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How to Make a Composition Doll

Dolls can be made out of many different materials, not simply modern plastic resin or rubber. One older material used to make dolls is composition, a type of plastic created by mixing diverse liquid and solid materials together, much like plaster, but with a thicker consistency and much more variability. This style of dollmaking is popular among artists, who like to experiment with different materials, and fans of antique dolls. Often, composition is used only in the doll's head, which is attached to a cloth body or armature wire body.

Things You'll Need

Two-part doll head mold
Mold release agent
Latex gloves
Fine sawdust
Clear lacquer
Lacquer thinner
Bucket
Wooden dowel or stirring tool
Sandpaper
Enamel paint
Paintbrushes
Oil or acrylic paint
Tacky glue
Cloth doll body

Instructions

- 1
  Set up your workspace in a well-ventilated room that does not have a stove, and cover your work surface with plastic.
- 2
  Coat the inside of your two-part doll head mold with mold release. Put on your latex gloves to start casting your composition doll.
- 3
  Mix a small amount of fine sawdust and clear lacquer in a small bucket with a stirring tool. Add enough lacquer to the sawdust so that the mixture holds together but is not soupy.
- 4
  Coat your fingers with lacquer thinner, then quickly push the composition mixture into each doll head mold half. Make sure that you cover all parts of the head design.
- 5
  Let the composition dry completely in the mold. Remove each piece carefully from the mold halves, then place them back into the mold.
- 6
  Strap the mold halves together with a piece of rope or a few rubber bands. Mix together another small batch of composition and press it into the mold through the neck opening, covering the seam between the mold halves.
- 7
  Let the composition set for 12 hours. Unstrap the mold and carefully pull the mold halves apart. Sand any rough parts of the doll head smooth.
- 8
  Paint a base coat of enamel onto the doll head and let it dry completely. Decorate the head over this coat using oil or acrylic paint, and glue on any hair pieces that you like.
- 9
  Add a small amount of tacky glue to the base of the neck. Fit the neck of the head into the cloth doll body and press it into place. You may need to put armature wire inside the cloth body to support the weight of the head.

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