold onto the figure with folding tabs.
The first popular version of virtual 'paper dolls' was through a Japanese program called KiSS (Kisekae Set System), dating back to 1991. Originally they were the same as paper dolls - only on the computer. A base figure, or template, had different sets of clothes to drag and drop onto the template. Using layers, they were able to create an illusion of depth not possible with paper dolls (for example - a figure with their hands in front of them would have different layers, making it easy to have a sleeve in front of the chest, a bag, arm-warmers, or other accessories).
These vir
PE - Interview with Metroid-Tamer:iconmetroid-tamer::iconmetroid-tamer::iconmetroid-tamer:

First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
I've been dolling for about eight years. My initial interest in pixel art came about when I was a child. Specifically, it was Super Metroid that rose my interest in pixel art. When I was fourteen I discovered some pixel art on dA that led me to ~angychan's "Yumestudio" site where I discovered dolling. I was blown away. I couldn't believe that dolling existed and it really changed my view further. It was at that point I decided to take up dolling as a hobby. I've enjoyed myself since.
What did you think of dolling before you learned more about it?
It was amazing and intimidating to me. I think intimidation was the bigger of the two feelings because, at the time, my skill was so
PE - The Beef with BasesWelcome to the Beef with Bases article. This may get a little controversial, so put on your heavy duty hats!
By now, we should all know what a base is. But just for a refresher - A base is a bald, naked figure for people to 'doll' clothes onto. Lately, more people have been making animal bases as well. Some argue that since they can't be dressed up, they aren't proper bases. But a base is a vague term to begin with.

Why do so many people make bases? What's the allure? Many people just start doodling and end up with a body they don't plan on finishing. So why let it go to waste? They fix it up a bit and let other people use it, so maybe others will find inspiration where theirs left off. Other times people are inspired by a pose, and want to practice their anatomy and draw the body. Sometimes people even have an idea in mind - say... a big set of mermaid poses! And more frequently, people see a piece of art t
PE - Interview with CaitlinCaitieCait:iconcaitlincaitiecait::iconcaitlincaitiecait::iconcaitlincaitiecait:

First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
I’ve been dolling for…Hmm…about five years. I started how I think most dollers start – I saw and loved playing with the dollmakers from places like The Doll Palace and DollzMania. I eventually got bored with how long it took for new makers to come out started trying to figure out how to go about making my own dolls. I found DHF and their tutorials and started with those.
What did you think of dolling before you learned more about it?
I didn’t really know anything much about dolling before I started, other than the “dollz&
PE - Interview with LadyHazy:iconladyhazy::iconladyhazy::iconladyhazy:

First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
I made some doll-like stuff from around 1998. So that's around 14 years. Back then, personal sites and "adoptables" were all the rage, and I just wanted to make some of my own. If you remember Angel's Chimera Dreams, Starluck's Sweetwater Valley, BearJest's, Amanda's Page Guardians, and the like, then there you go. I also got into the Kiss Doll community at OtakuWorld via the Magic Knight Rayearth fandom.
I wouldn't have called
PE - Dolling 101 (Or Dolling For Beginners)
Hello, welcome to Dolling 101! We'll be going over all the basics that every beginner doller should know. There's a lot, so let's get to it!
Lesson 1: Terminology/Vocabulary
:bulletpink:What is a Doll?:bulletpink:
:bulletpink: It might help to begin this article by telling you what you're reading about! A doll, or as we call them on DeviantArt, Digital Dolls, are small graphics, usually pixel-art, of people and characters. People create these by taking a base body another person has made, and creating art on it - designing clothes and hair, and turning the blank template into whatever kind of character they can imagine.
I will go over dolls more in detail, but that's the very basic description. Please, read on!
:bulletpink:What is a Base?:bulletpink:
:bulletpink:Bases! You're probably familiar with this term. That's right, those pixel line-arts of bald/naked people that
PE - Overview, Interview with DulcetFancyHey there! Thank you so, so much for sticking with us through Dolling Week! I'm going to start out by giving a few shout-outs to some members who've helped me a lot. There are so many people who have helped, but these few helped write some articles, gave amazing feedback, and were there for support when I really needed it :heart:
:iconpyrochan-dolls::iconeternal-sins::iconye-ye::iconsnap-hiss::iconpentiful::iconslightly-caustic:
And here's a table of contents, just so we've got a handy list of what we went over this week!
Intro to Dolling Week
Dolling 101
History of Dolling
PE - Interview with IceCradle:iconicecradle::iconicecradle::iconicecradle:

First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
I honestly can't remember, I think it was around 2000/2001 that I started, but while I have some old dolls saved, I didn't think to date anything back then!
Firstly I came across a bunch of the old-style prep dolls on a magazine style website I used to read. I didn't really know what they were, but I really liked the idea. I used to make paper dolls as a kid and it was a similar sort of thing. I remember saving a load of these dolls onto my computer, making them a lot bigger and then painstakingly smoothing out the pixelated outlines, taking off all the clothes and drawing my own - yes, yes my very first dolls were all frankendolled! The horror!
I carried on doing that for a while, completely oblivious to the dolling community. A couple of years later I was a part of a sims related forum and
PE - Interview with TheThirdAct:iconthethirdact::iconthethirdact::iconthethirdact:

(Warning - minor swearing!)
First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
Hmm, I've been dolling for a long time. Eight or nine years I think, with some breaks in there. I got into it when my sister pointed it out to me. She found Josie's Dolls, I think. That's the first site that I really remember going to all the time and being totally obsessed with. It was probably the dollmakers that she had. Those things are so goddamn addicting. I actually frankendolled one of her dolls once, though I'm sure I was the only one who ever saw it.
What did you think of dolling before you learned more about it?
Honestly, I don't remember. I probably thought it was all about dollmakers because that's all I would do in the beginning. Especially at
PE - Groups HighlightWhat better way to get involved in a community than to watch a few groups? Submit your creations to them and make yourself known, as well as see the techniques of others!
Here, we'll showcase a few awesome groups to help get you into the groove of Digital Dolls, and learn more about them!
General Collection & Improvement Groups
Basic dolling groups that are there to inspire and help people doll, or just to collect dolls and bases.
:iconageless-dolling::iconarentyouadoll::icongrowing-dollers::iconneverstopdolling::icondollers::iconpixel-party-paradise::iconpixeldolls::icondamnfinedollers::icondollersparadise::iconalternative-pixels::icondollnation::iconfinepixeldolls::icondollingclub::icondoll-base-club::iconbranching-bases:
Art Challenge and Trade Groups
Dolling groups that offer contests, trades, challenges, and more!
:iconroyal-design-project::iconsecret-panda::iconthedct::iconexchangepixelsecrets::icongoodiegrabs::iconpixelpresents:
Spec
PE - Interview with GrangerPixel:icongrangerpixel::icongrangerpixel::icongrangerpixel:

First of all, how long have you been dolling? What got you into it?
I’ve been dolling for a really long time in my book. I think it’s been about four or five years now, I remember starting to doll in high school and it’s been three years since I’ve graduated. What originally got me into dolling was a cute little site called Mellissa’s dollies. I happened across it one day at school when I was in computer lab looking for images from the series ‘Tokyo Mew Mew’. Once I found the website I fell in love with the idea of making pixel art and used the bases from that site.
What did you think of dolling before you learned more about it?
At first, I found it hard. I started dolling in Paint Shop Pro 7 all on one layer and found it to be difficult, until I found that I could use layers for it (still looked the s
A shout out to the idiots.I'm half asleep. So if this doesn't make sense. Fuck you. I am very pissy and bitchy. Not only that but sick. The damn fire here in New Mexico isn't helping. Move? I originally live in Texas dumbass. Before you tell me to move. Perhaps get to know why I'm in New Mexico instead of assuming I live there. Anyways. So. Every.Fucking.Day. My friends and I put up with the stupid subspecies of humans called "Dumbasses". Those who steal, copy, trace, go around lying about shit. "Oh yeah, you're copying my character." If your character is up way before mine was. Ok. I'll admit it and take it down. But if your character suddenly comes into being after mine or my friends. I'll fucking report you for stealing. :).
"That's not your art."
- First. Look at their damn gallery. It's there for a fucking reason. If their art looks like the art you're accusing to be NOT theirs. You're blind. Go get glasses. Now if their art isn't exactly top notch and then suddenly they put up art that makes your jaw drop
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PE - Resource Round Up

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 6:54 PM
One very important aspect of dolling is resources! Half of dolling is resources itself - the base. However, we won't focus on bases in this article. Instead, here's a big variety of tutorials and resources for dollers to learn from. Everyone's technique is different, and every style is unique. But many people are happy to offer their help and show people how they get that certain effect! Whenever you're struggling to get something just right, these tutorials can be a life-saver. Also if you're starting out, they can show you some very helpful techniques that can get you going in the right direction!

:bulletpink: :bulletpink:


Program-Specific and Getting Started


:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!



MSPaint
Gradients in MSPaint by ~SasoriDanna94
MSPaint Tutorial by ~xSIRENx
Stripes in MSPaint by *Banished-Dreams
Complete Doll in MSPaint by ~GhostArin
Spray Can Shading by ~S-Nova
MSPaint Rainbow Lineart by ~S-Nova
MSPaint Colors by ~S-Nova
MSPaint Gradients by ~S-Nova
MSpaint Coloring Lineart by ~S-Nova
Clean Lines by ~S-Nova
MSPaint Tricks by ~Slaywolf
Saving in MSPaint by *L4CY
MSPaint Color Replace by ~BLKMKT-ARCHIVE
Opening your Base in MSPaint by `IridescentStardust

Pixel Art & Dolling
Getting Started with Pixel Art by ^ValaSedai
Spriting and Pixel Art by ~Ankaraven
Organizing a Pageant by *XMarleauxX

Other Programs
Animations by *LunarLotis
Kisekae Set Systems by ~aerendyll
Create a Palette with Photoshop by =LieutenantDeath

Patterns

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Pixel Patterns by ~pyokola-digital
Gothic Lace by `mirz-alt
Lace by `Mirz123
Heart Patterns by `Mirz123
Lace by =Gasara
Stripe Patterns by ~pressurized
Leopard Print by `IridescentStardust
Making Plaid by `IridescentStardust

Palettes & Help Using Colors

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Palettes
Palettes with a hint of Purple by ~SelfishBlood
RandomPalettes by ~K3nel1OS
Various Palettes by ~Afloam
RagnarokOnlinePalettes by ~DeathButterfly
Various Palettes by ~anarie
Various Palettes by =Wooded-Wolf
Hair Palettes by ~EvilZipper
Soft Palettes by ~VanillaKnight
Various Palettes by ~apple-stocks
Color Sets by ~AmyJonz
Ka-Kind's Color Sets by ~Ka-Kind
Animeinspired Palettes by *grangerpixel

Skin Palettes
Skin Tone Palettes by *Icecradle
Skin Tone Palettes by ~blood-cocoa
Skin Tone Palettes by =porcelian-doll
Skin Tone Palettes by ~mariiiis-dolls
Skin Tone Palettes by *tenchibaka

Color Building
Creating Palettes by =3o2
Adding Contrast by ~ninique
Palette Blending by `isoldel
How to Create Palettes by *beblue
Creating a Palette by *Kiwinuptuo
Choosing the Right Yellows by `IridescentStardust

Creating Bases and Editing Bases

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Face Edits
Lip Detail by !syxi
Closed Eyes by ~mariiiis-dolls
Eye Make-up by *valokilljoy
Shading Eyes by ~CommanderPigg
Lipstick by `IridescentStardust
Facial Hair by ~LieutenantSheesha

Creating Bases
Chibi Base Walkthrough by ~Sesshoumaru-lover
Make a Base Using References by ~scenefag
Make a Base Using References by ^FionaCreates
Make a Base Using References by ~pixel-whore
Make a Base Using References by ^FionaCreates
Make a Base from Scratch by ^FionaCreates
Make a Base from Scratch by ~unlikely-kisses
Make a Base from Scratch by ~wish04

Body Edits
Reshading A Base by ~Angelic-Sakuras
Redrawing a Base by ~TheDarknessWolf
Reshading a Base by ~Youkai-Dumatra
Scars by ~S-Nova
Genderbending A Base by `IridescentStardust
Resizing a Base by `IridescentStardust

Clothing

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Dresses and Skirts
Skirts by ~laisdossin
Ruffles by *ImHisEternalAngel
Skirts by ~Slykark
Dresses by *Banished-Dreams
Dresses by ~Kellysdollbases

Pants and Shorts
Jeans by *TheThirdAct
Pants by ~xMina-chan
Jeans by *Icecradle

Shirts
T-shirts by ~scenefag
Shirts by ~pressurized
Shirt by *Banished-Dreams
Shirt by ~Slykark
Shirts by ~emytee
Skin-tight Shirts by ~Kitsune-Notunai
Shirt by ~xMina-chan
White Shirt by *TheThirdAct
Shirts by ~SmiteTheeWithApples

Misc and Tips
Corsets by ~atacuivel
Skirt with a Pattern by ~rewynd-studio
Reflective Clothing by *tenchibaka
Transparent Clothing by ~Kitsune-Notunai
Shoes by *Icecradle
Clothing by !RazzPixel
Shoes by ~SmiteTheeWithApples

Accessories and Details

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Fixing Awkward Clothing by ~snap-hiss
Heels by ~snap-hiss
Sparkling Jewelry by ~snap-hiss
Shiny Fairy Wings by ~mariiiis-dolls
T-shirt Graphics by ~scenefag
Feathers by ~Angelblackroses
Wings by `Mistress-Jaeden
Jewelry by ~Eliea
Face Metal by `IridescentStardust

Effects and Backgrounds

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Tree by *Kiwinuptuo
Blood Splatters by *Grypwolf
Mountains by ~S-Nova
Explosions by !Gamedragon89
Smoke by =siriuslylostwerewolf
Water by ~Tsubasa-pixel

Techniques and Tips

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Anti Aliasing by =firstfear
Dithering by *mokia-sinhall
Anti Aliasing by ~KrissPixel
Dithering by ~Sinister-Starfeesh
Anti-Aliasing and Dithering Styles by *Kiwinuptuo
Shading Styles by ~mariiiis-dolls
Things to Avoid by ~xMina-chan
Hair Tips and Common Mistakes by ~Channini
Hair Do's and Don'ts by ~emytee

Hair

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink:

More!


Up-do
Braided Hair by ~SpyderBryte
Tooled Hair by *PhoeC
Mohawks by ~MissRoxieGraves
Tooled Up-do Hair by ~Angelic-Sakuras
Dreadlocks by ~scenefag
Dreadlocks by ~FreezerPop

Short
Male Hair by ~teardrop246
Male Hair by *Icecradle
Hair by ~Rin-shi
Detailed Hair Shading by *beblue
Short Hair by =porcelian-doll
Short Hair by !constantlychanging
Realistic Hair by ~Rami-crazyfox
Outlineless Hair by ~DeathButterfly

Long
Straight Hair by ~alamodepixels
Shiny Hair by ~ShouriMajo
Long Hair by *Banished-Dreams
Straight Hair by *Banished-Dreams
Long Hair by ~xMina-chan
Long Hair by *Icecradle
Simple Hair by ~Sissy-Baby
Shiny Hair by =porcelian-doll
Small-Doll Hair by !thegoldenalchemist

Wavy and Curly
Tooled Wavy Hair by =Odyrah
Curly and Wavy Hair by ~LieutenantSheesha
Wavy Hair by *bunnystick
Wavy Hair by ~mouldyCat
Curly Hair by =Petalwhisker
Curly Hair by *Icecradle
Shiny Hair by ~elliekun
Wavy Hair by *Icecradle
Shiny Hair by ~Just-A-Breathmint

Tricks and Detail
Multi-colored Hair by ~scenefag
Sparkly Hair by =porcelian-doll
Loose Strands by ~Kechake
Hair on Small Dolls by ~pressurized
Hair Outlines by ~Kitsune-Notunai
Various Hairstyles by `konfusion-with-a-k
Shading Styles by ~emytee
Glass-Style Shading by ~mariiiis-dolls
Glass-Style Shading by =trixychuu
Small-Doll Hair by ~Youkai-Dumatra
Multicolor Hair Blending by `IridescentStardust

Start To Finish Dolls

:bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :bulletpink: :thumb303437114:

More!


Spriting Tutorial by ~The-Godlings-Rapture
Tooled Doll by ^FionaCreates
Couple Doll by ~MissRoxieGraves
Pageant Doll by *Icecradle
Baseless Group Doll by *Icecradle
Baseless Sprite by *KingdomTriforce
Entering Pageants by ^FionaCreates
Small Doll by ~VanillaKnight
Baseless Small Doll by *NekoSoraYagami
Small Doll by ~kawaiihannah
Baseless Detailed Portrait by *bunnystick
Baseless Doll by *Kiwinuptuo
Tooled Doll by ~caitlincaitiecait

Other wonderful links!


Useful Tutorials List by ~base-o-holic
#ArentYouADoll
#DollingTutorials
Xandorra's Tutorials
Mark's Pixel Shading Tutorial
Derek Yu's Sprite Tutorial


8 Comments
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:icontk-kid:
*TK-Kid Jun 16, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Awesome these really help out!
Reply
:iconlunarlotis:
*LunarLotis Jun 15, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
Very helpful, thanks <3
Reply
:iconbreebles:
*Breebles Jun 15, 2012  Hobbyist Artist
That's an amazing list aside from PE. I mean, there's 20 groups you've gathered tuts into before, but this just seems... more organized than ever!
Reply
:iconiridescentstardust:
`IridescentStardust Jun 15, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
:iconpelvicthrustplz: This article was one of the most time-consuming ones x__x; I hope to keep it updated though >:3 It'd be like WEFANFIWGHAH amazing.

A lot of these tutorials I can't even put into groups, cause the person who owns the account is inactive or whatever. So there's a lot of ones I haven't managed to spam anywhere >:3
Reply
:iconbreebles:
*Breebles Jun 15, 2012  Hobbyist Artist
Awhhh. Well. Now you can link them u_u
Reply
:icongrangerpixel:
*grangerpixel Jun 14, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
HNGGG SO WONDERFUL <3
Reply
:iconjamminjo:
`JamminJo Jun 14, 2012   Photographer
Added to #DevNews posting on June 15, 2012.
Reply
:iconbatty-mcbats:
~batty-mcbats Jun 14, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
omg this is sooooo awesome. So many tutorials!!!!!!!
Reply
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