What is your name (and usernames)?
Robin Harbin
On the MLP Arena and the MLPTP, I am known as SoldierofTwilightâŚaka SoT for short.
Born in Ohio, but raised in Florida for 24 years now.
How long have you been in the art industry?
Iâve always had artistic abilities, music mainly. I did a bit of doodling over the years, but didnât care too much about making it a real job. I mainly stick to customizing MLP toys and occasionally I work on other small crafts and Doll Houses.
I started recollecting MLP toys in 2009 when I discovered there were many other people like myself. I then decided that I wanted to make my own ideas into pony form!
What types of customs/art/crafts do you do?
For the most part, my skills stick to customizing MLP toys. I like miniatures too, like doll houses, but I donât work much on that at the moment since I donât have any room to put together my doll house.
What sort of mediums do you use?
Well, if youâre referring to âtechniqueâ, I donât really have one per say. I do try to focus on not only the pony Iâm working on, but trying to make it unique and interesting. Iâve made a snow globe pony, a light up pony that I carved in to, a pony with incredibly beautiful scented hair and glass eyes for realism and even tried out real fabric for a realistic clothing effect to match the character she was based off of. I try to work with anything I have, but honestly, I always end up trying to create something true to character if a pony is based off of something or someone. J
Are there any products you just canât live without?
ProductsâŚhmm, my rehairing tool, my dremels, good lighting, and most importantly a great paint brush!
What is your most favorite piece of work you have made?
Thatâs really hard, because the past 3-4 customs have been so much better than most Iâve made..but I would have to say my Secret Wonderland B&BW pony I made for Pythia. Although, Narissa, Resident Evil Hellhound and the Pale Winter Reindeer were awesome too!
What is your least favorite piece of work you have made?
I like most of the work Iâve done, but my least fav would be the Halloween Brew Mommy and Baby set I made. They were my first few ponies I made, but Iâve gotten better.
What is the worst injury youâve had from working on your art?
Either burning my hand or cutting into my hand. K
What is the funniest mistake youâve made while working on your art?
Hmm, Iâm not too sure actually. I wouldnât say âfunnyâ necessarily, but I did accidentally break a few teeth on my RE Hellhound pony, but it made it a bit more realistic. (Gore warning)
So many other artists on the MLP Arena and MLPTP!! They are what made me want to be better at bringing ponies to life!
What projects are you currently working on?
SHHH!! Itâs a secret, but Iâm working on an Amano style Freya from FF IX and her trance version as well.
Do you have any odd habits while working on customs/art/crafts?
Researching too much that I wind up not getting much work done on the pony!! D:
What types of art do you enjoy?
Everything actually! I donât think thereâs really anything I dislike. Iâm really even into fursuiting, although I canât sew. L
Sure! Iâve never really advertised for it, as Iâm getting trying to get a foot out there. But if anyone were to request something, Iâd be more than happy to make something for them! Iâm not really sure what to do as far as pricing goes, but I think a standard pony like Ziva I would sell for about $35-40. The more complex, the more pricing would go up depending on materials used. But, I can work with anyone. Iâll be trying out more sculpting feathers and merpony tails too.
Where can people see your work and contact you? (facebook, da, website- give us them
all)
Do you have any favorite tips or tricks?
Google. I have found some of the best ideas out there on the internet that I can use in my work. You can even find your own style by trying someone elseâs style too. I have found many wing templates, eye prints, and even symbol designs via the internet.
What advice do you have for someone just starting to get into customizing/art?
Do a lot of reading! There are so many helpful posts already out there that give very valuable information. If all else fails, ASK!! Everyone is really nice in the Pony and Doll community, so donât be afraid to ask anyone a question. Donât be afraid to experiment too. Some of the best work comes out of experiments, and then if you make a mistake, you learn to perfect it into something awesome! Good luck!
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