My Lifesize 1:1 Carrie Fisher ANH Princess Leia

azheat01

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
I debated this project for a few weeks, wondering if it would be appropriate based on her unfortunate passing. Given her iconic status and role in the SW universe, I felt including this figure in my collection was almost mandatory. So, I decided to move forward with it.

I was able to pick up one of Chewie's excellent casts.

IMG_3827.JPG

I found a great plastic mannequin on eBay for $53 which included shipping, it'll work perfect for this project. Although this mannequin is not totally anatomically correct, it felt weird posting so I edited it! :)

IMG_3828.JPG

I also found some pose-able hands on Amazon that I want to use when I modify the arms. Rather than have the traditional arms-down-by-the-sides mannequin pose, I'm going to have one hand over the other, in front, about waist high.

IMG_3830.JPG

IMG_3832.JPG

I modified the neck and did a test fit of the head. Still need to tweak it some then I can start airbrushing. I'm also going to modify the feet because this mannequin was designed to wear high heels, so the feet are slanted making it taller. I think Carrie was around 5'1" which I will get close to after making mods to the neck and feet. It was originally around 5'7".

IMG_3835.JPG
 
Last edited:
Oh man looking good!

Thanks!

Worked on cleaning up the head some. I removed the eyes so I can add some fake ones, removed some extra flashing, etc.

IMG_3850.JPG

In looking for something economical for her dress I found this Rubies Deluxe, which for the most part got OK reviews. It'll work for now until I find something better. I'll need to modify it some and change the belt. I also put a coat of primer on the head so I can start airbrushing.

IMG_3852.JPG

IMG_3853.JPG

It's coming along..........
 
Looking good. When you pose it, try pulling the fabric up above her belt, so it hangs out over it a little, which it would naturally do when worn. It will make things hang and drape more naturally.

Looking forward to you painting the head. :)
 
Looks good so far! I am looking into getting posable hands for my display as well. I am going a bit of a different route though. But certainly something to keep in mind.
 
Looks good so far! I am looking into getting posable hands for my display as well. I am going a bit of a different route though. But certainly something to keep in mind.

Looking good. When you pose it, try pulling the fabric up above her belt, so it hangs out over it a little, which it would naturally do when worn. It will make things hang and drape more naturally.

Looking forward to you painting the head. :)

Thanks guys, yeah, I will pull it up over the belt. I just threw this on her to get a feel for how it would fit. Everyone complained that the small and medium sizes were not long enough, and I didn't want a short one, so I went with a large. The length is fine, but it's a little loose in areas. So I'll be sure to do that when I alter this.

The other poses I thought about doing were these......................

Princess Leia 1.jpg

5968c14368989b765bd018146df95e1f.jpg

902490-princess-leia-06.jpg

leiaRobes.png

I'm still slightly undecided on pose. I like the poses with the weapons in hand because it reflects her fighting spirit and attitude, but I also like the regal, peaceful presentation with hands in front. I also thought about one where both hands are about to pull back the hood over her head, kinda like this..........

leia-princess-leia-organa carrie fisher.jpg

I haven't modified the arms yet so I'm still thinking about it.
 
Last edited:
They have limited flexibility, so not sure if they can hold a blaster, but I'll take a pic when I have a chance to see if it'll work.

Mine will arrive tomorrow. Will be building a customer right hand for a Terminator, that will try to grasp the grenade launcher (light weight foam version).

Thought on your Leia - not sure I've ever seen one with real hair (wig). I've only seen two or three, all with the sculpted cinnamon rolls. Removing sculpted hair can be a real PITA, but it would look VERY cool if you added real hair.
 
Thought on your Leia - not sure I've ever seen one with real hair (wig). I've only seen two or three, all with the sculpted cinnamon rolls. Removing sculpted hair can be a real PITA, but it would look VERY cool if you added real hair.

I actually thought of that, I saw a wig that would look great. But I was scared to mess up the head because I have never done it before and didn't want this to be the test piece! Maybe next time...........

I found some 20mm eyes on eBay and bought them, I think they'll work.

IMG_3836.JPG

It was a busy week so I'm just now getting around to airbrushing. Here's the head after two coats of brown. Still need to tweak it some. Looking forward to getting the flesh color on.

image2.JPG

image1.JPG
 
So I put the base of flesh tone down.........

image3a.JPG

I also did a base of red on the lips, I don't like the color so I need to alter and gloss them. I also temporarily taped the eyes in just to see........

image2a.JPG

I have lots of adjusting to do, still need to add some color and speckling to the face. I made one of the eye openings too big and painting heads like this is not my strong suit. I also picked up some fake eye lashes to put on her. Right now, she looks like a scary German lunch lady!

image1a.JPG
 
Last edited:
After stepping away from this I was able to find some time to re-work the face, it was just way too far off for my liking. I lightened the lips a little with a medium gloss red. I also re-worked the eyebrows, fixed the hairline, and added a little color to the cheeks and above the eyes.

1.JPG

Streetjudge79 recommended (thanks brother!) a larger eye size, so I removed the extra flashing and tried these 28mm ones. Although they look much better, they may be slightly too large so I ordered a set of 24mm and 26mm. I'll compare them all when they come in. I also added some fake eye lashes.

2.JPG

It's starting to come together and I'm much happier with it. I still need to do some fine tuning though, but it's getting there...............

3.JPG
 
Last edited:
Looking nice. I actually think you should give her a slightly longer neck. It looks like she's tugging her head down towards her shoulders.

Not by much. Just a centimeter or two added height.
 
Very nice build!

The physical model of the face looks spot on, but painting a face to look look like natural skin (particularly caucasian skin) is very, very difficult. There's a reason Madam Tussaud's is a tourist attraction.You risk ending up in the "uncanny valley" (look it up if you don't know it, it's fascinating stuff!).

Human skin is slightly translucent, and will look both matte and shiny depending on angel. The colour is also far from uniform, with more blue shades around the eyes and under the chin (where the sun doesn't shine as much), and darker at the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Just take a look in the mirror.

I suggest looking up Elizabeth Daynes and the Kennis brother for some tips from the masters in the field

Daynes: http://www.daynes.com/en/hominids-reconstructions.html

Kennis & Kennis: http://www.kenniskennis.com/site/sculptures/
 
I would also recommend that you go for Tech Optics eyes - the 27mm is mostly likely the size you need, but yeah, the irises (and pupils) on the eyes you have at the moment are too big.

Depending on your budget, they have lots of options if you just want a standard brown:

26mm (with blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/product/REV26

27mm (no blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/product/MNC27 or http://www.tech-optics.com/humaneyes-dilated
27mm (with blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/acrylicandglasseyes27mmand29mmeyes/urv27
 
Very nice build!

The physical model of the face looks spot on, but painting a face to look look like natural skin (particularly caucasian skin) is very, very difficult. There's a reason Madam Tussaud's is a tourist attraction.You risk ending up in the "uncanny valley" (look it up if you don't know it, it's fascinating stuff!).

Human skin is slightly translucent, and will look both matte and shiny depending on angel. The colour is also far from uniform, with more blue shades around the eyes and under the chin (where the sun doesn't shine as much), and darker at the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Just take a look in the mirror.

I suggest looking up Elizabeth Daynes and the Kennis brother for some tips from the masters in the field

Daynes: http://www.daynes.com/en/hominids-reconstructions.html

Kennis & Kennis: http://www.kenniskennis.com/site/sculptures/

I would also recommend that you go for Tech Optics eyes - the 27mm is mostly likely the size you need, but yeah, the irises (and pupils) on the eyes you have at the moment are too big.

Depending on your budget, they have lots of options if you just want a standard brown:

26mm (with blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/product/REV26

27mm (no blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/product/MNC27 or http://www.tech-optics.com/humaneyes-dilated
27mm (with blood vessels) - http://www.tech-optics.com/acrylicandglasseyes27mmand29mmeyes/urv27

Thanks all, I'll check those out. Painting faces is definitely not my strong suit, props to all of you out there who can do this!

Looking nice. I actually think you should give her a slightly longer neck. It looks like she's tugging her head down towards her shoulders.

Not by much. Just a centimeter or two added height.

Thanks, that's not the final position of the head by the way, just threw it on to get a quick pick, so the neck will be longer. I can't attach it until the eyes come in and have been installed.
 
This thread is more than 7 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top