I always enjoy seeing the process and individual steps artists take when they create their pieces. Not only is it fascinating to see what goes on “behind the scenes” of their pieces, but it’s quite inspiring too. There’s something wonderful about seeing the creative process that gets me motivated to do some creating of my own. Since I take such pleasure in viewing others’ techniques, I thought I’d share mine. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you!

Impy
The initial concept was to modify a kidrobot Mini Munny into a swingin’, martini drinkin’, cigar smokin’ hip-imp, one who’s too cool for full-fledged demon status.

I started out sketching directly on the vinyl figure. Once I had the face laid out I began sculpting the main features; nose, brows, horns and beard. I also added points to his ears.

Impy Munny in the making

For the relief modeling I use Magic-Sculpt, a two-part epoxy putty that comes as separate resin and hardener. You mix it 1-to-1 and it hardens at room temperature. It’s truly some wonderful stuff. You can smooth it with water and work it with your hands and art tools. After it’s cured (in about an hour depending on room temp) it is easy to sand and paint. After the face, I shaped hooves and a tail.

Impy Munny X-acto Surgery

Impy gettin’ his Purple on

The stock Mini Munny arms can rotate forward and backward a bit and allow room for the accessories they come with, but not necessarily for a martini glass. I cut the peg off of the right arm and sculpted my own fitting at the end so Impy can hold is ‘tini out to the side. While the new arm piece was curing I sanded and painted the other pieces. I use acrylic paints. I like the quick drying time of acrylics. Tool handles and paintbrushes in the small holes of the pieces worked great for handling and drying. It allows you to rotate and paint the parts without touching the wet paint. To dry, just put the tools in a cup or jar with the parts sticking out the top.

Impy Munny with base paint colors

After the purple base coat dried, I applied the base blue for his suit, and white for his devilish toothy grin. I also primed his eyes. This figure came with the pitchfork accessory. I didn’t want to leave it stock so I carved and nicked it up and painted it to resemble wood. Later I decided he was too cool for toting around an old wooden pitchfork. Wouldn’t want to cramp his style, so the pitchfork got pitched. Suit details came next. I painted cuffs, shirt, tie, and buttons. The eyes took a few painting and waiting-to-dry steps. First a yellow tint going more opaque toward the edges, then a green iris, and finally a darker green ring around the iris.

Impy Munny …almost complete

I painted light purple highlights on his brows, horns, and beard. When everything was dry, I used a Faber-Castell PITT artist pen (size B) to outline his eyes, define his teeth, and stripe his suit. I like that marker because it’s filled with waterproof Indian ink and has a brush-like tip. I then painted the shadows in his teeth. The cigar is made out of Magic-Sculpt and painted with acrylics. I used the same marker-pen on the ashes. I created the martini glass from a small plastic part for the stem and layers of clear packing tape for the top. I made a tiny olive out of Magic-Sculpt and whittled down a toothpick to the proper size. The martini is a cocktail of awful smelling Quick Hold Craft all-purpose contact adhesive.

Impy Munny by Scottoons

That sums up this peek into the making of a Scottoons custom Mini Munny figure. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I do others’ works. Cheers!