After my last post where I showed Elizabeth's default look, and shared thoughts on eyes, I think I've found my favourite eye/wig combo so far.
I don't know who made the wig (bought at a very decent price from Yahoo! Japan Auctions) but the eyes are from SD17 Ludo's default release. I think they now belong to Elizabeth. They're a small iris HG glass eye (18mm size), and I really like the blue against her saturated faceup.
I love teasing out the potential in a doll, especially when you know the default look doesn't work for you, but there's something very strong in there somewhere. This is it.
I was lucky enough to win the recent lottery sale for Volks's SD13 Elizabeth. She's a really gorgeous doll with a very changeable sculpt and a lot of potential.
My Elizabeth arrived yesterday, and I had time to do a quick unboxing and dress-up.
These dolls are intended to be customised (if the owner wants to), and I always find that eye size and placement make a huge difference to the doll's expression. Elizabeth comes with 18mmHG glass eyes from Volks in the colour "Cadet Blue with Black line". For my taste, they're too big, and when I examined my doll I could see gaps at the sides of the eyes when you look from certain angles.
I removed the eyes and noticed that they do seem on the large size of 18mm (though eye size is not an exact science, especially with handmade glass eyes). The irises are 11-12mm which is larger than any other 18mm eyes I own. And also, they have very high domes - again, higher than others I own, which likely is the main cause of the gapping.
Below is a comparison with two other sets of glass eyes. From left to right: 18mm Zoukeimura eyes from the Full Choice System (colour "Thin green", circa 2004), 18mm HG Glass eyes from the SDGr Lucia Antique Stylist release (colour "Tea Rose with Black line"), and Elizabeth's eyes.
Eye comparisons
18mm Zoukeimura eyes from the Full Choice System (colour "Thin green", circa 2004):
18mm HG Glass eyes from the SDGr Lucia Antique Stylist release (colour "Tea Rose with Black line"):
16mm HG glass eyes from the SD17 Maximilian release (colour "Cadet Blue with Black line"):
16mm glass eyes (origin unknown):
18mm Zoukeimura glass eyes (colour unknown; circa 2021):
Conclusion
I thought the 16mm eyes would be the best fit, but there's a tiny bit of gapping on the sides. My low-profile, low-dome Zoukeimura eyes are definitely the best fit.
In general, I feel a small-iris 18mm, which I don't have here, would be the best choice, but 16mm would also work.
I tried to have productive doll time today, but what I ended up with were these two rushed photos. First my battery wasn't charged, then the SD card was full, and then I had to do battle with the limits of my old 2005-era camera body in very low light (and the limits of my photography skills). I'm definitely planning a camera upgrade later this year.
I did at least get to remove the hotglue from Floris's eyes and try this new pair, plus put him in this gorgeous floofy froufrou outfit from Volks, which was basically made for him. And the blurry paper flower is also evidence of a new hobby. (Do I need a new hobby? No. Can I resist the lure of new hobby? Also no.)
Floris's vibe is white/cream milk and honey romantic knight/soft boy with flowers. I've been thinking about making him a doublet and hose, but I've got about 10 projects to finish first, so do not watch this space...
Details
Doll:Floris is a SD17 (Super Dollfie 17) Maximilian made by Volks
Eyes: Resin, from a Taobao seller (not sure which one). 18mm with a small iris.
