High-quality acrylic paints have strong high quality binders that dry glossy, and that glossy finish often remains slightly "grabby" even when dry.  This is why I seal ALL my ponies with Testors Dullcote.  I've never had a problem with it, and it helps even out the shine and bring everything down to a nice smooth satin.  It's available in spray and brush on versions.
 I find one can of it will last me for around 4-5 ponies at two coats each.  I keep the brush on version handy for the occasional touch-up that needs to be made after hairing.

Mod Podge does not age well at all, sadly.  It's inexpensive, but it yields poor results.

For reference, Liquitex Basics HAVE gone bad for me, getting all clumpy.  The professional grade never has.  It is very much worth the price jump.  Golden, Grumbacher, Windsor and Newton, are all good, too.

I prefer Liquitex soft body but for some reason Michaels has stopped stocking it, so I use their tube paints and water them down.

 

Ohhhh, Rosedust was my favorite too!

She's so beautiful!

Oh, thank you Oracle!  I kind of want this on a shirt now:

"Assassins make just dreadful lovers,
They bring you heads under da covers!"

Because I CANNOT stop laughing.  I keep thinking of how my cats bring me "dead things" in bed. (They are just toys, but the cats don't think of it that way.)  And now I'm thinking of Ezio doing the same thing, and I think I have tears in my eyes.  *sniffle*

How can I resist?

visitors can't see pics , please register or login


Those are actually ALL the ponies I did this year.  I will try to do more next year!  Hopefully at least one a month! 

It is a fantastic idea to have a thread like this, BTW.  It really is great to see what everyone has been up to, and very neat to watch your own progress!

I love you, Arena.  *hugs*

Oh my lord, that is one of the most beautiful ponies I have ever seen.  She is STUNNING.

I just saw the comparison pics and I gotta say, I am impressed!  They are more colorful, and while that makes them technically not accurate, it also makes them really darn pretty, and my girls would be ALL OVER getting to wear something even more shiny than the ones they had originally.

I agree with keeping control of the distribution for the time being.  I am trying to think of a way you could easily identify these as reproductions.  I have a hunch I know more or less how you did it, and would love to see a tutorial, but the potential for people to make new, beautiful wings, and sell them as originals and fleece people that way is an understandable cause for concern.  I think the pony community as a whole is really lovely and ethical and supportive, but there's always gonna be someone out for a quick buck willing to take credit for something that isn't theirs (happened to three of my friends in the last three months; THREE -- not anything to do with ponies, though).  Hmm.  It does bear thinking about.

All that said, I am really enthusiastic about this project, and wanna thank RedKitsune for sharing with us.  I will definitely be putting some money aside to get a pair or two, and will be happy to report back here and do a mini-review for others who are thinking of getting them.