Lost Keys - Artisan keycaps in progress

[Mattc777]

Hello All!

Recently I decided to try my hand at the Artisan game. My main goal here was to give back to this community and provide people with more chances at enjoyment of that same magic I have felt multiple times before. Here are my current results and the presentation of my first "rough" design (He needs to be Redesigned/Refined to play well with other artisans and not stand as tall and proud).

I plan to make more designs in the near future, as well as attempt to refine this initial design. These were just my first casts, I was really excited, and wanted to share.

I have to say, the "trial and error" involved in all of this is a blast! Also I could not have achieved the results I have thus far without the heavily documented progress others have provided on this site. I truly thank you all.

Sorry for the somewhat "potato" quality of the progress pics! 

Edit : Thought I would mention, this sculpt started as a fox, turned into a dino, and then began to look so much like a dog that I attempted to transform him into a "Sun God" version of Anubis. A hot mess. I know. 

[KetchyKech]

looking good! I'm sure as you practice and learn more you'll finesse things such as profile and design! Great stuff man, thanks for sharing, look forward to seeing more 

[Mattc777]

looking good! I'm sure as you practice and learn more you'll finesse things such as profile and design! Great stuff man, thanks for sharing, look forward to seeing more 

Hey I appreciate the warm response! 

Yeah I definitely had clearance in mind when I designed this, but did not account for other artisans or even them sitting next to each other.  )

Will definitely upload more photos here in the coming weeks as I refine this little dude and attempt to create others!

 

[alveeno]

Nice casts! Where'd you get the pressure pot at?

[Mattc777]

Nice casts! Where'd you get the pressure pot at?

Hey thanks for the kind words! 

The Pressure chamber I am using is a 2.5 gallon resin casting post from C.A. Technologies, which I purchased at JN Equipment.

This dude here - https://www.jnequipment.com/shop/paint-spraying/hvlp-fine-finish/51-201c-resin-mold-casting-2-5-gal-pressure-pot/

I have to say, they use a fairly cheap form of loctite on their fittings (even where the fittings attach to and enter the lid), which caused me to have to remove and reseal nearly every one.

The main draw here is the build quality of the actual pot though, and the fact that it can withstand up to 80 psi. In reality, spraying it down with a bit of soap water to find air leaks and fixing them is no biggie compared to the piece of mind that this thing won't explode. I keep mine at about ~65 psi and have no issues with bubbles whatsoever. Even the stem on my first mold/casts was perfect just by using the paperclip and paintbrush method others have mentioned here when applying the silicon to the stem of the key.

Hope this helps!

[Mattc777]

Trying to experiment enough today to somewhat perfect the technique of doing multiple colors. "Lock and Key"   

[Mattc777]

Picture on board for effect! 

[Mattc777]

Hey Guys! Another update - I would love some constructive criticism or feedback of some sort if any of you find the time to do so! 

Over the past week I have mainly been trying to improve my sculpting skills as starting this whole project was my first step into the world of even attempting anything like this.

This experience started with the "Sun God Anubis" shown above, then moved on to the simple "Lock and Key", and on to this "Aviator Casey" (named after my late pup and her love for adventure).



Once I completed and cast this sculpt, I learned a ton about clearance and overall "organic" designs which feel good to press, look visually appealing, and are not super difficult to cast in multiple colors. This lead to my recent creation of this dude (who currently has no name):





The main reason I have not attempted to have a "sale" or anything yet is because I do not want to push out caps to people in a rush when I know that I personally can do better.

I definitely feel as if I am getting there quickly learning more each time I create a new sculpt and cast it. So far this adventure has only been about 3 weeks, and I look forward to what it brings in the future.

Thanks for looking.

[Mattc777]

Deleted

[Mattc777]

Uno Mas.

[wishful_cynic]

Uno Mas.

Looks like a Puppet Master licking its lips.

Nice casting to these, interested to see future designs.

[Mattc777]

Uno Mas.

Looks like a Puppet Master licking its lips.

Nice casting to these, interested to see future designs.

Thanks! When I sculpted this dude - which I have been calling "Slurp", I definitely saw the resemblance to both Puppet Master and Hugo (which was unintentional) but felt it was different enough to continue on with. I suppose not all will be interested in him, but he will more than likely be one of my first releases (hopefully) in the near future.

Will definitely be making more designs in the next week or two and attempting to refine my Aviator Dog. Thanks for looking and for the feedback! I really appreciate it! 

[Mattc777]

Thanks for checking this out guys!

[Mattc777]

Bonus on board shot -

[quanghuy1200]

Those look great.Are u going to do that in pink ?

[1swt2gs]

Huge fan of the lock and key one!

[Mattc777]

Those look great.Are u going to do that in pink ?

Hey thanks for the interest!

I have already cast "Slurp" (the lizard with his tongue out) in a ton of colors, including a lavender base with white eyes and a pink tongue to match the Hana DSA set. I would totally be up for making one in pink as well if you were interested! What color would you want the eyes/tongue to be? They can each be a different color (all resin, not painted).

The "Flight Pup" cap needs to be refined a bit as casting multiple colors can be quite a challenge with the angle his goggles are at.

Let me know what you think! I was planning on having a sale soon and am trying to determine about 5 colorways or so. 

[Mattc777]

Huge fan of the lock and key one!

Hey thanks for the feedback! I have been casing triple shot caps of the Lock and Key with every colorway of "Slurp" I have done (I really need to post some new pics which I will more than likely do today).

The cap itself is completely sculpted, meaning it doesn't really match any existing keycap profile.

I've been toying with the idea of creating a v2 which would have hinges or screws of some sort on the corners, which would allow me to do more than triple shots and give it a bit more depth.

Let me know what you think or what colorway of the Lock and Key you would like to see! There can be three colors as of now, with marbled effects and glow in the dark an option as well.

[KetchyKech]

Great evolution in your work ~ Once you get that profile down a bit, to fit in with popular keycap profiles, you are really going to start taking off!! Keep up the great work, I'll sure to keep my eye on this thread!!

[Mattc777]

Great evolution in your work ~ Once you get that profile down a bit, to fit in with popular keycap profiles, you are really going to start taking off!! Keep up the great work, I'll sure to keep my eye on this thread!!

Thanks I really appreciate the encouragement and support! 

[Mattc777]

Just a quick update potato (working on getting a better pictures in the near future and posting picks with this dude on a board)

[alveeno]

Those are looking real nice man, good work

[Mattc777]

Those are looking real nice man, good work

Thanks! 

[Mattc777]

I've been messing around a bit with Quadruple shot colors. Still trying to figure out the best way to take pictures of these guys! Might need to get a new camera to be honest. 

[quanghuy1200]

I've been messing around a bit with Quadruple shot colors. Still trying to figure out the best way to take pictures of these guys! Might need to get a new camera to be honest.

Sweeettt

Sent from my Vega Iron using Tapatalk

[Mattc777]

I've been messing around a bit with Quadruple shot colors. Still trying to figure out the best way to take pictures of these guys! Might need to get a new camera to be honest.

Sweeettt

Sent from my Vega Iron using Tapatalk

 

[quanghuy1200]

Tattoo Slurp

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[Mattc777]

Tattoo Slurp

Sent from my Vega Iron using Tapatalk

 

[alveeno]

Hey man! Just noticed you're using only opaque colors, not a fan of transparent?

[Mattc777]

Hey man! Just noticed you're using only opaque colors, not a fan of transparent?

I also thought about that the other day. I prefer opaque, but really should make some transparent as I know people would like those. Any suggestions? Do you think the eyes/tongue should be opaque or transparent as well?

[quanghuy1200]

Hey man! Just noticed you're using only opaque colors, not a fan of transparent?

I also thought about that the other day. I prefer opaque, but really should make some transparent as I know people would like those. Any suggestions? Do you think the eyes/tongue should be opaque or transparent as well?

The eye should be trans if u can make the LED go through. Or the wole trans and the detail like eye and tounge are solid

Sent from my Vega Iron using Tapatalk

[alveeno]

Hey man! Just noticed you're using only opaque colors, not a fan of transparent?

I also thought about that the other day. I prefer opaque, but really should make some transparent as I know people would like those. Any suggestions? Do you think the eyes/tongue should be opaque or transparent as well?

The eye should be trans if u can make the LED go through. Or the wole trans and the detail like eye and tounge are solid

Sent from my Vega Iron using Tapatalk

Pretty much this I'd do transparent body and opaque eye/tongue first, it looks wayy nicer.

[ygor]

Does anything happen if you lick the back of 'em?

[JiggleKoala]

These are so cool! Any plans on putting some up for sale? I'd be first in line!

[Mattc777]

These are so cool! Any plans on putting some up for sale? I'd be first in line!

Definitely! I plan on having a 3-4 colorway sale on Slurp within the next week or two. All caps will be at least triple shot, some quadruple shot.

 I am not too sure how getting an "Artisan Services" thread works on here, but make sure to watch this thread and Reddit!

 

[Mattc777]

Does anything happen if you lick the back of 'em?

Not sure why but I just saw this response! 

I personally have never tried licking the backs so I am note sure. Might have to test it to make sure these are safe! 

Thanks for checking these out!

[alveeno]

These are so cool! Any plans on putting some up for sale? I'd be first in line!

Definitely! I plan on having a 3-4 colorway sale on Slurp within the next week or two. All caps will be at least triple shot, some quadruple shot.

 I am not too sure how getting an "Artisan Services" thread works on here, but make sure to watch this thread and Reddit!

 

Post a new topic then PM a mod with a link to it

[DillonHightower]

soooo . did all thees sell ? very interested in a few my self ? not finding any sale thread..

[Mattc777]

soooo . did all thees sell ? very interested in a few my self ? not finding any sale thread..

Hello!

I had a sale back in the beginning of February and plan on having another within the next month (so sometime between now and the end of April-ish)

Currently working on refining the dog you see above with goggles on - "Flight Pup" and determining if I want to include Slurp again in my next sale.

Thanks for checking this out! 

[oscdawg]

The flight pups look great! Wouldn't a slurp with transparent eyes and tongue look cool?

[Mattc777]

The flight pups look great! Wouldn't a slurp with transparent eyes and tongue look cool?

Thanks! I plan on getting updated pictures up soon! 

Do you mean transparent eyes/tongue on an opaque body?

[oscdawg]

The flight pups look great! Wouldn't a slurp with transparent eyes and tongue look cool?

Thanks! I plan on getting updated pictures up soon! 

Do you mean transparent eyes/tongue on an opaque body?

That's what I was thinking. Is that even possible? Or would it have to be one or the other, all transparent or all opaque?

[Mattc777]

The flight pups look great! Wouldn't a slurp with transparent eyes and tongue look cool?

Thanks! I plan on getting updated pictures up soon! 

Do you mean transparent eyes/tongue on an opaque body?

That's what I was thinking. Is that even possible? Or would it have to be one or the other, all transparent or all opaque?

It honestly all depends on the resin being used. I happen to use a resin that is naturally opaque to begin with, so any opaque colors are achieved using "opaque" pigments. If you notice some of the pictures users have posted of mystery bag Slurps, I have done the same effect reversed - just never thought about trying it the other way around!

[oscdawg]

The flight pups look great! Wouldn't a slurp with transparent eyes and tongue look cool?

Thanks! I plan on getting updated pictures up soon! 

Do you mean transparent eyes/tongue on an opaque body?

That's what I was thinking. Is that even possible? Or would it have to be one or the other, all transparent or all opaque?

It honestly all depends on the resin being used. I happen to use a resin that is naturally opaque to begin with, so any opaque colors are achieved using "opaque" pigments. If you notice some of the pictures users have posted of mystery bag Slurps, I have done the same effect reversed - just never thought about trying it the other way around!

I think an opaque slurp with transparent eyes could be really cool. I'm not sure if a transparent tongue is possible but that would look so awesome with red /pink light shining through

[TelFiRE]

I've spent practically all my free time the last couple days looking at artisan keycaps and Slurp is still one of my favorites. Nice work!!