Do they HAVE to have a faceup?

"Does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?"
Yes... no face is completely blank like a faceupless doll and furthermore they couldn't possibly represent my characters if they were blank!

"Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?"
Nope~ I actually pick my dolls based on their blank faces! xP

"Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup? Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?"
Depends really, I consider the faceups I do together with my friend to be almost at professional level -we're still improving and still lack an airbrush to give our faceups the super-fine and sleek finish of truly professional faeups- and I've seen wonderful "unprofessional" faceups too. In the end, no matter what "I" think, as long as the owner of the doll likes it and loves it as it is it should remain as such and that's what is better for the doll. Whether the owner likes it blank, with a professional, unprofessional or default-from-the-company faceup that's entirely up to them.

"Do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain faceup-less forever?"
No, not really; usually I try to give my dolls a faceup as soon as it's possible!

 

"Does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?"
No, not at all. I have one doll who will probably remain blank and be displayed nude forever, because I love the sculpt and think she looks great as she is.

"Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?"
Nope. I really don't care about other people's dolls, not like that. Sure I enjoy nice pics of well put together dolls but I absolutely don't think blank dolls are lacking in any way.

"Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup? Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?"
Personally I'd rather have a blank doll than a doll with a faceup I did myself, lol! So yes, I can say I've seen dolls that I thought would look better blank; but it's not just unprofessional faceups that can be less than flattering. I've seen a lot of company faceups that I thought were not so pretty, too.

 

I personally love face-ups especially if they are done by the owner, even if they are not so good, because the face-up can reflect the owner on the doll and I love that. I also do my own face-ups because I find it to be a creative release and really enjoyable ^^. But I think it is every doll owners choice what they wish to do with their dolls, and that includes face-ups.

 

I can't have a doll sitting around without a face-up. To me, it gives them life and personality, ans without one it just feels as if they are missing something. However I have no problem with a headless body just sitting around. Or a floating fully face-uped head (usually in a box cause floating heads scare the kids). I have no problem with other peoples dolls not having face-ups ect. Its just my personal preference to make sure mine don't go without!

 

Does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?
Yep, otherwise they all look the same and expressionless.

Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?
All i would think is that the doll has no faceup and is probably not finished yet.

Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup?
Sometimes, yes.

Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?
No. Better no faceup than an ugly/badly done one. It doesn't have to be professionally done to look decent enough.

And finally, do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain faceup-less forever?
No. If I have a faceupless doll because I haven't got around painting it, it stays in it's box until I do.

 

Of course there will be exceptions to most rules, but (FOR ME) I find unpainted dolls look unfinished, so would be unlikely to have one in my own resin-family, but I know people whose dolls (or some of them) are unpainted and that's fine too - it's their doll, their choice.

I have a mixture of professional and amateur (my own) faceups on my gang and they all look fine (again TO ME - your mileage may vary on seeing them) individually, and they work OK together too, but then my place is a sea of dolls and toys of varuious types, so there's no "house style" which, I think, helps none of them stick out or clash with the others.

I don't feel I have to be extra careful of my dolls because of their faceups - I try not to do stuff with them that would damage the faceups, and some of them have occasionally needed retouching or repainting - but in some cases that was because they were among my oldest BJDs and the colours were fading rather than due to damage. I ahve one girl who regularly seems to need repainting (not really sure why, as I don't think I treat her any different from the rest and the other doll of the same sculpt never has a problem) but since she's one of the ones I painted myself, I just wipe and replaint when she needs it (or when I get around to it - added this because she needs repainting now and I havne't done it yet... possibly over Christmas break).

Teddy

 

I could never keep a doll blank for a long time. If I've ordered a blank head or doll, I make face-up prep well in time (like getting a slot or inquiring about commissions) and the next day, the head is shipped away xD I personally can't have a blank doll... it just looks unfinished to me.

 

I've been curious about this too! I haven't really owned a doll so I still don't know how it would look without the face up in person, but if I do get one I'll probably give them a face up. It helps give them personality and such I guess c:

edit:
Now that I own a few myself, I'd have to say yes to face-ups. All my dolls were bought blank and I think they're gorgeous as it is, but I found out a bit of colour on the face really makes a huge difference.

 

I can't connect with a blank doll ...need a certain expression .

 

Well, I have plans for a Slender Man doll in the future, so he can't have a face up - it wouldn't look right at all. If you're planning a character that is relatively featureless by design then it's okay.

Other than that, I prefer dolls to have face up. Face ups enhance the features and give them more character.

It's entirely up to the owner though. Your money, your decision.

 

Does a doll have to have a face up to be 'complete'?
For me yes because it makes them look more special and different from all the other dolls with the same sculpt.
I also find it much easier to bond with a doll when they have a face up. It brings out their personality more for me.

Would you think less of a doll without a face up than a doll with a face up?
Not at all!

Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no face up?
It really depends on the face up.

Is it better for a doll to have any face up rather than remain blank?
I would rather leave my doll blank and wait for a good one than have one that wasn't as good of quality.

Do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain face up-less forever.
No. I wouldn't be able to bond with it as well and it just wouldn't feel the same.

 

I got my first doll blank, and as of yet do not have the materials and tools (sealant, mask) to do it. I've had her for the better part of a year now, and she has eyes and a wig, and a clear clothing style. She would look better with a face up, but I can't do it yet, and am too paranoid to trust sending her head away to someone else! Besides, if I don't like the face up I give her I could just redo it.

 

Um... I think it's personal choice. I have one in mine, but I don't think it's the be all end all.

 

Does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?
Yes, I think they look plain and kind of creepy without a faceup. I always get dolls with company faceups precisely because I can't stand the look of a blank doll and it interferes with the bonding process. To me, a faceup isn't just about making it look like a doll is wearing makeup. You can have a faceup that just makes a doll look like a person, with the natural variations in colors and shading and such that real human faces have, as well as features that aren't usually molded on (e.g. my lips and cheeks are really pink even when I'm not wearing makeup so a doll made to look like me would have pink lips, rosy cheeks, and eyebrows, but nothing like actual eye shadow).

Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?
Think less? I wouldn't say that. But I would never own one myself.

Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup?
I guess it would depend on the faceup. I've seen some pretty awful ones that in my opinion are worse than any blank face.

Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?
See above.

And finally, do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain faceup-less forever?
Nope.

 

Actually, They do no need to have a face up necessary. I mostly get my dolls for how they face expression looks with and without makeup. So if they come without face up they still look great. The only thing is they must have eyes. I can't have a doll without any eyes.

 

Does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?

- Well, pretty much yes, but it's your doll so you can do whatever and don't have to feel like something is missing if you like them blank.

Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?

- Um hmm don't really get what does that mean, but if i see photoes of blank sculpt i assume that faceup just isn't made yet. I wouldn't think that it was meant to stay that way without this being said somewhere in comments. Although probably yes, i'd actually feel like it's somewhat not completed, but not worse.

Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup? Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?

- Hell yes!! For me dolls definitely look better blank then with a bad face-up. I'm about to try doing faceups soon and if i won't like how it's gonna come out, i will wash it all off. And will be washing it off every time until it gets ok.

And finally, do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain faceup-less forever?

I actually have a doll with no make up, it's just not bjd, but jointed and made of plastic, so very similar, it only has no string inside. And for me it's perfectly fine for her to be that way. Just because her sculpt doesn't need it. So far she is the only sculpt i can think of that looks better blank to me. And since faceups can be such an artworks these days with a lot of faceupers around, i more likely will not have a forever-blank bjd. Who knows tho. Dolls come and go, companies pop up more & more... Who knows ;3

 

I think they do because it gives the doll personality, even if they are not characters in a story!

 

My intention was to give all my dolls faceups…but I have one that has resisted. Hehe. ^.^
She's been blank since I got her, and honestly, I can't think of any way to paint her. It seems unnecessary. Maybe someday I will, but for now, I'm happy with her the way she is.

 

does a doll have to have a faceup to be 'complete'?
Yes, MY dolls do.
Would you think less of a doll without a faceup than a doll with a faceup?
No, but I would assume it is unfinished and that it would get a face-up eventually. If a person keeps their dolls purposefully blank, I don't mind. Their doll, their decision. I agree some dolls look cute and lovely blank, but somehow I always end up liking the painted ones better (just my taste I guess).
Do you think that 'unprofessional' faced-up dolls would look better with no faceup?
Depends on the unprofessional face-up. Sometimes those are true eyesores and in my opinion those dolls would look better blank. However, in my experience, people are capable of loving a poorly done doll (guilty!). I even had to get used to my first doll's professional face-up, because I was used to seeing him in my unprofessional one. xD
Or is it better for a doll to have any faceup rather than remain blank?
That would also depend on your personal preferences and your trust in your own capabality to paint the doll. I have a few painted by myself and even though they are obviously far from professional, I like them and for me they do look better than a blank face.
And finally, do you have/can you imagine owning a doll that will remain faceup-less forever?
That would be very hard to imagine, assuming sleeping faceplates don't count.

 

For me, yes, they must have a face-up to be considered complete. I couldn't handle staring at a blank doll all the time. It would be creepy to me.