Give life to wool sculptures by developing character designs from scratch
Have you ever thought about creating your own handmade characters? In the art toy universe, your imagination has no limits. With the help of Maria Filipe Castro, also known as droolwool, you will make small collectible textile sculptures.
In this course, learn step by step how to develop the design of two characters using the needle felting technique. Learn the artist's creative process and the secrets to giving color, texture, and life to your art toy.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 23 downloads
What will we do in the course?
2 minutes, 47 seconds
Materials and tools we will use
10 minutes, 2 seconds
References folder
6 minutes, 31 seconds
Defining the idea and creating the outline
5 minutes, 32 seconds
Assemble the cone structure and cover with wool
14 minutes, 1 second
Add texture to the cone
6 minutes, 56 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin this course by getting to know Maria Filipe Castro's professional career and the artists that most inspire and influence her passion for art toys.
Then, see the materials needed to perform needle felting and how to create a folder of references to inspire your creations. Then, start drawing your first sketches.
It's time to get your hands dirty! Start creating two characters: Ice Cream and Strawberry. First, start sculpting the cone, adding volume and texture, then make the initial structure of the ice cream dough. Finally, give shape to the strawberry, creating its face, with volume and details of the fruit.
To complete the Ice Cream character, learn the technique three-stage gradient. See how to finish your ice cream, attach it to the cone and create a face.
Then, it will be time to join the two characters in a strong embrace. Make the arms of the ice cream and join it with the strawberry.
To finish this course, droolwool gives you advice on finishing and caring for the piece for better preserving your art toy.
What is this course's project?
Using the needle felting technique, create 2 characters (Ice Cream and Strawberry) and give life to a unique art toy.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for all those interested in creating art toys with wool.
For designers, illustrators, character creators, and anyone interested in the world of handicrafts and the creation of handmade products.
Requirements and materials
It is not necessary to have any previous knowledge, as you will see step by step how to create your art toy.
As for materials, you will need wool, felt needles of different sizes, flannel cloth, stiletto, felt sponge, scissors, roller, wood brush, tweezers, pliers, and notebook and pencil for the initial sketch.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Interesting and practical tips to start needle felting.
- 10 months ago
Amazing course!
- 1 year ago
Amei o trabalho da Maria, principalmente por seus personagens serem autorais e encantadores, além da qualidade sensacional. Super recomendo!
- 1 year ago
Me facino, muchas gracias
- 1 year ago
Excelente curso, explicaciones bien realizadas, aprendimos cosas nuevas
He currently publishes his work in art toy galleries around the world, including Clutter Gallery, Mothership Gallery, and Stranger Factory.
Content
- U1
Welcome to the delightful world of droolwool and Toy Art textile!
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in the course?
- U2
What materials and tools are used for needle felting? How do you develop an idea for an art toy?
- Materials and tools we will use
- References folder
- Defining the idea and creating the outline
- U3
And so an art toy full of flavor is born! Carve a strawberry and the ice cream cone
- Assemble the cone structure and cover with wool
- Add texture to the cone
- Assemble the ice cream structure and cover with wool
- Preparation of strawberry structure
- Creation of details in the strawberry: mouth, eyes, seeds and leaves
- U4
Let's eat ice cream! Sculpt the ice cream, give it a face and complete it with the cone
- Ice cream: learn to create the gradient effect
- Sculpt the top of the ice cream
- Joining ice cream and cone
- Create the face of ice cream
- U5
Beginning of a delicious friendship between a cone ice cream and a strawberry! Finalize the art toy
- Join the two pieces: strawberry and cone ice cream
- Finishing and conservation tips
- FP
Final project
- Art Toy Creation: Needle Felting Technique
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those with basic felting or craft skills who want to deepen their techniques and explore creating wool characters and art toys.
You’ll need Merino wool, needle felting needles in various sizes, a needle holder, a carder, a protective sponge, dracalon fiber, scissors, and a lint roller to remove loose fibers.
You’ll learn needle and wet felting techniques, original character creation, art toy assembly, textile jewelry making, material blending, texturing, and professional finishing methods.
The course covers everything from choosing references, sketching ideas, sorting and carding wool, shaping basic forms, to adding expressive details and finishing touches.
Drawing skills aren’t required, but the course includes simple sketching and visual planning techniques to help even those with no drawing experience create characters.
Techniques taught include dry and wet felting, shaping cylindrical and organic forms, blending fibers for gradients, and using needles of different thicknesses for fine details.
Yes, the course includes modules on textile jewelry, teaching you how to make pieces like bracelets, earrings, and other original felted wool accessories.