LP9's Custom Challenge -- Ready to tackle another pony!

[ladyphoenix9]

I sorted through my baits this weekend and I pulled out some that I have no plans for. Since I had so much fun working on my first commission I wanted to share some of my work with the members here on the TP with a little custom challenge. You tell me what you want, and I'll do my best to make it. I'll post progress pics and finished ponies in this thread, and of course the requester gets to buy and keep the custom. I hope to do this as long as I have the time and the baits to work with.

I have just a couple "ground rules" before anyone gets really excited.

1. I will only work on one pony at a time. You'll need to have all your reference pics ready (like a persona pony thread here at the TP or a sketch you want to see reproduced) to go when you post and be able to say which bait you'd like to use. More detail is better than less.

2. The pony has to be something I can do with the supplies I have on hand -- I'm not going to buy anything "extra" just for this, as that sort of defeats the purpose of me cleaning things out of my crafty corner. On the plus side, I have a LOT of supplies, so I don't think this will be an issue.

3. I do not feel comfortable sending sculpted ponies through the mail. Sorry, guys! I just haven't worked with sculpting enough to not treat it like it's fine china. Removable parts I can pack separately off the pony, no problem, just no pretty sculpted wings or mer-ponies.

4. I like a challenge, so don't be afraid to ask for...strange things, odd materials, clothes, whatever. As long as you tell me what you want and have some pictures, I'm willing to give it a try. About the only thing I won't do is reproduce another artist's custom.

5. Customs will be a flat $20 plus shipping. (If you think that's not fair, we can negotiate.) I wouldn't ask for shipping on top, except that the proceeds are going to my accident-prone pets' medical bills. *facepalm*

6. The bait ponies I have available will be kept updated in post #2 here. I'll take the first idea I can execute with the supplies I have and get to work ASAP.

In the meantime, here are some of my more recent "for fun" customs so you can see the kinds of things I have done (including the commission that inspired me to do this).
http://www.mlptp.net/forums/customs/56256-spun-sugar.html
http://www.mlptp.net/forums/customs/57570-shubunkin-chan-merpony.html
http://www.mlptp.net/forums/customs/61901-steampunk-pegasus-lots-o-pics.html
http://www.mlptp.net/forums/customs/66929-punk-pony-commission-now-pics.html

All righty then...put on those thinking caps and have your references handy. I'm getting ready to make some customs! :artist:

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Update 8/12: Oh, I'm absolutely ashamed of myself. I found a bag full of baits I had stashed elsewhere. You have got to help me turn these ponies into productive members of ponyland again!

Ponies with bodies in decent enough shape to retain original coloring:

These ponies have some minor chew damage that will need attention:

Ponies with smooze, cancer, or regrind issues that are going to need some kind of full body covering:

 

[josiekat]

Since I just had a deal fall through elsewhere, I now have the money for this, and another custom that I ordered from Sailor Libra! Yay!

Ok, so here is what I would like. It's a simple custom. It is based on my husband. It's my very own Hajime Pony.

Here is the Ref Pic:

Here is a clearer pic of the symbol:

The specifics:
Body: White
Eyes: Brown
Symbol color: black
Style: TAF
Hair: Mostly black with some white streaks. So it looks like a salt and pepper look. Like he is going Gray. lol.
Pose: I would like one of the CP ponies please.

The symbols can go further down the legs if you feel it will look better. I'll trust your judgement on that.

Woo! Just PM me if you would prefer payment now, or once the custom is completed. Thanks so much!

**edit to credit Starby with the original art I used. She drew my concept. **

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Ahhh, Josie, this is an awesome looking pony, and very doable! :yippie:
I should have mentioned I won't take payments until you are happy with how your pony looks -- I don't want dissatisfied customers. I'll drop you a PM in a minute -- thanks for taking me up on my challenge!

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Hajime, Day One

I grabbed my tools and the first Cotton Candy that came to hand. Good luck, CC bait #1! You are prepped and ready for surgery!

The body was cleaned, inside and out, and all the old hair removed. In protest, the plugs split on the mane -- guess CC thought she'd get out of the custom, but I know how to fix that. Nice try.

I put on who knows how many layers of white paint last night and left her to dry...

In the daylight, I finished the white paint, and sealed the first layer.

Not pictured, I've been practicing my kanji (really appropriate, by the way, as hajime means "beginning"!) and pulled out the hair so this fellow won't be bald for much longer. I also stuck two weights down the back legs since FF ponies are usually tipsy.

I will probably have to take the rest of the night off, as my poor kitty had the rest of her teeth extracted today and she'll need some special love and attention. But as you can see, this pony is just zipping right along.

 

[josiekat]

I love the picture updates. The captioned photo was too funny.

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Hajime, Day Two

Only one pic today -- no captions. But I got a good bit done.

All the hair is in (Josie, if you'd like a few more streaks of white and silver hair, let me know!) The black parts of the eyes are painted. I didn't start the symbols yet -- I wanted to see how small I can go with paint before I try it on the pony.

 

[josiekat]

It's hard to tell about the hair from the side the pic was taken, but from what I can see it looks good. The white is only suppose to be slight, so I think that works well.

 

[Pikabubba]

This custom looks great so far. I can't wait to see it finished

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Hajime, Day Three

Here we go! (Had to do some contrast fixing in this shoot -- I was running out of daylight and the pics came out with an orange tint. If it looks a bit weird in spots, that's probably why.)

Sides:

Up close on the kanji:

Eye close up:

And the front view:

Whew. Need to do one little touchup on a leg, but how's it looking, Josie? I left the mane long, but I can trim it to order or leave it as is.

 

[josiekat]

He is looking great! To be honest, I was put off by the small symbols at first, but the more I stare it him, the more I like it. Maybe if his symbols went a little further down the body? I'm not sure. I do like him though. Oh, does his mane drape on the floor? I would like it to just touch the floor or a little above that. I find it hard to display them if the mane is longer. Oh, I am so excited for him to be coming to me. I can't wait to surprise my husband.

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Yey! So glad he's coming along as you'd like. I'll have to trim the mane a little more to get it off the floor. It's just barely brushing right now, I think.

I wasn't sure about the symbols when I stopped last night, but I agree, the bottom looks a bit bare. I'll add a few more farther down the body. If it still doesn't look right, I'll start over and just do the larger ones. I won't be offended! It's your pony, so I want you to be happy.

 

[josiekat]

I'm sure she will look great with the extra symbols down the body. I like that she has 2 giant symbols and then smaller TAF ones all over. It's a nice TAF style I haven't seen done before. I can't wait to see his update.

 

[strawberrypony]

i like it i think its very well done and i love the white & silver in the hair its awesome!!

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Hajime, Day Four -- Finished?

I want to thank everyone for their encouragement so far. My kitty gave me a little scare over the weekend, but all is well now and progress can resume.

Here are both sides with some additional symbols...

And I had to toss this one in because he just came out looking so friendly -- just like a MLP ought to look.

If everything looks good, drop me a PM, Josie, and I'll be getting this boy packed up and on his way to you!

 

[josiekat]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE him! He looks so good! I cannot wait to get him. Thank you so much!

 

[Phoenix Down]

hmm these look cool!!! would you take a postal money order?

 

[ladyphoenix9]

:hugegrin: Thank you, Josie. This was a really fun pony to work on -- right up my alley!

Phoenix Down, I would, of course, accept postal money orders. Pick a pony from my bait pile in the second post and send some ref sheets my way -- I'm ready to start on Challenge Pony number two!

 

[ladyphoenix9]

Owen, Day One (and a Half!)

Phoenix Down was kind enough to take up my challenge, this time going for Owen (the bay pegasus in her sig.) I cheated a little bit and offered her a bait I hadn't quite finished cleaning yet since she was hoping for a pegasus, so it took me a little while to get this one going...

Some comforting words from Hajime to get Owen started...

Whew, I've been struggling with this paint -- very runny stuff. Phoenix Down, how is the color looking? Too light, too dark, or just right? I'll need to do a few more coats, so if the color needs adjusting, let me know.

 

[thebeth]

haha I stick my pony heads on markers like that!