Jagged Mouth Doll

$10 - $15 (based on 2017 prices)

Makes one doll

2017’s haunt explored the legend of La Llorona. To expand upon the element of prolicide prevalent in the folklore, I drew inspiration from La Isla de las Muñecas and filled the haunt with dolls to represent the specter’s drowned children. Although the process of transforming dozens of dolls into macabre monsters eventually became rather tiring, the final results were well worth the time and effort.

• One vinyl doll roughly twelve inches in height
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat gray*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat steel*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat white*
• At least four tablespoons of dark roasted coffee grounds
• One pan large enough to soak the doll’s dress
  

1. Cut out the doll’s eyes and mouth. For visual interest, create jagged edges. To make this process easier, purchase a doll made from thin vinyl or cheap plastic. If it helps, trace the outline of your cut with a marker first.

2. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, give the doll three even coats of white paint and the facial cavities three even coats of black paint. The number of coats, of course, depends on your desired coverage, so you may apply more or less.

3. Use a brush with splayed bristles to create a stippling effect around the doll’s joints and the edges of the face’s openings. I found that working from dark to light (i.e. steel to gray) produces the best results. Finish the appearance with a slight flecking of black paint. You can do this by either quickly flicking a paintbrush or using an old toothbrush and strumming your finger across the bristles. Since this process flings paint everywhere, it’s best to perform it outside.

4. Boil enough water to completely submerge the doll’s dress and pour it into the pan. Add the coffee. The longer you allow the coffee to brew, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of coffee will produce a richer stain. Submerge the dress in the coffee mixture and soak it until it reaches the color you desire. I soaked mine for four days and scattered the coffee grounds over the top of the fabric to add spots. Remove the dress from the water and allow it to dry. Once the dress had dried, smear its surface with black, gray, and steel paint to create the illusion of dirt and use a pair of sharp scissors to shred the fabric. Concentrate your actions around the edges of the collar, skirt, and sleeves.

5. Add additional grime to the doll by muddying her hair with black, gray, and white paint. If you don’t mind the mess, spread the paint onto the palms of your hands and use your fingers to brush it into the tuffs. Do not worry too much if the hair becomes matted and tangled during this process (it will only enhance the appearance). 

6. Clothe the doll and, if you want, apply further details, such as additional tears and holes to the dress, dried leaves and bits of debris to the hair, or small accessories like beads or buttons.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.