Stopped by Walmart yesterday and noticed they had a couple new fashion packs that looked kind of cute. I thought the price was $11.97, which was more than I wanted to spend on it. I put it in the cart and figured by the time I finished shopping, I would decide yay, or nay. It made it to the checkout counter, and I was surprised that it rang up for $7.97. Much better. Had I known that, I probably would have gotten the second fashion pack, too. Nope, I didn't go back and get it. This is my first doll purchase of the year. Still no new dolls, though.
There are four separate pieces, a necklace, a pink pair of shoes, popcorn and movie tickets.
Sharmaine is our model today. Very cute jeans!
This pink top has shoulder cut outs that you can't see because of her hair. The skirt is my favorite. It's made of a thin knit material. I see lots of mix and match potential with all three of these pieces.
Sharmaine can sit comfortably in both outfits. Props to Mattel for making much better fashions with the latest line of dolls and with the newest fashion packs! Maybe they were listening to us _itch and moan for the past couple of years.
Now for a fashion design/sketching update..... I'm doing a decent job staying on track with my 2015 goal. Lena's been sewing up a storm to get back in the swing of things. I have been studying the world of fashion designing and sketching. So I am sharing a couple of my sketches with you, to keep you in the loop of my journey. The first thing I sketched was a female croquis. I was happy with the way it turned out.
My latest sketch was done right before I went to bed last night. I wanted to try my hand at sketching a female face. I love the way the drawing came out. It's not finished because I need to add color to her hair to make it look like an afro. Adding color could ruin the picture, so I wanted to show it before, just in case. I might overlay a sheet of tracing paper and test out coloring the hair before I put it on the real diagram.
I can now see that her lips and nose are a little off, but I am more than pleased with how the face turned out, me not being an artist and all.
Same picture. Fingers crossed I can get her hair to look okay with color.
Hello from Spain: nice illustration. You draw very well. I like the new clothes. In my country, new clothes are not for sale. Great pics. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteMarta - Thanks. The new clothes will more than likely show up in your country soon. I'm going to look for more before they decide to raise the price.
Deletevery well done! I like how did this! I do my sketches of buildings and dioramas similar to this with my measurements and notes on the sides in little paragraphs. The fashion paks are great, I will have to check the price at my walmart because I thought they were 11.97 too.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Thanks. Make sure you take the fashions to the counter. They may say $11.97 in the aisle.
DeleteI got those fashion too a while ago. I agree that Mattel has taken a step up with their latest fashion paks. I have actually gotten quite a few of them. I am excited to see what other fashions "Lena" has made. BTW, I like your sketches too.
ReplyDeletePhyllis - That tells you how long it's been since I went into a Barbie aisle at Walmarts. I wasn't even aware of the new fashions. I now have to go look for a few more.
DeleteYou are very much an artist my friend! And a very talented one as well. I can't wait to see what all you come up with. I got that same fashion pack at Walmart over Christmas, and the price was $7.97 that I recall. I love it. :-)
ReplyDeleteCindi - Thanks. I guess I'm the slow one about these fashions. But that's a good thing. It means I have not been buying excess doll items.
DeleteI bought this pack and another a while back. The skirt is my favorite piece, too. They were $7.97 and I'm glad they didn't go up after Christmas. Nice sketches, Vanessa!
ReplyDeleteJewell - Thanks. I saw a couple more packs on flickr that I wouldn't mind having.
Delete"not being an artist and all," Hah! One of the things I've been reminding myself lately is that "just because you don't draw well doesn't mean you are not an artist." Coco Channel didn't draw. She created her fashions by draping them on a live model. You are a very talented and inspiring artist. I would say that drawing is just not your preferred medium even though you can do it competently.
ReplyDeletelimbe dolls - I agree. All of us creative types are artists. In this post I was specifically referring to the drawing type. I used to think that all drawing artists were natural born, but I was told many years ago that a person can be taught how to draw. I know with a lot of time and practice I can be a lot better. That is my goal. Wish me luck.
DeleteThat sure is a groovy illustration! It's giving me a "Fight the Power" vibe.
ReplyDeleteMuff - Thanks! I just hope I get the hair right. Drawing hair is so darn hard.
DeleteGood job on your croguis! Her hair and face looks good.
ReplyDeleteThe fashions are nice. I bought all but the swimsuit. They have placed them in the $11.97 hook at my store, but each time I scan them, they are still $7.97. Sharmaine looks great in everything.
Georgia Girl - Thanks! How many fashions are there? There were only two at this Walmart.
DeleteApplause - yay, Vanessa.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting the nice Barbie fashions at a decent price AND for nailing your creative goals!
What paint medium will you use to color your picture? Markers, oils, water colors, etc.? Good fun whichever you choose.
D7ana - Thanks! I have to get more fashions now. Good thing I didn't put a limit on my accessories like I did with the dolls. I plan to use markers for the hair. I've learned that the best markers are Copic markers. They are crazy expensive! I don't have those. I have several other kinds. I also have colored pencils. I will probably try both on a tracing paper overlay before I decide which one to use.
DeleteThe Barbie fashion packs scanning in my bar-code scanner app at $11.97 but scanning in Walmart's system at $7.97 is exactly why I got a couple -- I was afraid the price was about to go up! You chose my absolute favorite of the sets.
ReplyDeleteThe sketching is proceeding really well! I've never, ever, ever been able to do faces, not even in school art class, so I'm impressed at how expressive your drawing is.
Smaller Places - Thanks. My sketching start is encouraging me to go forward and continue. I'm grateful for that. I will be getting a few more of these fashions, if I can get them at $7.97.
DeleteHi Vanessa, the stetches are beautiful, I like your style!
ReplyDeletebilla's dolls - You are oh so kind. Thanks for being so supportive during my journey.
DeleteHi Vanessa !
ReplyDeleteI realy like the new fashion. You are lucky to find this but here, we can not found this fashion. I hope I will find it. See you soon.
Shsarignis - Hello friend. I hope you are doing well. Yes I just found out there are at least 4 new fashion packs. I'm on a mission to find them all, to at least see what they look like in person. I hope they show up in your country soon.
DeleteI haven't had a chance to go to Walmart to see what new in the doll sections. Like Lena I have been trying to get some sewing done. For myself and my dolls. I have been getting creative like you but in a different medium. I started cake decorating classes to help me focus when I'm unfocused, lol. I have been avoiding Wallyworld!
ReplyDeleteBrini - I was avoiding the toy section at Wallyworld, but I stopped by another one today and picked up one more fashion pack. Congrats on the cake decorating. I took several of those. Lots of fun. My only problem was having too much cake around the house after the classes. LOL! I can't wait to see your new fashions, and maybe some cakes. Did you guys do the clown cake? I guess I should ask which class you are taking, first.
DeleteWOW! I'm impressed Vanessa! Look at you dusting off the art skills! Whoop, whoop! Just xerox several copies & color away using colored pencils that don't bleed. You did really great on the eyes which is my weak point. Getting there. I draw the hell out of some lips though. lol
ReplyDeleteSonya - Thanks! You know that means the world to me, coming from you. Do you ever use Coptic markers? Once I get a lot better, I think I will invest in a set. I think I want to use markers for the hair. I am going to try both colored pencils and markers (separate pictures) to see which one works better.
DeleteNever heard of Coptic, but I'm going to look them up now that you mentioned it. I use colored pencils & markers made by Prisma.
DeleteOh yeah...love the jeans & skirt!
ReplyDeleteYou are most definitely an artist. I love your sketches, and I can already see that you're developing a fresh, unique, vibrant style.
ReplyDeleteOne book that seems to help a lot of people become more comfortable with drawing is Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain. It was very popular when I was in high school. Also, my friend Jenny at JennibellieStudio.blogspot.com does a lot of face and figure drawing. She might be a fun person to check out, just because she has such a fun approach to making art.
Keep up the great work!
Saturday Sequins - Thanks! I just went to your friends blog. I will take a look. As for the book....I must have at least 20 drawing books downstairs in my library. Of course, I didn't use any of them for this sketch. Lol! Way too lazy to get out of my bed and go get one. My new thing is sketching right before I go to sleep. I do plan to sort through all my books within the next couple of weeks. Part of the reason I am on this journey is due to the number of books I have purchased over the years that I have yet to use. I will probably take pictures of them all and post them here. Thanks again for the much needed support.
DeleteI remember when my brother was studying and he had to do a drawing class, the teacher told him, 'Everyone can draw'. But I think some can draw better than others and you can draw very well. It will be good to see your face with the hair coloured. The fashions look very good and it is nice to know the dolls can sit comfortably in them.
ReplyDeleteCarrickters - Some people are born to draw, and then there are people like me, who have to work really hard at it. I'm trying not to be too anxious about putting color on the drawing. I may wait until I get some better markers. Hmmm, sounds like I need to make a trip to the store today. Lol.
DeleteThis is awesome, Vanessa! I'd like to share this wonderful youtube channel where I used to get fashion illustration lessons from. I love how they draw the faces here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg5Q7zv3dHZmwuVyR1-u5pg
I hope you check them out and let us know what you think..
Hugs,
shasha
Shasha - Thanks! I checked out the site. It is wonderful. I didn't look at any face drawing yet. She is very talented. It kind of bothers me that she draws sideways. The right side of my brain likes things in the correct order at times. Maybe she doesn't do that for all her videos. I will be watching them regardless. Thanks for the link.
DeleteGo girl! You are doing an excellent job with the sketching so far.
ReplyDeleteKenya - Thanks. I'm on a mission with this sketching. I've been staying focused which is not my strong point.
Delete