How to Make or Edit Asian Style Ball Jointed Dolls
(Some of these links direct you to forums like "The Joint" and "Den of Angels" in which you must be a member to view. I highly suggest joining these sites if you are interested in Ball Jointed Dolls. I love them! <3)
Making a BJD
Basic Procedure:
Tutorials by Kafae:
Tutorials by Others:
- Decide on proportions/head to body ratio along with doll height/type (Yo SD, MSD, SD)
- Optional (Character sketch to determine personality, facial expression, ect)
- Draw a proportional sketch including ball joints
- Create a sketch for the core (clay should be no thinner than 5mm normally and 2mm by the wrists and ankles. Make the clay thicker near the face so you can set the eyes.
- Create the core out of styrafoam, model magic, aluminum foil, straws, or anything that you can break down.
- Mold over the core with your chosen clay (paperclay or lightweight but durable stone clay)
- Sculpt the Doll and features
- Cut out the joints and limbs out, take out the core material.
- Sand and finish (Stop here for a single bisque doll)
- Make a silicone mold, cast in resin, sand seams, add details and faceup.
Tutorials by Kafae:
- Outline of Materials Needed
- Making a BJD (Yo SD size) Part 0: Intro
- Making a BJD Part 1: The Head
- Making a BJD Part 2: The Body
Tutorials by Others:
- Making a BJD 1: out of clay from scratch (By Daggerchan aka Audrey)
- Example Concept Art for a BJD: Concept 1 (credits go to artist in link above)
- Making a BJD 2: from scratch (By Noah)
- Making a BJD 3: Casting, and Assembling a BJD from scratch (By Dolly Daydream)
- Making a BJD 4: Many parts of the process - Use Google Translate to read (By Aimi-doll)
- Making a BJD 5: Making from scratch - Use Google Translate to read (By Heaven's Memory)
- Craft Tips, Materials and Tools, and Detailed Photos of BJD made by hand (By Sweet Breezes)
- Generic How-To-Cast-Resin Tutorials (By Alumilite Corp.)
- More Helpful Threads on Making BJDs (By Den of Angels)
- Making a BJD Rants (By Gnomer01 - There are 11 so far, go to her channel to find the rest)
How to do a Face-up
By Kafae:
By Others:
By Others:
More Resources:
Forums:
Sizing Chats (Measurements for Different BJD Brands)
Other Info:
Books:
Sizing Chats (Measurements for Different BJD Brands)
- Various Companies and BJD sizes
- Tiny (10-30) BJD sizes
- Mature Mini (40s) BJD sizes
- Regular SD (50+) BJD sizes
- Volks Doll Body Sizes/Types
- Comparison of Measurements for some BJD Brands
Other Info:
Books:
- The Ball Jointed Doll Obyrarium (I have this book. It's totally worth picking up if you can still find it. I bought mine froum HautyDol but I think it's out of print. ; ;)
- The Ryo Yoshida BJD Making Guide (You can find the book on eBay, Amazon, or Japan Amazon)
| ryo_yoshida_bjd_making_guide_english_translation.docx |
Older Word 97-2003 (Compatibility mode) Document
| ryo_yoshida_bjd_making_guide_english_translation.doc |
