My eye paint process/work in progress page 2

LightningMana-MLPcustoms

Singing Sea Pony
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
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Figured it's about time I post the processes that go into painting a set of eyes. About every 1-3 paint applications, I paused to snap a shot so multiply that by 2 and that's how many layers of paint go into a set of my eyes~

eye_paint_process_by_lightningsilver_mana-d6yk0tg.jpg


Custom will be of the character Sebastian, the demon butler from the anime Black Butler. He will be part of a group of 4 characters from that series~

The reference I used for these eyes is this:
black_butler__sebastian_by_chinabritainawesome-d5lnyv3.jpg


With references, I use them as guidelines for the lines of the structure of the facial features.

After I get the foundation constructed, I go in with my own skills and methods and pretty much blend the pigments in my own style until I've achieved personal satisfaction.

What reflecting on this showed me, is that art is built on imperfections.

Don't be afraid to be messy, all of my methods are messy and built on imperfections.

Over the years with practice I've merely built more layers onto the original impatient messy layers I started out accomplishing as a beginner.

No human hand in existence is perfect enough to achieve perfect strokes, strokes have to be built up to create an illusion of perfection~

Any rate, that's my experience, am glad to always share~
 
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Sweet, ladies! Right-on! Looks good!
 
I absolutely love the eyes you do on your ponies and thanks for showing the process you go through to achieve them. They look so basic in the first few by by the end are absolutely perfect. I might have to try this process myself although I could never make a pony as beautiful as you make them.
 
Wow! You eyes are fantastic! It's very interesting to see the process!

On another note, will you be doing Grell? I have a black butler obsessed friend who loves grell and if you are I may send her a picture of the custom (would that be ok?).
 
Wow! You eyes are fantastic! It's very interesting to see the process!

On another note, will you be doing Grell? I have a black butler obsessed friend who loves grell and if you are I may send her a picture of the custom (would that be ok?).

Oh you know it! I'm doing the group of Sebastian, Grell, Under Taker, and Pluto the demon hound. :heart:

I may end up making Ciel to go with Sebastian even though I did two Ciels and two Aloises for a commission a couple years ago.
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/085/9/f/ceils__alois_by_mana_maiden-d4u0muo.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/089/8/a/lolita_ciel___alois_by_mana_maiden-d4ufa4r.jpg

And please do send away! Anyone is welcome to share my pics across the web as they please, as long as it's in a non-inflammatory manner. (Just a disclaimer I have to post is in case public eyes lay on this and twist this permission the wrong way >____< )
 
Holy cripes Sebastian! That brings back memories. Not totally good ones, though. Black Butler II was the anime that nearly put me off the whole medium for good. ...On the other hand, in turning me towards Western animation it indirectly helped me rediscover me a WHOLE WORLD of possibilities. MLP:FIM was just one of them, and since it led to me getting into MLP as a whole, in a way, I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for it. Sneaky. ...I just might go back and watch both series/seasons in English and revel in some glorious fake British. Feel I owe it at least that much.

Now on to the topic at hand. It's been said before, but by golly is that a LOT of layers. It does get the job done extremely well, though! I really admire anyone who's able to work on a 3-dimensional shape with brushes, it's hard enough on a flat surface!
 
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Oh you know it! I'm doing the group of Sebastian, Grell, Under Taker, and Pluto the demon hound. :heart:

I may end up making Ciel to go with Sebastian even though I did two Ciels and two Aloises for a commission a couple years ago.
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/085/9/f/ceils__alois_by_mana_maiden-d4u0muo.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/089/8/a/lolita_ciel___alois_by_mana_maiden-d4ufa4r.jpg

And please do send away! Anyone is welcome to share my pics across the web as they please, as long as it's in a non-inflammatory manner. (Just a disclaimer I have to post is in case public eyes lay on this and twist this permission the wrong way >____< )

I get the feeling that if she had the money she'd want a Grell from you XD I sent her those other pictures and I bet she'll like them! Pluto is my favourite, aside from Grell and Ciel and Sebastian he's the only one I know XD she's shown me a couple others but it gets confusing >.<

Those customs are gorgeous! Wow....wish I could paint like that X3
 
I was inspired to try and do an eye like yours.
Yeah, it didn't work. :p I'm not discouraged, I will keep aiming for it though. I just kinda did my own thing with my eye in the end and I have a rather beautiful pony that's taking shape. I'll share her when she's finished. :)
 
I just kinda did my own thing with my eye in the end and I have a rather beautiful pony that's taking shape. I'll share her when she's finished. :)

That's perfect- if you use my tutorial as a foundation and it turns into something that you carry off on your own, then I've accomplished what this tutorial was made for. :)

You see, I use references as well, but my style I've presented here is the outcome of me going off on my own thing. Which is what polished off my personal style and made me feel I've achieved a distinct quality.

Use other artists as a foundation as a starting off point to develop your skill!

That's why I'm never worried about people copying me, is because everyone has to have a reference for a starting off point. I have folders full of "starting off points" by other artists! :satisfied:

PrincessLio: I was a bit shocked at the storyline of the second season. It seemed rapidly rushed, and a lot going on all at once. It was pretty heavy. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first season, sadly.
I enjoyed the second season, it kept me watching, but....
I felt there should have been at least 10 more episodes to spread the storyline out. Then possibly even continue to a third season. Maybe even have it some way where Ciel grows up and there's a storyline placed around his adulthood. Not sure how that would go considering he was converted to a demon, but who knows~
 
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black_butler_project_work_in_progress_by_lightningsilver_mana-d72euqm.jpg


Work in progress photos of my Black Butler project.

Upper left corner: the customs with there full body repaint jobs done.
Rest of photos: progress after eyes and paint done, and hair plugs rooted.
Grell (red-haired custom) is pictured here while in the process of having his head glued on after his re-hair job.
Pluto (the custom with fangs on the far right) is completed. Rest of them are waiting for outfits and accessories, and to have their hair styled.
 
Beautiful! Thank you for showing us the work in progress! ^.^ It's so great to see how you make all these cool customs.
 
Glad to hear it arrived safely! Be sure to leave me feedback ^____^
 
Done. :) It was quite long and detailed but i wanted to comment on not just the pony, but the whole experience. I hope it's helpful.
 
Definitely~ All feedback is useful! Thank you so much~
 
What brushes do you use for eyes (brand, shape, size)?

I love making custom ponies but I don't have an especially steady hand so painting is always a challenge for me. I practice and practice on paper but part of the problem is that I can't find a brush that works for me.

I love your customs, by the way. As someone who loves sewing and making jewellery I always appreciate that you make tiny clothes and items of jewellery rather than just sculpting with clay. I like sculpting, but I think it gives the customs something really special when they have clothes and jewellery.
 
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