You can Look But You Better Not Touch....

Poison Ivy is arguably taking the silver position in Batmans female foes.
Created in the Silver Age and who was oddly skipped over for the 1960s Batman TV show, she achieved screen immortality with the well loved 1990s Batman Animated series; and it could be said, Uma Thurmans regrettable Mae West-lite take in the horrible Batman and Robin movie in 1997.

In studying her whole history from 1966 to present. It was decided to opt for an amalgam, picking the best features from every classic incarnation, as per my clients request.

She was created from a standard Ballerina Barbie with the accessories removed and painted green.

 

 

 

The leaves to form the bodice were sculpted from two part epoxy and built up one by one over consecutive days till completed.

 

 

 

Layering shades of green to build texture and individuality to each leaf.

 

 

The necklace and the head band were formed using a mixture of two part epoxy and wire to hold the leaves together and firmly in place. The colour for the eyes and lips was mixed using shades of citadel paints. I didn't want a shade too overpowering as I kept with a natural olive green for her eyes this links into the necklace and headband to place a continuity with the costume shades.

 

 

 

Using green craft wire that can easily hook around her leg, the same method for leaves was used and a vine was created.

 

 

It's rare with customising that the base of a figure is one of the most enjoyable parts of the creation, but for me this was certainly the case. I didn't want to distract overly much from the doll as this is going to a Barbie collector but I could see ways of taking this further into the realms of a foliage folly!

 

 

These leaves are created by bending wire into the desired shape and then either dipped or dragged into a liquid resin and left to dry.

The feet of the doll were placed into clay to give the base weight and super glued down. More clay was added to the surround to help balance and so the wire leaves could be placed and bent into the desired position.

 

 

The pattern on the base was created by cutting the edges from painted doilies and glued into place using a clear/green glitter glue.

 

 

 

Which then gives you the a Poison Ivy styled Barbie that's worth standing on any collectors shelf!