How do you do it???

[TwistedWindSox]

Over the past couple of months, I've been trying to stay away from making customs because they never turn out right for me. I want to try again, but, I have one super huge question...
How on earth do you get the symbols to look so darn smooth? I have seen some super amazing customs on here, and a lot of the time the symbols look like they are factory done! How?! How on earth do you manage this? Mine always come out super lumpy... Does it have to do with the paint you use? The brush? Or maybe the sealant? I would love some help!




Twis

[hyenacub]

Well I can't make them as smooth as some.  But I imagine prctice, practice, practice is the biggest key.  That, and using a bit of water to thin down the paint.

[Maniah]

Yep. Thin high quality paints and mucho practice.

[teresat]

I've heard that some people use decal paper.

[okiegurl1981]

I thin out my paints with a bit of water, and make sure I paint in several thin layers.  

[TwistedWindSox]

Thanks you guys for your answers! ^^

[Baby Sugarberry]

Cheap craft paint doesn't cut it when it comes to customs.  You want artist grade, and high quality pigments are costly.  Most of the cheap stuff is full of filler. More pigment, less filler, means you can put the paint on a lot more thinly, and still have it look bright and bold.


Watch this, for a much better explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN0PpEyZKOQ

[LadyStarCatcher]

I still need to post pics of mine, but I used high quality gel pens!

[TwistedWindSox]

I still need to post pics of mine, but I used high quality gel pens!

o3o Interesting! I'd love to see pictures!



Also, out of curiosity, where in Oregon do you live? c:

[Sarahlacewing]

Some people use inks or pitt pens instead also although I don't have a ton of experience and it's hard if you mess up because I think they will seep into the plastic and are unable to clean out.

[LadyStarCatcher]

I still need to post pics of mine, but I used high quality gel pens!

o3o Interesting! I'd love to see pictures!



Also, out of curiosity, where in Oregon do you live? c:

I've been a slacker about my pics! Did my four girls years ago but only really count two. Goal for this week-post pics.


Oh! You're Oregon too! I'm in hillsboro/beaverton ad work in tualatin.

[PrincessOfDarkness]

I use artist grade acrylics - I find they work better through my airbrush, and they seem to go on nicer when I do detail painting. I thin them down with water so they are more like the consistency of ink rather than paint. I do lots of thin layers and use good quality paintbrushes (which I think makes a difference to how smooth the details are).
If I do find my paint has brush strokes in it, or its looking a little bumpy, I use a really fine grit sandpaper and give it a slight sand to get it nice and smooth. This definately takes some practice though (the first few times I tried, I managed to sand away most of the paintwork in an effort to get it smooth!).

~Princess Of Darkness~

[TwistedWindSox]

I still need to post pics of mine, but I used high quality gel pens!

o3o Interesting! I'd love to see pictures!



Also, out of curiosity, where in Oregon do you live? c:

I've been a slacker about my pics! Did my four girls years ago but only really count two. Goal for this week-post pics.


Oh! You're Oregon too! I'm in hillsboro/beaverton ad work in tualatin.

That's near Portland, correct? o3o


and, every one else, thank you so much for the tips! ^^

[LadyStarCatcher]

I still need to post pics of mine, but I used high quality gel pens!

o3o Interesting! I'd love to see pictures!



Also, out of curiosity, where in Oregon do you live? c:

I've been a slacker about my pics! Did my four girls years ago but only really count two. Goal for this week-post pics.


Oh! You're Oregon too! I'm in hillsboro/beaverton ad work in tualatin.

That's near Portland, correct? o3o


Correct. ^_^


and, every one else, thank you so much for the tips! ^^