Made my first custom pony (squee, pic)

[Seraph]

Well, technically, I have a Princess Luna I'm still working on, that I made before this, but this is my first Blind Bag Figurine custom. ^^



Learned a lot while making it:

1. Rustoleum white primer spray paint as a base takes a LOT longer than the one hour they state. Two hours still left a very tacky surface, bleh.

2. Armypainter brushes don't last very long, apparently, and after a few months of use on other stuff, will leave behind tiny hairs as they are falling out.

3. Sand down the ends of any wirey things you put on a custom, or they will scratch the FUDGE out of your item, and you will have to repaint it.

[Crossbow]

So this is your OC? She's adorable! And the custom came out fantastic! Better be careful, or somepony might submit her to EQD for their Custom Compilation list...

As for your observations, I agree about the Rustoleum primer. I tend to use Krylon and have had pretty good luck with it. Although, if I have the time, I'll use a coat or two of Reaper Master Series brush-on primer. It tends to go on thinner and obscure fewer details. (Not as big a deal for a blind-bag mod, but when working with a highly-detailed gaming mini, it's critical.)

As for brushes, I've never used ArmyPainter. Are they sable (red or Kolinski) or synthetic?
I switch between using synthetics for base colors and a very carefully cared for set of Windsor-Newton Series 7 Kolinski Sable brushes for blending and detail work. Expensive, but they're fantastic to work with and will last for years if you treat them properly.


(And show us the Princess Luna! We need more Luna pieces!)

[Seraph]

So this is your OC? She's adorable! And the custom came out fantastic! Better be careful, or somepony might submit her to EQD for their Custom Compilation list...

As for your observations, I agree about the Rustoleum primer. I tend to use Krylon and have had pretty good luck with it. Although, if I have the time, I'll use a coat or two of Reaper Master Series brush-on primer. It tends to go on thinner and obscure fewer details. (Not as big a deal for a blind-bag mod, but when working with a highly-detailed gaming mini, it's critical.)

As for brushes, I've never used ArmyPainter. Are they sable (red or Kolinski) or synthetic?
I switch between using synthetics for base colors and a very carefully cared for set of Windsor-Newton Series 7 Kolinski Sable brushes for blending and detail work. Expensive, but they're fantastic to work with and will last for years if you treat them properly.


(And show us the Princess Luna! We need more Luna pieces!)

Yep, that's my little OC, was rather pleased that she's not as terrible looking as some OCs can get, hahaha.

/googles the Kolinski brushes /coughs

Well, maybe I can piece together a set of those slowly. XD
I'll have to look into that primer. I do miniatures for my Eldar army as well, and that sounds llike it'd be handy...

I think they're synthetic, and really, I'm miffed that I spent $7 on one of their insane detail brushes, and it only lasted 3 months. I always dried it after washing it out, was very careful with it, and even stored it with the protective tube thingy to save the brush tip. Like that helped. -.-

[Crossbow]

Yep, that's my little OC, was rather pleased that she's not as terrible looking as some OCs can get, hahaha.

/googles the Kolinski brushes /coughs

Well, maybe I can piece together a set of those slowly. XD
I'll have to look into that primer. I do miniatures for my Eldar army as well, and that sounds llike it'd be handy...

I think they're synthetic, and really, I'm miffed that I spent $7 on one of their insane detail brushes, and it only lasted 3 months. I always dried it after washing it out, was very careful with it, and even stored it with the protective tube thingy to save the brush tip. Like that helped. -.-

Yeah, Kolinski brushes are pricey, but worth every penny. They hold a point better than anything I've ever used, even with the harsh treatment they get by being used on minis. I managed to get mine at an art store nearby for a "reasonable" ($11 for a short-handle 000) price. And I don't blame you for being miffed at a $7 brush failing like that. I would be too. (EDIT: Just found this online store. Prices seem very reasonable for what you're getting: http://www.cheapjoes.com/cat/4782/)

I'd also recommend brush soap if you don't already use it. It really helps get the paint out from around the ferrule and conditions the hairs a bit. Plus, it's not that expensive. Hobby Lobby/Michaels should carry it.

Actually, keeping the brush in the plastic tube is not recommended (at least on a lot of sites I've been on). If there's any moisture left in the bristles, the tube can trap it and cause mildew. Either lay it flat somewhere it won't be disturbed, or hang it upside down.

Eldar, huh? Tau and Salamanders here. Have you seen any of the blind-bag Marine conversions that are floating around?

[Seraph]

Oooh, I'll have to browse on that site, I'm willing to bet it'd be cheaper to get them online than from the Michael's over here.

Huh, I didn't know that about the plastic tube, one of the painters at a hobby shop near here was like DON'T LOSE THAT. Woopsie doodle!

I almost went Tau, they sounded like a lot of fun, but the Eldar were so interesting looking... And yeah, one of my friends was freaking out over the conversions and wants to do it to his army as well, haha.

[Crossbow]

Not sure I'd do a full army, but a Sisters of Battle squad lead by "Saint Celestia" could be amusing as hell.

[Jay 2K Winger]

I'll admit, I have an OC of my own.

She's called Skyfire, a pegasus with a penchant for lightning, who happens to be something of a mad scientist. I blame reading too much Girl Genius.

A trademark quote of hers: "Science! It's like Magic but with more math."

[Crossbow]

I'll admit, I have an OC of my own.

She's called Skyfire, a pegasus with a penchant for lightning, who happens to be something of a mad scientist. I blame reading too much Girl Genius.

A trademark quote of hers: "Science! It's like Magic but with more math."

Cool. I have one too, to be honest. He's an older (at least compared to the Mane 6) pegasus stallion, usually with a slightly grumpy expression, even if he is pretty friendly.

[Seraph]

I'll admit, I have an OC of my own.

She's called Skyfire, a pegasus with a penchant for lightning, who happens to be something of a mad scientist. I blame reading too much Girl Genius.

A trademark quote of hers: "Science! It's like Magic but with more math."

Heterodyne cutie mark? ;D

Cool. I have one too, to be honest. He's an older (at least compared to the Mane 6) pegasus stallion, usually with a slightly grumpy expression, even if he is pretty friendly.

I told my friend the other day "Even Felicia freaking DAY has an OC pony, I'm pretty sure at this point everyone has one, secretly or no."

[Kanalah]

I just picked up a set of mane 6 pones >.>

[Elspeth]

ok where are you people getting these? must have!!!

And I like your custom people!

[Crossbow]

Heterodyne cutie mark? ;D



I told my friend the other day "Even Felicia freaking DAY has an OC pony, I'm pretty sure at this point everyone has one, secretly or no."

If I saw a pony in the show with a winged trilobite cutie mark, I think I'd faint from squeee.

And I didn't realize Felicia Day has an OC pony. That's too cool.

[Crossbow]

ok where are you people getting these? must have!!!

And I like your custom people!

The "Blind Bag" minis (and I do mean mini) can be found at Wal-Mart or Toys R Us. You'll want to look up the numbering schemes on the MLP wikia if you want to get specific ones.

Customs are done by a number of talented artists, and can be anything from repaints to full resculpts. There's even some artists out there that are doing completely custom sculpts, either for their own amusement or on commission.

[Kanalah]

I went to Toys R Us.

Busted my butt this week spring cleaning the house, so I figured as a treatm I'd pick up the mane 6 in bling bags.

Someone got there before me and bought all the blind bag ponies. :gasp: So I ended up picking up this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...haracter+Theme

[Elspeth]

Thanks guys!!!! I might have to swing by Walmart when I am out today.