eBay

So far the eBay experience has been quite positive.  As of today, three of my cards have been up for auction.  While the mtg card alteration business isn't likely to pay off my college loans or anything, I am pleased that they are selling.  Not to mention, it's a lot of fun.

The first cards were older and not commonly used, but this third one is an altered land card.  It's a land [forest] (pictured blow) and the auction ends on July 26th.

On both Torch Drake and Gruul Signet, the backgrounds and borders are entirely metallic.  The flame shapes and color transitions aren't nearly as graphic in person.  I am working on boobs, but hair, faces, and random animal anatomy are definitely my favorite parts about altering these cards

The plan for the near future is to focus on altering mostly lands and other commonly used cards unless a specific commission comes up.

What I'm working on now is a foil swamp land, which should be finished and posted in a day or so.

Materials

This is way fun.  I like the challenge of painting within a small workable area.  It saves paint if nothing else.  The possible themes are great, too.  Anime style or not, I like any excuse to draw girls and small animals.  So far, my eyes are holding out just fine.

On materials:

We've been using mostly inexpensive acrylic craft paint.  We have a lot of basic colors: red, blue, green, yellow, cyan, magenta, black, and white...and lavender and orange. 

 We also have used metallic Jacquard paints with success.  Over light colors, these metallics are sort of transparent.  Over dark colors, the metallics seem more solid.  Some of them look one color like blue and shine another color like gold, depending on how much paint is layered on and which angle they're viewed from. 

I'm not sure how other mtg card alterers have been using Prismacolor markers because they seem to just wipe right off the card.

We have also purchased some gold leaf, but haven't tried it out yet (none of us have leafed anything before, as far as I know.).  Could be cool, we'll post the results when we do use it.

For standard artwork removal, acetone all the way.  We bought ours at Menards in the paint section, but you can find it at most hardware stores.  The fingernail polish remover acetone has too much water in it and water will damage your cards, so go ahead and spend $5-10 on the industrial stuff.  Removing ink with Acetone takes a lot less time than an eraser.  It can be smelly though, so open up a window (or you will probably get high).  And don't smoke, I guess.  For removing tiny areas, we've had good luck just scraping it off carefully with an X-acto knife.  We have the normal blade and a curved blade. 

Selkie has been sealing all of the cards, so he'll have to explain more about what goes into that.  Also open up a window and try not to smoke.  And be careful using it outside 'cause stuff can blow onto your sticky card.

It's like a magnifying mirror!

Have you ever plucked hairs out using a x10 magnifying mirror? Well, that experience is akin to scanning your first altered M:tG card. You think "I take care of my skin, I don't have wrinkles....I look fine!" and then BAM! You see everything clearly and your skin betrays those years you've shaved off your true age. Tiny veins are broken and pores contain microscopic grit.

It's not like I wasn't expecting to see these imperfections; quite the opposite. I tend to be my worst critic. However, it was just a bit shocking to see the card that, to my old eyes, appeared almost perfect. It is good....but man, there is still a lot to learn!

I'm so glad I have the "C" in SDC around to keep me on my toes. Her statements about how to look at things and draw/paints things the way they ARE not the way I think they appear is helping me break down one of my biggest fears---eyes.

I'll be tackling them tomorrow on my "red lady", if I have time!

Welcome to our blog!

SDC cards is a cooperative effort by Selkie24, Diva, and CatalystSwitch to paint, alter, and create enjoyable art on the canvas of Magic: the Gathering cards.

We plan to share our works here, as well as cover our experiences and struggles in the learning process involved in this effort.