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Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: cannibalism on September 20, 2016, 11:36:10 PM

Title: customs - cutie marks
Post by: cannibalism on September 20, 2016, 11:36:10 PM
hey guys, kevin here! I'm looking around for the cleanest way to apply a cutie mark. i don't like the texture of acrylic paint on the flanks of the plastic, (at least the ones i end up making) i'm looking for a really clean way to apply. if even possible, i'd be interested in obtaining..stamps?? is that how they do it??
what are some methods you use to make your eyes and cutie marks extra crisp? im going for the natural made-that-way look.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: aintnobuffalo on September 20, 2016, 11:53:55 PM
It is possible to use stamps, but you would still have to find a medium like acrylic that won't bleed into the plastic and can be properly stealed.

It is possible that you are just applying too thick of a coat. I often made this mistake in the beginning, and still do from time to time. It is frustrating to wait for drying times and to do multiple coats, but that is the only way I've found to make it work.

As far as eyes, I find it helps to preserve as much of the original as possible to help make it look as Hasbro as possible.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: cannibalism on September 21, 2016, 12:09:08 AM
It is possible to use stamps, but you would still have to find a medium like acrylic that won't bleed into the plastic and can be properly stealed.

It is possible that you are just applying too thick of a coat. I often made this mistake in the beginning, and still do from time to time. It is frustrating to wait for drying times and to do multiple coats, but that is the only way I've found to make it work.

As far as eyes, I find it helps to preserve as much of the original as possible to help make it look as Hasbro as possible.

okay. thanks, i try to apply thin coats as much as i can but it can , im sure you know , still be hard to get the desired look . it might be worth investing in a stamp, say for my ponysona, since i'd be using it the most.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: True on September 21, 2016, 02:02:20 AM
It may just be the brand of paint, It took me a while to find something that applies smoothly, i use folkart.. and even then, occasionally those arnt smooth either, so i have different prefered brands for different colors, xD paints can be very annoying!

As for other methods, I dont have much advice unfortunately. But I hope you find something that works for you. :)
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: Snapdragon on September 21, 2016, 02:03:19 AM
You might want to look into water-slide decals! You can buy sheets to feed into your printer at home, and print a custom design! It's sort of like those temporary tattoos you use on yourself, but if you seal them properly, they can look very nice on a custom! :) It's just a little difficult to get the hang of, so I've heard, since a pony has so many curved surfaces to contend with. I haven't tried any myself, but it sounds like it might be the type of thing you'd enjoy! And if it doesn't go on right or it starts peeling, you can usually remove it pretty easily, from what I hear!

Another option - stencils made out of painter's tape! I've been experimenting with those (I got a paper puncher and wanted to make a stencil out of it!), and although they're tough to figure out/make look non-blobby, the results are pretty nice! I mean, right now it's sort of a 50% chance something will turn out blobby or not, but it's much easier to repaint than trying to freehand a dozen tiny stars? ^^
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: cannibalism on September 21, 2016, 02:12:25 AM
You might want to look into water-slide decals! You can buy sheets to feed into your printer at home, and print a custom design! It's sort of like those temporary tattoos you use on yourself, but if you seal them properly, they can look very nice on a custom! :) It's just a little difficult to get the hang of, so I've heard, since a pony has so many curved surfaces to contend with. I haven't tried any myself, but it sounds like it might be the type of thing you'd enjoy! And if it doesn't go on right or it starts peeling, you can usually remove it pretty easily, from what I hear!

Another option - stencils made out of painter's tape! I've been experimenting with those (I got a paper puncher and wanted to make a stencil out of it!), and although they're tough to figure out/make look non-blobby, the results are pretty nice! I mean, right now it's sort of a 50% chance something will turn out blobby or not, but it's much easier to repaint than trying to freehand a dozen tiny stars? ^^

really interesting idea- ill have to look into the tattoo paper!! and i agree, the painters tape does sound really helpful for simple repetitive shapes like stars or hearts.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: Epona on September 21, 2016, 11:01:04 AM
You can buy stencils for air brushes for symbols like hearts and stars. Ive been looking for one for blossoms flower.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: MissGodiva on September 24, 2016, 02:05:36 PM
What about the silicone stamps for nail art? I've thought about that myself. U can find great nail design stencils to go with them different places. U could plausibly use nail Polish with this method.
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: cannibalism on September 24, 2016, 06:05:29 PM
What about the silicone stamps for nail art? I've thought about that myself. U can find great nail design stencils to go with them different places. U could plausibly use nail Polish with this method.

ive never even heard of this item before! interesting. it looks good for things like swirls and flowers, but not really the image i'm looking for. though there are some diy ones? i'll look into it, thank you!
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: Skeen on September 27, 2016, 01:17:08 PM
Don't use actual nail polish though.  It's not made to be permanent and can turn yellow and peel off. 
Title: Re: customs - cutie marks
Post by: Darkhorse on September 27, 2016, 03:15:49 PM
I use acrylics all the time....and my emblems are pretty thick but they look kind of like a decal once I'm done....the secret is the clear you use :)
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