"expression" faceplates - opinions?

Iplehouse did this with several dolls. I think it was EID Akando (normal, sleeping or gentle), and several dolls of the old YID line, having "normal" or "gentle" expressions.

 

I like the idea of multiple expressions, but I find the execution a bit lacking. It might be because I prefer realistic dolls, rather than anime-styled ones, but the 'big mouth' and pouting examples shown just look silly to me

In fairness, I'm actually not gaga over different eye expressions either - I don't really think 'romantic' eyes really express anything beyond 'I feel ill' (which is why the only romantic-eyed sculpts I own are the one whose characters are perpetually medicated). And dolls with completely closed eyes also don't appeal to me, because the sculptors rarely change the mouth from the open-eyed sculpt, leaving me feeling like the expression is mismatched.

I think doll sculptors have a way to go before they can sculpt expressive faceplates that feel realistic enough for me. Until then, I prefer dolls with open eyes and neutral expressions.

E: One thing I just realised is I do have one doll with an 'alternate' head - my Soom Migma. I just love the way her default head can completely pass for human, and then her vampire head has a smile that reveals her fangs. It fits my character perfectly, since she tries to pass as human as much as possible (... considering her scorpion tail and purple skin...), but isn't afraid to remind people just what they're dealing with when she needs to. So yeah, well-done expressions that suit my characters are something I'm a fan of, as it turns out

 

One of the reason I fell love in Elfdoll Sian was her open mouth with teeth. And I like smiling expressions but they are hard to find. Just realized that Elfdoll have also another smiling head; Pin Up Girl Barbara.

 

I love them, but I think that changing them/ getting all faceups done may be a bit of a hassle.

 

I'm very new to these dolls, so I don't know much about them, but I would really like to see more of this if possible and practical. I love the way it looks, since some of those expressions are absolutely adorable. I also like how it allows you to change things up once in a while, and makes the doll more lifelike in a way. Real people have quite the variety of expressions, and I think seeing some of them on a doll would be really neat. It could bring a little more personality to the dolls if that's what you're looking for.

 

I find them pretty charming and entertaining; it'd probably be hard for me sticking to only one "theme" with paiting them, then again, we also don't make-up the same everyday - and I guess it's way fun for taking pictures/picture-series of dollies...

As for other face-plates, I think DIM recently released a very cute smiling doll (Miso?), and Granado do loads of "grimacing" sculpts (like Jaguar, and I think there were more but I'm bad with names...) but they're all not like Unoa, where you'd have one face do more than one expression but only singular yet expressive faces.

 

I'm torn. On the one hand: Yay, expressions! On the other: Eek, multiple faceups needing to look identical ...

 

I think it could be a fun and interesting concept especially if you happen to love a particular sculpt. If a company did an extremely limited version and every 6 months or so released a new expression. But yeah...for those that do their own face ups or even commission them...eeek...

 

I would love for my dolls to have different expressions! Maybe not all of them, but at least for my boyband and pop star, since they get the most photoshoots. I've love it if Parker could actually smile (he's very moody/serious looking), or if Dhani could have a big toothy grin, or if Justin and Kier could take silly selfies. I love their normal faces, I'd just like the diversity of emotions for stories and stuff. It doesn't feel right for Parker to be pouting while winning an award, or Dhani to be smiling when he's sad, etc. I do my own faceups, so that wouldn't be an issue.

 

Elfdoll Lovely (mini) dolls have interchangeable faceplates, smiling, sullen, closed eye etc. Some of their SD heads have smiling and sleeping options. I like the idea of being able to change expressions, but I'm with Jany-- eek, multiple faceups!

 

I also like the idea of different face plates. although i don't like the one with the teeth showing, a winking eye for my little girls would be cool.

 

Fairyland have this with Ante. She has sleeping face, winking face and open eyed face. (I know her expression stays the same, but still) - They also have Reni who is smiling.

I personally absolutely adore expressions on dolls. I am a sucker for doll teeth!

 

I'd love it if companies made more expression heads/faceplates but I could never own may plates for one character I think... Each individual plate would most likely end up sprouting a separate character in my head.

On the other hand I "am" planning to get an open eyed Crobidoll Lance to have an alternative, brighter and more cheerful looking face for my Yui... so, who knows...

 

I think it's probably got something to do with the cost of production. I sculpt in clay as a hobby and doing the same exact face with multiple expressions is a difficult skill to master and very time consuming. It's probably more cost effective to make and release different characters than to spend all that time making alternate head plates.

Personally I think the multi-expression option is super cool and I agree that it would be wonderful if more companies did it. Maybe someday I'll have the skills to sculpt one on my own. Who knows?

 

I never thought I would be a huge fan of "expression"-type faces... I've always considered the ability of a sculpt to convey different emotions depending on nothing more than the way it was posed and/or painted to be a sign of a "well done" face, after all... But I've still ended up buying a horde of extras for one doll of mine, just because they were all so entertaining.

Dante, my Bishonen House Steve, has more faces than a clock factory, and I pretty much love every single one of them. Lucky for me, being an intentionally "cartoony" sort-of guy, he's very easy to paint!

 

^ THIS. So much this. I haven't painted my sleeping faceplates yet (again) because it is such a pain in the butt.

 

I love the idea especially for photo stories but that means all the face plates would need to look identical. I would go insane while doing all those faceups!

 

I think it would be great for photostories or single pics that are like photostories (basically telling some sort of story instead of just being a portrait).

I don't really do that much (photostories). Also, I would worry about keeping the faceplates in good shape... how to store them and handle them, etc. Plus, the faceplates would cost more money.

So, I think they'd be fun, but not really necessary for me.