Gypsum Doll Painting and Coloring Process

Plaster dolls originated in China and date back to the Warring States Period, when they were used to decorate household shrines and deity statues. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, plaster dolls began to gain popularity among the general public and were widely collected. DIY plaster dolls, also known as cartoon painting, are made by molding gypsum powder. After being painted, the “pure white” plaster dolls are dressed in their “new outfits.”

I used painting plaster dolls as a way to choose color schemes for my ceramic dolls. The set includes three colors of paint and four paintbrushes.
When I first started painting, I struggled to control the brush pressure and lacked a feel for the technique. However, as I spent more time painting, I gradually got the hang of it, although there’s still room for improvement. Overall, I’ve made significant progress. Let me share the steps I followed!

🍃 Prepare the paints and palette, and mix the colors with water. Also, get small brushes and pens ready (I used acrylic paints).

🍃 Take out your favorite plaster doll and have a mental template in mind before you start painting. If you’re new to painting, you can refer to the pictures of the plaster doll you purchased and try to copy them first.

🍃 I’m not very skilled yet, so the plaster doll I bought is relatively simple. After all, I don’t have the technique to paint those larger ones yet.

🍃 Start with light colors and then move on to darker ones. Don’t apply too much paint at once or make it too thick. For clearer colors, apply two coats. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second one.

🍃 When painting small areas like eyes, mouths, cheeks, and noses, use the tip of the brush to paint gently, applying small amounts multiple times.
If you make a mistake, you can dab it with a cotton swab dipped in water before it dries. If it’s already dry and hard to wipe off, cover it with white paint and start over.

🍃 When I first started, I had trouble controlling my hand, which tended to shake. So, I used my little finger to find a support on another part of the plaster doll, and this method worked quite well.