FAQ

Huhuz^^

I finally put the questions together and here it is: my FAQ journal. As more questions pop up, I will extend this journal. I will also link it in all my deviations, so you can easily find it. Let's start!

Q1: What materials and tools do you use?

A standard blind bag figure, a woden stick, an exacto knife, blades, milliput epoxy putty,standard modelling tools, sandpaper in different grids, Dremel Stylus, Games Workshop base, acrylic paints, acrylic paint finish.

Q2: How do you make them?

I cut off all the parts of the blind bag I won't need. Usually I leave some parts of the tail and the mane, so I can do the modelling around them. Then I think of all the fragile parts of my future custom and put some wire in this places. Doing the modelling around the wire makes it more stable. After that I start with the modelling. This takes the most of the time. I use Milliput epoxy putty (if you don't know what this is, google it!). Modelling usually takes 2-5 hours (depending on the complexity of the custom). After the modelling part I use the sandpaper and my Dremel to get a clean, smooth surface. I spray it with the GW base (white) and after it has dried I paint it with acrylic paints (this usually takes 1-2 hours). When I finish and the paint has dried, I apply acrylic paint finish. 

Q3: What kind of paint do you use? What are your favourite brands?

I use acrylic paint from the brands: REEVES, Polycolor, Vallejo, Winsor&Newton Galeria, Maimeri Acrylico (I don't really like this one), ArtCreations Essentials. The ones I prefer are Vallejo, Polycolor and Winsor&Newton. 

Q1: What materials and tools do you use?

Standard brushable pony, Fimo polymer clay, Premo polymer clay, Sculpey bake&bond, Fimo gloss varnish, wire, Games Ware base (white), acrylic paints, standard modelling tools.

Q2:What do you do, to remove the hair?

I just take a razor blade and trim it. I don't take the head of and pull out the hair, because it really doesn't matter if in the end the hair is there, or not.

Q3: Will you try rehairing?

Maybe some day

Q4: What do you do if you need to paint the whole body?

I wash the pony, stick a wooden stick into the hoof with the hole and apply GW base on the Pony. I wait until it's dry and apply another layer. Depending on the color of the brushable I apply up to 4 layers of the base to completely cover the previous color. Then I paint it with acrylic paints using a big, flat brush. I usually paint the body before I start modelling.

Q5: What kind of paint do you use?

I use acrylic paint from the brands: REEVES, Polycolor, Vallejo, Winsor&Newton Galeria, Maimeri Acrylico (I don't really like this one), ArtCreations Essentials. The ones I prefer are Vallejo, Polycolor and Winsor&Newton. 

Q6: How many times do you bake the ponies and at what temperature and time intervals? 

I bake the ponies, depending on complexity of the project 1 to 8 times (I did 8 times just once, for Rarity in her Gala dress). I do bake them at 110 degrees Celsius for 25 - 30 minutes. 

Q7: Do you bake after adding each layer of clay? 

I often do model some parts and pre-bake them for 15 minutes at a lower temperature, so I can work better on other parts. Then I bake the pony just once at the temperature of 110 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. After that it is really important to let the pony cool down before getting back to work. When the clay is warm it is really easy for the clay to break off. 

Q8: What do you do if you have to paint over the clay, especially if there are crevices and cracks that are hard to get once they are already baked on the pony?

Basically I do not paint the clay. That's why my customs look a bit different than others. Painting almost always leaves this marks from your paint brush and the clay has intensive and clear color, so why should I paint it?

About the cracks: I usually make sure before baking, that there are no crevices or cracks in the clay. But if for some reason I get them, there are two possibilities for me:

1. use some sandpaper, knife ect. to rub/cut off a bit of the surface, so the crack won't be visible any more;

2. add a thin layer of clay, bake it and than sandpaper it, so it won't be visible any more.

Q1: Do you take commisions?

At this moment yes. I take commissions for Ponies in Bottles. Additional info:atelok.deviantart.com/journal/…

Q1.5: What can I commission?

Almost everything. Blind bag customs, customs from brushables, jewelery, bottles with ponies... just ask^^

Q2: What about trades?

I do trades, but please be aware, that I cannot trade with everybody. You can always ask, but please don't be upset if you get a "No" as an answer.

Q3: Why don't you use an airbrush to paint your work?

Simply because I don't have one yet. But I hope I get one soon

Q4: Would you consider a collaboration?

Yes, just note me about what you like to do and I will.

Q5: Do you accept points as payment for commissions?

No.

If there is anything else you think should be included in this journal, please let me know in the comments. Thank you all for your support!