Lizzie,
What is it you want to learn about facial features?  Do you want diffrent ways of creating them on a puppet or are you interested in how to create different expressions with facial features? You can get information on expressions by looking at cartoon books. Here is a really simple overview of this concept. http://www.billybear4kids.com/Learn2Draw/face/cartoon.shtml

In regards to lips, you don't always need to put lips on your puppet. I like Rikkas idea of adding a bit of batting or cotton under a shiny fabric. Lycra would be a good fabric to use for this because it is often shiny but you can cut the fabric and it won't fray much. Fray check is another thing you can use on the edge of fabric to keep it from fraying. I mention this because as a rule the lips I see are added on like an applique.

If you don't want to applique them on you could try using an iron one fussing or even "quilting" the shape into the flesh fabric. That last one could be a bit tricky. You would want to get a layer of batting behind the fabric in the shape you want then place another layer of fabric behind the batting. Then stitch around the lip shape of the batting. It would be a very subtle look.

I was just having one wild idea again... Do you think one could adapt the technique of Lisa Lorraine Lichtenfels http://www.lisalichtenfels.net/
to foam puppets? I mean- those are really great facial features!

I was just having one wild idea again... Do you think one could adapt the technique of Lisa Lorraine Lichtenfels http://www.lisalichtenfels.net/
to foam puppets? I mean- those are really great facial features!

Wow! I did a double take - for a second there I thought I was looking at a photo of a real person

Forgot that Project Puppet has some free info about facial features:
http://www.projectpuppet.com/servlet/Page?template=puppet-facial-features-tutorial

Yeah, the Lichtenfels dolls are totally awesome. And quite funny, too.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Shawn, I think the issue may be in my head. I am used to cloth dolls where the facial features are as you intended them to be and don't move. It all sounds ridiculous when I actually say it but I guess I would like my puppets to maintain their shape whether they are motionless or in use. My first puppet has a lower jaw attached to the mouth plate to create a total head shape and due to his size, it doesn't affect the use of his mouth. I don't seem to able to get it right though on smaller puppets. To enable my hand to fit, the fabric hangs loose from the mouth plate to neck line and it is stupidly bugging me!  I am also having difficulty creating what I would consider 'voluptuous' styled lips. I did purchase some really sexy fabric Rikka but the stuffing of it was immensely challenging and just didn't happen. Perhaps if I try the wadding? At the end of the day, I like the bigger styled puppets so maybe I should just stick to what I know. Monsters don't need lips... 

Na, I will let you know as soon as the card comes through. Can I ask how much it is? I got myself a debit Visa (brilliant idea!) so I will need to transfer the amount.

I did wonder if the festival was intended as free... Perhaps they just need tourism and aren't charging? I highly doubt that many artists would volunteer their time though. As for the tame element... drunken puppeteers sounds awesome. That has been me on a few weekends recently! By the way, alcohol has not improved my routines in any way whatsoever!

The rouge is actual rouge. No secrets or tricks. I started using it on my dolls a few years ago and have found it lasts the distance. If it doesn't, two seconds and it's rejuvenated. Most accessories I use are real. A lot of my work has my actual past piercings in them. Gross huh? But people buying from the Lair have historically wanted something totally unique and have requested this - bunch of freaks right?! Consequently, every time I change one, it gets very thoroughly cleaned/sanitised and becomes a piercing in a design. The idea actually came from my Dad who was reading about how Pro Hart used to put his DNA in his paintings to ensure their authenticity. As a rather conservative academic, I don't think my father ever intended for piercings to play that role but ten years on, he happily accepted a nativity scene I made of cloth dolls last Christmas knowing full well there were bits of metal if he cared to lift their clothes...   For my buyers, I think it's a little less intellectual and somewhat more perverse but there you go! I'm always recycling!

Thank you for the links. I am taking a flex day on Friday and planning a long weekend filled with creation. Shall check them out and see what ideas come to mind.

Perverted? Gee, and I had the idea of piercing the nipple of one of my next puppets...
I guess with the thin fabrics you need to be very careful with the stuffing- very delicate and few of it. That's why I thought cotton might do the job. But it was just an idea. Have fun with that link, she is awesome!

Na, I will let you know as soon as the card comes through. Can I ask how much it is? I got myself a debit Visa (brilliant idea!) so I will need to transfer the amount.

29.95 AUD, plus 6 shipping (9.40 for express). Pretty much what you'd pay via Amazon, but in AUD. Just email me at na AT puppetsinmelbourne.com.au when you're ready and I'll send you an invoice via Paypal.

I did wonder if the festival was intended as free... Perhaps they just need tourism and aren't charging? I highly doubt that many artists would volunteer their time though. As for the tame element... drunken puppeteers sounds awesome. That has been me on a few weekends recently! By the way, alcohol has not improved my routines in any way whatsoever!

I doubt it is as well. Many of the puppeteers listed are interstate, and while they may be willing to be part of the festival I'd expect most of them would want to get their money's worth. The only thing I can think of is if the local council or state was offering enough funding to make everything free. Which I also doubt, but wouldn't be surprised if a small amount of funding was available.

The rouge is actual rouge. No secrets or tricks. I started using it on my dolls a few years ago and have found it lasts the distance. If it doesn't, two seconds and it's rejuvenated. Most accessories I use are real. A lot of my work has my actual past piercings in them. Gross huh? 

Actually I think it's pretty cool - a simple solution for a great effect. Besides, I used an old pair of my own glasses on a puppet once, so I really can't complain about using real accessories

But people buying from the Lair have historically wanted something totally unique and have requested this - bunch of freaks right?! Consequently, every time I change one, it gets very thoroughly cleaned/sanitised and becomes a piercing in a design. The idea actually came from my Dad who was reading about how Pro Hart used to put his DNA in his paintings to ensure their authenticity. As a rather conservative academic, I don't think my father ever intended for piercings to play that role but ten years on, he happily accepted a nativity scene I made of cloth dolls last Christmas knowing full well there were bits of metal if he cared to lift their clothes...   For my buyers, I think it's a little less intellectual and somewhat more perverse but there you go! I'm always recycling!

Haha, that's a great backstory! I love the idea of making the puppets unique to you, and I think your dad must be a great sport (if he's not a fan of piercings that is). I bet your customers enjoy the puppets though, especially if they're looking for something a bit less generic.

Thank you for the links. I am taking a flex day on Friday and planning a long weekend filled with creation. Shall check them out and see what ideas come to mind.

Enjoy!

WOW, that Lisa Lichtenfels is really talented, i really thought that i was looking at real people or waxworks, i had to read the info again just to understand that they are all made in nylon fabric!!! incredible!!! and such a lovely reminder of what can be achieved with fabric, ill have to get on my next project i think and maybe buy some of Lisa's books/dvd's.

Also, dont forget that those lips can be sculpted in foam first before being covered with your chosen fabric Lizzie, the batting and cotton idea is great, but i should imagine a much harder job than simply making your shape in foam to then cover it with the lycra as the foam will keep its shape and you are simply allowing the lycra to 'hug' the shape you have already created.

anyway, maybe i have missed the whole conversation and have got it all wrong, it just seems a simpler job than we are making it out to be, sorry if i have got it wrong tho!!! take a look at Swazzles Audrey II puppets, thier lips are fantastic and they are made in much the same way as it seems you are aiming for.