Mini-Maiden’s As a Superhero


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Superheros! And Stars!
A paper doll superhero costume coloring page for the Mini-Maiden paper doll series from paperthinpersonas.com.

The Mini-Maidens are getting their first paper doll superhero costume. I chose a star as the symbol and create the staff/wand to be her signature item. You can decide if it is a weapon or just a stylin’ accessory.

I have a love hate relationship with the superhero genre. On one hand, I really enjoy exciting movies that require only limited brain power. On the other hand, I struggle with the common lack of repercussions in the genre. The total destruction of New York is pretty common (sometimes it is Chicago) and rarely does anyone pause to ask if the ends justify the means.

Not to mention the fact that there’s a high level of sexism in the genre with female superheros regularly depicted in way that are designed to entice men rather than empower women. And I can’t recall the last superhero film that actually passed the Bechdel test (anyone know?) and so I find that the feminist in me struggles with the genre as a whole.

Nevertheless, last year superhero costumes outsold princess costumes at Halloween, so clearly there’s a cultural shift in this direction. While some of my friends are excited, because superheros they see superheros as less problematic than princesses, I am not sure I agree. Both are problematic in their own ways, but I want to create paper dolls the reflect the world around me and the world around me is full of superheros.

Plus, my patrons the Steger Family asked for them, so there’s another reason to create some more.

Still, I’ll probably always have mixed feelings about superheros.

Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

Teresa with a Medieval Fantasy Gown Inspired by the Bliaut


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  12 Century Clothing Like Bliauts 
A latina fantasy paper doll based on clothing from the 12th century with a bliaut, shoes and long long braids. Print her from paperthinpersonas.com.

A latina fantasy paper doll based on clothing from the 12th century with a bliaut, shoes and long long braids. Print and color her from paperthinpersonas.com

I had originally intended for this to be the first Teresa doll, but I decided I’d done a lot of fantasy stuff so I wanted to change of pace.

As some of you know, the Sprites are a later adaption of a series of paper dolls called the Pixie & Puck. I created a Pixie in 2013 named Phillipa with a similar hairstyle to this one. Pixie dolls and Sprites can’t share clothing, just FYI.

Today’s Teresa paper doll owes something to the 12th century. Her dress is a fantasy version of a bliaut. What, you might ask, is a bliaut?

Well, when you picture medieval dresses with those crazy long bell-sleeves that drape to the floor? That’s a bliaut. It’s a style the seems to have been born in France and spread to England after the Norman invasion in 1066.

Of course, today’s dress isn’t a historically accurate bliaut. I won’t call anything historical unless I can point you all to my detailed sources, but it is a bliaut inspired look. Her hair is also a nod to the 12th century when super long braids were very much in vogue.

The two pairs of shoes were my attempt at fairly flexible fantasy shoes, so she could wear them with a variety of the fantasy outfits I’ve created for the Sprites thus far, personally I think she’d look nice in this one or this one.

Tomorrow, there will be a Xavier paper doll with some medieval fantasy inspired clothing as well.

Looking for something else for today’s Sprite paper doll to wear? Pick out some clothing here.

A Curvy Retro Inspired Space Alien Paper Doll


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Retro Space Aliens and Pink Boots
A blue skinned curvy retro alien paper doll printable with pink boots and a pink dress. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

A curvy retro alien paper doll to print with pink boots and a pink dress. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

I like retro sci-fi. I like all sci-fi really. I’m loving Dark Matter at the moment and I have a deep spot place in my heart for Star Trek and Star Wars. Still, as much as I enjoy Dark Matter, I don’t really enjoy drawing the “gritty” sci-fi aesthetic.

There’s only so many pairs of black pants you can draw for a paper doll.

So, today’s sci-fi paper doll is very retro inspired. She’s blue skinned and her dress is very much of the 1960s retro feel. She’s got pink boots and shaggy hair. Now, my only major regret about her is that to make her hair “work”, you really need to print two, cut one’s head off and paste the head over the first head, because the drape of the hair would cover the high neckline of the dress.

Almost makes me wish I used Boot’s separate head method of paper doll creation.

Anyway, the pink dress is designed to wrap around the dolls legs and be visible from behind. There’s something kinda Jane Jetson going on with the dress. Maybe a bit to sexy for Jane, but you know what I mean.

If you think she needs some more sci-fi inspired clothing here’s another foray I made into retro sci-fi or some candy colored cyberpunk looks might be more your style. Also, if she needs a friend, here’s my other retro inspired alien girl from earlier this year.

So, what do you think? Fun? Do we need more fashions from space! Space fashions. Spashions, you might say.

Need to get some more clothing for this Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear? Pick out some clothing here

A Curvy Fire Slinging Sorceress & The First Dress of a New Project


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Fire & Ancient Greek Fashion
A fire inspired paper doll dress with matching boots. Part of the Sorceress Gowns' Project from paperthinpersonas.com. Free to print in color or black and white.

A fire inspired paper doll dress with matching boots. Part of the Sorceress Gowns' Project from paperthinpersonas.com. Free to print and color.

You know what every paper doll needs? Sorceress outfits!

As some of you may recall, I posted the first part of my creatively named   on April 10th. You can read that post here

My first four gowns (three of which are done) are all based on the elements- fire, water, air and earth. I have fire, water and air all finished. Earth is… well, giving me some trouble.

I have faith I will finish it eventually.

Each gown has two accessories- a staff to channel magical power and a pair of boots.

Today’s fire gown was inspired by ancient Greek dress. I start most of my paper doll creations with a thumbnail doodle and I did the same here. Then I expanded the doodle into a full on paper doll dress.

I share my doodles mostly on Patreon, but once in a while one appears on Facebook, usually after I’ve shared with it my Patron’s first.

Think about becoming a patron or following the facebook page if you want to show the blog some love. And who doesn’t want to do that?

Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

A Mini-Maiden Fantasy Outfit & Some Words on the Design Process


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: A pair of cosplayers, a red tunic and this fantasy gown
A paper doll coloring page featuring a three piece fantasy outfit with leggings and tunics. Free to print and color from paperthinpersonas.com.
For someone who is as opposed to leggings as I am in the real world, I sure do enjoy drawing them as part of a good looking paper doll fantasy outfit.

When I am working on fantasy things, I often start by going through my Pinterest boards. I collect inspiring images there and it’s a great way to track what I have seen. So, as hard as it maybe to believe, this fantasy outfit as inspired by this pair of cosplayers, this red tunic and this fantasy gown.

Then I think a little about silhouette. Silhouette is the shape of a design and it’s critical when identifying different fashion eras. It is also a great way to design a consistent set of pieces.

The silhouette I settled on for this set was a high waisted tunics defined by a belt and leggings. This means all three pieces feel like they “go together” even if they are original fantasy designs.

I’d recommend thinking about silhouette when trying to design fantasy pieces. It makes things feel more consistent and therefore more realistic.

And, as always, if you like the blog, consider donating through Patreon. It helps keep the blog on the interwebs.

Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

 

Bodacious & Buxom Paper Dolls Get to be a Northern Warrior Maiden


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Vikings… Kinda, But Not Really That Much
Wildly impractical Viking inspired armor with an axe and boots for a printable paper doll.

Wildly impractical Viking inspired armor with an axe and boots for a printable paper doll coloring page from paperthinpersonas.com

I am not a big Viking fan-girl. There are people out there who are just obsessed with Vikings and, mostly, I respect that. I’ve done my fair share of Viking research and drawn Viking women’s garments based on that research (read that here). You can check out those historical Viking paper doll outfits over here.

And I am here to say that this paper doll ain’t that. Vikings inspired today’s warrior paper doll outfit to have the same accuracy as a Wagner opera about vikings. In other words, not a whole lot of that.

Rather than accuracy, I wanted to draw fur and fantasy armor. Not practical fantasy armor, but absurd fantasy armor. Made more absurd, because this armor wouldn’t keep you warm in the cold northern climate anyway.

There is fur there, but it is pretty decorative rather than actually practical. Still, I had a bunch of fun drawing it. It was a hoot to create.

I am happy to create things that are just fun and not really realistic or practical.

Want to see more Viking paper doll stuff? There’s a whole category called, “Viking inspired.”

Want to donate and support the blog? Join Patreon! It’s a fun place and the support really helps keep things running around here.

Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

An Elegant Fantasy Paper Doll Gown in White & Gold


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This gown from a movie entitled, Sissi
A paper doll ball gown of white trimmed in gold. The boots are gold and white. Free printable paper doll ball gown in color or black and white.

A paper doll ball gown of white trimmed in gold. The boots are gold and white. Free printable paper doll ball gown in color or black and white.

So, when you donate on Patreon to support the blog there are different tiers- 1 dollar, 5 dollars, and 10 dollars. This year I offered a custom doll and outfit to my ten dollar paper doll donors.

Yesterday, I posted the doll I created for Elizabeth and today I am sharing the paper doll ball gown I created.

Here is part of Elizabeth’s request, “Very difficult decision to decide on what to ask for but I finally picked out for dress inspiration this white and gold dress from the 1950s Empress Sissi movie series starring Romy Schneider. I really like the white and gold color scheme though a crimson and gold color scheme could be fun too.”

She also sent me photo links of this gown from a movie entitled, Sissi. It is an Austrian film from 1955 based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. While the film was made in 1955, Empress Elisabeth of Austria was married in the mid-1850s.

To go with her paper doll ball gown, I designed some boots in part inspired by button-up boots of the Victorian era. Her neckline is a low off the shoulder heart line. White and gold is, of course, the color scheme Elizabeth asked for. I had a lot of fun making it in white and gold, but I think a pink and green color scheme would be beautiful as well.

Feel free to color the black and white version of this paper doll gown anyway you would like.

Want to get your own custom paper doll? Support the blog through Patreon at the 10 dollar a month level, or lower if that works better for your budget.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here

Fashions From Space: The Latests Looks From The Spring 2647 Runway’s of Proxima Centauri B


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Space! The Final Frontier…

Today’s Paper Doll Collaboration 2017 outfit theme was “Fashions from Space” so I am super pleased to present an outfit straight of the Spring 2647 runway from the planet Proxima Centauri B.

Proxima Centauri B is the closest known planet to Earth to be in the “goldilocks zone” where liquid water could exist on the surface of the planet, making it potentially habitable.

According to my careful research (okay, so I really just read the Wikipedia article) Proxima Centauri B is regularly buffeted by solar winds and has a rocky icy surface. So, in my imaginary space future, the colonies on the planet are actually subterranean and in enclosed domes.

Due to the cold temps, the runway looks from Proxima Centauri B are cute, but functional. The thermal trousers and heavy boots are accompanied by a cap-sleeves insulated shell. Over that, our model wears an asymmetrical coat with elbow patches.

Ever since the military conflict between the Inner Colonies, closer to Earth, and the Outer Colonies, further from Earth, heated up back in 2642, there has been a real military influence on fashion and that can be seen in this look from Proxima Centauri B‘s runways.

Looking for more Space fashions? Then check out Popculture and Paper Dolls, Miss. Missy and Paper Doll School. We’re all teaming up on this project, so I’m sure they have some great looks to share, too.

Need a doll to wear this stylish outfit? Grab the Doll here. 

Steampunk Fashions for the Sprites Paper Dolls


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Corset and These Shoes
Paper doll steampunk clothing designs for the Sprites paper doll series. Free to print in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com

Paper doll steampunk clothing designs for the Sprites paper doll series. Free to print in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com.

This is a week of first, it seems. Yesterday was my first 1930s dress for the Mini-Maiden series and today is my first attempt at steampunk clothing design for the Sprites printable paper dolls.

Whenever I try my hand at steampunk designs, I worry some secret cabal of steampunk clothing design purists are going to come along and say, “That’s not steampunk enough!”

I never said it was a rational worry. Let’s be clear.

Mostly, because I’m pretty sure there isn’t such a thing as a secret cabal of steampunk clothing design purists.

(But if I’m wrong and anyone is a member, wanna put in a good word for me?)

Anyway, I know this isn’t doing to be the last time I try to my hand at steampunk clothing design for the Sprites, so I did try to establish some neutral shades that I liked. That way, in the future, I can use the same browns and things to improve the mix and match options.

And now it is sources time! So here we go… The corset is based on this one, the shoes are based on these. The gent’s clothing is much more from my imagination. His trousers are vaguely inspired by 18th century men’s pants, but that’s about it.

One quick thing- tomorrow is the last say for the Reader 2017 coupon in the Etsy store. It’s 25% off of an order of 4 dollars or more. There’s steampunk designs in the Etsy store, too, if that’s your thing.

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

Sprites Borrow Clothing From a Coastal Fantasy World


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fish! And This Dress on Pinterest

A set of gothic fashions for the Sprites printable paper dolls in color or black and white.

Today’s paper doll costumes are a pair of renaissance inspired fantasy outfits with an elaborate fish pattern on the gown.

In today’s renaissance fantasy paper doll fashions, I gave the Lady Sprites a blue and white dress. The Gentlemen Sprites a pale blue and grey outfit. Rather than giving the Lady Sprite shoes, I opted to create several accessory pieces including the instrument, book and sword.

So, I’m going to make a confession here:

I don’t have a lot of say about these paper doll outfits.

I drew them. I had fun drawing them. I’m actually super-duper proud of how that stylin’ fish pattern came out. But honestly, that’s about it.

After writing yesterdays long post about Snow White, I feel sorta odd that all I can say is that I picked blue and I liked fish.

And I will say that I think fish are a super cool motif. They’re a wonderful shape and I really enjoyed drawing my fish, but that’s kinda all I got.

Not the worlds most insightful post, but they can’t call be.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about donating through Patreon.

There’s still my Reader2017 coupon for 25% off still running in the Etsy store until the end of the month. And the blog has a facebook page now, so go there, like it, and spread the word about the fun of PTP!

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

An Elven Fantasy Gown for the Ms. Mannequin Paper Dolls


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Elves! ELVES!
Trying my hand at Lord of the Rings inspired Elven fantasy gowns for paper dolls in purple or black and white for coloring. Free to print for personal use from paperthinpersonas.com.

When I decided to draw my elven Ms. Mannequin doll, (name), I knew I needed to also draw some elven clothing for her. For that, I turned to my favorite costuming site The Costumer’s Guide to Movie Costumes. It’s not the most updated or the flashiest, but it has a lot of photos and often photos of people who aren’t the “main character” which is handy.

Since my patrons specifically asked for LoTR inspired fantasy stuff, I wanted to honor that request. In the movies, the elves seem to have a lot of stand collars and long sleeves. Based on those trends, I designed this gown.

It is probably actually two gowns. A robe like garment over an under-gown. I imagine the robe is in something thick and soft like velvet and the under-gown is a raw silk.

Coloring today’s paper doll gown turned out to be very fun. I actually developed three different color schemes for it, before I settled on this monochromatic scheme.

But I didn’t want my other two scheme to not get any time to shine, so there’s an autumn color scheme that you can see over on the Patreon page. (Plus, you can join while your there, if you’d like). Meanwhile, on the blog’s Facebook page, there is a winter storm color scheme.

Hop to the Patreon post and the Facebook page and then tell me, which of these schemes is your favorite in a comment? I’m curious to know.

Meanwhile, there’s a coupon for my readers (Reader2017) good in my Etsy store until the end of the month. It’s 25% off.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here

The Sprites Paper Dolls & Their Gothic Fashions


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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Gothic Fashions
A paper doll page of gothic fashions from the Sprites printable paper dolls in color or black and white. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

A set of gothic fashions for the Sprites printable paper dolls in color or black and white.

Sometimes, I create paper doll clothing set and then I forget about them. This happens to me with disturbing regularity. So, I could have sworn that I posted these gothic paper doll Sprites outfits back in November of 2016. As it turns out, I had them totally done, but didn’t get them formatted or saved as PDFs.

So, clearly my memory was deeply flawed. Here they are in today all their gothic paper doll fashion glory. Better late than never.

When I dabble in gothic fashion, I try to create things that are interesting and not all black. Black is a challenging color for printable paper dolls, because printers have varying sensitivities to it. So, sometimes the tones are too dark and other times they are too light. I try to find a compromise by using several different shades of black in the same outfit which keeps the outfit from feeling flat.

This is a trick I use with pretty much all my paper doll clothing, but in black pieces it is particularly important

The other big challenge of the Sprites printable paper dolls is the fact that they exist in pairs. Every lady printable paper doll outfit is accompanied by a gentlemen’s printable paper doll outfit. This symmetry is both part of the fun and part of the frustration.

In today’s gothic fashions, I gave the Lady Sprites a black and purple scheme. The Gentlemen Sprites have a black and red color scheme.

This is the last Sprites printable paper doll set from my stash. So, I have to get working on finishing some things in progress for March. The problem with a strong backlog is that it lulls me into a false sense of confidence.

Meanwhile, if you love the blog, then consider donating through Patreon.

There’s still my Reader2017 coupon running in the Etsy store and the blog has a facebook page now.

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.