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Welcome to my dolling FAQ.
I hope this will help clarify a few things for those both new and
experienced with dolling. I have written what I believe to be
the most common beliefs / definitions. If you have a question
or suggestion please contact me.
What is pixel art?
Pixel Art is a type of computer graphic, usually small,
that is created or edited pixel by pixel. The most common
programs used are MS Paint, Paint Shop Pro & Photoshop.
What is dolling?
Dolling is a form of pixel art. It is the art or act of
making dolls.
What are dolls?
Dolls are generally characterized as small 2D graphics of
humanoids, typically female that are created or edited pixel by
pixel.
Dolling is often compared to paper dolls. You have a doll "a
base" and a variety of outfits you can dress her with "dollers draw
these outfits onto the base". I'd guess that at least 75% of
dollers use bases and then draw their own hair and clothes.
There are two main
forms of shading a doll. Pixel Shading & Tool Shading.
Pixel Shading encompasses shading by editing pixel by pixel.
Tool Shading is achieved through the use of various tools
"program options, settings and applications" to alter color and
appearance of one or more pixels at a time.
Who are dollers?
Dollers are those that doll, or create dolls.
What are bases?
A Base is the body or form beneath the clothes, hair and
other accessories of a doll. They are basically images of
nude, hairless bodies; sometimes without facial features; that are
distributed for others to use.
Basemakers are those that create bases.
Base Credits
A base credit is a link to the base creator. When you
use a base not of your own creation to create a doll you are
expected to credit the basemaker wherever you display the doll.
Most people use text links. These links should be near the
doll or should be on the same page but should clearly indicate which
bases belong to which basemaker. This also allows people to
find their way to the basemakers site in order to also use or view
their work.
The Dolling
Community
Anyone new to dolling may be interested to know that there are quite
a few of us. In fact there are thousands of us and we're
international. Though there are so many of us the power of the
internet keeps us closely connected and dollers are generally quite
social and intimate or at least familiar with other dollers.
Mainly due to the many social activities we all generally engage in
which include contest and dolling forums. The dolling
community is very supportive and encouraging. We inspire each
other to improve and we enjoy creating and viewing each other's
works of art.
Dolling Contest
A large percentage of
dollers host contest at their web sites. These contest usually
present a challenge requesting that dollers create a doll with
certain qualities. The entries are then normally displayed for
all to see and the best dolls are chosen based either on popular
vote or by the discretion of the host. Winners generally
receive an award graphic displaying their place and the type of
contest. Winners then proudly display their achievements at
their own site.
Contest and awards also serve as an incredible advertisement source
and traffic generator. They also serve as inspiration and
challenge dollers to try new things.
Doll Forums
Doll forums are the heart of most doller and dolling activity.
Most members join in order to show off their creations, receive
constructive criticism, advertise their site and contest, socialize,
make new friends, compete in forum challenges and at least a dozen
other things. Doll forums are responsible for the intimacy
most of the dolling community enjoys and they also serve as a
powerful means of inspiration and education.
What are
dollmakers?
A dollmaker is an application which allows you to create a
doll by selecting clothing, hair and other accessories that are then
applied to the base. These vary in sophistication and are
sometimes referred to as "drag & drops" because they often involve
dragging your selections across the screen and dropping them onto
the base.
What is frakendolling?
To Frankendoll is to take one or more parts of someone else's doll
and use them to create a new image. "Basically a Frankenstein
or combination of different people's images."
Frankendolling is severely frowned upon in the dolling community.
It doesn't take long for people to recognize a frakendoll and if you
do frakendoll you'll be shunned from the community and some artist
or dollers may go as far as to contact your hosting provider and
have your site or the offensive content removed. Frakendolling
is a form of copyright infringement so it should be taken seriously. |
