contemporary Archives • Page 7 of 27 • Paper Thin Personas

An Elegant Piece of Evening Wear for the A Pose Printable Paper Dolls

December 6, 2020May 23, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesToday’s printable paper doll ball gown was inspired by this evening gown I saw on Pinterest. I loved the off the shoulder shape and the fullness in the skirt. I chose to make this version purple, but there’s a red version over on my Patreon page anyone can download to print if they prefer the original color scheme.

To go with the evening gown, there’s a little clutch bag, but I confess the dress is really the fun part of today’s post.

I enjoy drawing evening dresses, but after a while I get tired of the strapless simple gowns. I find I am attracted to evening gowns with interesting shapes or draping. I really want a dress that I think would be fun to draw, as much as anything else. I totally realize that “fun to draw” doesn’t mean “flattering to wear”, but I am completely cool with that.

Paper dolls, as I have often observed, never complain about their clothing.

Friday there will be a circus themed set, which I think is pretty exciting.

If you love the blog, consider supporting it on Patreon. It helps offset the costs of keeping up this little corner of the internet.

Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

Another Version of Bridget- This One With More Shoes

May 11, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesThe first version of Bridget was made for St. Patrick’s Day. I knew though that I wanted a second version of Bridget with sandals as I have done for all the other Dames and Dandies paper dolls.

Why sandals? Well, because sandals show off a lot of skin. Skin-tone is the one thing about paper dolls that limits some of the mix and match possibilities. I call this the “shoe problem” and its an issue I’ve never really found a good solution for.

So, until I figure out a better way to solve it, I try as much as possible to make many shoes for my paper dolls. That way, the paper dolls will always have a shoe that matches the outfit.

These are the problems those of us who draw paper dolls really dwell on. I talked at lot about this a few years ago when I wrote this post on Playability. It was part of a series I did on drawing paper dolls, mostly from a theoretical perspective.

Anyway, Bridget has her white sandals and brown sandals for casual wear and her fancy black dress shoes. She also has a pair of sneakers from the St. Patricks day set

Love the paper doll? Not sure about the paper doll? Let me know what you think in a comment! I love to hear from you.

Need clothing for today’s paper doll? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing.

Meet Aisha: A New A Pose Paper Doll

May 8, 2018May 7, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesSomehow, I’ve managed to finish up all my homework for the semester (yay!) and now I have a few weeks off before summer classes rear their ugly head. I am not looking forward to another batch of classes, but the end is in sight and I can only hope I’ll get there soon. As much work as grad school was when I was working part-time, it is so much more work when I was working full-time.

But none of that has anything to do with today’s paper doll. Today’s paper doll is an A Pose girl named Aisha. Aisha is an Arabic name meaning alive, according to Behind the Name.

All right, so as I often do, this is first version of Aisha as all contemporary shoes. Eventually, I’ll add some more specialized versions of Aisha. I actually already have a cyberpunk version in the works.

Years ago, I collected a bunch of photographs of people from around the internet to try to create a skin-tone palette. I ended up with seven colors and you can see that palette here. I recently discovered the work of Angélica Dass. She’s been photographing people against the Pantone color background that matches their skin. You can see her work on the National Geographic Website. It’s really amazing.

I don’t think I’ll be creating 4,000 skintones to use on the blog. It wouldn’t be very mix and match shoe friendly, but I do find her project super neat and work checking out whenever you have a moment.

Meanwhile, go grab some clothing for this poor naked paper doll. She needs something to wear. After you do that, leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today’s paper doll.

Need a clothing for today’s paper doll? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

Playing Around with Pantones Colors for Spring 2018

April 13, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesI’ve stopped doing full paper doll sets with complex layouts, but I’ve found I missed the mix and match modern sets I used to create, specifically keeping to a limited color palette. So, I decided to create a little micro-summer wardrobe here for the A Pose paper dolls. These five pieces can all mix and match. They also share color from the Spring 2018 color report.

I love color. This should shock no one. One of my favorite things is looking at Pantones color reports each season to see what they’ve predicted for the coming season. The Spring 2018 color report had some really lovely colors in it. Ultra-violet is the Pantone 2018 color of the year. Since I love purple, I’m perfectly content with this choice. I’m not sure I buy all of Pantone’s hype about the color, but I think it’s pretty.

So, I used the Ulta-Violet color in every piece, except the pants (which I made one of Pantones suggested ‘classic’ colors) and the purse which is a very pale petal sort of mauve color. It looks white, I know, but I swear it’s a light pink. Very light pink.

I tried to be trendy as I could in these pieces. I’ve been seeing a lot of fringe on handbags and a lot of abstract, but almost tropical feeling florals. The off the shoulder top is still in, I think? And sleeve detail is still very hot. I enjoy sleeve detail, but I always worry I’m going to accidentally put a bell sleeve into my soup.

There’s a non-Pantone inspired color scheme over on my Patreon page. You can check that out here (it’s open to everyone.)

So, I’ve been having trouble coming up with things to write in these blog posts lately (I dunno why). So, I am asking for help. If you have a question they have been wanting to ask, or a topic you’re curious about, write it the comments and I’ll answer it.

Of course, you’re also welcome to just comment about today’s paper doll or any of the paper dolls. I love to hear from y’all.

Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

And Here is Cameron: A Black Guy Paper Doll With Shoes (Many Shoes)

April 24, 2018March 26, 2018

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This is Cameron the new member of the C pose Dandies family. He’s a black guy paper doll, as you can see, and I had a lot of fun researching black men’s hairstyles for him. I noticed this very square hairline seems to be the trending thing (as much as I know anything about men’s trends in hair) and I based the look that Cameron is sporting on this picture and this picture. Drawing men’s hair is something I am still working on getting better at, but I won’t get better if I don’t practice.

Along with his hair, Cameron has three pairs of shoes and can wear any of the C Pose outfits.I wanted to have more skin-tones and ethnicities represented in the Dandies, so along with Cameron here, I have a white paper doll named Cyrus who’ll be shared next Monday. Stay tuned for that.

I always feel bad for my paper dolls who end up with only shoes. I mean, I get it. It’s done so they have shoes, but really… give this poor guy some clothing, stat. Personally, I think he’d look great in the sci-fi set or in this warrior outfit.

Meanwhile, it’s after my bedtime and therefore time to sleep. Let me know what you think of the new paper doll in a comment if you like!

Need a clothing for today’s paper doll? All the C Pose Dolls & Clothing

Meet Bridget: A St. Patrick’s Day Paper Doll

December 6, 2020March 16, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesOne of my goals of 2018 was to try to do a paper doll for each of the major holidays. I missed Purim, but I have gotten most of them so far. Today’s paper doll is to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have only drawn one other St. Patrick’s Day paper doll, so here’s my second one ever.

As many of you know, St. Patrick’s Day is the feast day for St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was a fifth-century Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. It’s said that he used the clover to illustrate the concept of the trinity (father-son-holy ghost) and that he banished the snakes from Ireland. Interestingly enough, the earliest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States happened in Boston in 1737 and in New York in 1762. That means that the holiday was being observed in the United States before there even was a United States.

Anyway, I had planned to do a St. Patrick’s Day outfit like I did for Valentine’s Day, but then it occurred to me that I didn’t have a redheaded paper doll yet and something about a redhead for St. Patrick’s Day just made sense. So, I did a full St. Patrick’s Day paper doll and an outfit. I named this new B Pose face Bridget, after the other patron Saint of Ireland, and she has jeans, sneakers and a clover t-shirt. She can, of course, wear any of the B Pose clothing, but she has a different skin-tone from Benedita or Beatrix.

I hope anyone celebrating tomorrow has a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day! I’ll probably be having a quiet day at home. Does anyone have neat St. Patrick’s Day plans? Let me know in a comment.

Need a clothing for today’s Doll? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing

Collaborative Paper Doll 2018: Date Night Clothes!

February 23, 2018

Black and White Paper Doll PDF Paper Doll Collaboration 2018
As some of you may recall from last year, Julie of Paper Doll School, Miss Missy of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and I teamed up to create a monthly paper doll collaboration. It’s been super fun so far!

Date night was our agreed upon February theme. I was kinda not sure where to go with it. I first planned to draw a fancy evening gown, but how many of us wear that on an average date night? I certainly don’t!

Missy drew the base and her paper dolls often have a very anime style. I think this has been influencing me. I kept thinking about whimsical cute pieces as I was designing these date night paper doll clothes.

I had a bunch of fun designing her wig. It might end up needing a floating tab, so you may need to add one. I didn’t draw one, but I am thinking maybe I should have. Oh well, these things happen.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll check out the other date night outfits from Paper Doll School and Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls.

Need a paper doll to wear these clothes? Grab her and more clothing here.

Trendy Winter Styles For The A Pose Dames

February 19, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesI love fashion magazines, particularly People Style Watch, because it has really clear clothing photos that make it super easy to draw paper doll clothing based on the styles.

Yes, I judge fashion magazines on how easy it is to draw paper dolls based on their photos.

Anyway, one of the things I enjoy in the fashion magazines is seeing what is considered trendy in any given season. This winter two big trends have been sleeve details, folkloric florals and embroidered jeans. I love embroidery, so I am not at all upset about this trend.

Today’s A Pose paper doll clothing covers all these trends. There’s a bell sleeved sweater, a folkloric printed skirt and a pair of embroidered jeans. To accessorize each outfit, I also added a pair of ankle boots. The pattern on the jeans is based on traditional crewel embroidery designs. I’ve always loved crewel embroidery.

It’s one of those things that I feel like if I had time, I would want to learn how to do. I never seem to eke out the time to do it, though.

(Also, because I was curious, the phrase “eke out” dates back to the 1590s and means to “extend or make last longer.” Who knew it was that old?)

Anyway, this is the first contemporary fashion set for the A Pose girls dames.

Need a Doll to wear today’s outfit? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

Even Paper Doll Guys Need Jeans

January 19, 2018

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As I mentioned Wednesday, my initial plan was to start with this set for the Pose C paper doll guys, because I figured- All the guys I know wear jeans.

But then I also thought, ‘Jeans are kinda boring’

And that thought won out. So, here are the jeans and basic tops. I figure the guys of pose C (or guy of Pose C, as there is only Changrui at the moment) can wear these to hang out with friends, go to the bar or on a casual date. The shirts are all based on things I’ve seen college students wearing.

I have no idea what is fashionable for men these days, so I tend to rely on college student observation. I suspect college students tend towards the casual, so if I decide to draw some suits for the guys I’ll have to do some more research.

The fact is that most men’s clothing in the last 50 years has changed in nuance, not substance. The width of the tie worn with a suit. The shape of the trousers. The presence or lack of a hat. These are the things that define men’s clothing.

It’s all much more subtle than most changes to ladies clothing, but perhaps I only say that because I lack the practiced eye to analyze it. Something worth thinking about, I suspect.

Any way, I am pretty satisfied with these jeans and I like the t-shirts. When I think of playing with paper dolls, I am reminded that they need basics as much as they need exotic options.

Need a a Doll to wear today’s clothing? All the C Pose Dolls & Clothing

Wintertime Paper Doll Fashions: Jeans & A Warm Coat

January 14, 2018January 12, 2018

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One of the ironies of my working style is that I somehow end up with lots of paper doll content that ends up posting way out of season. Shorts in the winter cold are not at all uncommon in my paper doll world. However, since I drew all these outfits for the next few weeks in December, I felt wonderful about posting some honest to goodness winter clothing in January.

It’s been so chilly these last few weeks in the South. I’m not used to it threatening to freeze so much here. I’m keeping my heat on when I leave the house and a faucet dripping. I would leave my under-sink cabinets open, but my cat is very curious and I worry she’d get into the cleaning supplies I keep down there. These are the choices one makes when one has a cat, I suppose.

So far, no pipe problems. It is warmer this week than it was last week and cold weather kills off the bug population, so I am trying to be positive about the whole thing. Meanwhile, I’ve broken out my wool coat, gloves, boots, scarf and hat.

The B Pose paper dolls have done the same with today’s outfit. One fur collared coat, a pair of boots, long sleeved t-shirt and jeans. For truly cold places, you can imagine the jeans are lined in flannel. I really do enjoy drawing coats and I should do more of them, I think.

There’s an alternative version of today’s paper doll outfit over on the Patreon page for anyone to download if they like. While you’re there, consider becoming a patron. It helps pay for the blog’s server costs and such.

Need a Doll to wear today’s outfit? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing

The Last Collaborative Paper Doll Post for 2017

December 29, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Clothing for the Temp I prefer.

I can’t believe this is the last paper doll post of 2017 and the last of the collaborative paper doll I created with Boots of Popculture Looking Land, Julie of Paper Doll School, and Miss Missy of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls. What a fun project it has been!

We are planning to continue in 2018, so fear not! I know I’ve had several people tell me how much they have enjoyed this little project and we’ve all enjoyed it too. Well, I hope everyone has. I have and that should be something.

For December, the theme was to draw clothing from the temperature/weather that you most enjoy. Personally, I am a temperate loving gal. I prefer long pants and not having to wear a coat all the time.

So, that is what I created for today’s Paper Doll Collaboration 2017 post.

While I haven’t seen anyone eles’s contributions to the December paper doll theme, I thought I would share my favorites from everyone’s year. So, I picked one from each blog.

From Paper Doll School I have to give a huge shout out to her Mythological Creature paper doll outfit. She drew a centaur. A centaur! (I can not draw horses and am wicked jealous.)

Julie also deserves props for stepping up and creating the doll pose we all used.

From Popculture Looking Land, my favorite was probably her amazing paper doll version of Cihuateotl for our Halloween Vampire themed edition. Those skulls! Those feet! That truly creepy Aztec Goddess.

From Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls, I loved the set she created when we did the theme, last month, of personal heros. Her artistic inspirations were highlighted in a wonderful set of paper dolls. Plus, who doesn’t love a little Salior Moon in their paper dolls?

To see this month’s paper doll outfits, and all of those from this year, head over to Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Popculture Looking Land.

A big thank you to Julie, Boots and Missy for making this such a wonderful project in 2017. Looking forward, my friends, to 2018!

The Sleeves Trend in Paper Doll Form

December 18, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Trendy Tropical Clothing

The trend for this winter is sleeve detail. As I write this, I am wearing a flared sleeve sweater and that was a tame version of some of the things I have seen out there. I couldn’t imagine not creating some trendy sleeved tops for the Ms. Mannequins and here they are.

The sweater is pretty close to what I am actually wearing today (though mine is a tunic and has a lace up neckline, so maybe… not that close?). Anyway… I’ve certainly seen sweaters like the one I’ve drawn for them. The blouse is floral (also a trend) and has ruffle details on the sleeves. I tried on a blouse like that recently and I did not look good in it, but part of the joy of paper dolls is that they do not sure our own insecurities about their arms.

Nor do they worry they will get the ruffle cuff in their soup when they try to eat it. Life maybe, I confess, easier if you are a paper doll.

On the flip side, I suspect paper dolls have phobic feelings about puddles and being accidentally ripped in half.

So, perhaps paper doll life would be more wrought with terror than I thought.

Meanwhile, what do you think of today’s paper doll outfits? Would you wear crazy sleeves? Do you wear crazy sleeves?

Wednesday, there will be the last two 1920s dresses for the Poppets. Forever. (It sounds so dire when I put it that way.)

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