Getting started?

[Mew_chan]

Hi all Ive been looking at some of the awsome customs you guys do and I'm really interested on how you get started. I'm not new to the whole art thing, I draw, play with sculpy and other materials and would really love to branch into a new medium.

Things I would like to know:

How would I go about getting into making customs?
Do you guys use pre-bought blank ponies or make your own if so details?
What sort of paint do you use?
What sort of glue?
Where do you get your materials from?
Any tutorials out there?
Tips for making a close to real looking MLP?
Any other tips?

Links to useful pages, stores(both eshops and normal shops), pricing etc

Keep in mind that I live in Australia so would probably have to end up shipping things from overseas.

I am also quite interested in the stuff you guys do so any images showing your awsome work would be appreciated to help get ideas flowing

 

[Phoenix Down]

well I am not a famously wonderful customizer but here is my 2 cents

How would I go about getting into making customs?
Do you guys use pre-bought blank ponies or make your own if so details? I use baits I have already (since I cannot get the blanks without difficulty because I am in Canada) I use 100% pure acetone to take off symbols and eyes, definitely try to use pure acetone it is so much easier than nail polish remover because nail polish removed smudges the paint and leaves stains (in my experience)
What sort of paint do you use? I use Folk art and Apple barrel acrylics (they are the cheapy ones from the craft store)
What sort of glue? my favorite glue is Crazy glue (it is basically liquid drys really fast really hard but be careful it ate through my kitchen table cloth) I have head tacky glue is best for securing hair after rehairing
Where do you get your materials from? a craft store called Micheal's
Any tutorials out there? Aikarin.com - Custom Ponies Main Page is one of my favorites but try googleing things like MLP customs and just search around to see what fits you best!
Tips for making a close to real looking MLP? thin your paints with water and apply lots of layers
Any other tips? high gloss sealant for eyes, don't stare at your customs to much while you are working on them, I find having a radio in the background really helps me but that would vary person to person, try not to customize really rare ponies... it is your pony and you can do what you want you might just through a couple collectors into cardiac arrest :hide:

the most important tip?? have fun doing it and don't take criticism too personally!! also take pictures of each custom so that you can see how you get better!!

 

[Mew_chan]

Ive got a few old fakies lying around at home which I would like to use to practice on but some of them have mold on the inside (can see the black through the plastic). Anyone know if the boiling method using Oxy powder will fix it? Some of my ponies I think really need rehairing, but I think I will practice on fakies first

 

[ladyphoenix9]

I see my other Phoenix comrade has already recommended Aikarin's site, and SS hit the tutorials here. I think between those two, you should be pretty set for the basics.

I do a lot of forgery ponies (repros of rares/nirvanas) and my best advice for that is getting lots of reference pictures of the symbols you're trying to recreate. Most people are very kind about posting up close shots on the boards if you can't find it in the galleries or through Google.

Of course, any prior art experience you have is a good thing and can transfer to ponies. Like painting, designing symbols, textile crafting if you make your own ponywear, color theory -- all that is good experience. Experimenting new techniques on fakies or really poor condition common ponies is also good.

 

[Bella Luna]

I normally pull the heads off and soak in mr clean. i love mr clean. I haven't tried oxy yet. I'm still debating on if its going to ruin my pot yet.



How would I go about getting into making customs?

As for pony's i used what ever pose i think she will look good in. right now i have a pony a fixed to my lap top. i have her hair done, *she is the purple long hair pony with pink hair can't remember her name* i have her hair done, i'm debating on what i want her to be. On my Sailor moon customs, i use the blank pony.

Do you guys use pre-bought blank ponies or make your own if so details?

I sculpt my outfits for the Sailor Moon ponys, my cuttie symbols are not that great yet. My hands still shake, and I can never think of anything neat to put on their rump


What sort of paint do you use?

any type of acrylic

What sort of glue?

super glue

Where do you get your materials from?

-wal-mart, micheals, hobby lobby, any where that sells craft stuff, and claires.

Any tutorials out there?

check out our tutorial page.

Tips for making a close to real looking MLP?

practice practice practice

Any other tips?

Let your imagination run wild!!!