Painting a doll, especially when it is being reborned, is quite a complex procedure and will often require several layers, at the very least, or skin tones and features before it is complete.

As well as getting the right types and color of paint to use, you should also have a selection of brushes to hand for some of the finer work that is required. Much of the paint is applied by pouncing with a small sponge but this isnt suitable for some areas and features.

Here are 3 types of paintbrushes that you should have before you start painting your reborn doll.

Maxine's Mop - these brushes are used quite a lot in reborning. They are available in 5 different sizes and having at least 2 of them is a good idea. They are made of natural hair which means they are easier to clean and this is essential as you do not want your paints to mix when you are applying them. All of your mixing should be done first, and because the tips are white you can tell if there is any paint left over from your previous color. The ends are quite flat so it is easy to tell when your are touching the surface too.

Fan Brush - These are a flat profile brush that is spread out like a fan. They are good for blending your paints together and as you will be using different skin tones it is important to make sure that there is a smooth transition between them. You can get them in different types and sizes but once again having a selection is important. Brushes that have bristles are often better as if you dont clean the ones with nylon filaments quick enough they can quite often become stiff and clogged up. Be sure to buy once that are good quality in either type though as you do not want the filaments to fall out while you are painting your reborn doll.

Liner brush - These brushes usually have a fine point at the end and are good for adding fine details to your reborn such as veins. Liner brushes have fewer bristles than standard round brushes and once again are available in a range of sizes. You should only need to buy a couple of small ones however as you do not have much big work to do with them. In most cases you do not want to put too much pressure on the brush as this will lead to the bristles spreading out and painting a thicker line. The work that you do with liner brushes is quite delicate but it is perfectly suited to painting on paper for practice first.