Using Air dry Paints
Instructions for using the Special Care Nursery air dry paints for reborning
We are sure you will enjoy using our air dry paints and that you will be pleased with how easy to use they are.
They are totally versatile and are suited to reborn artists of all skill levels. They are specifically designed to work well on vinyl with the correct, easy preparation!
They are safe and quick to use – no baking required to set and no potential health risks from fumes for yourself or your family.
The following information provides guidelines for use, allowing you to be flexible and introduce your own artistic skills.
Preparation
Unlike a lot of air dry paints the paints are totally compatible with the vinyl surface making them permanent. They will not fade, rub off or yellow (over time oil paints can yellow depending on a lack of continued light source) so their colour will remain true. However, they do not bond with the vinyl surface if there is any oil or grease on the vinyl surface so it is ESSENTIAL that your vinyl parts are oil free before you start. Your kit may look clean - but it isn't! Any oils or impurities can easily be removed by wiping over all parts with Isopropyl 99.9% and a clean cosmetic wedge/sponge.
If you are using these paints purely for health reasons and do not want to use any alcohol cleaners, it is absolutely fine to ‘bath’ your vinyl parts in neat washing up liquid (this is more suitable than ‘baby bath’ which isn’t as powerful at de-greasing). If you are cleaning the vinyl this way please ensure that you only wash the outside of the parts – if water gets inside the parts it may not dry properly and can form mouldy patches that can show through.
Also it is vital that you scrub the residue of the soapy solution off with a clean nail brush and fresh water as any residue can actually mask the vinyl surface just like grease and oil!
Applying the washes
The washes form the basis of all the skin tones. They are made with no added chemicals – they have a smell similar to emulsion paint which is normal. They are a combination of pigments, mediums and distilled water thinners specifically designed to adhere to vinyl. They are designed to build layers of the natural tones in real baby flesh and do not contain a ‘flesh’ colour paint which can be ‘flat’ and not as realistic. They can be used straight from the bottle (add a small amount to a palette or ramekin and dab all over with a clean damp sponge) or can be thinned down if preferred with distilled water and bonding medium (these items are available separately or as a readymade combination for simplicity). They can be mixed together (e.g. mint and blue wash mixed together in varying amounts to make unique colours and shades or they can be made thicker by adding small amounts of ‘pure paint’ in the same shade or another shade to change the colour to suit your preferences.
They dry quickly – in around 10 minutes so the next coat can be applied almost straight away. If they dry too quickly for you, one drop of slow drying medium can be added to 5 drops of paint – don’t add more than this or the paint may not dry.
Shake/mix well – the pigments and mediums will separate – this is normal. (The bonding medium will froth on shaking so it may be easier to mix with a small brush when the bottles are still full as the bubbles make shaking more difficult due to lack of space – don’t use a large brush when the bottle is full – it may overflow.)
Summary
- Clean Vinyl parts
- Shake/mix well – the pigments and mediums will separate – this is normal.
- Apply with a clean, damp sponge by dabbing all over vinyl
- Apply mint wash layers to tone down pink/red vinyl to a natural skin tone
- Apply blue wash to tone down orange coloured vinyl to a natural skin tone
- Add extra blue layers to slightly give a deep venous tint to the flesh shade
- Add the ‘jaundice wash’ now – this gives depth to the skin tones.
- Add layers of mottling shades with a sea sponge or pluck out ‘holes’ in a cosmetic wedge and dab lightly for mottled appearance
- Add extra layers of mottling shades to cheeks, feet elbows etc
- Add more blue wash or jaundice wash if required.
- REPLACE LIDS when not in use – they WILL dry out if not.
- Keep brushes and sponges wet or clean as the paint will set on them.
I will be adding flesh tones for ethnic baby painting and paler ones for those who prefer to paint in the ‘Genesis’ colours they are used to. These should be available in December.
Applying the detailing paints
These paints are fairly self explanatory. They are applied with a clean brush to simulate veins and to creases, eyelids, lips, nails, nail tips and brows. Shake/mix well and ALWAYS replace the caps. The dropper top can be removed if required but do replace as it keeps the bottle air tight.
They are of a thicker consistency to avoid ‘bleeding’ but are still subtle and can be used directly from the bottle or mixed with other paints/mediums in the range in the same way the washes can.
All the products in the range are interchangeable!
Have fun experimenting! If you have any further questions please do ask.
Warmest regards
Gill x