Rainbow Dash
2.5D Snap-Together Model
So . . . this was supposed to be an ATC (Artist Trading Card), but things didn't quite work out that way. The idea was that all of the parts to make Rainbow Dash would have been mounted on an ATC-sized "sprue tree", much like the parts for a model car, plane, etc., as illustrated in my quick concept sketch below. While they weren't my inspiration, Hasbro does have similar My Little Pony: Pop toys in the stores right now, although those kits make 3D ponies, not 2.5D ones like mine. ("2.5D" is the term I use to describe figures made mostly out of 2-dimensional planes arranged in a 3-dimensional manner.)
My Rainbow Dash figure does fit within an ATC's 2.5" x 3.5" dimensions when she's disassembled, but the angled wings don't lie flat enough for the look I wanted to achieve (I'd have to make the wing assembly a 3-piece affair, like in my drawing, for that). Originally, rather than the peg-and-hole interfaces you see on the final version, I had intended to make all of the parts connect to one another via slots, which would have resulted in everything lying flat like I wanted (and more pieces), but my plans changed while I was working on the vibrantly-hued pegasus. I still like the idea of an ATC that's also a snap-together model kit, so maybe I'll make another attempt in the future with different subject matter.
This is the pencil template that I drew up and worked from. The My Little Pony: Giant Sticker Book that I bought recently was a great asset in that regard, as it's full of pictures of the most prominent characters from the cartoon in almost any pose that you could ever conceivably want (indeed, I based my Rainbow Dash drawing on one of the Applejack stickers). I was a bit concerned that the model wouldn't be able to stand in this rearing pose, but the tail and wings counter-balance the weight of her raised body just enough that she remains erect without the need for any additional support.
Rainbow Dash's body is made mostly out of 1-4 ply cardboard, from a potato chip box, with a bit of papier-mâché here-and-there (primarily the connection interfaces).
Her eyes, cutie marks, and mane/tail are all hand-made decals, drawn with ink, marker, and colored pencil. However, to make them more vibrant, I went over all of her tresses with paint. Doing rainbows, without masking, is a pretty tricky affair. You get one stripe done, start another, mess up the one that you just did with the new color, fix your mistake only to make another blunder, and so it goes until you finally get it all done right.
A six-piece model isn't much of a challenge, but, all-in-all I think Ms. Dash turned out pretty well. But, then, she's my absolute favorite G4 (Generation 4) pony, so, I'm biased.
Materials:
Cardboard from a potato chip box, white paper from an envelope, newsprint, tissue paper, white glue, acrylic paint, marker, ink, and colored pencils.
Dimensions:
2.5 cm (1.0") wide x 6.4 cm (2.5") long x 6.2 cm (2.4") tall.
Articulation:
Four points; all of her limbs can rotate at their connections.
Of course, as she was designed for one, specific pose, the practical usage is relatively limited (i.e., she'll fall over if you move her back legs out of alignment).
Time:
One day: July 19th, 2015.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but I think it would have actually been faster and less labor to sculpt her in full 3D (I had to do a fair amount of design/prep work for this project before I could start physically fabricating anything). I imagine that her rainbow locks would probably have been just as time-consuming to paint regardless though.
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