Frequently Asked Questions . . .

I just created this page on April 1st. I shall add questions and answers to it.

Nancy Lee Moran's POLICY TO SHOW RESPECT FOR other doll creators is as follows:
The dolls I use were factory painted. I would never repaint a doll that the artist (like Helen Kish) had painted herself, such as some of those in the Kish Signature Line. I would not paint one in a limited edition of fewer than 300. I am NOT affiliated with any doll company, creator or manufacturer.

Why are you repainting the Kish doll?

The artisan painting done in China creates a lovely doll to the specifications of Helen Kish. In my painting, I aim only for less doll-like and more life-like appearance, to see how much illusion of life I can achieve. Some painting work I do is of such delicacy, in transparent layers, and with such time involved, that it would probably be cost-prohibitive to do it within a doll-factory setting.

I have seen a few teaching videos offered on eBay (OOAK dolls section). Reborn (baby doll) videos from Secrist may be helpful. I just began a subscription to Haute Doll magazine, which shows many excellent examples of repaints and doll fashions and hair. I wrote an eBay Guide about doll repainting. There are several other doll repainting guides on eBay. If I see something useful, perhaps I can send you a note in the future. As I have mainly painted portraits for 20 years, I have found new joy in painting doll faces. Thank you for your kind compliment, too. ~ Nancy

As a professional artist already, you may like to jump right in to repainting. If you see face sculpts you like on eBay, put a search on eBay for that doll. Some of the dolls that come up will sell low for reasons of quality (no box or COA) or because the older body does not have all the bends (wrists, ankles) of newer dolls. Then have some fun experimenting and studying the sculpt.

I forgot to mention a tip a collector gave to me. Go to the website PREGO (members5.boardhost.com/prego), which is where repaint artists and collectors gather. And finally, if you have interest in sculpting, you could become of the artists I most admire - the ones who sculpt, paint and dress their own OOAK dolls. There are many books about how-to-create-art-dolls. On eBay, see OOAK dolls by Deb Wood and Nicole West. So you do not become discouraged in your own work, keep in mind that they have each had about twenty years to hone skills in the field of art dolls. ~ Nancy

If I use a new wig, I put moleskin on the doll's head. While you can remove the moleskin anytime, it helps any wig slide on and remain snug without glue. If you prefer, I will remove the moleskin and glue the wig for you. If she were my own doll, I would keep the moleskin instead of gluing. Moleskin keeps the wig pristine and new, while also keeping it snugly on her head. I read about it in a recent issue of the magazine Haute Doll. Sometimes I use tweezers to help me adjust and gently pull the wig over the moleskin. Moleskin is available in stores that sell products for feet care, since it is often used to prevent blisters on feet. ~ Nancy Lee, April 2009

With kind regards,      Nancy Lee