Painting a Custom Dark Link Nendoroid

[@BlaizeV]

Damn Val you knocked that outta the park! Really enjoyed getting to follow along. The Blushing is definitely the thing that I found most interesting, I always wondered how some people manage to get that airbrush look when doing custom builds like this. Also the nail varnish on the fairy was a great idea and Links eyes turned out nicely! Loved the video, not sure if you have anything else similar planned but I would happily watch more custom projects like this.

[@valkayink]

Thank You Blaize! You are too kind~ I'm glad to hear it was worth watching. I do have a couple of other projects like this that I want to do this year. I wasn't going to film them, but if you enjoy seeing the process I think I will film them again : ) Thank you for saying so!

[@EssenceofStorms]

I would love a list of the materials you used. I've been planning on customizing a nendoroid for a while now, but to be honest I've been a little nervous. A lot of the other videos I watched talked about spray paints and sealers and stuff that I know nothing about, haha. ^^;;; Not only did you essentially warn about the color getting darker while adding coats, but your video is really relaxing to watch and really inspired me to try it for myself. I would appreciate any extra tips you might be able to give. :)

[@valkayink]

Sure! I'll send you a very basic list right here, and my next video will be another custom nendoroid. So if you want to see another re paint, I'll be getting that video up soon ^^ Don't worry, it's ok to be nervous, just remember that this is your project, so work on it when you are in the mood for it and have fun with it. No matter what happens you can always re-do/change it again until you are happy with the results~ 1. Pure Acetone: You can pick it up from any drugstore in the nail polish section, and it will dissolve and clear off any paint: factory or even your own if you want to change something. 2. A sharp craft knife, box cutter or razor blade: Something with a handle to make it easy to use: I have a knife set with different blades, BUT I always end up using the box cutters from the dollar store. This is great to keep around for trimming plastic, removing seam lines on figure parts, or just opening materials in plastic wrap. 3. Sand paper: Actually I use a bunch of nail files. You can buy sanding blocks and papers from craft and hardware stores as well. I find nail files are easy to handle, small enough to use on nendo parts, and come in all kinds of grit from rough to soft. 4. Paints: I personally like to use acrylic paints (plastic based paints that you can thin with water). You can go as cheap or as expensive with these, it's all up to you. The other paints I used were gundam and testors model paints (Enamel or Laquer based paints that can be applied by brush or bought in spray cans). They are slightly harder to use but dry flatter. 5. Paint brushes: Having a variety of sizes helps, and for small sizes you can never go wrong with nail art brushes (they fit nendo parts very well). 6. Sealants: These are important. These are the clear sprays that you saw in the video, and they will protect your paintwork from chipping or rubbing off. I like to use Mr. Super Clear, Mr. Hobby, or Testors in either matte or gloss. Hobby stores have these or online retail. Always spray these outside when it's not raining/too cold out. 7. Soft Chalk pastels: Not really needed but you can achieve an airbrush look with these with practice. Try to find soft chalk pastels if you do want to use this method, otherwise you can skip this item entirely ^^ 8. Seam or Contour putty: Putty is for filling in seams or gaps, but it needs to cure but sitting over night and will need sanding to blend into the figure. Most Nendo's won't need this so I wouldn't worry about it unless you are planning heavy modifications. Extra Tips: - ALWAYS test your paints on a different piece of paper or plastic to see how it looks dry before using it on your figure (It will save you a lot of time) -Most paints look lighter when wet and then dry darker, but this isn't always the case, this is why testing helps -Post it notes and tapes can be useful for masking off areas or creating guide lines so it helps to keep those around - Minimum dry time is 20 - 30 minutes for most paints, but figures always feel easier to hold and work with after overnight dry times - I find Nendo parts are easier to paint with all of their factory paint off (something I should've done in this video honestly) but that's up to you as well ^^ - Acrylic paints work better in thin layers of paint that have time to dry between each layer. It will help to put a little water in with them to avoid paint lines/ridges/bumps - Watch videos to see how other artists work with materials: Gunpla builders, doll repainters, and figure modifiers all have different tips and tricks that might help you! KZbin is a great resource : D I believe you will make an amazing Nendo custom, I have full faith in you

[@EssenceofStorms]

@@valkayink Thanks!

[@Toribell1928]

valkayink ahh this is so helpful ty!! I’m planning on painting a nendo with black skin too and I was sooo nervous lol🖤🤧

[@valkayink]

@@Toribell1928 You can do it! and remember, you can always repaint if it isn't what you want, that way you get the exact tones you want

[@jacobonline6994]

literally such a good video. Amazing

[@valkayink]

Thank you so much!!

[@KatAlystsStage]

Okay, I just want to say thank you so much for this video! I know it's not a tutorial, but I feel like I've learned a lot from it. For context, I'm a doll customization artist (among other things), and usually, I work on articulated fashion dolls to bring characters to life. However, in my stock box, I have a singular Nendoroid, because I adore the style and would love to make something like that for myself. There are so many things you brought up in this video that will be useful for me not just in figuring out how to modify my blank Nendoroid, but also in my other dolls, and I can't thank you enough for that! For starters, I didn't know the face could handle acetone to remove it. Usually, the stuff I work on is soft vinyl, so it can handle it, but I always thought the faceplate would melt as plastic does under such an abrasive chemical. So that's good to know! The other big thing is your eye hack. Oh my god, you have just changed my life! There isn't a doll artist I know who doesn't fight with getting the eyes even, and on figures with flatter face sculpts, it's terrifying to try and get it right. I can't wait to share this with my friends, they're gonna love it! Post-it notes are a great solution! I love how your little guy came out, Dark Link is already so cool, and now he's cute AND cool! Your attention to detail is amazing. If I may ask, how's his paint job holding up? I find that even with a good amount of sealing, sometimes my painted joints still chip, so I'm curious if the scale helps to lessen that.

[@valkayink]

Yay! I'm so happy my video helped! I'm also really happy to hear you are doing a mod yourself, and with your doll customization skills you can absolutely make an amazing custom nendo

[@KatAlystsStage]

@@valkayink Oh my gosh, I was not expecting a response, thank you so much for all of your kind words! >//< It's awesome to hear from you. I've shared your video with several friends, and they all say thank you as well! And absolutely, will do! ^^ I haven't quite started on the project yet (I gotta finish some collab dolls first), but once I do, I'll be sharing my process over on Instagram at TheBetaStage (and hopefully here if I can fix my filming setup). Always excited to share in the process with my fellow artists! ^^ Hey, glad to hear he's still doing well! XD I understand the pain, oh gosh, paint can be such a struggle, but also incredibly rewarding. Thank you again for all your kind words and well wishes, you're really awesome. Hope you have a wonderful day and all the good vibes on your future projects!

[@valkayink]

@@KatAlystsStage Thank you for letting me know, I will check out your instagram : D And sure! I try to respond to everyone, sorry for being late though, sometimes youtube doesn't give me comment notifs, so I'm glad I saw this ^^ I'm so excited for when I get a desk and start up more projects like this again ^^

[@necroticspider]

WHY ARE U SO UNDERRATED?!?!

[@valkayink]

You are too kind to me! Thank you for the highest compliment ^^ I will work hard on new videos in the future

[@a.j.h9344]

This is so cool and helpful I'm trying to customize mei with the Hong Kong colors and symbol this is so nice to see how to layer and make black more 3D. Thank u so much

[@valkayink]

That sounds like an amazing project! Very cool! I'm glad this helped ^^ Lots of people on youtube make custom nendos and figures, and a lot of tips from doll customizing videos can help if you need more videos to look for ^^

[@jayalchemist9989]

Which Mei?

[@Dmfriend26]

Ahhhhhh! This is so cool. You really outdid yourself with this custom!!

[@valkayink]

You can see him in person next time you come over ^^

[@HH-kn3fi]

this looks great! you did a wonderful job :)

[@valkayink]

Thank you! You are too kind

[@kiaranaio4540]

Thank you for this!

[@valkayink]

Thank you for watching!

[@ikon1087]

This was amazing you are very under rated,Though i do have a request that you use glittery Red nail polish a bit on the eyes to add a little bit of shine,than put clear nail polish over it too add more texture

[@valkayink]

Its so funny that you mentioned the red glitter because my knee-jerk reaction was to do that, but I was going for the flat theme/style of BoTW. Dont worry, in the future a lot more customes I plan to do will involve shiny paints and glitters because I love that stuff. Thank you for the comment!

[@5DarkTV]

정말 대단한 솜씨네요.(You have such a great skill.)

[@valkayink]

Thank you! You are very kind!

[@milskellyfox4586]

Wow you did an amazing job with this! I love it 💜💜💜

[@valkayink]

Thank you Mils! OOOH are you excited for Hazbin Hotel? It looks like it's going to be amazing~

[@BoyishFigure]

Omg Val this looks dope as fuck!!! Seriously girl you knocked it waaaaay out of the park with this one!🤩🤩😍😍

[@valkayink]

YAY THANK YOU MAMA!

[@jtse09]

Question! Looks like you used paint brushes to paint it. It doesn't look like it through the camera, but did you ever have issues with brush marks showing up?

[@valkayink]

I didn't have issues with brushstrokes, but I always thin my acrylic paint with water and do multiple thin layers (making sure it dries fully between each) If you have issues with paint strokes other things that help are: using paint pens by pooling the paint in a tray then using a brush (the paint formula self levels) OR if you have brushmarks with your paint after you are done painting, you can use polishing sand paper to very lightly sand off the marks (1500 to 2000 grade) I also find synthetic brushes (they don't have to be pricey) tend to work better for flatter paint, especially rounded ends. I hope that helps, and sorry for the late reply, I only just saw your comment, good luck with your paints!

[@SyoTheSpicyBoi]

That's so good!!! I love how it turned out 😊

[@valkayink]

Thank you~ I have him on the shelf with my other nendos now, he is fitting in well ^^

[@lucascar7665]

I would honestly pay you to make me a custom nendoroid

[@valkayink]

That is the highest compliment, Thank You! I'm working on improving my skills a bit more and expanding my paints, then I can do more nendoroid and figure customs in the future~

[@mango3441]

Did you just use acrylic paint? I was searching for a method to paint a nendoroid doll with a white skin and i didn't know how to do it

[@valkayink]

Yes! I used acrylic paint, and I'm sure it will work for your project as well. Just some tips: Clean the surface before you start with some soapy water. If the surface feels too slippery for your paints you can VERY gently sand the surface to give the paint something more to grip too. Make sure you use thin layers and let each layer dry. You can always use a nail buffer to take out brush strokes that dry into the paint (again be very gentle) it helps to seal it with a clear sealant but you don't have too: I hope that helps and I hope your nendo turns out amazing!

[@wesleyfittsii8680]

Pls make a dark meta knight it would make me so happy

[@valkayink]

Ah That would be cool, I'm kinda surprised nendoroid hasn't come out with one, if I can get the pieces I'll do that someday

[@rh.od18]

Can you put in the description all the materials you have used?

[@valkayink]

Basic Material List added : )

[@wesleyfittsii8680]

Can you make dark meta Knight

[@valkayink]

I hope I can in the future! I'll post a video if I do ^^