Gather your supplies. You’ll need a small watercolor set, a #12 round paintbrush (or similar), a piece of 8″x10″ hot press watercolor paper 140# (or similar), a pencil, an eraser (I like kneaded rubber erasers), and some scissors.

Lightly sketch in an outline of your doll with your pencil. Keep your doll shape simple and try not to worry about exact proportions (sometimes the most charming characters emerge when we let go of perfection!). Erase as necessary.

Using lots of water, mix up a “skin” color, and paint the face, arms and feet. (Note: I like to keep the arms close to the body, so that when she’s cut out, her arms are secured.) Optional step: When face part has had a chance to dry a bit, “dot” some red watercolor into the cheek area quickly.

If you would like a darker-skinned doll, repeat step 3 after the first layer is completely dry.

When face area is dry, add hair and let dry completely. Darken your pencil lines and add facial features. Optional: Spray with fixative.

Cut out your paper doll, and…

Play!