I've started this hobby at the end of 2023, I'm no full professional yet and may never be and that is fine, I mostly will only paint kits I like, because they cost so much of my free time (& I have a full-time job), and still want to paint some kits for myself, which is why I can allow myself to be picky.

So if you are a big perfectionist, you may want to look elsewhere, but if you like my current works and are aware that handpainted works can be rarely perfect, then feel free to message me. I enjoy customers who are fine with some minimal artistic freedom, like trusting me which shade of blue (for example) fits best, and because I can never guarantee to mimic the prototype to 100% as I have not always the access to the same paints or methods. But it is always my goal to get as near as possible.

I've no portfolio site yet, so either go on my twitter or mfc.

Garage Kits

Authentic / original Garage Kits from the sculptors can be bought during Wonfes, or on booth, Y!Auctions, Surugaya, Mandarake, though be careful as some sneak in recasts / fakes.

There exist plenty of Garage Kits I would just like to paint for fun or as challenge, but that would destroy my wallet, reasons I am open for commissions, as I love painting them (even if it can be hella frustrating) and include them to my little portfolio.
Sadly a Garage Kit requires far more work than just painting.

You have to sand the kit as it usually got mold lines, or print lines (if 3D-printed) which you have to sand down so the surface is smooth again. Some kits got airbubbles or other issues which need to be filled with putty and smoothed down too.

Then these kits need to be washed with degreaser, otherwise the paint won't stick to the surface.

So the kit keeps itself together metal pins / rods are required and or magnets, whatever works best depending on the pieces. Most also require a base, where acryl plates are mostly used. Wood works too.

Once all is smooth is pinned, the kit can be primed (which is required for the paint to stick) and during that stage some airbubbles can be seen better or other flaws, which need to be fixed again, before a new primer layer can be added.

Then finally, once all is smooth, the painting can start and depending on the kit's design, masking with tape can be required too, if there are more different colors on a single piece, like a skirt with stripes. Everything needs to be protected with varnish, which can be matt, satin or glossy, whatever fits best. Like skin is matt, Latex Boots glossy.

For the eyes there are either water decals included, or they have to be handpainted, where I personally use the enamel method.

Preview

Price: 100 - 600 EUR. Depends on the condition, from a mold or 3D-printed, parts number, scale/size, complexity, water decals or handpainted, special wishes. Also the time I have to spend on it, and material costs.

Shipping: I live in the EU / Germany, so depending where you live it can go from ca. 8 Eur, to 17 Eur, to 50 Eur, all via DHL. For protection I use foam, which is not cheap either, usually around 25+ Eur, but such material you can also provide to me, when you ship the kit to me first. Cheaper methods like bubble wrap (+ 0 Eur, got enough stored) is also possible but only advised by simple kits, with nothing too thin with high risk of breaking.

Base: If not included in the kit, an acryl base usually costs around 10 Eur or more with shipping, again something you can also provide to me if you ship the kit to me. Wood is also possible, just had less luck to find ones. Some shops offer acryl bases with special effects or different sculpts. I can also paint on the base to give it color, or decorate it.

Materials: I use mostly Mr Color Paints (Laquer), for eye painting Tamiya (Enamel), mind you they are bit limited in the colors they offer there. Chameleon Paints (pearl, shiny effect), Primer (Tamiya), Surfacer (Mr Hobby). Vallejo (Acryl) for rare handpaint occasions. Varnish (Mr Hobby), Brass rods, magnets, sanding paper / sponges (various brands), various files, electric tools, masking tape (Tamiya), Mr Tool Cleaner, Isopropyl, Nail Art Deco, Glitter & rhinestones, UV Resin, Putty (various brands), steel rods, acryl rods, degreaser, real jewelry, chains, etc ... so you get an idea of the costs as well, considering how much is required.

Time: Depends on work and my schedule, so hard to measure, when I have vacation I can be faster, but lets roughly say 1-3 months.

Garage-Kits: You have to buy them and ship them to me, either from your home, or from the proxy if you used one (let it be send directly to me).

usual procedure ( W I P)
  • Contact me. Show a prototype picture of the kit, or myfigurecollection.net link. Mention if you have any special wishes, or just like the original. Your location is important too.
  • If I'm interested, I'll ask for further pictures, and details of the quality. And if everything works out for me, I'll determine a rough price span. The exact price will be determined once the kit arrives, as I can check the quality myself then.
  • Payment will be sent right before I start.
  • WIP Pictures will be sent of the process. Especially in the color phase.
  • Once done, the figure will receive an extra drying time of 1-2 weeks, as safety measure.
  • The figure will be sent in parts, for safety, which you have to put together later. Sometimes I make videos, or give tips on what to watch out for.
  • Done, for further details, see below.

Terms of Service: by hiring me you agree to my T.O.S.

Here are further details, which are more GK-specific, since my main TOS Page is for digital art.

Payment

I live in Europe, so it is EURO & all happens via PayPal. Transactions will be mostly done via invoices, so I need your PayPal e-mail.
If I accept the commission, you will be added to my to-do list. Payment will happen right before I start, so the kit needs to be shipped to me a bit earlier than that, I will contact you once you can ship it, unless you want to give your proxy service my address, which will ship it directly to me and I will store it for you then.

REFUND

Full refund: only possible if I have not started yet.

Partial refund: and how much depending how far I have gotten with your commission.

No refund: if the artwork is finished.

So if you don't want to commission me after all, but the kit is already stored at my place, you still have to pay for the shipping. If I have to cancel the commission out of private reasons, you have to pay for the shipping as well.

Life is unpredictable, so for the worst case I die in an accident, and thus no activity on any social media, your kit will be lost, unless you manage to visit me and my family can give it back, or you try a letter. (You have my address after all). Via Paypal you can get at least a monetary refund. Garage Kits are very pricy, and there do exist horror stories across the internet. I've no reason to risk my reputation for a few hundred dollars, I live a good life.

If for some reason contact is lost, me or you losing an account, getting hacked, etc, check my to-do list first (& then all other social media), or try e-mail, depending how much data we shared to each other.

TIME

Depends on my to-do list, I can only give you a rough guess, but usually several months until I can start.

No Deadlines.

Once I start & you have paid, 1-3 months. Always below 180 days.

ONLINE ACTIVITY: If I do not reply within 24-48 hours, please send again! (sometimes I forget to reply over the day due to work) Please never expect instant responses, neither I do from you. My timezone is GMT+1.

Shipping

Shipment is always via DHL from my side. This includes tracking.

If the package needs to be send outside the EU, I need to fill out a form with the value of the commission (what you paid) and only that can be refunded if the package gets lost. This case has luckily not happened yet, but at the same time I cannot tell how reliable DHL is, but it will certainly take months, and chance exists you may get nothing back. So this is one of those other big risks you take via commission me and shipping something to me & me back to you.

USA: Due to tariffs and DHL being lazy, I can only send via Express, which can cost around 150 EUR. Alternatively as gift (50 eur), but if the package gets lost, no refund possible. Waiting for Updates.

Repairs

If anything arrives broken, I offer free repairs, but shipment needs to be paid by the customer.

Alternatively, I can always offer tips how to fix it yourself, if you want to save on shipping but not on materials.

If something breaks later through other means, like an accident, it will cost extra + shipping.

Phone Camera

With my Phone I take all photos, which sadly means I can never show accurate color, but also because we use different monitors. Sometimes I will filter pictures, trying to show the color I see in reality.

Phone Lenses are neat for wide shots, but not for close ups, due to the focal length, it can warp figures a little and make them look wonky.

FAQ