First custom, could use some guidance

[blaze192]

Hi guys. I just discovered the deeper world of the mighty mugg obsession and started my first custom a few days ago. I'll post the finished product in a few days.

Until then, I was hoping to get some tips, tricks, and general information from the successful mugg makers here. I'm employing acrylic paint and handpainting (sigh) the details on mine using, for the most part, masking and scotch tape to divide up the different areas of the mugg to try to maintain hard, clean lines. An razor is used to cut the lines and then I paint over them like stencils.

I'm having mixed results. For the most part, this is working well, though the tape sometimes bunches when it gets wet from the paint, and those little buckles leave little spots of paint on my otherwise clean areas. Touching up seems to help, but overall the whole thing isn't quite as clean as my perfectionist personality demands. I still feel like the whole thing could be better.

So what do you guys use -- specifically those people who aren't so talented in the art department, like me. I'm not a horrible artist, but some of the muggs I've seen are spectacular, and mine's not really at that level. Are there any methods or tricks that could help me out?

Thanks a lot.

[Ninja Mugg]

I pertty much did the same technique but instead of hand painting I spray painted mine. Masking everything off letting a dy in between to dry so the tape would stick well. I think its just a matter of time to perfect your skill along with trial and error. I already can tell I am getting better from when I first started the mugg to when I finished it.

[atgscl]

use painters tape instead of scotch tape. it works much better

[toyboy]

if you are going to hand paint.. apply it thin in 3-4 coat so that you will achieve a smooth paint application and no brush lines. :)

[blaze192]

What do you use, Toy Boy?

[lord magneto]

use painters tape instead of scotch tape. it works much better
I'm hitting up a art store tomorrow... my lines looks like ass since im hand drawing them...

plus its taking me like 8 yrs to finish this custom haha

[toyboy]

i use citadel paint. i mixed it up with water in 2:1 proportion (less water more paint), then apply 2-3 times. My hand moves fast while drawing a line so I can achieved a straight one. The slower I move the rougher the lines I get. Always paint from light to dark colors so that the dark ones can cover the light paint smudge due to the tape.

[Mr. Woo]

i use citadel paint. i mixed it up with water in 2:1 proportion (less water more paint), then apply 2-3 times. My hand moves fast while drawing a line so I can achieved a straight one. The slower I move the rougher the lines I get. Always paint from light to dark colors so that the dark ones can cover the light paint smudge due to the tape.

What a great tip. Ive been having trouble with the masking/painters tape bunching too and then those little (ass) smudges kill me when i try to paint over them with the paint color that is the bane of my existence...Yellow.

[toyboy]

glad i can help Mr. Woo. :)