These Chillingly Beautiful Dolls Look So Real

Michael Zajkov is very good at crafting realistic dolls — perhaps too good. Zajkov's hyper-realistic dolls are so human-like in appearance that they are equally as eerie as they are impressive. Zajkov studied graphic design and sculpting at the Kuban State University in Russia, but he didn't make his first doll until 2010, when he started work as a puppet-maker at a theater. At the theater, he honed his skills and took some of his creations to the 2013 "Art Dolls" expo in Moscow, where he impressed his contemporaries and developed an immediate following that propelled him to international acclaim. 

He now has over 350 thousand followers on Instagram and his works continue to delight (or terrify) people all over the world. Whether or not you like Zajkov's work, there is no denying that his craftsmanship is impressive. Each doll is completely unique and remarkably human. 

Where'd You Get Those Peepers?

The eyes of the dolls are hand painted glass eyes that are imported in from Germany. The doll's heads are made of foil that is then encased in polymer clay. 

Wire Frame Hands

The hands are fashioned out of tightly coiled wires wound around a thicker metal wire-frame skeleton. The limbs connect to the bodies of the dolls through movable joints.

Real Movement 

Each doll has 13 movable joints that allow for a wide array of positions and poses. They can sit with their knees bent or stand up with the help of a support. Anatomically correct joints give the dolls more lifelike stances. 

Polymer Clay

Zajkov uses a variety of polymer clay to form the faces and limbs of his creations. He uses various tools to painstakingly shape every ridge and detail of the lifelike faces and bodies. His favorite clay types are Fimo and Cernit.

Painting

After the clay is formed into an uncannily human expression, Zajkov carefully paints the faces and bodies of his dolls. He paints on realistic blemishes and freckles to create hyper-realistic skin tones.

Realistic Hair

To craft realistic hair, the dolls' wigs are made from high-quality French mohair, an expensive textile made from the hair of angora goats. 

Too Real

Once the paint is dried and the eyelashes are embedded around the eyes, he gives his creations their wigs. The final result is a face so realistic you can barely discern it from a real human face.

Boots

Zajkov fashions the boots himself using authentic leather. His craftsmanship of the tiny clothing garments is truly astounding. 

Final Product

When he's finishes a doll, he dresses it in handmade miniature clothing. He always uses clothing designs from 1910-1915. Generally, the dolls are about 27 inches tall. 

Authentic Materials

The clothing he dresses the dolls in is all made from authentic fabrics that would've been available in the early 1900s. Materials Zajkov uses include batiste, voile, silk, and antique French lace from the beginning of the century. 

A True Artist

The dolls may seem a little bit strange to some, but there's no denying the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into each one. Inspired by Laura Scattolini and Rotraut Schrott, Zajkov is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in doll art. Yes, doll art is a real thing.

A Look at the Artist 

Here, Zajkov poses next to some of his creations. If you'd like to see more from this artist, including videos outlining the creative process, you can check out Zajkov's Instagram page. 

Main image via Instagram / @michael_zajkov

Collage images via 1. Instagram / @michael_zajkov 2. Instagram / @michael_zajkov