Full Color Archives • Page 20 of 67 • Paper Thin Personas

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.

Tropical Mini-Dresses

May 16, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
It seemed long past time that I created some summer time casual clothing for the Jewels & Gemstones, since summer is fast approaching. It’s already May after all.

Every March and September the fashion magazines usually report on the Spring and Fall New York Fashion weeks which means those magazines are the big fashion issues for the year. This is getting less and less true with the internet, but I still like to pick up magazines in those months.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
My fashion magazines tell me that Tropical prints are still in style this next year and volume seems to be a real trend as well, so I designed these two dresses. The color scheme comes from the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report.

Specific Source Images: Nothing I can link to this time, because I used Instyle March 2019 issue, which is their big Spring Fashion report. Sometimes I like doing paper research.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report & Harper’s Bazaar on the Spring 2019 Trends

Last Thoughts
While I love drawing fantasy things and that tends to be my usual style, I also really enjoy taking breaks for forays into contemporary style. My favorite paper dolls as a child were historical ones and that’s also a favorite style, but it usually requires research and sometimes I just want to draw.

This is actually the first of several pieces I have drawn that are summer contemporary fashions. Some of those sets are going to be for Patrons and some will show up here.

So, are you happy for summer fashion? I personally am more of a fall person, but that’s just me. Let me know in a comment.

Starlight Leggings: Space Princess

May 14, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
As I explained last week, I occasionally let my Patrons help me pick out my paper doll themes and I was both pleased and surprised when Space Princess won the poll I had put together. So, every Tuesday for the rest of the month, there will be a space princess post.

If you’d like some say in what I create hop over to Patreon and join us by donating. You get access to polls, and at two dollars a month, there’s extra paper doll outfits and you get to help support Paper Thin Personas.

Mostly when I think of Space Princesses I think of futuristic gowns, but I don’t think even Space Princesses want to wear gowns all the time. So, I wanted to create a non-gown based outfit for her.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Before I start a collection like this, I tend to gather up inspirational images on Pinterest. Occasionally in that process I’ll find a single image that I really adore. In this case, it was this dress from Pedro Lourenço Spring 2011 collection. I don’t really know how these sleeves actually stay on, but I love it.

Specific Source Images: This dress from Pedro Lourenco’s Spring 2011 Collection

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & Jade the Space Princess doll
Around the Internet: The whole Pedro Lourenço Spring 2011 collection is great.

Last Thoughts

If you are a patron, you might remember that on Friday I posted this bodysuit and jacket it can mix and match with today’s outfit perfectly. In fact, all of the Space Princess pieces have a shared color scheme for increased options when mixing and matching.

If you missed last week post, that was Jade as the Space Princess herself. Also, next Tuesday there will be another Space Princess piece.

Are you enjoying this Space Princess collection? Let me know in a comment. I love to get your feedback.

Archives Delve: Two Dozen Fun Mermaid Printable Paper Dolls from the Archives

May 15, 2019May 3, 2019

So, there’s this thing on the social medias (see, you can tell I’m super social media savvy by how I talk about it) where people say that May is “Mer-May” and they draw and celebrate mermaids, for I suspect, no reason except that mer-May sounds cool.

There maybe a nuance to this whole thing I am missing? I’m not sure.

Anyway, I thought it was a great excuse to collect up a bunch of the different mermaid paper dolls I’ve done over the years and share them here. I don’t think all of my work is super kid friendly, but when I draw mermaids I’m nearly always thinking about kids. I loved mermaids as a child. So, I think of these as all being mermaid printables for kids, where as some of my like- post-apocalyptic stuff is maybe less kid friendly.

Some of these are designed to be magnetic paper dolls and you can print them on magnetic paper. They are super addicting to play with (if you like dress up games and such- if you don’t like dress up than um… I don’t know if this is really the blog for you.)

24 Mermaid Printables for Kids

Hopefully, I will get more mermaids drawn this month. I have a few sketched, but I haven’t gotten them inked or scanned or even close to completion. So, stay tuned for that update and, as always, if you’re curious what I’m up too than you can follow me on the social medias for more in-progress images.

1955 Summer Dress With Hat and Purse

September 20, 2021April 25, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
There’s a few silhouettes one tends to associate with retro 50s fashion. There’s the tight waisted, full skirt look (like this) or the narrow fitted suit look (like this). There’s also a few variations on this and one of those variation is the dropwaist version of the full skirted look.

A dropwaist is when the waist (aka seam where the bodice meets the skirt) is lower than the natural waist on a person. A highwaist is when the waist is raised above the natural waist, but below the bust. An empire waist is when the waist of a dress is located right under the bust.

More than you maybe wanted to know about fashion terminology. I digress.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Summer is coming rapidly to Alabama. I love the Fall in Alabama and I like the Winter. I could leave the Summer without any sense of guilt at all. It’s hot and humid and my allergies are exploding. Ugh!

Anyway, I always think women in retro spring fashion ads look so wonderfully cool and calm and it probably sucked living in Alabama in the 1950s when air conditioning was rare and petticoats were common. None the less, I loved the concept if not the reality.

Specific Source Images: Vogue 8596, Montgomery Ward Spring/Summer 1950 hats pages and Sears (I used Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs)

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More 1950s Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Closet Historian regularly posts images from vintage catalogs in her collection and they are fascinating.

Last Thoughts
I’ve done two more 1950’s paper doll dresses and shared them with my Patrons. They are a 1950s suit and 1950s day dress. Join Us on Patreon if you’d like to support the blog (and get more paper doll content!)

Also, if you’re thinking- Well, I wish I had a 1950s paper doll to wear this stylin’ 1950s dress, I’ve made a version of the ever delightful Sapphire in 1950’s underwear. So, you can print her, but, as always, this dress will fit any of the Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls. Retro 50s fashion is so popular right now.

Lady in the Castle Fantasy Gown

April 16, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I am really bad at coming up with names for these paper doll outfits. I really had no idea what to call this one. I think sometimes I shouldn’t name them at all, but I missed giving them names when I was not naming things. Now I am naming things and that’s giving me fits.

What’s the old saying? The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Anyway, I digress.

I suppose I could have called this- Vaguely Medieval Fantasy Creation, but that doesn’t really roll off the tongue, does it?

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to draw a medieval feeling gown without having to be historically accurate in anyway. So, I created this.

Specific Source Images: This surcoat from Pearson’s Renaissance Shoppe and this photograph of some character from the show Merlin. (Confession, I watched one season of Merlin and was not a big fan.)

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Medieval Inspired dresses & More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Faerie Queen Costuming, Pearson’s Renaissance Shoppe and Armstreet are all fun places to see similar designs.

Last Thoughts
If you are a patron hop over to Patreon where there is a second pink and green color scheme for today’s paper doll dress. It was super fun to color. If you’re not a patron, consider joining.

I’m traveling a bit this week (last trip for a few weeks, thank goodness!) So, I maybe a little slow on responding to comments/approving them. I need to get my spam filtering stuff set back up. That’s a goal for May.

Meet Diamond, a New Asian Paper Doll with Practical Fantasy Armor

December 6, 2020April 10, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
This Diamond, a new Asian paper doll for the Jewels and Gemstones family. I really wanted to draw a paper doll with some practical fantasy armor for slaying/riding dragons or making friends with them I suppose.

I just recently divided the Jewels and Gemstones into two subsections- one for dolls and one for clothing. I figure sometimes people want a doll and sometimes people want clothing (though all the dolls have clothing, so arguably my taxonomy isn’t perfect.)

But then, what is?

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I keep a running list of themes I want to be sure to draw for any new series and “practical fantasy armor” is always on the list. While I love my pulpy fantasy armor (and I always will), I also think it is important to draw armor that might actually protect someone in a fight. Not that I recommend testing it.

Specific Source Images: This illustration and this Illustration, both from Pinterest

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more armor designs in my armor tag
Around the Internet: I collect drawings of Fantasy Armor on my Pinterest board. See also, Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor and Bikini Armor Battle Damage from Tumblr.

Last Thoughts
Not to start a battle over the best armor, but which do you prefer? Practical armor or pulpy armor? I’m evenly divided on the topic. Meanwhile, do you have a favorite source of armor illustration that I missed? I’d love to see it.

Patreon is the best way to show the blog some love and get extra content each week. Join us!

Also, am I the only one who thinks Daimond’s hair here could also stand in for a punk look? I really should draw some punk clothing for the Jewels & Gemstones. I haven’t yet.

A Fairy Gown with Wings (Fairies need wings, after all)

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I consider themes I like to draw for paper dolls (and there are a lot) fairies usually show up somehow.

It’s funny to me how much I like drawing sweet flower fairies with butterfly wings given my preference for actual fairy folklore where you do not really want their attention and they might kill you.

Still, it is more fun to draw versions with butterfly wings and draped grecian gowns.

Every paper doll fairy needs wings! So, you can glue these wings to the back of the paper dolls and they can fly! (Well, not literally) But you should glue the wings to the back of the paper doll and then fold them back slightly, carefully. Then the tabs for the clothing can slide between the wings and the back of the doll.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to do a draped grecian inspired fairy gown with boots and I wanted to draw some over the top fairy wings.

Specific Source Images: This illustration from Pinterest and This Illustration from DeviantArt

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & my round-up of all my fairy paper dolls from the blog
Around the Internet: I collect illustrations of Fairies (and Fauns) on my Pinterest board.

Last Thoughts
Yesterday, my amazing supporters on Patreon got a evening gown yesterday, so join up if you want a Friday paper doll outfit every week!

Plus, if you follow me on Instagram, you can see the 100 days of paper dolls I’ve been working on. Me and three other paper doll artists are all using #100daysofpaperdolls to share our work.

Suit From the Mid-1950s

April 6, 2019March 28, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I think of the 1950s, I think of suits and dresses. Sure, pants and shorts existed, but I always think of crisp suits and soft dresses. So, I knew I wanted to do a suit or two.

There’s really two fashionable shapes for suits in the 1950s. One is tight and sleek. The other is a fitted bodice and a full skirt as in Dior’s New Look.

Personally, I love both.

Today’s suit though is of the tight skirted variety.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I was really intrigued by this pattern from Advance, because I am always am fascinated by the idea of separates in the past. It’s an idea that has been around for as long as I think women have been getting dressed. You can see the concept as far back as the 18th century when different jackets would be paired with different skirts. I suspect you could trace it back further, but I never have attempted too.

Specific Source Images: Advance 8114

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Since I mentioned Dior’s New Look, you can read more here .

Last Thoughts
My lovely supporters on Patreon will be getting another suit on Friday. So, be sure to check that out if you’re a patron.

Additionally, I am considering doing another 100 day project this year. Last year, I drew 100 dresses and took pictures of them on Instagram. You can see them all here.

Summer Dress from 1951 with Hat & Purse

April 6, 2019March 27, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Vintage clothing, like the 1950s, are fascinating to me, because really women’s clothing hasn’t dramatically changed in the last 80 years or so. So, I think what makes the 1950s really the 1950s are the accessories- the hats, purses and gloves that women don’t wear anymore.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to draw a summer day dress when I stumbled across these digitized images from Montgomery Ward Spring Summer 1950 catalogs posted by the Closet Historian. Basically, I wanted an excuse to draw one of those fantastic straw hats.

Specific Source Images: Simplicity 3572, Montgomery Ward Spring Summer 1950 catalog and this purse from the Met.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Check out the Vintage Pattern Wiki for more 1950s and other vintage pattern goodness.

Last Thoughts
Because I might be a tiny bit OCD, the green in today’s dress matches the green in the sandals from this set.

Patreon on Friday will also be a 1950s dress. Also, I think this is a collab Friday, but I haven’t even drawn mine yet. I should get on that.

Sapphire & The 1950s

April 6, 2019March 25, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Some themes I know I want to explore from the very beginning of a paper doll project and this was one of those themes. I knew I wanted to do a 1950s paper doll.

I love 1950s clothing. Also, historical paper dolls are what I mostly collect and were my favorites as a child. So, it is a win-win all around for me.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really wanted to start with a basic set of underwear (strapless to accommodate evening gowns) and four pairs of shoes. I wanted the shoes to be mix and match-able with the dresses I designed around the same time (I’ll be sharing those later.)

One of my favorite tricks for hair from this era (or any time in the last 90 years) is to chose from actresses in Hollywood. Not only did actresses set the hairstyles of their time, but they are often more racially diverse than models in magazines or catalogs (until 1970 when that improves a bit).

For Sapphire’s hair, I based her style off the hair styles worn by Dorothy Dandridge and Leana Horne in the 1950s. Dorothy Dandridge was an actress who died young, sadly. Lena Horne was a wildly successful singer who did some acting, but mostly was known for her singing.

Specific Source Images: These shoes, these shoes, these shoes and these sandals all from The Met. This corset from the V&A. Photos of Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge (Here’s the same hair again on Dorothy Dandridge in 1954). I like it when I see the same hairstyle on several actresses, because then I know it wasn’t just a quirk of one woman, but something several women chose to wear.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Check out The Met and The V&A, both of which have great costume collections. Also, check out my 1950s fashion Pinterest Board.

Last Thoughts
I had a lot of fun creating a “set” of clothing for Sapphire, so tune in for the next few days. I’ll be sharing 1950s fashions. It’s going to be super fun.

Want an extra paper doll or dress each week? Than join us on Patreon.

Architectural Evening Gown for the Paper Dolls

December 6, 2020March 22, 2019

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I have themes I return to over and over again. Evening gowns are one of them. They are sort of the “comfort food” of my drawing life. I enjoy creating them and, best of all, they are pretty easy to draw.

The challenge of evening gowns is not always drawing basically the same thing over and over again.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really have been in love with architectural evening gowns lately. I love the complex folded patterns. They’re also fun to try to draw. However, they often need extra tabs, like the floating tab I created fr this one. You’ll want to attach it to the shoulder.

Specific Source Images: This dress which I think is from Hannibal Laguna, though I haven’t been able to match it to specific season.

Learn/See More
On the Blog:More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: My Pinterest Board devoted toFormal Gowns and Cocktail dresses

Last Thoughts
It occurs to me I haven’t done a cocktail dress yet for the Jewels and Gemstones paper dolls. I probably should get on that. A project for another day, I think.

In case you missed it, I am changing things up in regards to scheduling. I’m just updating when I feel like it and time allows. If you want a weekly update, join Patreon. There will be a Friday paper doll outfit there every week. Also, you can sign up for email notifications and the will let you know when the site has updated.