not really a prop, but a lot of sculpting...
- Thread starter ArtistTheGeek
- Start date
Darth Kahnt
Sr Member
Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread.
Those sculpts are incredible, especially the Anakin. You've got incredible talent. If I ever get any of the Sideshow 12" line and want to upgrade the head, I know who I'll be contacting....
Those sculpts are incredible, especially the Anakin. You've got incredible talent. If I ever get any of the Sideshow 12" line and want to upgrade the head, I know who I'll be contacting....
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
guys, thank you.. you're all too kind, seriously *blush* :$
For me a repaint takes about a week ( I work slowly and do a lot of layers... much like how I do my oil paintings, my standard art), if I'm sculpting something for myself, then that can take months, depending on how much time i get on it.
Someone mentioned about "why not do it yourself". And I agree... I'm always happy to do a custom for someone, but also I'm just as happy when someone does their own custom for the first time. Now it might not work out, or it might be amazing.. thats the risk you take when you do something new. But you never know... when I first repainted my own first custom, I'd NEVER have thought that I'd end up with a waiting list of people wanting their figures repainting (and custom sculpts of themselves... all kinds of things)
So give it a go.. you might amaze yourself. And there are lots of people who can help you
someone who got these heads off me asked what changes I'd made to the Obi-Wan, as they wereb't as instantly noticeable as the Anakin changes, so I made these pics for him to see. Thought I might as well pop them up here as well
CHANGES MADE
gave him a new nose (got rid of the old oversized concorde one), a new hairline at the front and part showing the scalp, plus hair falling down to one side, new filled out cheeks, and less side beard, reshaped moustache (less of the 70's gay biker handlebar look), reshaped beard at the bottom, and quite a big one was the neck behind the ears. It went 'into' his head much too far and made his head and neck look wrong. His neck was filled out and resculpted to be more 'human' and the hair at the back was made from scratch to match (and to be more Ewan)
Darren
For me a repaint takes about a week ( I work slowly and do a lot of layers... much like how I do my oil paintings, my standard art), if I'm sculpting something for myself, then that can take months, depending on how much time i get on it.
Someone mentioned about "why not do it yourself". And I agree... I'm always happy to do a custom for someone, but also I'm just as happy when someone does their own custom for the first time. Now it might not work out, or it might be amazing.. thats the risk you take when you do something new. But you never know... when I first repainted my own first custom, I'd NEVER have thought that I'd end up with a waiting list of people wanting their figures repainting (and custom sculpts of themselves... all kinds of things)
So give it a go.. you might amaze yourself. And there are lots of people who can help you
someone who got these heads off me asked what changes I'd made to the Obi-Wan, as they wereb't as instantly noticeable as the Anakin changes, so I made these pics for him to see. Thought I might as well pop them up here as well
CHANGES MADE
gave him a new nose (got rid of the old oversized concorde one), a new hairline at the front and part showing the scalp, plus hair falling down to one side, new filled out cheeks, and less side beard, reshaped moustache (less of the 70's gay biker handlebar look), reshaped beard at the bottom, and quite a big one was the neck behind the ears. It went 'into' his head much too far and made his head and neck look wrong. His neck was filled out and resculpted to be more 'human' and the hair at the back was made from scratch to match (and to be more Ewan)
Darren
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Lovely, just lovely. What did you use to re-sculpt the various areas? Did you use one brand, such as Super Sculpey, for instance, or did you use various materials for various tasks? I really like your subtle differences that really changes the whole look of the head sculpt - as you said: makes it look more human and imo also more real compared to something that just looks like a piece of plastic.
I'd be really interested in seeing a step-by-step of how you painted the heads and what colors you used, if you have time and interest in doing this. Would be much appreciated, as I'm always looking for ways to really make a painted bust, figure or model kit look more real and really come to life.
Cheers. :cheers
I'd be really interested in seeing a step-by-step of how you painted the heads and what colors you used, if you have time and interest in doing this. Would be much appreciated, as I'm always looking for ways to really make a painted bust, figure or model kit look more real and really come to life.
Cheers. :cheers
i would love a little "paint how-to" as well...
i was into painting the smaller 1:35 figures (WWII modeling) back in my teens but havent done it in many years...
i would guess these bigger scaled heads would be even more challenging...??
maybe you even know of some good sites or even books that would help a beginner...
thanks again for taking the time to post the pics.
brad
i was into painting the smaller 1:35 figures (WWII modeling) back in my teens but havent done it in many years...
i would guess these bigger scaled heads would be even more challenging...??
maybe you even know of some good sites or even books that would help a beginner...
thanks again for taking the time to post the pics.
brad
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
for the sculpting i used Milliput (2 part epoxy, dries to stone in about 3 hours so you have to be quick), a dremel, sandpaper and a surgical knife with various blades.
As for the painting, I do oil paintings for my 'usual' job, so painting heads for me is just an extension of that. I'm not sure of any sites that help with painting, but I'm sure google could find some if you searched for 1/6 figure painting, or something.
I *might* do a tutorial one day if I get some time to be stopping and taking pics.... maybe when I'm doing a repaint for myself. At the moment I've got such a list of customs built up i'm just trying to whizz through them to not keep people waiting more than a month or so.
I just mix up flesh tones, do some dry brushing with a darker flesh tone for the cheeks, forehead chin and ears, and paint the eyes VERY carefully... I've messed up a lot of eyes, lol
I'll maybe post a more detailed write up on what I do if I get some time one day
Thanks for the compliments though... makes me grin every day I read them. If you have any other questions about them just ask
Darren
As for the painting, I do oil paintings for my 'usual' job, so painting heads for me is just an extension of that. I'm not sure of any sites that help with painting, but I'm sure google could find some if you searched for 1/6 figure painting, or something.
I *might* do a tutorial one day if I get some time to be stopping and taking pics.... maybe when I'm doing a repaint for myself. At the moment I've got such a list of customs built up i'm just trying to whizz through them to not keep people waiting more than a month or so.
I just mix up flesh tones, do some dry brushing with a darker flesh tone for the cheeks, forehead chin and ears, and paint the eyes VERY carefully... I've messed up a lot of eyes, lol
I'll maybe post a more detailed write up on what I do if I get some time one day
Thanks for the compliments though... makes me grin every day I read them. If you have any other questions about them just ask
Darren
As Iv'e already said fantastic work and the work on Aragorn is so much better. Inspiring stuff.
hirazev
New Member
:eek
That Aragorn is perfect. I liked the Anakin and the Obi-Wan too but your work on the Aragorn figure has made me think about doing the same with my X-Files figures. They're not that bad but near your great repaint job they look poor. That, of course, will take a long time since I don't have nearly half your talent but, well, your work has inspired me. Congrats.
That Aragorn is perfect. I liked the Anakin and the Obi-Wan too but your work on the Aragorn figure has made me think about doing the same with my X-Files figures. They're not that bad but near your great repaint job they look poor. That, of course, will take a long time since I don't have nearly half your talent but, well, your work has inspired me. Congrats.
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hirazev @ Feb 4 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]1411946[/snapback]</div>
firstly... thank you :$
There's nothing I like hearing better, than somebody deciding to give customising a go after seeing something I've done. I enjoy doing this a LOT..... but I enjoy other people starting it for the first time even more. I'm the same with drawing and painting. Anyone who gives painting a go for the first time always has my attention and praise.
If you do ever get round to doing something to your figures, no matter how small, I'd love to see it
:eek
That Aragorn is perfect. I liked the Anakin and the Obi-Wan too but your work on the Aragorn figure has made me think about doing the same with my X-Files figures. They're not that bad but near your great repaint job they look poor. That, of course, will take a long time since I don't have nearly half your talent but, well, your work has inspired me. Congrats.
[/b]
firstly... thank you :$
There's nothing I like hearing better, than somebody deciding to give customising a go after seeing something I've done. I enjoy doing this a LOT..... but I enjoy other people starting it for the first time even more. I'm the same with drawing and painting. Anyone who gives painting a go for the first time always has my attention and praise.
If you do ever get round to doing something to your figures, no matter how small, I'd love to see it
rhboyd
Sr Member
Some pics of my re-worked SS Jedi Luke...
[image]http://www.ronboyd.com/ImageHost/RHB-SS_Luke01.jpg[/image]
[image]http://www.ronboyd.com/ImageHost/RHB-SS_Luke.jpg[/image]
GOTTA do the Aragorn now... yours is TERRIFIC.... A pal of mine used a head from some dragon fig that was dead on for Viggo from GI Jane... I haven't seen it finished yet... but this one... man... if I can get away without buying another fig... yeah baby... Great bits all around... Can you possibly show the Aragorn head in the same way you just showed the Obi Wan? The before and after rotates... and the schematic of what was done? I'd really appreciate the roadmap...
thanks for sharing your awesome work...
-r.
[image]http://www.ronboyd.com/ImageHost/RHB-SS_Luke01.jpg[/image]
[image]http://www.ronboyd.com/ImageHost/RHB-SS_Luke.jpg[/image]
GOTTA do the Aragorn now... yours is TERRIFIC.... A pal of mine used a head from some dragon fig that was dead on for Viggo from GI Jane... I haven't seen it finished yet... but this one... man... if I can get away without buying another fig... yeah baby... Great bits all around... Can you possibly show the Aragorn head in the same way you just showed the Obi Wan? The before and after rotates... and the schematic of what was done? I'd really appreciate the roadmap...
thanks for sharing your awesome work...
-r.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Yes, that's the Luke custom I remembered seeing - I think it was on Rebelscum... very nicely done, rhboyd. :thumbsup
These customs, using the original parts and reshaping them are always impressive to me... COOL.
These customs, using the original parts and reshaping them are always impressive to me... COOL.
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rhboyd @ Feb 5 2007, 02:18 PM) [snapback]1412268[/snapback]</div>
I'll see what I can do when I get a little time, although there was no actual sculpting on the head like the Obi-Wan and Anakin figures. This was a repaint, and the clothes were weathered (I think I explained what I did to the clothes in my first post..... I think, lol)
The Aragorn head though was a case of painting over it from top to bottom completely. Nothing was left as the original. But no sculpting. I'd say the main thing to do is to collect LOTS of pictures of Aragorn in the films, and images of him that you like how he looks (he looks quite different in different images)
once you have these images... study them, compare them to the SS head, and when you start painting KEEP comparing them... constantly. What's your experience in doing repaints? have you done any before.... a few? lots? or maybe none.... it's difficult to say what to do without knowing what you CAN do
Darren
oh I forgot to say, I like your Luke. It's definitely got a more stern expression. With practice (and a tiny brush) your eyes and eyebrows will become more and more lifelike the more heads you repaint. great job on the mouth though.
I'll see what I can do when I get a little time, although there was no actual sculpting on the head like the Obi-Wan and Anakin figures. This was a repaint, and the clothes were weathered (I think I explained what I did to the clothes in my first post..... I think, lol)
The Aragorn head though was a case of painting over it from top to bottom completely. Nothing was left as the original. But no sculpting. I'd say the main thing to do is to collect LOTS of pictures of Aragorn in the films, and images of him that you like how he looks (he looks quite different in different images)
once you have these images... study them, compare them to the SS head, and when you start painting KEEP comparing them... constantly. What's your experience in doing repaints? have you done any before.... a few? lots? or maybe none.... it's difficult to say what to do without knowing what you CAN do
Darren
oh I forgot to say, I like your Luke. It's definitely got a more stern expression. With practice (and a tiny brush) your eyes and eyebrows will become more and more lifelike the more heads you repaint. great job on the mouth though.
The Manlet
Sr Member
What can i say that hasnt already been said. :eek
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
well when my Legolas gets here (probably months away yet, I live in the UK) he'll definitly be getting a repaint at the very minimum. I can see things that need changing to make him more accurate... but it's possible with Legolas that I'll be resculpting his chin and maybe nose and cheeks as well. But not offering casts... that hair would make it too difficult. Maybe one off commissions... but no unpainted casts. Depends how i figure out to get his hair off and back on
anyway... I'll get those high res images of Aragorns head up in a sec. They're not the clearest pics, but it's all I took. It at least shows the paint and what was done. blown up like this (about 3 or 4 times normal size) the eyes look VERY cross-eyed in some angles. Sadly this was because on the actual head one eye is higher than the other for some reason. Heavens knows why.
I had to do some sneaky painting on on of the eyes, to make it LOOK like it was lower, and therefore in the right place. This meant painting skin into the eyeball slightly at the top, and painting white onto the lower eyelid slightly. It worked mostly though.... as long as i don't look at my figure through a microscope lmao
anyway... I'll get those high res images of Aragorns head up in a sec. They're not the clearest pics, but it's all I took. It at least shows the paint and what was done. blown up like this (about 3 or 4 times normal size) the eyes look VERY cross-eyed in some angles. Sadly this was because on the actual head one eye is higher than the other for some reason. Heavens knows why.
I had to do some sneaky painting on on of the eyes, to make it LOOK like it was lower, and therefore in the right place. This meant painting skin into the eyeball slightly at the top, and painting white onto the lower eyelid slightly. It worked mostly though.... as long as i don't look at my figure through a microscope lmao
ArtistTheGeek
Sr Member
how it was.....
...no sculpting, just paint. Amazing the difference a hand painted custom job can do to a figure.... it went from a figure I was thinking "what the hell? that's nothing like Viggo, or even the prototype we were shown" ...to a figure that i absolutely adore now. :love
.....and with his hair back on :thumbsup
...no sculpting, just paint. Amazing the difference a hand painted custom job can do to a figure.... it went from a figure I was thinking "what the hell? that's nothing like Viggo, or even the prototype we were shown" ...to a figure that i absolutely adore now. :love
.....and with his hair back on :thumbsup
hirazev
New Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hunky_artist @ Feb 7 2007, 02:01 PM) [snapback]1413793[/snapback]</div>
Exactly. The original sculpt had nothing to do with him and the eyes... totally off. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess the prototype looked better than the final product... at least from the pictures I'd seen a while ago. What impressed me most is that you've managed to make it look right just with a paint job, no sculpting at all. :eek
I've just got a SS John Doggett from the X-Files. The sculpt is fine, at least it looks a bit more like the actor than the Mulder one. And speaking of the Mulder figure, just like the Aragorn, what bothers me most about it is the eyes. They look awfully wrong. It'd need more than just a repaint, unlike the Doggett one.
rhboyd, I really liked your custom Luke. I'm not a big fan of those open-mouthed figures and in this particular case the SS Luke looked kind of silly. You did a great job re-working his expression and he looks good on the photos with the light effects. Congrats.
Exactly.
The original sculpt had nothing to do with him and the eyes... totally off. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess the prototype looked better than the final product... at least from the pictures I'd seen a while ago. What impressed me most is that you've managed to make it look right just with a paint job, no sculpting at all. :eek I've just got a SS John Doggett from the X-Files. The sculpt is fine, at least it looks a bit more like the actor than the Mulder one. And speaking of the Mulder figure, just like the Aragorn, what bothers me most about it is the eyes. They look awfully wrong. It'd need more than just a repaint, unlike the Doggett one.
rhboyd, I really liked your custom Luke. I'm not a big fan of those open-mouthed figures and in this particular case the SS Luke looked kind of silly. You did a great job re-working his expression and he looks good on the photos with the light effects. Congrats.
rhboyd
Sr Member
Thanks hirazev... All I did on the mouth was use a heatgun... and let is soften, then pushed the lower lip up until it looked right, then ran it under cold water. The material held shape... and the paint really set it in there...
I did re-sculpt the brow, to lower them, but again... it was the paint that brought it together. Big thanks to hunky for showing me the way with Aragorn... I liked him a lot when I got him... but man.... I can't wait to re-paint him now...
cheers,
-r.
I did re-sculpt the brow, to lower them, but again... it was the paint that brought it together. Big thanks to hunky for showing me the way with Aragorn... I liked him a lot when I got him... but man.... I can't wait to re-paint him now...
cheers,
-r.
