Customikey's Toys of Wonder [Archive]

Customikey

10-13-2005, 06:49 PM

Hello! Well, my thread was one of the ones lost on the old board, so this is a good chance to start over.
Here's my repainted Dracula to start. I'll have more pics soon. I was scared to do it, since the figure is so hard to get these days, but I'm happy with the results. I wanted him to look as much like the 1/4 version as possible.
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/9715/draccompare9re.jpg

I've also opened an auction for my repainted London After Midnight. Take a look and tell me what you think!
repainted London After Midnight (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6004902428)

Customikey

10-13-2005, 06:53 PM

Here's some more pics.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8558/triosmaller0qq.jpg
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6771/ben15xl.jpg
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3121/palpatine2smaller8uv.jpg
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/1702/vampyre12md.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5034/gandalfwhite16vs.jpg

Customikey

10-13-2005, 07:00 PM

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8624/dooku9xc.jpg

BDboystoys

10-15-2005, 02:17 AM

:horror :google :horror :google WOW. Awesome stuff you've done! o and WELCOME!!!

occulum

10-19-2005, 09:36 AM

very nice!
what kinds of paint/techniques do you use. (only askin cause im about to get into painting some customs myself and I only hope I can do work as good as yours)

Customikey

10-19-2005, 06:32 PM

very nice!
what kinds of paint/techniques do you use. (only askin cause im about to get into painting some customs myself and I only hope I can do work as good as yours)

Glad you like my stuff! I use acrylics. I spray white primer on the figure so the acrylic paint sticks better, than I do a thin coat a few shades darker than I want the figure to be. THen I usually do a thick wash with taupe or deep portrait pink (dpp). Once that's done, it'sa just layers of drybrushing lighter and lighter shades of the skin color til I'm happy.
For the eyes, I paint the sockets taupe or dpp, then paint half the eye white and half tan or off-white. I don't know why it works, but it does. Then a circle of a very dark shade of the eye color. Then another smaller circle of that color mixed with mostly white to get a very light shade. Then the black dot for the pupil.
Then spray lightly with clear matte varnish.
After that, I add clear gloss acrylic to eyes and lips.
Hair is done pretty much the same way. If it's slick hair, Like Drac's, I drybrush clear gloss acrylic on it to give it a sheen.

Customikey

10-19-2005, 06:56 PM

I got sick of New Nightmare Fred's doll eyes looking off to the side, so...
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3944/nnfred14xh.jpg
Now that looks a bit more like the prototype we went nuts for!

BDboystoys

10-19-2005, 07:20 PM

:horror OMG! I LOVE IT!!! I want mine to be like that!!!! :horror

Customikey

10-21-2005, 06:41 PM

If anyone's interested, I'm putting my New Nightmare Freddy (seen above), William Shakespeare (scroll up!), and London After Midnight (not shown) customs up on eBay.

Just do a seller search for Customikey.

I know it seems like I'm using this board as advertising, but that is not my intent. I love showing my stuff to you, and I'll keep posting my stuff here whether I'm going to sell it or not. The thing is, I'm trying to fund a full-fledged Darth vader costume, and all I've got to go on is....toys.

So, enjoy the pics and ignore the auctions, if you so desire. Or covet my toys and bid. Help a guy realize his dream of standing in highly uncomfortable fiberglass and leather for the amusment of co-workers and little starry-eyed children!!!! :vader

Josette

10-22-2005, 12:21 PM

I really like your William Shakespeare. A very unique, extremely well done figure! Love the quill and book accessory. It's these kinds of customs that appeal to me, because they're kind of outside the box for 12 inch figures, so to speak.

This figure reminds me of another famous author I would absolutely love to have in 12 inch figure form- Edgar Allan Poe.

Customikey

10-22-2005, 01:54 PM

You know it's funny. The second you said that, something clicked. Could probably repaint a General Custer head and add some Victorian clothes (Dark Shadows, maybe) and you'd get a pretty reasonable E.A. Poe. Just need to find a raven....

Josette

10-23-2005, 09:05 AM

Poe with the Raven would be so cool. :)

I would love a Poe, especially since Poe is my favorite author, but I don't have the talent to make him myself. A Poe figure is on the top of my 1/6 scale figure wish list. The Raven would make a great accessory.

Alyasha

11-01-2005, 11:35 PM

WOW ! Really impressive custom work Customikey . Somone forwarded me a link to your Shakespear a few days ago and I was (still am) floored .

Killer stuff !

Customikey

11-02-2005, 05:15 PM

I'm glad you liked Shakespeare. Even though I have to let him go, I'm proud of how well he did on eBay.
Since I've sold him, I feel safe in telling you what he's made of. Skip this if you don't want the illusion shattered.

The costume is Mask of the Red Death repainted with a Spinal Tap shirt underneath (The McKean character.)
The book is repainted from Kanamits "To Serve Man."
The quill is from a pigeon. I looked all over New York till I found one I liked, and cleaned the hell out of it. The feather, not the pigeon. Never met the pigeon. To my knowledge.
Finally, the head is (appropriately?) Palisades' Mr. Brown (Quentin Tarantino) with sculpied features. The earring is a metal hoop that was in my kit 'o random toy stuff.
Mr. Brown came with two heads. I cut the ears off the other one and placed them on my Chancellor Palpatine sculpt. I'm a pretty good sculptor, but ears defeat me. I'm busy painting the Palpatine head. I'll post pics when it's done. Wish I could sew so I could make the costume from the Mace Windu fight...

Customikey

11-03-2005, 03:53 PM

I put Count Dooku up on ebay, and he's doing really well! It's only been a day. Shocked, I am. Imagine if I had made him with a removable head and hands. Eeww.

Palpatine is almost painted up. The sculpts rough edges are really starting to show, but it's not bad for a first attempt. Pics soon.

Customikey

11-11-2005, 06:58 PM

I finished my Chancellor Palpatine sculpt. It's pretty rough, since I didn't chemically smooth the details, but it's a pretty fair first attempt, I think.
What do y'all think?
*deleted pics.* See further along for a new pic of Palpy.

Customikey

11-13-2005, 08:43 PM

I just put a custom Darth Maul up on ebay. Check him out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6012982384
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/621/maul11mg.jpg

buffy-collector

12-05-2005, 10:15 AM

wow!!! brilliant have you got a full body pic of freddy

Customikey

12-10-2005, 08:19 AM

These are the only other pics I have, since he's been packed up for shipping to the winning bidder. The previous winner dropped off the face of the earth, so I had to repost it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6021532414

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7116/nnfred37qj.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3333/nnfred24ic.jpg

The only differences between my Freddy and SSC's original (besides the repainted eyes) is that I've put wire in the coat to make it a bit more dramatic and I've tucked his pants into his boots to match the source.

Glad you like him!

Customikey

02-18-2006, 07:21 PM

New pics of Hannibal, FVJ Jason on a bashed Kanamit body for extra height, Slave Leia, and Aurra Sing.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/1188/lecter16xh.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1575/jasonwbase8oj.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4971/fvj17ta.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/4981/fvj22yy.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1465/jasontriumphs3nr.jpg

Customikey

02-18-2006, 07:23 PM

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1412/leia29kh.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2597/leia12ig.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2883/leia35lc.jpg

Customikey

02-18-2006, 07:26 PM

Not much chance that SSC will get around to Aurra Sing, so here's my take.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2286/aurra27kk.jpg
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/7316/aurra35ba.jpg

Sometimes she is depicted with cape and lightsaber, so...

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/742/aurra54tj.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6002/aurra44vu.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7922/aurra17iz.jpg

Customikey

02-18-2006, 07:30 PM

I've finally attached my Palpatine sculpt to the body. He looks ok, but the mouth is a bit small. He has that carved from wood, unfinished quality. Eh. Until SSC gives me one, this'll have to do for Mace Windu!
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2863/chancp10hj.jpg

gdb

02-18-2006, 09:43 PM

Nice work!

The joints bother me on Leia, but what can you do.

Ever think of tackling a Rick Deckard?

Customikey

02-18-2006, 09:53 PM

Nice work!

The joints bother me on Leia, but what can you do.

Ever think of tackling a Rick Deckard?

I'd LOVE to do Deckard, but I'd want to use the Japanese figure as a basis, and he's too damned expensive. I'd also like to get my hands on the Hot Toys Director (George Lucas) or the famous Indiana Jones figure but they are definitely out of my price range!

Batty

02-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Nice! I don't have the patience, time or talent to do my own customizing. I really like 1/6 figures because I appreciate the work put into each figure, whether it's by a fan or a professional artist. Keep up the great work.

gdb

02-18-2006, 10:41 PM

...the famous Indiana Jones figure but they are definitely out of my price range!

Yeah, no kidding. I had one for a about a year and half (he was opened so he only cost me about $600) and he was the prize of my collection but then the Bush economy hit and rent came round and off to eBay he went. He held his value, though. Would have made a tiny profit if not for Paypal fees.

gdb

02-18-2006, 10:47 PM

Is that Aurra's head from the Hasbro figure or somewhere else?

Customikey

02-18-2006, 11:00 PM

Is that Aurra's head from the Hasbro figure or somewhere else?

It's actually SSC's own Art S. Buck female (Grey edition). The sculpt bears a striking resemblance to the actress, not that the pics neccessarily show you that! :o

She's also a very tall, lithe model, so the figure's proportions were perfect for this job. I need to dig up a pic of the original Hasbro version so you can see the difference....

Customikey

02-18-2006, 11:03 PM

Yeah, no kidding. I had one for a about a year and half (he was opened so he only cost me about $600) and he was the prize of my collection but then the Bush economy hit and rent came round and off to eBay he went. He held his value, though. Would have made a tiny profit if not for Paypal fees.

Ouch. Double ouch. I feel fortunate that I've only ever sold toys in order to buy more toys, not to make rent. That really stings. I've got an Indiana from another customizer, and I love it, but I'm still hoping Sideshow will snag the license.

CookieMonster

02-19-2006, 05:08 AM

Not much chance that SSC will get around to Aurra Sing, so here's my take.]

I would'nt be to sure about that Customikey. They intend to do a few EU characters and after seeing these pics, you have just set them a benchmark to reach.

If they do produce her, your version will be the one to compare to and draw some reference from.

I have just spent the last few minutes checking out your pics and have been blown away. (Im off to see how stuff is going on eBay if theres still stuff for sale:cool: )

As this is my 100th post in this forum I have an offer for you that you may or may not be interested in.
I was going to mark my 100th post (a small milstone I know but impressive for me nonetheless) by giving away a SS Ex 12" Scarface figure to one lucky board member.
Having seen your work Im wondering what you would do to him? Either reply in this thread or PM me if you are interested.:D

PS. He won't cost you a thing:horror

Thanks for sharing your great work

Customikey

02-19-2006, 08:03 AM

I'd love the chance to paint one of Andy's sculpts!!! That'd be awesome!! The Scarface figure is particularly nice, too.

Congrats on 100 posts by the way!:fireworks

My post count didn;t start shooting up until only a few months ago when Star Wars and LOTR were announced. Time flies.

Customikey

02-19-2006, 08:12 AM

I have just spent the last few minutes checking out your pics and have been blown away. (Im off to see how stuff is going on eBay if theres still stuff for sale:cool: )....Thanks for sharing your great work

There's nothing up at the moment (Feb 19). I was planning to post my custom Tusken, but I found a better way to do the wrapping, so I'm starting over. I'm also working on repainting the Young Frankenstein figs, Spider-Man 2's Doc Ock, and doing a Qui-Gon Jinn using the FVJ body for added chest. I'm most excited about the ladt one, as the original Qui-Gon fig is surprisingly good once it's repainted.

Thanks for all the support of my stuff! I'm glad you're all enjoying it!

CookieMonster

02-19-2006, 08:36 AM

PM sent.... NO JOKE, Genuine offer :joy

Customikey

02-21-2006, 03:56 PM

Wow. Just wow. You amaze me. Thanks a bunch!
As you have commanded, I shall customize it and post it here. I'm not sure what I will be able to improve on, though I will give it my best shot. My impression is that it's a pretty solid figure.

Anyone have any suggestions?

gdb

02-25-2006, 04:08 PM

Customikey

02-25-2006, 10:23 PM

The only thing he needs is the tender loving care of hand painting.

I'm going to do my best! I just learned how to incorporate acrylic chalk into my paintwork, so that might be useful in shading!

Hey! This post marks my 500th post on Sideshow Freaks!!! I had no idea I was such a motormouth. It is cool that the 500th is on my own thread, too. (pats self on back.)

gdb

02-25-2006, 10:36 PM

I'm going to do my best! I just learned how to incorporate acrylic chalk into my paintwork, so that might be useful in shading!

Hey! This post marks my 500th post on Sideshow Freaks!!! I had no idea I was such a motormouth. It is cool that the 500th is on my own thread, too. (pats self on back.)

Congratulations! :fireworks

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:18 PM

Pammy here has been bashed so much, I decided I'd try to see if I could salvage her.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4407/pam19zg.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2917/pam31ue.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3846/pam22co.jpg
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1563/pam45xd.jpg

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:19 PM

Lincoln was fun to repaint. I wanted to get a bit more depth into those craggy, gaunt features. I'll try to get better pics soon (see page 5).

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/1614/lincoln1ra.jpg

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:21 PM

Seems Qui-Gon has become very popular in the last few years. I thought he'd be a good subject to use my FVJ body on. His hands are from the original Franky. There's also an Obi-Wan on a Dragon body. I guess I'll probably try to sell them as a set.

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9185/jinn12kk.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/593/jinnandkenobi4mn.jpg
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9839/jinn35jn.jpg

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:23 PM

Here's Aurra Sing with her originators. Great comparison shot.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9035/aurras5tc.jpg

And Hellboy's been hanging out for a while, so here's his repaint as well. I wanted him to look more like the PF. I even put wire in his coat so it would pose better. The coat is my first attempt at weathering with acrylic chalk. He and my FVJ Jason switched footwear. I don't understand why he came with those enormous boots. They weren't that large in the movie!! I also sprayed his base with some clear gloss to make it shiny.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5981/hb15dc.jpg

Shai Hulud

02-26-2006, 07:28 PM

Here's Aurra Sing with her originators.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9035/aurras5tc.jpg

I find those Aura Sings in the picture rather sexy:google ....and by the way Mick, the Pamela custom is awesome...!!!!! IMO, from what I have seen,its your best paint job so far...

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:41 PM

I find those Aura Sings in the picture rather sexy:google ....and by the way Mick, the Pamela custom is awesome...!!!!! IMO, from what I have seen,its your best paint job so far...

I like the Aurra pic, too. What you don't realize is that the Art S. Buck and the Custom Aurra are seducing Hasbro Aurra, only to strip her down, cut her ponytail and hands off and leave her for dead. Very sad. She looks so innocent, doesn't she? Those big doe eyes, staring out of her huge melon-shaped noggin?

Glad you like Pammy. I was kicking myself when she arrived, but now that she's repainted, I do not fear to display her. After seeing Friday 13th pt. 1, I also gave her new pants that were looser, so they could fit over her boots, which is how she looked in the movie.

"Don't let her get away, Mommy! Kill here! Kill her!!!"

Customikey

02-26-2006, 07:43 PM

I just read my own last post. Didn't know I was that creepy. :cool:

gdb

02-26-2006, 08:12 PM

I like the Aurra pic, too. What you don't realize is that the Art S. Buck and the Custom Aurra are seducing Hasbro Aurra, only to strip her down, cut her ponytail and hands off and leave her for dead. Very sad. She looks so innocent, doesn't she? Those big doe eyes, staring out of her huge melon-shaped noggin?

I got nothing to add to that.

Customikey

02-26-2006, 08:59 PM

Besides painting him, I also gave him a fullshirt to repace the sleeveless one he came with. His coat is a bit too large. Maybe I can convince my wife to tailor it a bit for him. I have no talent behind a sewing machine.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5438/lincoln15ov.jpg
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5523/lincoln26re.jpg

Customikey

02-26-2006, 09:01 PM

I'm ready for SSC to make Old Obi-Wan!!!
You might be surprised at how many figures went into this one. Parts from 5 different sources!

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4670/kenobi27ie.jpg
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5813/kenobi11dc.jpg

CookieMonster

02-27-2006, 02:04 AM

Holy S**T Obe Wan Rocks :joy

I can't see much difference between yours and the SS PF version. The detail on him is amazing.

You should send a portfolio of your work to SS and demand a job!:cool:

Customikey

02-27-2006, 07:12 AM

Thanks, Cookie Monster. I doubt they need any painters, but doing up their prototypes would be a dream job.

Just about everything here is a repaint or a kitbash. There's very little original work, if any. I'm just augmenting what's already there.

Having said that, it's a lot of fun to cobble together these things. Obi-Wan was a work in progress for about five years. I'd come upon a better piece, and add to it.
He consists of:
An SSC body (natch.)
Hasbro's orginal Ob-Wan sculpt and belt.
Hasbro Masterpiece Anakin shirt and robe (re-stitched, thankyou Lisa.)
Hasbro Ep I Obi-Wan pants, boots, and cloth belt, and lightsaber blade.
Hasbro Jedi Luke hilt.
and Hasbro Qui-on Jinn's cloak, stained, with wire added to the hood and hem.

I'm pretty proud of him. Some of my best paintwork as well. Still I know SSC is gonna blow this out of the water! :D

These Custom SW figures are just another reason I know SSC's versions are gonna rock! The classic poses are all in that SSC body.

gdb

02-27-2006, 08:18 PM

Here's Aurra Sing with her originators. Great comparison shot.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9035/aurras5tc.jpg

So for Aurra, what are your secrets on the boots and holsters?

Customikey

02-27-2006, 09:38 PM

So for Aurra, what are your secrets on the boots and holsters?

I repainted them in taupe, then did a wash in black, then some weathering via drybrushing with some burnt sienna and unbleached titanium (basically tan). There's more weathering on the foot part of the boots. Finally, I used a silver marker for the buckles and rivets.

I did the same thing on her rifle. I also added metal hooks to the elastic strap to replace those annoying plastic ones that were always coming loose.

Customikey

03-02-2006, 07:42 AM

Am I permitted to offer re-painting service through this board?

Since I'm trying to start up my own business in the wake of being canned, I need some extra start-up cash, and I thought this might be a good way since I'd love to re-paint for you guys anyway. I just don't know if it's okay to offer that on this board. Is it against the rules?

Let me know what you think.

Customikey

03-04-2006, 12:33 PM

A quick update. I got the Scarface figure (thanks again, Cookie Monster!!) and he's almost done.
I know I've already posted Dracula in my very first post, but I wanted to show you what's been done to his cape. It's amazing what a little wire in the hem can do! Ever since getting my Medicom Vader, I've been going nuts doing this, and I was glad to hear SSC jumping on the wired hem bandwagon. It adds some drama to the posing. The brown thing he's standing next to is a work-in-progress coffin for him to repose in! I just need to line it.

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/8337/draccape28en.jpg

http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/5010/draccape17qu.jpg

Customikey

03-05-2006, 07:23 AM

Cookie Monster, doing this figure was a lot of fun! Thanks for sending him!

Is it an improvement over the original? I honestly don't know. The paintwork on the original was pretty solid. I used pics from the film and the GG bust for reference. The new body is certainly more poseable, although he no longer talks. What do you think?

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5146/scar13kh.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9179/scar23uf.jpg
http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/129/scar30hu.jpg
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/5817/scar48ql.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2084/scar57xa.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5963/scar69fv.jpg
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/6372/scar71np.jpg

CookieMonster

03-05-2006, 11:50 AM

Cookie Monster, doing this figure was a lot of fun! Thanks for sending him!

Is it an improvement over the original? I honestly don't know.

Hey Mikey,

He looks amazing, I like the way he is much more posable. Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to your last PM. My two Canadian cousins are visiting good old England so I have been occupied with them. I hadn't seen them for over 10 years. Ones 17 now and the other 20. (they grow up fast :D
Right now Im very happy and Im glad I sent Scarface to you to work on. Great Job :joy
Thankyou for putting pics up for me to look at.

gdb

03-05-2006, 12:02 PM

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/5817/scar48ql.jpg

This is my favorite picture! Good paint work.

Scotty

03-06-2006, 11:00 AM

So much more life in these now...well done!:)

Customikey

03-06-2006, 04:17 PM

So much more life in these now...well done!:)

Thanks Scotty! Didn't realize you were watching! Congrats on winning the contest by the way. That's a centerpiece if I ever I saw one! It'd be cool to place that one and yours on pedestals next to each other!!!:google

Customikey

03-07-2006, 10:03 PM

This is my favorite picture! Good paint work.

Thanks, gdb! I knew there was a reason I got those Art S. Bucks! Actually, keep an eye out for the caucasion female in the future. I'm eyeing her for a possible Asajj Ventress custom.:naughty

Buttmunch

03-13-2006, 04:11 PM

Shai Hulud

03-13-2006, 04:27 PM

Mickey...I really love what you did to that Dracula....hey just a question..are you selling some of your figures?

Customikey

03-14-2006, 02:31 PM

I just ordered a caucasian male figure with the $8 off coupon for a custom figure I am starting. Do the Art S. Buck heads come off easily like the 006 exclusive or Abe Sapien or do they require the boil and pop method? Thanks for any help.

Great customs by the way. I only wish I could paint that good.

The head is hollow vinyl. Boil and pop it, or risk the ball joint coming out of it's socket.

Check out Tony DiTerlizzi's page at Rebelscum.com for great painting tips. That's where I started.

Customikey

03-14-2006, 02:34 PM

Mickey...I really love what you did to that Dracula....hey just a question..are you selling some of your figures?

I was freaked about painting Drac because he's hard to come by these days. But I'm really glad I did it. Thanks!

I periodically sell figures on eBay. A few of the ones on this thread are already gone. Let me know which ones you're interested in and I'll tell you if I'm going to sell. :o

I was also thinking of offering my services as a painter to anyone on these boards who would like their figs repainted.:D

Customikey

03-14-2006, 02:35 PM

One more pic of Scarface before I move on...

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/8242/scarfaceatnight8uq.jpg

Customikey

03-14-2006, 02:38 PM

I've been messing around with Nazi Kroenen. I repainted the goggles to be dark and shiny. They were originally matte. I wired up his coat and sprayed some super-shiny armor-all up in the air over him to simulate rain on his coat. THe pics aren't very atmospheric, I'm afraid. :o

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/9717/nkwet29ht.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/7089/nkwet34vm.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8299/nkwet11ep.jpg

Customikey

03-14-2006, 02:40 PM

I've been looking for a good use for the Caucasion Female Art S. Buck. I think she has the right face for Asajj Ventress. This is sort of an amalgam of the cartoon and comic version. It's the cartoon costume, but she has pupils and the little arrow tatoos from the comic. I don't know what color her eyes are supposed to be, so I went with a cold blue.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4627/asajj18es.jpg

Buttmunch

03-14-2006, 04:11 PM

Customikey

03-14-2006, 08:31 PM

Thanks Customikey. That rain effect on Kroenen really looks good. I wouldn't dare do it to mine though. Ventress looks good too.

Just another quick question, when making a custome head out of sculpey it is best to cast it in something to put on the figure or is it just easier/better to use the sculpey sculpt? I'll check out that guide over at rebelscum on painting.

The rain effect on Kroenen looked pretty sweet, but because it's Armor-All, it faded within a couple of days. Armor-All is actually very good for the health of vinyl, so I wasn't too worried about trying it.

Sculpey is delicate, so I think casting it in resin is a good plan. That way, even if the sculpey original breaks, you've still got copies.

Buttmunch

03-14-2006, 08:56 PM

Cool, thanks for the advice. I guess it is both a good and bad thing the "rain spray" didn't last forever. It really is too bad Sideshow didn't include the wire in his coat. I just hope the jedi have it in theirs besides just the hood.

CookieMonster

03-15-2006, 11:57 AM

[QUOTE=Customikey]I've been messing around with Nazi Kroenen.[QUOTE]

Hey Mike,

Yet more great work your treating us to :cool:

If you ever decide to sell your Nazi Kroenen on eBay, please give me a heads up on when your gonna list it.

I never did manage to get my hands on him as I held on hoping for SS to do a 1/4 scale version to go with the Hellby they did.

Your Kroenen looks pretty ^^^^^***G sweet to me. Great Job

Customikey

03-15-2006, 03:56 PM

If you ever decide to sell your Nazi Kroenen on eBay, please give me a heads up on when your gonna list it.

I never did manage to get my hands on him as I held on hoping for SS to do a 1/4 scale version to go with the Hellby they did.

Your Kroenen looks pretty ^^^^^***G sweet to me. Great Job

Thanks, Cookie! I don't think I could part with NK. He's a jewel. I'm actually really glad the rain effect isn't permanent. I overdid it tonight. I just have to wait for it to fade. It's almost an added feature in of itself, now!
The 1/4 Hellboy looked fantastic. He almost converted me, but I remain a 1/4 scale virgin. God help me if they ever do Emperor Palpatine.

Customikey

03-19-2006, 03:06 PM

I've just put Dr. Lecter up for auction on ebay!!!

I hate to lose him, but with all the SW, LOTR, and Terminator fis coming in, some things will just have to go! I'll be posting more auctions soon.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6045269485

Personally, I'd love it if someone from these boards got him! Keep it in the family, and all.

Customikey

03-20-2006, 08:30 PM

I'm working on a kit-bash Darth Plagius. Anyone have any thoughts on what Palpatine's master may have looked like?

Ironman1188

03-22-2006, 03:00 PM

Personally, I'd love it if someone from these boards got him! Keep it in the family, and all.

well..... if you decide to sell Qui Gon rather than auction let me know!!!

Customikey

03-22-2006, 04:07 PM

well..... if you decide to sell Qui Gon rather than auction let me know!!!

Hey guys, I'm always willing to entertain your best offers for just about anything on the thread. Just PM me.

Otherwise, I promise I'll post when the auctions go up.

I'm overwhelmed that everybody is so enthusiastic abut Qui-Gon, especially with the SCC one we're getting.

EVILFACE

03-23-2006, 12:07 PM

I'm working on a kit-bash Darth Plagius. Anyone have any thoughts on what Palpatine's master may have looked like?

Not sure, there were no physical descriptions of him. I would think he would look similar to Darth Reven from KOTOR or maybe a dark red body suit with black cloak/robe. I would also see him as a dual saber user.

Customikey

03-23-2006, 02:41 PM

Not sure, there were no physical descriptions of him. I would think he would look similar to Darth Reven from KOTOR or maybe a dark red body suit with black cloak/robe. I would also see him as a dual saber user.

I'm limited to what I have in stock. I've decided to make him sort of a Han Solo-as-a-Sith. A Sith Gunslinger. He uses a lightsaber, but he also carries a blaster. I figure if it's not beneath Obi-Wan...

I want him to look...unlikely, maybe even a bit cowardly. I'm sure we're all imagining Plageous to be this incredible bad ass. I've chosen an SSC head. I think it's a Matt Falls sculpt.

Customikey

03-24-2006, 04:26 PM

Okay, I ended up with two different Sith. The first one doesn't fit into the info we're given about Darth Plagueis, but I still like it. I suppose it could conceivably be a young Darth Sidious, but I'll always think of him as..

Darth Fritz!!

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/1970/darthfritz17uh.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7369/darthfritz27uu.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1771/darthfritz36jg.jpg

I only repainted the eyes. The rest is all SSC.

Customikey

03-24-2006, 04:30 PM

Here's the second Sith. This feels more right for Darth Plagueis the Wise to me. The General Lee sculpt looks to me like a guy who would do anything to save the people he loves. He reminds me a little of Kenobi and Dooku with the Jedi-ish robe, and I like the idea that Palpatine kept his cane. He's simple, not ostentatious. The Sith could have hardly stayed hidden for millenia if they went around wearing armor. I imagine this guy hiding out in a hovel on Naboo. This is a full-head repaint. By the way, General Lee would also be perfect for a General Dodonna custom.

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5544/darthplagueis20et.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/297/darthplagueis33kc.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6550/darthplagueis51fm.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3382/darthplagueis46be.jpg
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/4641/darthplagueis69mh.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6144/darthplagueis71ol.jpg

Agent0028

03-24-2006, 06:01 PM

Awesome take on Darth Plagueis! Excellent job on the repaint too, woulda never guessed that was Lee if you didn't say so.

gdb

03-24-2006, 08:48 PM

Practicing your Sith Eyes for those who can't make it to San Diago?

Customikey

03-24-2006, 09:02 PM

Practicing your Sith Eyes for those who can't make it to San Diago?

Actually, that was my initial reason for doing them, but I got excited by the idea of doing an actual character from SW that we hear about but never see. I also love painting the Sith Eyes. They're so striking. I almost did the Willem DeFoe head as well just for fun!

gdb

03-24-2006, 09:24 PM

The eyes are excellent, by the way. Practice makes perfect and all that. If you tire of Sith, didn't Riply in Alien 3 have one totally blood shot eye?

King Darkness

03-24-2006, 09:34 PM

Realy like you interpritaion of what Darth Palgueis may look like...old and wise....yet very "sith like"...good job:devil

Shai Hulud

03-24-2006, 10:00 PM

yes....That Darth Plagueis is great Mike !!!! Now I will always imagine him like the version you just did... !!!!! + he looks a little bit like an evil George Lucas ( wich is great cause some rumors say that Darth plagueis may be the one who created Anakin...see??? so, Anakin's father & creator = lucas = darth plagueis:google ).Anyway another great custom by the resident customizer of the freak board!!!!

DarkArtist81

03-25-2006, 07:54 AM

Great work Mikey! They just keep looking better and better. The eyes are wonderful, striking... as you put it. ANd using Lee.... very good choice. Seems to fit the character well. :cool:

Customikey

03-25-2006, 08:39 AM

I'm glad you like my take on Darth Plagueis. I'd love to know more about the man who trained The Emperor. Maybe Scholastic will do a Young Sith Lords series!

I actually almost threw away the Gen. Lee head prior to thinking of doing this. Now I'm really glad I didn't. You never know what you'll find a use for. And he was much easier to build than Darth Fritz. Go figure. Simpler is often more effective.

Someone tell George.:rolleyes:

EVILFACE

03-25-2006, 09:26 AM

Sounds kinda like Roland the Gunslinger as a Sith!

I like it.

Mookeylama

03-26-2006, 02:12 PM

Customikey

03-26-2006, 04:22 PM

that looks great! do u just have wire along the bottom of the cape or in the sides too?

Thanks! The wire is just in the bottom hem. It was a pain to feed the wire through because the material used for the cape is very delicate and snagged easily on the wire.

I still have to line the coffin and replace the ties on his cape with chain, but I have stuffed the gaps in his hips with cotton balls since these pics were taken. It really improves the line of his trousers! Since the idea was put forth ( I forget by whom, sorry), i've been putting cotton balls in the hip joints of all my figures! It was a great idea, whoever you are who suggested it!

Customikey

04-16-2006, 07:55 PM

:fireworks :fireworks :fireworks

Well, here I am, on my 1,000 POST!!!

So, I've noticed that a lot of us do something special to commemorate milestones on this board. I've decided to do something special, too.

I'm a customizer. It's a great deal of fun for me. And I've done a load of custom work. I've decided to put the best of my Star Wars work up for auction ALL AT ONCE!!

I know, I know, it's not a contest or a giveaway, but I need the money to feed my obsession. So, I hope you guys enjoy my auctions, and let me know what you think, as I'm using all new pictures for them.

Seven days till I have to give up:

OBI-WAN "BEN" KENOBI (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6052006161)
ASAJJ VENTRESS (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6052008667)
DARTH SIDIOUS/ EMPEROR PALPATINE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6052014797)
and
QUI-GON JINN & OBI-WAN KENOBI (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6052019957)

:chew :chew :chew :emperor :emperor :emperor

BDboystoys

04-16-2006, 08:00 PM

Dam that Sidious is unbelievable. Beautiful paint job, he's terrifying. The costume is aweosme too:google

:emperor

dr2red

04-16-2006, 08:16 PM

Congrats on your 1000th post Customikey!!!!

Customikey

04-16-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks!
I saw that I was working up to my 1,000, and I wondered what the heck I was gonna do!

Here's an easy link to all the auctions at once.

CUSTOMIKEY'S AUCTIONS OF MADNESS!!! (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcustomikey)

Darth Loki

04-17-2006, 05:36 AM

Why are you covering up Asajj's nips? Isn't that the best part of the piece?

Customikey

04-17-2006, 06:11 AM

Why are you covering up Asajj's nips? Isn't that the best part of the piece?

:rotfl :rotfl

It wasn't intentional, I assure you. Those were just the best pics that came out. I perky surprise for the winner, I guess. :rolleyes:

abake

04-17-2006, 02:30 PM

Customikey

04-17-2006, 04:31 PM

CM, thanks for all the pics of your great customs!
I especially enjoyed Nosferatu, as (IMHO) it is one of SST's biggest missed opportunities (along with Bela's Dracula) in terms of clothing and paint apps. Your Nosferatu is just awesome!
Could you give me some hints as to how you worked on the fabric?
Thanks!

Ah, Nosferatu..... who sold for a mere $20.
I was very proud of Nos! I might make him again someday. He was a Silver screen version that received a TOTAL repaint from top to bottom. For the clothes, I just dry-brushed taupe all over the coat as evenly as I could. Then I went back and painted the buttons with a black acrylic marker.

I'm not sure this would turn out well if you try to repaint the purple coat of the color version.

Rugby1970

04-17-2006, 07:54 PM

Customikey

04-17-2006, 08:13 PM

This is all very, very cool stuff. I really love the Darth Plagius piece but it got me thinking. I love how Lucas was able to get Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing into the series... how could would it be for Plagius to be made up from a Bela Legosi figure... say Bela from White Zombie, etc. I wish I had the time or talent to try something like this.

That is a REALLY cool idea!! I love the choice of Bela as Murder from White Zombie, too! I wish I had one to try it out on! That is the one Sideshow Bela figure I don't have. It's just as well. I'm certain I could do variations on Darth Plagueis till the Sith come home.:monkey5

abake

04-20-2006, 08:20 AM

Ah, Nosferatu..... who sold for a mere $20.
I was very proud of Nos! I might make him again someday. He was a Silver screen version that received a TOTAL repaint from top to bottom. For the clothes, I just dry-brushed taupe all over the coat as evenly as I could. Then I went back and painted the buttons with a black acrylic marker.

I'm not sure this would turn out well if you try to repaint the purple coat of the color version.

You're kidding me... it was sold for 20 bucks?
Man, that is why I hate not being able to buy stuff on ebay!

Anyway, congrats onthe great customs and thanks.

Customikey

04-20-2006, 09:24 AM

Why are you unable to cruise the bay?

abake

04-20-2006, 03:59 PM

gdb

04-20-2006, 04:10 PM

I live in Colombia, and for some reason, we folks here in Colombia are not allowed to use paypal... it has something to do with having some sort of certificate. If the country is not somehow "certified", you need a banking account in the U.S.
Silly, but such is life.

That's odd. I can't think of anything Colombia imports to the US that would... Wait a minute... I kinda remember something the first Prez Bush tried to do (and failed at) that might be stopping unfettered trade bewteen our two great nations.

Customikey

04-20-2006, 09:41 PM

That's odd. I can't think of anything Colombia imports to the US that would... Wait a minute... I kinda remember something the first Prez Bush tried to do (and failed at) that might be stopping unfettered trade bewteen our two great nations.

Oh my, the thread is turning political, which tells me it's about time I put up some new pics or something.

I have a commission to paint up some Ape heads. With the owners permission (you know who you are) maybe I'll be allowed to post pics. It's a bit of a challenge, because the castings are truly aweful. :D

gdb

04-21-2006, 12:17 AM

Customikey

04-21-2006, 04:06 PM

no, no not political....:monkey3

Anyway, are there any heads/figures that you feel are your speciality? I have a ton of Hasbro Star Wars that I gotta do something with and nothing is off the table including some customizing.

Send me a list of what you want done, and I'll tell you what I've done before, what I'd love to try, and what I know I could never do.

I just got my Gamorrean Guard in the mail. First order of business is seeing if I can articulate him a little better. 7 points? :rolleyes: I think we can do better than that! Then the part I like: painting!!!:D

Brent72

04-22-2006, 03:00 PM

Dude, that auction for your Sidious/Palpatine is going crazy! Congratulations on the big payday. :chew

Shai Hulud

04-22-2006, 03:42 PM

Customikey

04-22-2006, 04:00 PM

Mike you sould consider doing more Sidious imo...that way you'll cover all your Sideshow needs and....buy you a new house..just by doing him... and selling him on ebay..!!!!!you're going to be rich buddy....but do more quick, cause after seeing the winning bid for this, I bet you a lot of customizers will try to copy you and sell some on ebay....Anyway...you'll always be the originator customizer of this amazing custom...:emperor

I'm shocked by the massive amounts of money people are willing to spend on Palpy. I just hope the winning bidder likes it when it arrives! I'm getting really nervous, but I can't think how I could make him better. He's everything I want Palpatine to be.

I don't know about making another one. I sort of like the idea that there's ONLY ONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

And there are so many other things I want to work on. This Gamorrean Guard in front of me is seriously giving me ideas! I think I might even be able to give him some jaw movement...

Deak Starkiller

04-23-2006, 10:43 AM

Holy crap man, $320? Good on you. :chew

Customikey

04-23-2006, 01:16 PM

Holy crap man, $320? Good on you. :chew

Good Lord.

Five hours left......

Shai Hulud

04-23-2006, 01:36 PM

Holy crap man, $320? Good on you. :chew

And it may double in the last 5 min !!!!!

King Darkness

04-23-2006, 02:38 PM

Damn Mickey..your looking at $727.01!!! and you still have 4 hours..Did you ever think you would get that much??

Brent72

04-23-2006, 04:31 PM

Damn Mickey..your looking at $727.01!!! and you still have 4 hours..Did you ever think you would get that much??

I think it will probably go for around $500-550. WOW! :google

Customikey

04-23-2006, 04:57 PM

I think it will probably go for around $500-550. WOW! :google

No Way In Hell.

I'm flabberghasted, gobsmacked, horrified, and excited. I cannot even fathom this.

One hour to go....

Buttmunch

04-23-2006, 04:57 PM

I hope Sideshow takes your auction as a sign that they need to make a Palpatine ASAP. $380! :google :emperor

Buttmunch

04-23-2006, 04:58 PM

The auction says 2 hours and 20 minutes right now, not an hour.

Customikey

04-23-2006, 05:03 PM

The auction says 2 hours and 20 minutes right now, not an hour.

Yeah, I'm looking at the first auction that's going to end, Ben Kenobi. He's only got an hour. Well an hour and a half, but you'll pardon me if I'm not thinking straight.

Ironman1188

04-23-2006, 05:11 PM

So, I'm thinking an offer of $40 for Asajj Ventress ain't gonna get me anything? :monkey3

Customikey

04-23-2006, 06:44 PM

So, I'm thinking an offer of $40 for Asajj Ventress ain't gonna get me anything? :monkey3

$40 gets you two repainted monkey heads and a hand. :monkey1

Ironman1188

04-23-2006, 06:47 PM

$40 gets you two repainted monkey heads and a hand. :monkey1

What goods a one handed monkey? LOL :monkey5

Customikey

04-23-2006, 06:57 PM

What goods a one handed monkey? LOL :monkey5

I so want that emblazoned on a t-shirt.

2 auctions left...
Palpy's next....

tomandshell

04-23-2006, 07:45 PM

Congratulations on the success of these auctions!

:fireworks

Now you can put your sign away!!!

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20060422/capt.dchg10104221907.brad_angelina_gift_dchg101.jp g

occulum

04-23-2006, 08:22 PM

congrats! nice work and you deserve to reap the rewards.

I think you should make more Palpy's. You obvisouly had at least one more person out there willing to pay almost as much. ..... Lucas would do it :emperor

Shai Hulud

04-23-2006, 08:53 PM

Lucas would do it :emperor

LMAO.....:mwaha :mwaha :mwaha

Customikey

04-25-2006, 02:21 PM

occulum

04-25-2006, 02:37 PM

I have a commission! Crap. Now I have to go looking for the parts again....:emperor
Cool!
:chew
hopefully this will become a trend for you.

Buttmunch

04-25-2006, 03:10 PM

I have a commission! Crap. Now I have to go looking for the parts again....:emperor

For a Palpatine? If you find any good places for the "secret" boots and hands used for the lightining let me know. Those are the last things I need to pick up. I've got the Sideshow body, old Palps robe, and Sidious and lightning on their way. :emperor

Customikey

04-26-2006, 06:34 AM

For a Palpatine? If you find any good places for the "secret" boots and hands used for the lightining let me know. Those are the last things I need to pick up. I've got the Sideshow body, old Palps robe, and Sidious and lightning on their way. :emperor

Sadly, I think I'll have to cannibalize a figure I already have for the boots and hands. Small price to pay, as I don't really display him anymore. The commission isn't quite what the ending bid was on Palpy, but close enough to make me happy. It'd've been easier if he'd asked for any of the others...

1st Ape head about finished.

Articulating Gammy went well, but I can't get the jaw-thing to work, so I'm just gluing it back shut. I'd never pose him with his mouth open, anyway. He's almost ready to paint!! Gammy is probably a "never sell," as I would never be able to repat the process for articulating him. Repaints yes, articulating, never ever again. A nightmare.

LOTRFan

04-26-2006, 07:08 PM

Your figure will be in the mail first thing in the morning, so get to work Mike! :lol :emperor :emperor :emperor :emperor

Customikey

04-26-2006, 07:17 PM

Your figure will be in the mail first thing in the morning, so get to work Mike! :lol :emperor :emperor :emperor :emperor

Will do. If anything, the commissioned one will be better than the original because I won't be trying to figure it out as I go.

Customikey

04-27-2006, 07:15 AM

I know the thread has become really pic-lite for the past few weeks. I promise to get some new stuff up soon.

I just thought y'all would like to know that the high bidder on Palpy, Ben, Qui and Obi received her enormous package (:lol ), and liked what she saw (:rotfl ).

She liked it so much, she wants more!! :maul

She bought them for her husband. Now THAT'S love! My wife makes me sell my toys to buy new ones. But she DID get me a sword, once. :D

Customikey

05-01-2006, 07:54 AM

Your figure will be in the mail first thing in the morning, so get to work Mike! :lol :emperor :emperor :emperor :emperor

Gottim. Thanks! Before I cut him up, though..

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9782/sidiousugly9lv.jpg

"Happy Birthday, Grand Moff Taaarkin..."

Customikey

05-01-2006, 07:57 AM

Gammy is just about done. I only had ONE more paint app to do when I discovered that the bottle had dried up. So I have to go get more before he's done. Here's a reminder of what he used to look like...
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2691/gammy3co.jpg I promise he looks better now.
Oh, God! What have I done??!
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3885/gammyparts6jo.jpg

occulum

05-01-2006, 09:16 AM

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9782/sidiousugly9lv.jpg

"Happy Birthday, Grand Moff Taaarkin..."
I want some whatever he's had :monkey1

Its obvious what accessory goes in that right hand.

Buttmunch

05-01-2006, 04:18 PM

Hey! I just got a turd in the mail that looks JUST like that!

I really can't believe they didn't give him anything under the big robe. He looks just so naked. Luckily I have Secret Recipe Removed. :D

Customikey

05-01-2006, 06:52 PM

Hey! I just got a turd in the mail that looks JUST like that!

I really can't believe they didn't give him anything under the big robe. He looks just so naked. Luckily I have the other Palp's robes to fix that. :D

No! Part of my "Secret Recipe!!!" I'm melting! Melting!! Oh, what a world, what a world.....

Buttmunch

05-01-2006, 07:48 PM

Ooops! Edited now. Edit yours Mikey and it will once again be a secret (except for those with a good eye and still have pics from your auction)

Customikey

05-01-2006, 07:53 PM

Ooops! Edited now. Edit yours Mikey and it will once again be a secret (except for those with a good eye and still have pics from your auction)

I'm just kidding about all that. Thanks, though! It should be fairly obvious what all was used to put him together, so I'm not worried about it. I'm just funnin.

gdb

05-01-2006, 08:03 PM

I really can't believe they didn't give him anything under the big robe. He looks just so naked. Luckily I have Secret Recipe Removed. :D

HA! My speedy eyes know the secret!

Customikey

05-01-2006, 08:07 PM

HA! My speedy eyes know the secret!

Fool! You can steal my secrets but ......not..... my....... GENIUS!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!!:monkey1 :rolleyes:

LOTRFan

05-02-2006, 06:06 PM

Gottim. Thanks! Before I cut him up, though..

Glad he made alright, I think .... ?! That was one scary pic. :monkey3 :emperor :emperor :emperor

Customikey

05-02-2006, 07:50 PM

Glad he made alright, I think .... ?! That was one scary pic. :monkey3 :emperor :emperor :emperor

He's already been totally repainted. I'm just waiting on the rest of the parts. I was really worried about duplicating that work, to be honest, but I think he might have turned out even better than the first!

Gammy is all finished and ready for me to take pics. i was going to do it today, but I've been working hard on my other commission stuff. IronMan's Ape heads, which I had to totally repaint after getting my own Apes, and I've started on the list of figures that the lady who won Palpy, Obi, Ben and Qui wants.

Now she also wants Boba Fett, ROTS Armor Vader, Anakin (Sith Eyes) and Yoda, Ceremonial Leia, ROTJ Luke, and Maul. I've got my work cut out for me, but I've already added bisep, elbow, and knee joints to Yoda, and transferred the VOTC Fett armor to a Dragon body. I have to pay ebay prices for Luke, but it means I get to repaint that fabulous sculpt and shorten the arms, among other augmentations!

Pics of Gammy are forthcoming, I swear!! He looks better than I could have hoped, and working with his green skin has given me hope that I'll be able to paint up Yoda. :chew

Customikey

05-03-2006, 05:15 PM

OKAY!! First, I found new hands for Darth Plagueis. Decided to give him a bit more character by giving him some gnarly hands. Every good Sith has some sort of deformity/injury. I had this idea that Plagueis was the one who painted the cave drawings on Nelvaan from which Anakin got his prophetic Vader dream in Clone Wars Vol. 2, and that the work was so concentrated in Dark Side Energy, that the act of painting them burned up Plagueis' hands. I think that ties in well to the idea that the Nelvaan Elder was seeking someone with a skeletal hand, like Plagueis, and Anakin's mechanical hand fit the bill.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8590/plagueishands7aw.jpg

And FINALLY, Gammy is complete! Hope you like:

http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/3663/gammyclassic9an.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8686/gammyconfronts2af.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9057/gammychokes8kp.jpg

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8004/gammygestures0qq.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3999/gammymac6eo.jpg

"Leia experiences the Love That Dare Not Oink It's Name."

:emperor

King Darkness

05-03-2006, 05:19 PM

Kick ass pics Mickey!!!Love the new hands to Plagueis....Is he on sale yet??

Customikey

05-03-2006, 05:26 PM

Kick ass pics Mickey!!!Love the new hands to Plagueis....Is he on sale yet??

I promise everyone on this board that whenever I put ANYTHING up on ebay, I will drown this board in links. :D

Just for that....

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/6924/plagueisfight3xu.jpg

King Darkness

05-03-2006, 05:29 PM

OOOOHHHH.....I want!!..."You will ship Darth Palgueis to me"
*holding hand up in force gesture*

Buttmunch

05-03-2006, 06:07 PM

Plaguis does look grea with those hands! What are they from? The G. Guard looks awesome! Its amazing how well Hasbro could actually sculpt! They just had TERRIBLE painters. :emperor

Customikey

05-03-2006, 08:39 PM

Plaguis does look grea with those hands! What are they from? The G. Guard looks awesome! Its amazing how well Hasbro could actually sculpt! They just had TERRIBLE painters. :emperor

I've been marveling at how good some of Hasbro's sculpts are for a while now. Sideshow is going to have a tough time doing better than their Dooku. I'm working on Hasbro's AOTC Yoda now. A damned good figure right out of the box, but I have to justify my commission, so I'm tearing the thing to ribbons to customize it. I might pick up another one for myself! He comes with everything! His chair, lightsaber, cane, some Sith Lightening (why Yoda gets some but not Sidious is beyond me) and even that stupid view screen that Mace tests little Annie with ("A ship...a cup...a speeder"). Fab figure, indeed.
A moment of silence for the G.I. Joe that gave up it's elbows and knees so that Yoda could have them...

Plagueis' hands are from Evil Ash. I don't even remember how I ended up with them, but I'm glad they survived the Great Useless Parts Purge.

Batty

05-03-2006, 10:00 PM

Excellent job on the Gammorean, Mikey. It looks a hundred times better. I wish I had enough talent to repaint mine.

Protozaius

05-04-2006, 05:44 PM

Plaguis does look grea with those hands! What are they from? The G. Guard looks awesome! Its amazing how well Hasbro could actually sculpt! They just had TERRIBLE painters. :emperor

I've been saying this FOR YEARS!!!

I've been collecting 12" test shots from Hasbro for this VERY reason... to see the sculpt naked without any paint application... and of course to see the funny colors that the clothes tend to be made with. I have the 12" Dooku, Ceremonial Luke and the AOTC Yoda (among others as well as the whole nearly the whole 12" Ape line) and the sculpt are incredible.

And I agree, Customikey, Hasbro has set the bar set high with Dooku.

And, Customikey, where are those Ironman Ape heads? :confused:

Customikey

05-04-2006, 06:03 PM

I've been saying this FOR YEARS!!!

I've been collecting 12" test shots from Hasbro for this VERY reason... to see the sculpt naked without any paint application... and of course to see the funny colors that the clothes tend to be made with. I have the 12" Dooku, Ceremonial Luke and the AOTC Yoda (among others as well as the whole nearly the whole 12" Ape line) and the sculpt are incredible.

And I agree, Customikey, Hasbro has set the bar set high with Dooku.

And, Customikey, where are those Ironman Ape heads? :confused:

It's fascinating to me to be able to see the "naked sculpt" after I've sprayed the head with white primer. Amazing detail hitherto unseen takes shape.

As to the Ape heads, I don't think I want to post them. I did the best I could, but I take issue with the shoddy way in which they were cast. Air bubbles and defects aplenty, and a sad conglomeration of pinholes that I could not fill. I'm going to send IronMan finished pics tonight. If he wishes, he can post them.

gdb

05-05-2006, 01:38 AM

Send me a list of what you want done, and I'll tell you what I've done before, what I'd love to try, and what I know I could never do.

PM sent. :emperor

Customikey

05-07-2006, 08:59 PM

Gdb decided to send me a list of everythingnhe owns. Yeesh. :lol

Anyway, the second Palpatine is done, along with Yoda. They're both commissioned figures, so I share now, before I have to pack them up and say goodbye.

http://img316.imageshack.us/img316/9030/palptwo17mt.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7947/palptwo25pv.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4082/palptwo38xs.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/5876/palptwovyoda29cl.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2029/palptwovyoda5ye.jpg

:emperor :monkey1

Customikey

05-07-2006, 09:00 PM

http://img316.imageshack.us/img316/6880/rotsyoda29tw.jpg

http://img425.imageshack.us/img425/4439/rotsyoda45pg.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8089/rotsyoda63yq.jpg

http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/1348/rotsyodagammy2yx.jpg

Buttmunch

05-07-2006, 09:22 PM

Wow! Those look great. I need to start getting my things together for Palps :emperor

King Darkness

05-07-2006, 09:33 PM

Yet another great paint job Mickey.....and those pix are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Customikey

05-07-2006, 09:39 PM

Yet another great paint job Mickey.....and those pix are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! If I put the Sideshow catalogue behind them, I can pretend they're Sideshow figures....sigh.:o

King Darkness

05-07-2006, 09:46 PM

Thanks! If I put the Sideshow catalogue behind them, I can pretend they're Sideshow figures....sigh.:o

What was that Mickey?? Plagueis is for sale:o ....let me PM you my address...

Customikey

05-07-2006, 09:56 PM

What was that Mickey?? Plagueis is for sale:o ....let me PM you my address...

Lord, you're relentless! :rotfl

Soon, I think......maybe.:D

It sort of depends on if I can get my hands on a Creature From the Balck Lagoon or a Knight Who Says Ni in the next coupke of weeks. It's all connected, dontcha know...

King Darkness

05-07-2006, 10:04 PM

Lord, you're relentless! :rotfl

Soon, I think......maybe.:D

It sort of depends on if I can get my hands on a Creature From the Balck Lagoon or a Knight Who Says Ni in the next coupke of weeks. It's all connected, dontcha know...

Ok..Ok....I'll back off....but....well no....ok...I must pratice patience:D

Customikey

05-08-2006, 06:45 AM

Ok..Ok....I'll back off....but....well no....ok...I must pratice patience:D

You have my word that I will put him up. :monkey3 I can't keep him. i just don't have enough room. But not yet....not yet.:D

Darklord Dave

05-08-2006, 06:30 PM

Love the Gammy, I'm going to have to repaint mine. What did you customize on Yoda? He's another one I guess I need to go after on ebay.

Customikey

05-08-2006, 08:59 PM

Love the Gammy, I'm going to have to repaint mine. What did you customize on Yoda? He's another one I guess I need to go after on ebay.

I never ever saw AOTC Yoda in stores, which is a real shame, since he is a phenomenal figure. A testament to the true capabilities of Hasbro when it's actually trying. Yoda had decent articulation (cut waist, neck, shoulders, hips, limited ball wrists) and I added elbow and knee, along with bicep rotation. I added wire to his hood and hem, then repainted the whole damned thing from scratch. I'm proud of how he turned out.

Often when you add articulation, the figure turns out somewhat delicate. Gammy is that way. If I mess with him too much, there's the chance something might shift and I'd have to bust him open to re-adjust the internals. But Yoda is good and sturdy. He (and his paint apps) have already survived three falls from the shelf since they just don't make stands short enough! The most secure I can get him is to have him leaning on his staff.
I'll get to keep him for a while before I send him off. The buyer wants all the figures shipped at once, and I've given myself six months to complete everything.

gdb

05-08-2006, 09:17 PM

Gdb decided to send me a list of everythingnhe owns. Yeesh. :lol

Ha! And that was the short list! :)

LOVE Yoda's eyes, man.

PsychoCenobite

05-09-2006, 05:00 AM

Wow! I love that Pig Guard! (I can't remember there name! :monkey3 ).

PsychoCenobite :chew

Customikey

05-09-2006, 02:25 PM

Wow! I love that Pig Guard! (I can't remember there name! :monkey3 ).

PsychoCenobite :chew

When I was a kid I called him the Gamo-REE-an Guard. I'm told that it is actually pronounced Gam- MOR-rean Guard. Lucas calls him a Pig Guard, too. I call him....Gammy.

I like him too! He looks great next to Luke, which means he won't look out of place in thr growing family of Sideshow figures!!

ltm438

05-10-2006, 06:22 PM

Customikey

05-10-2006, 07:05 PM

Hey this is my first post here!
Customikey, A question about the Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Episode I figures: Were the outfits the the original Hasbro versions or were they brand new? I am thinking of having a set of them made. :D

They were made from the original Hasbro outfits. I added the inner sleeves, and hemmed Kenobi's tunic. They both received soaks in watered down acrylic to weather them and make the color more accurate.

Hope that helps!

Customikey

05-11-2006, 04:36 PM

Here's a quick update on the ROTS Vader I'm working on. I bashed the hell out of a Kanamit body, and then discovered that the Ultimate Vader costume doesn't fit. It's too short!! :monkey4
But the chest armor looks good, and most importantly, the crispy Anakin sculpt is excellent, as you can see from the primer pic in the middle. Boy, it looked like crap ut of the box! Like a friggin leper or something. If you look behind the repainted head, that IS a bottle of BBQ sauce. I thought it'd be funny to put that behind him, but had to crop it out.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7505/rotsvaderrepaint6kk.jpg

Buttmunch

05-11-2006, 04:50 PM

WOW! :google If Sideshow can paint the head as good as you, they could use the Hasbro sculpt for a Burned Vader! That is amazing!

Customikey

05-11-2006, 05:08 PM

I think this might be a scanned portrait. Wish there was a good way to find out which figs were scans.

DarkArtist81

05-11-2006, 05:29 PM

Dude.....wow....just....wow. What an amazing job on the paint apps with that Vader. I used to have that figure and was very let down by the burnt head's paint. It looked like a good sculpt, just looked unfinished.... Now I regret selling it!

Oh and awesome job on Gammy as well... loved how it turned out. :D

Customikey

05-11-2006, 09:03 PM

Thanks, DA! It's a wonderful sculpt, and those are always a pleasure to find, especially amongst the dreck of Hasbro. I really wonder who is repsonsible for the several gems that have come out of the hasbro line. It's a shame they don't give their sculptors credit like Sideshow does.
Now I need to find a suitable helmet to encase him in. The Hasbro one just will not do. Les Walker, an extremely talented customizer (see his site here (http://figuremasterles.tripod.com/)), has suggested using a Kaiyodo Vader model for the mask. That's what he used for his own incredible Vader. It looks great, but I may have difficulty procurring one. I'm crossing my fingers that Vader will come in under budget!

I now have all the parts I need to make Darth Maul (again) except for a Dragon body with gloves. Right now I'm really wishing Small Blue Planet was still around...

samsunsifters

05-12-2006, 03:30 PM

Customikey

05-12-2006, 03:32 PM

Yes - he does incredible work. I've watched him all his life and I know just how precise and exacting he is. Always the perfectionist and always a heart of gold. Its so nice to see how much others appreciate his efforts. And its also nice to see that his fascination with toys has become so rewarding.

Mikeys Mom

Oh. My. God.

This is what happens when you send your mother a link.

Buttmunch

05-12-2006, 04:10 PM

:lol Thats great Mikey. Happy Mother's day Mikey's Mom!

Customikey

05-12-2006, 09:38 PM

:lol Thats great Mikey. Happy Mother's day Mikey's Mom!

Dude! Don't encourage her! I showed this to my wife. She's laughing her ass off.

Shai Hulud

05-13-2006, 05:39 AM

Yes - he does incredible work. I've watched him all his life and I know just how precise and exacting he is. Always the perfectionist and always a heart of gold. Its so nice to see how much others appreciate his efforts. And its also nice to see that his fascination with toys has become so rewarding.

Mikeys Mom

Dude! Don't encourage her! I showed this to my wife. She's laughing her ass off.

YES MISS SAMSUNSIFTERS, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUNG,HEART-OF-GOLD MICKEY... IS IT TRUE HE WET HIS BED UNTILL AGE 14 ??? TELL US ALL...LOLL:lol

Customikey

05-13-2006, 07:51 AM

YES MISS SAMSUNSIFTERS, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUNG,HEART-OF-GOLD MICKEY... IS IT TRUE HE WET HIS BED UNTILL AGE 14 ??? TELL US ALL...LOLL:lol

Pssh. Who says I stopped wetting the bed? Only now I do it from the doorway.

Her moniker is actually Sam's Sun-Sifters, which is her own business in which she makes and sells stained glass. She's a pretty talented lady herself.

Deluded and so...so wrong, but talented nonetheless...:pow

Deak Starkiller

05-14-2006, 11:41 AM

samsunsifters

05-14-2006, 08:40 PM

Thanks for all the mother's day wishes. Loved your responsed. Yup - that is what happens when you send your mother a link. Thanks, Mikey!

King Darkness

05-14-2006, 08:44 PM

Customikey

05-14-2006, 10:38 PM

Wow Mikey, that is great and accurate paint job for Crispy Bacon Vader. Much more accurate than even Medicom. Also I think the Dooku is a scanned figure, you ever repaint that sculpt? Keep up the good work duder.

Thanks. Yes, I did Dooku a while back. I'll see if I can dig up a pic. He's gone to China. It is an amazing sculpt. It's not often you get a scanned portrait that still retains some personality.

Deak Starkiller

05-14-2006, 10:53 PM

I can't wait. :chew

DarkArtist81

05-16-2006, 03:17 PM

Yeah... there is a reason that Mikey has a thread with 19 pages and counting... He's the man!

He's got me interested in customizing now! Just thinking about all the gems I had in my collection before I sold them... I could have had a lot of fun repainting them if I hadn't been so quick to sell!

I'm seriously gonna start up soon! Test it out on a few figures I could care less about...

You rule Mikey! :maul

Customikey

05-16-2006, 09:59 PM

He's got me interested in customizing now! Just thinking about all the gems I had in my collection before I sold them... I could have had a lot of fun repainting them if I hadn't been so quick to sell!

I'm seriously gonna start up soon! Test it out on a few figures I could care less about...

That's awesome, DA! Let me know if i can help, and please post your stuff!!

Customikey

05-21-2006, 02:52 PM

I just finished the paintwork for three Apones from Frontline for some board members.

On a side note, this was the last day of the SF discount for repaints. I'm now a full $40 a head painter-for-hire. Woo!!

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/600/apones5ak.jpg

DarkArtist81

05-21-2006, 03:02 PM

That's awesome, DA! Let me know if i can help, and please post your stuff!!

You can bet on it Mikey! And I will probably PM you to death with Random questions here and there.

I think I am going to repaint the recent Hasbro Classic Tattooine Luke, see if I can weather the clothing a bit more and make it look a little better. I guess if it turns out terrible... it's only 8 bucks I wasted...:lol

oh...and SWEET Apone!!

Customikey

05-21-2006, 03:06 PM

You can bet on it Mikey! And I will probably PM you to death with Random questions here and there.

I think I am going to repaint the recent Hasbro Classic Tattooine Luke, see if I can weather the clothing a bit more and make it look a little better. I guess if it turns out terrible... it's only 8 bucks I wasted...:lol

oh...and SWEET Apone!!

Thanks, DA.

Can't wait to see your stuff.

Let me post Tony's link one more time, just because seeing his work is what got me into customizing for real. He's got a great How-To here as well. I'd love to help if you have any questions!

Tony DiTerlizzi's Amazing Work. (http://www.rebelscum.com/tonymain.asp)

DarkArtist81

05-21-2006, 03:31 PM

Thanks, DA.

Can't wait to see your stuff.

Let me post Tony's link one more time, just because seeing his work is what got me into customizing for real. He's got a great How-To here as well. I'd love to help if you have any questions!

Tony DiTerlizzi's Amazing Work. (http://www.rebelscum.com/tonymain.asp)

Thanks Mikey! I now have it on my favorites...

also... I wanted to know your opinion... If I am going to do a clasic ANH Luke... should I just repaint a Hasbro sculpt... or repaint a SSC Jedi Luke? (granted, his face is a bit different, but I have a chance to score another SSC Luke body to use...)

Shai Hulud

05-21-2006, 03:57 PM

He's got some pretty good customs...my favorites are the Wampa and the Blade Runner figure.Awesome !!!

Customikey

05-21-2006, 04:10 PM

DA, of Hasbro's Lukes, ROTJ original is the best, followed by the ANH Ceremonial and the KB Luke from the 3-pack. Not sure how ROTJ will look all ANH'd out.

DarkArtist81

05-21-2006, 08:12 PM

DA, of Hasbro's Lukes, ROTJ original is the best, followed by the ANH Ceremonial and the KB Luke from the 3-pack. Not sure how ROTJ will look all ANH'd out.

Cool....thanks again Mikey... I think I'll probably get the ceremony Luke and pimp him out. :chew

I hope I do you proud!

update: I actually think that Bespin Luke might be the one I'm going to go for... as I have recently come into possession of a nice head sculpt to use... here it is... found it on Ebay. :D

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/107/7/0/O/107701961O284077805.jpg

Customikey

05-27-2006, 07:51 AM

Very nice sculpt DA!! Can't wait to see your Bespin Luke. That head is perfect for him, too!

Customikey

05-27-2006, 07:55 AM

I've put Darth Plagueis up for auction, so my signature has been updated! :emperor

Took a while to settle on the right accessories. :rolleyes:

I took new pics for the auction, too. They're much better than the first ones I took. Here are a couple. There's more on the auction page. Hey, i"ve got to save something for the auction don't I? ;)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8599/dpclose16ng.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6852/dp31bl.jpg

Protozaius

05-27-2006, 01:15 PM

I was wondering if you did any touch ups to any of those POTA figures that you recently acquired. :confused:

To me, Zaius needs a little brightening up in the face and hair. :monkey3 :monkey3 :monkey3

Cool Darth Plagueis... a fun interpretation! :D

Is he any relation to Stephen Sansweet? :monkey3 :monkey3 :monkey3

DarkArtist81

05-27-2006, 02:16 PM

Nice! I love the book.... really works for the character, IMO.. Also really like the material for the cloak, spot on for the SW style. I'm watching the auction, hope you get what it's worth! You deserve it!

I finally got my paints today and practiced on Evil Ash... He looks good, but again.. he's still my first. I'm going to get some more film today so that I can take some nicer pics... :D

Thanks again for the inspiration.

Deak Starkiller

05-27-2006, 03:34 PM

Great work as always Mikey, but what is that head sculpt from?

Customikey

05-27-2006, 04:22 PM

Great work as always Mikey, but what is that head sculpt from?

It's General Lee. I picked up a second one to make a General Dodonna too.
Gen. Lee has this sad, shell-shocked look that I thought would be fitting.
:emperor :emperor

DarkArtist81

05-27-2006, 05:39 PM

It's General Lee. I picked up a second one to make a General Dodonna too.
Gen. Lee has this sad, shell-shocked look that I thought would be fitting.
:emperor :emperor

That will be interesting to see... General Dodonna... can't wait to see that one when you get around to doing it.

Also, how is the Vader coming along? Any new developments?

Customikey

05-27-2006, 08:46 PM

That will be interesting to see... General Dodonna... can't wait to see that one when you get around to doing it.

Also, how is the Vader coming along? Any new developments?

I've mashed the Kanamit, so the body is all set. The bodyglove that came with the Ultimate Anakin figure is too short. :monkey4
As are the cape and robe.:monkey4 :monkey4
Which means I'll have to be clever.:rolleyes:
On the upside, The armor and the head look great on the bashed Kanamit. It's the same surgery I performed to make the body for my FVJ Jason.
I'll have more pics soon. I'm working on repaints of the Hasbro Anakin and also Roy Batty and Bib Fortuna.

Shai Hulud

05-27-2006, 08:59 PM

Mike, for me Bib Fortuna is the most well designed monster in SW ...Do him next !!!!! with all the moist on his face and tantacles, cant wait!!!!!

DarkArtist81

05-27-2006, 09:03 PM

I've mashed the Kanamit, so the body is all set. The bodyglove that came with the Ultimate Anakin figure is too short. :monkey4
As are the cape and robe.:monkey4 :monkey4
Which means I'll have to be clever.:rolleyes:
On the upside, The armor and the head look great on the bashed Kanamit. It's the same surgery I performed to make the body for my FVJ Jason.
I'll have more pics soon. I'm working on repaints of the Hasbro Anakin and also Roy Batty and Bib Fortuna.

Ahh...Well, It will be very interesting to see what clever methods you use to make it work. Hell, I remember owning that Ultimate Villian set and thinking the cape looked short ever then...

And I have to agree with Shai on the Bib Fortuna aspect... that will be interesting to see, what with his overall "glossy-ness". He's shinier than Shaq's forehead in the fourth quarter... :lol :lol

Customikey

05-31-2006, 04:47 PM

King Darkness

05-31-2006, 04:49 PM

Sounds cool Mickey...give us some pix man..

LordAzrael

05-31-2006, 04:54 PM

Ahh...Well, It will be very interesting to see what clever methods you use to make it work. Hell, I remember owning that Ultimate Villian set and thinking the cape looked short ever then...

I was just playing around with that last night - Its the perfect size for Adrian Paul (Duncan McLeod) as Exar Kun :chew

King Darkness

05-31-2006, 04:58 PM

I was just playing around with that last night - Its the perfect size for Adrian Paul (Duncan McLeod) as Exar Kun :chew

I never would have thought to make an Exar Kun out of a Duncan.....but if you make one you must post pics...Exar Kun is the coolest Jedi turned Dark Jedi and sported a double bladed lightsaber a couple thousand years before Maul....

DarkArtist81

05-31-2006, 06:43 PM

I am oh so happy! I gambled on cutting up the Kaiyodo Vader head to make a three piece removable mask and it worked!!! The cuts are not as clean as the could be in the mask/neck, but they're not bad! The only thing that breaks my heart is that i'll have to totally paint over the excellent paintwork that it came with. Two-toned mask, detailing on the exposed headpiece, lenses tinted red- it's all gonna be painted over into super-shiny black. Gotta match EpIII. But it worked! YEA!!!

I'll post pics soon. :D

Cool! I'm glad it worked! That would not have been a cheap mistake...:horror

I can't wait to see what you do with it Mikey.. I know you will make me proud.

And Azrael... good idea with that Duncan. I will look forward to pics! :D

Badism

06-02-2006, 02:56 PM

OMG Old Obi-Wan is work of art. So amazing. I wish I had been around for that auction. I can only pray Sideshow's is as good as that. :D

King Darkness

06-02-2006, 07:16 PM

Hey Mickey...I went ahead and put in my bid today...I can only go $100 so lets hope no one out bids me....but I think there is a really good chance given the complete awesomeness of this figure.....With Anakin & my HTs Predator in the same week I took quite a hit, plus the possible $100 bones to you...anyway..thanks for finally giving me the chance to own this figure!

Customikey

06-03-2006, 05:46 PM

King, you have a PM.:monkey3
.............................................

Here's a few pics of my brand spankin new Sideshow Annie with repainted lips.

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5409/anakin37vf.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9858/anakin48jz.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/9392/anakin16mh.jpg

A few of more of Vader to follow, but for now-

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3299/vader19dd.jpg

:D :emperor

TOE

06-03-2006, 05:49 PM

:rock love the new lips. What did you do?? Awesome job, as always.

Shai Hulud

06-03-2006, 06:06 PM

Mike ..love the new lips but I think you should do something with those eyebrows also....maybe softem them a bit...

King Darkness

06-03-2006, 06:44 PM

PM sent Mickey...

YOU KICK ASS MICKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DarkArtist81

06-03-2006, 07:06 PM

Great work on the lips Mikey... You got the shade perfect. I just might have to do it.....if only I can get past my fears.... :horror

Customikey

06-03-2006, 07:16 PM

Great work on the lips Mikey... You got the shade perfect. I just might have to do it.....if only I can get past my fears.... :horror

Practice on another head first.

Vader here is part of a commissioned wave of figures. He's going to be Episode III, which means I'm going to have to repaint the helmet and replace the chest armor. But before I do, he's a near perfect ESB/ROTJ Vader, and I wanted to show him off before he gets altered.
The 3 piece helmet is held together with tiny, really strong magnets.
The cape isn't ready yet.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2291/vader22iv.jpg

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/7022/vader38wo.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3493/vader40gd.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/6853/vader57zy.jpg
Every convention vader's nightmare.
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9438/vaders8ao.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9521/rotjduel7sj.jpg

DarkArtist81

06-03-2006, 07:30 PM

WOW.....Great job Mikey.... I love the gloves especially. Nice. And that last pic is like a dream come true. I'm glad he turned out so good, can't wait to see the finished product.

Man.... Now I'm filled with the urge to build a Vader. If only he weren't so damn expensive to make. :rotfl

King Darkness

06-03-2006, 07:32 PM

Vader looks awesome Mickey....and again your pix are perfect...And like Josh said the final pic is a moment I cant wait to replicate!!

Sachiel

06-05-2006, 03:11 AM

:vader Wow, that's an awesome Vader you have going on there. :vader

Darth Caedus

06-10-2006, 04:27 PM

Hey Mikey,

I saw an Indy figure on the first page of this thread, you going to make any more of him; cause I would SOOO bid on him on the bay.

Customikey

06-10-2006, 08:04 PM

Hey Mikey,

I saw an Indy figure on the first page of this thread, you going to make any more of him; cause I would SOOO bid on him on the bay.

Well, that's actually a bit of a cheat. Ya see, that is actually a Sovereign Studios custom that I commissioned from them. I don't think he's doing them anymore, but I know Murder has one, too. Mine is unique in that it uses his second to last (and greatest) Ford sculpt and the costume was made especially to fit a Sideshow body (he usually used Dragon bodies). I'll take more pics of him, but until Sideshow announces theirs, I have no intention of selling. He's awesome.

Darth Caedus

06-10-2006, 09:43 PM

Well, that's actually a bit of a cheat. Ya see, that is actually a Sovereign Studios custom that I commissioned from them. I don't think he's doing them anymore, but I know Murder has one, too. Mine is unique in that it uses his second to last (and greatest) Ford sculpt and the costume was made especially to fit a Sideshow body (he usually used Dragon bodies). I'll take more pics of him, but until Sideshow announces theirs, I have no intention of selling. He's awesome.

Worth a shot, but I would like to see more pics of him if that is possible. Thanks man.

EVILFACE

06-11-2006, 02:41 PM

Nice Anakin lips. But what's up with Vaders sleeves?

Customikey

06-11-2006, 08:04 PM

Nice Anakin lips. But what's up with Vaders sleeves?

Urgh. I know, I know. I'm no seamstress (seamster?), like Hurricane, so I didn;t make my own bodyglove. I have to work with what I can get, and that means the Ultimate Villian Vader suit, which has arms and legs too bloody short for my bashed Kanamit body. So I had to fudge it a bit by using the Kaiyodo model's vinyl sleeves to make up the difference. I think it'll look better once repainted, but that's the limit of my abilities, really. Bash em, glue em together, paint em up.

DarkArtist81

06-17-2006, 05:26 PM

hairlesswookiee

06-17-2006, 09:03 PM

Here's a few pics of my brand spankin new Sideshow Annie with repainted lips.
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5409/anakin37vf.jpg

hmm... there's a striking resemblence here.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/hairlesswookiee/thlucas.png

Murderofcrows71

06-17-2006, 10:51 PM

Mikey.... I need some advice...

My skin tones do not come out as good as I like.. a little too shiny and not blended that well... What can I do to fix this? Any help would be very cool.

And also... I want a little info on the "wash" method... I think I'm doing it wrong or something. :lol

As for the wash method I use, first spray a light coat of sealer if you are worried about messing up the painting you've already done. I just thin the paint out with water and let it flow into the cracks and gaps where you need it to. Wrinkles, around the eyes, etc. Feel free to have some tissue nearby incase you add too much and need to wipe it off or screw up a fifty dollar figure.lol Basically I use a wash for the deepest areas and work out til I'm drybrushing the highlights.

As for a flesh tone I usually start out with a nice basic off the store shelf acryllic flesh tone and mix in a little brown usually burnt sienna, a drop of red and a small touch of yellow. Depending on the figure you can adjust a bit here and there, like on my Indy fig I made it a little redder to give him the out in the scorching sun all day look. Oh and a tip alot of people never mention is if you want better control over the shading in the paint, use chalk and pastel, once you spray the paint sealer over it all it won't go anywhere.

CustomMikey you were right Shawn did great work on the Indy figures he used to make, I still occasionally see one of them or the Keaton Batman figures on Ebay under his seller name dreamntigers. Infact right now he has one of the Howard S Studios 1:1 scale Indy busts up for sale cheap. I paid over three bills for mine! But in actuallity I got the belt, and the whip on my figure from him the rest is from the Chinese Relic Raider figure and the head is from Frontline. I do have plans on reworking one of the SS Han Solo figs into Dr. Jones if the likeness is as good as I hope.

DarkArtist81

06-18-2006, 09:02 AM

Thanks Lin.... I appreciate the help... I'm starting a few jobs in the next week or so and have to hone my skills so to speak. I want these next few heads to be my best work yet. Have to "take it to the next level" as Nacho Libre says... :lol

And HOLY CRAP Mark!!! That pic DOES look like the Power Glove kid!!!

hairlesswookiee

06-18-2006, 09:09 AM

And HOLY CRAP Mark!!! That pic DOES look like the Power Glove kid!!!

lol it really does doesnt it??

Customikey

06-18-2006, 09:18 AM

That pic DOES look like the Power Glove kid!!!

I've been waiting for someone to pick up on that.

The painting tips alreadsy given are stellar, but I'll throw in my own two cents anyway. I use a pretty thin paint for drybrushing on successively lighter skintones until I'm happy. Good drybrush technique can blend each layer pretty seamlessly. Just make sure to wipe the brush nearly completely clean, then go to town. It's slow going, but much more effective. I like using chalk to help blend up the finished paintwork a little better. It's like powdering after applying make-up. But I suppose that analogy is lost on those of you who are neither performers, goths, cross-dressers, or chicks.
The chalk is also great for details like 5 0'clock shadow and rings around the eyes.

Customikey

06-18-2006, 09:28 AM

Worth a shot, but I would like to see more pics of him if that is possible. Thanks man.

Here you go!

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/958/indiana10md.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2408/indiana20pu.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4953/indiana37ex.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7246/indiana41te.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8779/indiana53gy.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/