Peg dolls are amazing first toys for little kids. They are made from wood which brings your child closer to nature. They are also sturdy and small enough to put in your purse for when you need something to keep your little one entertained during a car ride to the supermarket.
Peg dolls can come painted or unpainted. Painted peg dolls are often painted with bright colours to make them standout and more appealing to the eyes of little kids. These are fantastic pieces to teach kids their first colours.
Unpainted peg dolls are like blank canvases. Painting them can be a fun creative activity and a good bonding opportunity for you and your little one. Don’t be afraid to paint them. It’s actually easier than you think and you do not have to be really creative either.
Here are some tips and tricks on how to paint your peg dolls.
Peg Dolls & Painting Supplies
Of course, this one needs no explanation. You need to gather your supplies and peg dolls. Peg dolls are made from wood so it’s not difficult to paint them. You can buy them from brick and mortar hobby shops near you or you can purchase them online. They are quite popular so they are easy to find.
Now, let’s talk about painting supplies. First you need paint. We highly recommend high quality acrylic paint. Glossy and metallic paint are very difficult to work with because of their gluey consistency. Acrylic paint on the other hand is easier to work with and look much better. If you are on a tight budget, buy a few tubes of high quality than many tubes of low quality ones. It will save you some headache and money in the long run.
Next up is choosing the right painting brush. Investing in a good quality brush goes a long way. You can buy either a script liner brush or a mini round detailer brush. Do some research on the brush that you are interested in. And stay away from cheap brushes because they are most likely to shed their hairs on your dolls.
Painting Your Peg Dolls
Prep your dolls and make sure they are smooth. If they aren’t, you may have to sand them a little bit. It is recommended to sand in the direction of the wood grain for better results.
Some people love to paint their dolls with their preferred skin tone colour. This is easy to do but entirely optional. If you want to do this, just paint the upper half of the peg doll.
Make an outline to make things easier. Start with the hair then the face and neckline. You can add additional outlines for embellishments you plan to have on your doll. Once you’re satisfied with your outline, you can start painting your peg doll.
Keep everything simple. Use short lines and dots. When painting small dots, you can use a toothpick instead of a brush.
Use a small amount of paint and it is highly recommended to avoid mixing paint colours because mixing them can be wasteful and most of the time you can’t achieve the same results for when you need to repaint your doll later.
Finish your peg dolls with a clear coat varnish. They add shine and keep the paint you just applied safe from chipping and fingerprints.
Next Up: How to Make a Wooden Peg Doll
