There is a fine art to painting eyes as Dianna Effner paints eyes. It's definitely not something that can be learned in a day or even three days. As Dianna often says after 25 plus years she's still learning. Now she wants to offer instruction on all the refinements in painting technique and expression that she has acquired over the years. She is launching a complete program of seminars designed to pass on her expertise to those who desire to learn it. For the past few years she has been training instructors to teach the Apprentice level seminars. She will be producing video demonstrations so that participants in the seminars can learn from watching as Dianna Effner paints, in addition to the live demos and one-on-one guidance by her personally trained instructors. She has founded the Dream Doll Guild especially for those doll makers who have the desire to follow in the footsteps of this Master artist, going beyond the ordinary into the realm of exquisite beauty in porcelain doll making.
The seminars are available to anyone who wishes to attend, but the serious students will want to join the Dream Doll Guild so that they will receive the full benefit of the program. Members of the Dream Doll Guild will receive points toward Artisanship and careful evaluations by Dianna and her team of personally trained instructors. Many other plans are in the works and more on this subject will be revealed soon.
At this Time The DEEP Technique instructors are eager to teach seminars on the Apprenticeship level. 11 Seminars are in the works and some have been tested in various studios around the country. Some of the Introductory seminars are prerequisite for the more advanced Seminars. The following is an outline of the projected apprenticeship program Seminars.
1A. Introductory Seminar. Learn the
basic gaze technique painting 18 inch
Portrait 1 of the Portrait doll Series. Apply the technique to
other heads
of similar expression. 15 alternate choices. Blue eyes and brown
eyes.
1B. Shy Eyes Seminar. A popular Expression
for child dolls. Many of
Dianna's doll look best painted with "shy eyes." Dolls
like Jennifer and
Emily and 9 other choices. Learn to paint Green And Gray eyes.
1C. Smiling Eyes Seminar. Learn the
mechanics of achieving an engaging
smile. Paint Portrait 2 and one of 6 other choices. Choose from
the 4
colors demonstrated in A and B.
Flirty eyes and Freckles included.
2A. Baby Eyes Seminar. Learn the secrets
of painting sweet realistic babies with their characteristic
baby expressions, deep eye color, and delicate shades of color
on mouth, brows and contours. Sleeping eyes included. Choose
from 16 or 19 inch heads. Four choices with open eyes and
2 Sleeping.
2B. Big and little Eyes Seminar. Introducing painting the larger heads with much greater detail and refinements that are only possible on a large head. Choose from the 4 basic colors but add white for detail and depth on the large dolls. 5 Choices of large heads. Small Dolls, Josie and Jessica. Learn to simplify the detail but maintain the expression.
2C. Big and Beautiful and Tiny Eyes Seminars. Explore more advanced and varied color combinations and advanced color blending techniques on a large head. 5 choices of large heads. Paint tiny 3 inch dolls, both sleeping and open eyed. 2D. Introduction to portraiture Seminar. Paint Portrait 6 using photo reference and paint portrait 5 as Shirley Temple.
3A. Small Doll Seminar. For those who like to make small dolls.
Choose from 5 heads in the 12'" Little Treasures series
and/ or 3 heads from the all porcelain baby doll series. Try
new color combinations. Specialty Seminar.
3B. Color Wash Seminar. Introducing various flesh tones and contour shades. Learn about color coordinating complexion color, eye color, hair color and costume colors.
3C. Ethnic Flesh tone Seminar. Learn to paint Oriental and Afro flesh tones. There will be new sculpts available soon in addition to Precious and Jewel. Specialty Seminar.
3D. Advanced Color Wash Seminar. Students will work on individual projects and learn from one another's experimentation and exploration. Instructor will offer choices or assign color combinations.
Of course these Seminars are subject to changes, additions, refinements and substitutions as we go along.
When the apprentice has acquired at least 9 points and has successfully completed at least the first 3 Seminars, Level A, She or he will be asked to submit a head for evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to see if the student is mastering the basic skills of the naturalistic style to an acceptable degree, and to offer constructive critique and encouragement to aid in the advancement toward higher levels. The heads will be critiqued at one of the two semiannual meetings of the Dream Doll Guild Instructors including Dianna Effner at her studio in Jamestown, MO.
The student may continue to take Level 2 Seminars while waiting for the results of the critique, In other word a student is not required to Pass a critique at one level before moving to the next level. In order to successfully pass each level the student must earn a minimum of 80 points on the evaluation. If the student earns less than 80 points, she or he will be encouraged to carefully study the commentary on the critique and paint another head. These critiques are aimed at bringing a student to a higher level of skill and understanding of the Naturalistic Style of painting
After successfully completing the requirements
for level 1 the student can earn another 9 points and submit
a head for a Level 2 evaluation. At each level the student earning
80 or more points on the evaluation will be awarded a certificate
citing the successful achievement. Upon passing the evaluation
after Level 3 the student will receive a special pin and trophy
recognizing that they have
reached the status of Dream Doll Artisan.
At the Artisan Level there is an exciting program of advanced Seminars in store. Many of the Artisan Level seminars will be taught by Dianna Effner at her Studio in Jamestown. We also plan to bring in specialty instructors and artists to teach costume design and other related skills. There will be a lot of emphasis on Portraiture with instruction in things like "tweaking" the porcelain in the dry and wet stages. Some Seminars will be aimed at fostering artistry and creativity in designing and costuming, exploring specialty concepts such as the Fantasy Doll and the Art Doll ( a spontaneous and fun approach to doll making. At the most advanced level students will be guided by faculty as they work on individual projects. A list of the specific seminars to be offered will be published at a later date.