Black & White Archives • Page 20 of 90 • Paper Thin Personas

Ballet Practice Clothing

July 23, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I love drawing pretty things like tutus, but I also wanted to draw practice clothing, because in reality many folks who dance, dance for the love of dance. They are not automatically dancing with the goal of performance before a crowd.

I have mixed feelings about ballet’s relationship with body shape, as I have said before. The stats on dancers and eating disorders are troubling. One 2003 study from the journal Psychopathology found that non-professional ballet dancers reported the highest prevalence of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa 1.8%; bulimia nervosa 2.7%; eating disorders not otherwise specified 22.1%) compared to gymnasts and bodybuilders, two other performative sports with high prevalence of eating disorders. I should add that the study looked at non-professional dancers, so I’m not saying these are the stats for people actually dancing in the National Ballet company or something.

Anyhow, I couldn’t in good conscious draw ballerina paper dolls for kids without feeling like I needed to mention the issues of body image and ballet. I try so hard not to preach on this site, but I know too many people in recovery from eating disorders, so I take that stuff really seriously.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I don’t do a lot of mix ad match sets anymore, but given that I couldn’t fit clothing and en pointe shoes on the same pages as the dolls I drew to go with this series, I thought I would make sure to give a variety of practice clothing to be mixed and matched. If you’re paying close attention, you’ll notice the en pointe shoes duplicate. I didn’t feel like drawing the same thing over and over again.

Specific Source Images: Dancewear Solutions and International Dance Supplies were two of the sites I used to find images of dance clothing.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & other Ballerina paper dolls
Around the Internet:Eating Disorders and Body Image Disturbances among Ballet Dancers, Gymnasium Users and Body Builders, Why Ballet Hasn’t Yet Caught Up to the Body Positivity Movement from Medium & Big Moves Dance Company: Beyond Body Positive Towards Fat Liberation

Last Thoughts

So, right now life is super crazy busy for me and I don’t see it slowing down for a while. I keep thinking- next month won’t be so bad and then next month rolls around and it is just as insane. So, thank you for your paitence as I work through everything happening in my life.

Meanwhile, don’t forget that becoming a patron means getting an extra paper doll/outfit every Friday.

I’m thinking I should also draw some non-ballet stuff. I specifically called this collection Ballet & Dancing. What other sorts of dance should I include? Leave me a suggestion in the comments.

The Music Frock with a Draped Skirt: Part of the Princess Trousseau

July 11, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Today’s dress is one of four I designed together to be classic “big skirted princess dresses” for the Jewels and Gemstones paper dolls. Two of them are Patron exculsives (join here) and two of them are going up on the blog here. I plan to create more, but at the moment, I just have the four.

Four dresses doesn’t make a full trousseau though, so stay tuned for additional dresses for this collection.

Princesses get a bad rep. It’s easy to look at the idea of a Princess and argue they have no automony, they get rescued and they are valued only for their appearance. Despite that, and despite being a feminist, I continue to draw regularly and often my Princess dresses.

It’s not that I’m not aware of the issues surrounding the concept of the Princess. It’s not that I don’t have serious issues with Disney and the commodification of girlhood. It’s not that I don’t occasionally prefer the idea of full-plate armor over full-skirted gowns. It’s that I don’t think femininity should in anyway be associated with weakness.

The only problem with Princesses is when they are offered to young girls as the only acceptable way to be.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really did have a lot of fun designing this one. It pretty much came out of a doodling session on my phone using the Procreate app on my phone, which I am sort of enjoying when I don’t have pen or paper with me.

Specific Source Images: This doodle

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More of the Princess Trousseau (which at the moment is just this dress)
Around the Internet: I do keep a “Rococo/Big Skirted Absurdity” section on my Fantasy Pinterest Board

Last Thoughts
As my long time readers know, I have a strange obsession with the idea of different dresses for different activities. I think I read to many Victorian novels at an impressionable age. So, this is kind of an excuse to indulge in that fantasy.

Yes, I know actually having to change my clothing for each activity of my day would really be annoying. I don’t even like putting on gym clothes.

If you’d like an extra paper doll each week, check out Patreon. It’s a great way to get more paper dolls and support PTP.

Lapis and her Summer Shoes

July 9, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
You know, I really don’t do a lot of paper dolls with fair skin and dark hair. I’m not sure why I don’t… but I don’t. So, here is one today.

It’s kinda strange that I don’t, because my favorite two Barbie’s as a kid were a Jasmine Barbie from the movie Aladdin (which my sister melted in the microwave, true story) and a really pale doll with super dark hair. I don’t think either of those dolls were actual Barbie branded, but that’s neither here nor there.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I was working on my summery clothing for the paper dolls and I realized I have never done a Lapis paper doll with shoes. I’ve done a medieval fantasy one and a cybergoth one. Both of those were super fun to design, but I did find myself thinking- maybe I should have one that’s got like just some shoes.

Plus, I do love drawing shoes.

Specific Source Images: I used Instyle March 2019 issue– their big Spring Fashion report. I like getting away from screens when I draw. That’s why I haven’t gone digital yet for my art.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: All the colors (except her hair and eyes) come from Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report

Last Thoughts
Just so folks know, there is a bunch of stuff related to my personal life and work happening. None of it bad, but all of it time consuming. So, the blog posts are going to continue to be super erratic until… well, things settle which might be like 2020. Ain’t gonna lie.

However, my Patreon content is my main priority. So, if you do want more regular content, come over and join up.

As always, I love hearing from you and I try to respond to questions, so feel free to leave a comment if you like.

Happy 4th of July!

September 16, 2019July 4, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Growing up in Southeast Alaska, the 4th of July was a really big deal. There was always a parade, multiple barbecues and fireworks. I have many fond memories of spending the holiday with family and friends and at least one bonfire.

So, I always try to make a paper doll for the 4th of July. For the last few years, that has been just shorts and a thematic t-shirt, but this year I wanted to do something different, so we have a patriotic evening gown.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Hmmm…. I drew this one super fast, so I’m not sure really where it came from. I didn’t want to do another pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

Specific Source Images: Nothing really this time!

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more 4th of July Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: A fascinating History of Independence Day from PBS

Last Thoughts
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday!

Tomorrow, there will be a another paper doll outfit (a fantasy ballgown) for my Patrons. Join now!

A Super Pretty Empire Fantasy Gown

October 19, 2022July 3, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Occasionally, I just kinda want to draw a pretty dress. I mean, sometimes I like to draw complex things with nuance and stuff, but sometimes, I just want to draw a pretty dress. Years ago, I read an article about Oscar De La Renta (an amazing fashion designer) who when asked what he did, he said something like, I make pretty dresses.

And well, sometimes I want to draw pretty dresses. Nothing more, nothing less. Remember that I draw extra pretty dresses (and other things) for my Patrons.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
As I said above, I just kinda wanted a pretty dress. There’s something sort of 1980s fantasy princess happening here, I think, but I don’t recall a specific source of any kind.

Specific Source Images: Nothing that I remember.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Hmmmm…. I’m not sure. If you want to see more pretty dresses, I do keep a board of Fantasy Clothing on Pinterest which is full of them.

Last Thoughts
Clearly, this isn’t my most “complex” blog post. Sometimes I think a lot about what I create and sometimes I just draw. Not everything has a complex history.

I’d like to take a moment here to thank everyone who pledges on Patreon. You make this little corner of the web possible and I am very grateful to you all.

By the way, at the moment, there’s a lot going on with my world, so please know that while I love the blog and I love creating paper dolls, I’m keeping a lot of plates spinning at the moment.

May and June Collaboration: Beach & Mermaids

December 6, 2020June 29, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Confession, I have no idea who out of my usual crew- Julie of Paper Doll School, Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls – have actually kept up with this collaboration. One of the rules from the beginning for me (a personal rule, not one I told anyone else) is that this project has always been about only one thing- having fun and I was never planning to enforce any sort of participation requirement on anyone.

So, I have no clue whose sharing something this month. I am entirely comfortable with that level of ignorance.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Technically, I drew these mermaids for May, but I didn’t get them finished. And I didn’t get anything drawn in June, so I thought- June’s theme is Beach. Mermaids live in the Ocean. What is the ocean, if not, a beach under water?

Specific Source Images: Um…. Nothing really. It’s Mermaids.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: There’s the 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project and the 2018 Collaborative Paper Doll Project
Around the Internet: My usual buds in this strange endeavor are the delightful Julie of Paper Doll School, the lovely Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls, and the remarkable Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls, I have no idea if any of them are sharing creations this month.

Last Thoughts
I’ve been thinking a lot of lately about black and white vs color. I find I do draw differently if I am working on a piece that I know won’t be colored vs a piece I know will be colored. I think line work can be very powerful and I wish I had more time to experiment with it then I usually do.

As I said above Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Popculture and Paper Dolls might have their own versions of this months theme or they might not. It’s a surprise!

Diamond and her Shoes

June 26, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
This is the 51st post in the Jewels and Gemstones series. Dames and Dandies got to 129 last year, but I have no idea if I will get Jewels and Gemstones to that many. Life is been extremely busy this year and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. I’m still drawing and still very happy to be creating my paper dolls. I’m just not naive about how much time I have these days to devote to my paper doll related activities.

And I actually have an absurd about of stuff in “progress”, but I have been having trouble finishing anything. There’s some big skirted princess dresses, three paper dolls with cocktail dresses, a mermaid, and a whole set of ballet stuff that’s all in various states of “not quite done yet.”

But I digress.

Here is Diamond getting her shoe set. I try to do some of these sets of every paper doll, because skin-tone is visible on shoes and shoes are hard to cut out while omitting skin tone. Those white and black strappy sandals would be nigh impossible to cut out, so I do these sets to help increase the mix and match options for my paper dolls while also having a bunch of diverse paper doll skin-tones.

The Jewels and Gemstones series, for example, has 8 skin-tones at this point.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really have been seeing a lot of pastel tennis shoes lately. Plus, I try yo give every paper doll skintone a pair of super absurd strappy heels for fancy dresses. As a kid, I loved paper dolls with fancy dresses, so I try to channel that.

Specific Source Images: Nothing really this time!

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more armor designs in my Other Version of Diamond
Around the Internet: Along with collecting fashion images, I also keep a Pinterest board devoted to hair. Diamond’s hair today is pretty straight forward, but I did want to mention it in case folks were curious.

Last Thoughts
My hair goes down to my waist and I have to say, I love how it looks, but occasionally I get really annoyed at it. Mostly when it gets caught in like a car door or my cat attacks it.

Patreon gets you more paper dolls every week. Join here!

Don’t forget that if you want this paper doll to actually wear clothing, you’ll need to cut along between her hair and shoulders, also by her side. There’s dots indicating that, but I like to remind folks in case they don’t notice.

Ruffle Sleeves and Crop Pants

June 23, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
You spend anytime watching fashion, as I do, and you pretty quickly see that sleeves are the THING at the moment. Sleeve details are everywhere. Personally, I think a lot of them are pretty fun- also a lot of them are pretty absurd.

Anyway, today’s post is, like the ruffled tunic, the preppy summer polka-dots (patron exclusive) and the tropical mini-dresses one I designed after looking at a lot of summer fashion magazines and wanting to make sure the Jewels and Gemstones got some fun summer fashions.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
As with the other paper doll outfits I’ve made in this summery collection. I based the colors off the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report. It predicted the coral would be the color of the season, so I wanted to make sure I used that color.

Specific Source Images: I used Instyle March 2019 issue– their big Spring Fashion report. Sometimes it is super nice to get away from screens, you know?

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report (I know I’ve linked to it before, but it’s kinda the reason I did these, after all.)

Last Thoughts
It’s been a super hot summer here in Alabama. I am not a heat person. I hate the heat. I grew up in Alaska. I am a cold weather soul. You can dress for the cold weather. At some point, you can’t take off more clothing (and not get arrested.)

By the way, while I am not prioritizing keeping blog posts regular (too much in my life), I am making sure I get my weekly Patreon Paper doll up, so head over there to join and see those.

A Long Ruffled Tunic, Peddle-Pushers & Shorts

June 12, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I really love how clothing changes with the seasons. Maybe, because I grew up in Alaska where there were really only two seasons- rain and icy rain. But then I moved to the midwest and there were four seasons and I was quite happy to discover fall and spring.

Now I live in the South where, I confess, there really are once again two seasons- chilly and so hot you want to die. There’s a short period between these that is relatively pleasant, but this spring has been brutally hot.

So, I try to pick up the big fashion magazine issues in March and September, which tend to be thick with forecasts on what is coming down the pike in the fashion world. Not coincidentally, this lines up with Fashion Week in New York.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
The color comes from the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report which predicts the popular colors each year in home goods and fashion. One of the trends that is very popular at the moment is ruffles, so that was part of my inspiration here. I added in some shorts and white peddle pushers, because I was also thinking about paper doll wardrobe building and those are such great basic pieces.

Specific Source Images: I used Instyle March 2019 issue– their big Spring Fashion report. Often when I draw, I like to get away from screens.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report & An Article about the Importance of Ruffles

Last Thoughts
I have fun drawing all sorts of things, but I try to mix it up. I know my favorite paper dolls as a child were historical or fantasy, but I like drawing contemporary fashion. It feels real and meaningful for paper dolls to be reflective of their time-period. Plus, not all my readers are me.

Love the blog? Want to help support it? Become a Patron.

What’s your favorite style of paper doll? Let me know in a comment. I’m super curious.

Regency Fashions: Dress, Spencer and Bonnet

May 12, 2020June 10, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I’ve been a on regency romance novel reading kick. I just finished the whole Pennyroyal Green Series which was okay. I confess that when it comes to my regency romance novels (or historical romances in general), I really only expect one out of five to be really good. Two out of five usually fail the 50 page test. (This is, for the record, where I read 50 pages and if I don’t want to continue I stop reading.)

It’s just that there are so many regency (and historical, I’m flexible on time period) romances in the world that I don’t see any reason to waste my time with ones that don’t engage me.

Anyway, since I have been enjoying this particularly fluffy genre, I remembered I had one regency dress I made a while ago that I hadn’t yet gotten around to sharing.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
So, the red dress is round gown. This was a style that was popular in the every early part of the 19th century and really evolved pretty directly out of the Chemise A La Rein . A lot of round gowns have trains, but not all. Most have very high waistlines and rounded out skirts. The style sticks around until about 1810 or so when it is replaced by more structured garments. Making things a bit more confusing is the fact that the round gown can refer to 18th century styles that fastened in the front. So, this make the terminology a bit of a nightmare.

Generally, though not always, you can sort of get a sense of the era of a garment in this period by how high the waistline is. The higher the waist- the earlier the gown. But fashion trends moved a bit more slowly than they do today and, like today, a lot of people wore what they liked even if it was a year or two out of date. After all, not everyone wears skinny jeans now.

When I was picking source images for this collection, I wanted to stay before 1810, though I wasn’t super picky about year.

Specific Source Images: This 1802 English Round Gown, This Undated Spencer (it’s undated, but the very very high waist is indicative of the very early party of the 19th century), and bonnets like these from 1808.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Regency paper dolls
Around the Internet: Here’s a few nice articles I found- one on the changing Regency silhouette, 18th Century Round Gowns (earlier than this one), and another nice example from The Met of the style

Last Thoughts
While I don’t really know if I have favorite periods of fashion history, I do have periods I seem to go back to more than other periods. I think part of why I like the regency era is that there were so many amazing fashion magazines of the time that make it really fun (and fairly easy) to get a good idea of what was in style.

It occurs to me that some might have missed all of the Jewels and Gemstones Regency paper dolls thus far, so here they all are. There’s also a Dinner Dress and a Morning Dress for my Patrons. If you enjoy the blog than consider becoming a patron, there’s an extra paper doll dress for my Patrons on Fridays.

The Jewels & Gemstones Regency Dress Thus Far

As usual, comments are always delightful and I’d love to hear what you think about today’s regency paper doll dress. Is there an era of fashion you really love?

Nebula Gown: Space Princess Collection

December 6, 2020June 4, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I know you’re not supposed to have favorites among your children and I probably shouldn’t have favorites among my paper dolls, but I did sort of save my favorite Space Princess Gown for last. Sure, I love them all, but today’s gown is my favorite.

I don’t know if my Patrons would agree, but I am a sucker for the high-waist and the reflective bodice which, in my head, is armored.

While I never thought Space Princesses would win the poll I gave my Patrons, I am sort of over joyed the theme won, because it has been so much fun to draw these over the top outfits.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
As some of you may recall, my affection for Space Princesses dates back to this card. My grandmother sent it to me when I was a kid and ever since, I’ve had a thing for Space Princesses. I don’t know what a space princess is… but it sure is a good excuse to draw futuristic fantasy gowns and who doesn’t want an excuse to do that?

I chose Jade as the model for the Space Princess, because there has one been one Jade paper doll on the blog so far and it was very nice and very modern and I thought… clearly, she needs a super absurd hairstyle and fantasy gown. After all, doesn’t everyone?

Specific Source Images: This gown from my Pinterest Sci-Fi fashion board.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & Jade: Space Princess
Around the Internet: My Pinterest Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi Fashion Board

Last Thoughts
I have one more big piece of travel in June and then hopefully things will quiet down for a little bit. Or not. I keep thinking… soon I’ll have more paper doll time, but paper doll time has been in short supply. I am drawing a lot, but I’m not finishing much. Follow me on Instagram if you want to see my progress on the #100dayproject where I’m drawing #100daysofpaperdolls along with some other amazing artists.

There was an extra Space Princess outfit for my Patrons (join us if you like), but this is the last Space Princess piece for the moment. Maybe I’ll draw more later.

Should I draw more Space Princess content? Let me know in a comment. I love to hear from y’all.

Galaxy Frock: Space Princess Collection

September 20, 2021May 28, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
So, I am a little annoyed at WordPress at the moment, somehow it missed posting all the stuff I carefully had scheduled for last week. As a result, I am posting those things this week. Sigh.

My Patrons chose this theme of Space Princess dresses back in January. In case you are wondering how long it take me to finish things, well… I started this back in January. See, I am clearly not a very fast paper doll creator.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I love the work of Guo Pei. She’s a Chinese fashion designer and there’s something that just feel Space Princess to me in so much of her work. I could have drawn the whole Space Princess wardrobe from her designs. They are amazing.

Specific Source Images: This gown from Guo Pei Spring 2019 and this gown.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & this paper doll, this paper doll and these paper doll clothes
Around the Internet: Guo Pei’s collections are all amazing. She has a wonderful, almost fantastical style with a strong traditional Chinese influence. A nice article on her called Guo Pei: Couture Beyond

Last Thoughts
Be sure to come back next week on Tuesday for another Space Princess design, unless WordPress once again decides it hates me. I think I got the problem fixed. I think…

As always a big thank you to my Amazing Patrons, they make the blog possible.

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