What can I do with my limited resources?

[Commander Redbeard]

I've envied Red Bean and all the other Kings of Custimization ever since I joined. I've dug around on my computer and found that the only programs I have that are possibly useful for making stickers are an old Paint program and a HP Photo-and-Imaging. Does anybody have any idea if I can crank out a decent-looking sticker with what I have? Thanks a lot.

[MaxiVisVires]

I've seen quite a few stickers put out by old MS Paint. Just takes time and patience. What Photoshop has over MS Paint (for stickers that is) is that it makes certain things easier, and gives you more freedom when altering images.

For other customizing, a box of sculpey costs 9.99 at your local Aaron Brothers (or similar art store). The box comes with quite a bit and is easy to work with. I also suggest getting a model knife and file. For taking away printed torso decals, the popular removal solution is using Brasso, a brass polisher that with a little buffing can remove LEGO images on your pieces quite easily. This can be found at your local Walmart for no more than 4.00.

[Red Bean]

Hi Redbeard (Hey!! Your initial is R.B., too!!),

Don't feel so dejected. We all have to start from somewhere. When I first got into this, I did my 'customization' mostly with paint and Gundam markers, and it was only a long time after that that I discovered sticker papers, then decals, and who knows what's next. The bottom line is sometimes you just have to take a plunge and get your hands dirty (and messy), and then take it a step at a time. For starter, you may want to try some of the 'free' downloads of computer softwares out there, and just see what comes next. There're also lots of helpful websites out there which give out customizing tips and stuffs that are well worth your time. Come check out me and Kaminoan's forum, for instance, especially this thread and this thread on how to get yourself started in the hobby of customization.

Of course, please feel free to ask if you have any questions

R. B.
visit my website: www.redbeanstudio.net

[Commander Redbeard]

Thanks both! I already have some Sculpey and I've tried using the instructions in the how to section, but all my pieces crack and come out all wierd-shaped...

[TwoTonic Knight]

I've envied Red Bean and all the other Kings of Custimization ever since I joined. I've dug around on my computer and found that the only programs I have that are possibly useful for making stickers are an old Paint program and a HP Photo-and-Imaging. Does anybody have any idea if I can crank out a decent-looking sticker with what I have? Thanks a lot.

I can create any sticker with a palette and a one-pixel pencil - it's just a bigger pain to do. I learned on old and aggravating Deluxe Paint (or simply D-Paint). Most of the free primitive stuff available now is at least as good as that. Photoshop makes many aspects of creating a sticker easier, but if you are determined, there isn't a single sticker presented on C-C that I have seen that you couldn't (in theory) do. Determination and a willingness to learn are the truly important parts.

[Formendacil]

Okay, I feel like laughing....

MS Paint is pretty much the only image-editing program I've used to create my stickers.

This gallery:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=92427

Contains a large chunk of my custom templates. I wouldn't go so far as to call any of them great, but I think I have a few goodies in there.

Paint is more than enough, if you know how to work it. Copy-and-paste together with the different types of bitmaps they can be saved at will work wonders.

[MaxiVisVires]

Thanks both! I already have some Sculpey and I've tried using the instructions in the how to section, but all my pieces crack and come out all wierd-shaped...

Sounds like you need to work out your Sculpey a bit more. The more you knead it, the easier it gets to work with. Just when you think you kneaded it enough, do it some more.

As for the weird shaped, use more Sculpey than what you need, then using a modeling knife, shave some off. Remember, if you screw up you can just add more. Once you have the desired shape and size, you should bake your sculpey. I've heard some people that leave there's outside in the sun. But I don't trust the elements. So I use a hair dryer. It's quick and easy, and in no time it will be ready. Once the sculpey is hard enough, take the knife and a file, and do some work onto it till you get it as smooth as you want.

[LEGOFREAK]

All of my older stuff is done in MSPaint, and I wrote an article on it. I think I have a copy around here somewhere...
The trick is to work big, and then shrink it down in a word processing/desktop publishing program.
this gives you the detail and loses the blockiness.

as far as sculpey goes I too am trying my hand at it, so we'll see how it goes. GO to red beans site, you'll find lots of info there.

good luck and I'll be watching this thread, and your updates on your progress.

Freak

[Commander Redbeard]

Ouch... I've got an obligation! I'm working on 'em now, so keep checking. I'll have 'em some day now...

[Chancellor Erik]

I have used MS paint in all of my stickers...I still enjoy that time-consuming pixel-by-pixel shanding method, especially on Jpegs.

(If anyone here is a computer geek you'll get what I mean by that)

But seriously, the oldest and simplest may still just be the best.