|
|
Post by martingb on Apr 24, 2005 3:54:45 GMT -5
Hey fellas! I feel pretty limited offering the little tips I can offer about custom figures now that we have a master on board like Les. His work is just incredible and I urge you to check out his site and you will be stunned. What I will say in my defence is that my tips were to show that even the most novice customiser can do some OK work. I know many people will look at Les and Will's beautiful creations and think "Heck I'm never gonna be able to do anything as good as that" and just give up. I just wanted to let people starting at the ground level, like me, know that you can still do some nice customs which bring enjoyment. One day maybe we can be on the upper floors or the penthouse suite with guys like Les and Will.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wild Willy on Apr 24, 2005 13:03:17 GMT -5
Hey Marty, don't sell yourself short pal, I have seen the West style Batman which you are currently working on and it looks great so far.
Your tips and tutorials are greatly appreciated and needed here. Now we just need to get you posting pics so you can show as well as tell how you get certain results. ;D
Will
|
|
|
|
Post by aburabusimbutu on Apr 24, 2005 20:00:04 GMT -5
Mart-
I appreciate the tips you've left- because at some point I'm going to have to paint a head and it is comforting to know there are some guidelines out there to help me- from a guy who has demostrated that his advice is based on success (and yes, you have done some great work for a so-called "amateur").
Like Will said, don't sell yourself short- you have already given me plenty of insight on "how" to think about these future projects I may approach.
And when you see my first efforts, you can see some REAL amateur results- but they'll be a bit better than they might've been thanks to you.
P.S. A really smart guy I know (from the UK) once said, "Nobody is any better than the other. With customs one guy may have a little more skill, initiative or resources than the other that is all. No divisions or categories here just people coming in from different angles." Very wise comment- don't you think?
|
|
|
|
Post by Figuremaster Les on Apr 25, 2005 11:03:49 GMT -5
APOLOGY? To me? Heck no!  I am in this for fun, and, though I accept any compliments and comments good or bad, I accept no apologies from anyone else for doing their own work their own way and enjoying it! Heck, no. Why? I just LOVE what I do and would share just about anything if it helped a fellow customizer get the figure he or she wanted. Don't ever feel that you have to apologize for your own efforts to anyone, let alone me. I feel strongly about this and that we all have our bits to share with one another. No two are at the same level of craftsmanship ever and I am always reminded that "There is always something or someone cleverer than yourself". For instance, I see the work of Henry Anakin in Hong Kong and all my efforts can seem in vain, except that I had a ball doing mine anyway, so...what the heck. I am here to share. I appreciate your remarks a lot and am even a bit embarrassed by them  , so, stop. Enjoy. Let's all rock! ;D Plus, now I really want to see your work. And Will's too! And let's agree to not compare our abilities or capabilities within the artistic frame, but to share our access and knowledge and help each other get the custom figures we all want! IN fact, I think you should make it a rule of this whole board to be freely willing to share or to not join. I mean that. The keeping of information that could aid another in work cannot in any way be a true threat to the confident customizer that knows his or her skills are valuable no matter how many others are out there. It still takes time to master any of them. |
|
|
|
Post by Figuremaster Les on Apr 25, 2005 11:20:50 GMT -5
Followup to last comment:
Regarding my Signature Showcase 1989 Keaton Batman on my site, I have gotten wonderful comments from many customizers on it. I appreciate them all.
Little did I know when I was making it, that I would solve some "Holy Grail" of customizing, namely THE POSEABLE NECK on that figure, which is only a reworked Billiken kit on a Dragon body.
I've had some pretty impressive folks want to know how I did it. I even wonder if it's worth some key in making or manufacturing toys or something.
It's so simple that I can't get over the response to it.
I am a bit wary of giving that secret up because of the curiousities I've aroused. However, I realize that it took careful hand crafting and can't see how it can change the industry, so, I may be sharing it here, within this forum. Soon.
It's things like that that make me a proud member of any group of this nature. I feel I actually have some cool things to share.
All of us do! There is no bad tip, no wasted idea. No "amateur idiots" in this group.
We are all, happy to be able to share and have this wonderful format, don't you think? I sure do. I'm honored to have been invited in.
I have for ages been alone, and even made fun of, in this customizing thing until December 29th, 2004 when I begain my website. Since then, I have now communicated with folks like yourselves.
I think that it is we that actually rule the toy world.
We are making it something new. Taking it to new heights.
The mass manufacturers are having to make better products to keep up with our demands on them. GREAT!
I say, BRING ON THE BETTER TOYS! ;D
And let's us all revel in it!
And if they don't, we make better ones ourselves.
End of soapbox...
Now, back to the bench! ;D
We are, none of us, AMATEUR IDIOTS.
We just love remaking our toys.
|
|
|
|
Post by martingb on Apr 25, 2005 13:49:32 GMT -5
Thanks mate! I just felt such a fool attempting to share the meagre little bit of knowledge I have when there are guys as good as you and Will around. I guess we are all the same at some stuff but better at others. Anyhow welcome aboard and thanks so much for making me feel a little less silly about my attempts at customising. You are a good fella mate and I appreciate your kind words. Onwards and upwards and all that!
|
|
|
|
Post by Figuremaster Les on Apr 25, 2005 18:19:03 GMT -5
No worries! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by faithfulbutler on Apr 26, 2005 20:05:05 GMT -5
Marty don't run yourself down!You are into it and enjoying it and that's what it's all about.It's one big learning curve and we all have to start somewhere.I've only been at it for 6 months and i have a long way to go but i'm having a ball and that's all that matters to me.
I'm quite positive you're going to make big impressions on us all in the near future!
|
|
|
|
Post by Wild Willy on Apr 26, 2005 21:34:10 GMT -5
"hic!"  I'll drink to that. ;D Will |
|
|
|
Post by Figuremaster Les on Apr 27, 2005 17:27:21 GMT -5
There you go!
As a matter of fact, what are you working on?
|
|
|
|
Post by martingb on Apr 28, 2005 3:22:29 GMT -5
I am doing another Adam West Batman using a head from 8 Incher and the Gorshin Riddler as I mentioned. Both coming on OK I guess. Also The Human Fly the 1970s real life stunt man who Marvel did a comic book of.
|
|
|
|
Post by Figuremaster Les on May 30, 2005 10:33:45 GMT -5
Just dropping a line to Marty for being a really cool guy and for hooking me up with some heads and offering some kind words to me when I needed 'em.
Thanks and you deserve your extra karma point for this one dude!
And your work is super! Keep on rockin'! ;D
Your buddy, Les
|
|
|
|
Post by Wild Willy on May 30, 2005 23:53:18 GMT -5
I'll second that motion Les, Marts a jolly good fellow.
Will
|
|
, so, stop. Enjoy. Let's all rock! ;D