Gathering materials to start customizing!

[btvs417]

I'm bidding on some tools on ebay, ordering some super sculpey. What kind of paint does everyone prefer? I have a bunch of regular acrylics from art courses I've taken. Also, does anyone have some fodder pieces they would part with for fairly cheap? I'm thinking I might try to do a Chuck Bartowski figure from the Season 1 dvd cover.

I've been reading posts and looking at everyones work. Now that I've moved and have more space I want to try it myself! Tips, reccomendations, ideas for customs, anything to help me?

[Roadie]

Wooo I'm really glad someone else is gonna try customising!!
Well first, I think it's good to try different acrylic paints because everyone prefers different brands (plus I'm not too sure what kind of brands are over in the US)
Some ideas for customs... since you and I both love roswell roswell customs are something I would love to see others make on here! Don't leave me on my own lol other than Buffy, Angel & Roswell what other shows do you enjoy? it's always fun to see other customs being made from different tv shows! good luck & have fun!!

[elee0031]

If you can, please try to post a picture of the particular custom of that which you are trying to achieve. This way I can at least point you in the right direction for a base figure or if you are looking for certain parts (i.e. actors head to action figure head.). Customizing isn't cheap as some have already figured out.

Originally when I started I used an acrylic paint set with a variety of colors. They came off a bit too glossy. I had to buy the individual bottles to get a better result. I currently use Apple or Folkart brand paint. They come out of Walmart I don't have an arts and craft type store that is local. Just the Walmart. Fine point paint brush or size 0 type brush. Toothpick and needles to do customize eyes and lips. Sculpt material I use is called Magic Sculpt which requires no baking. A very sharp knife - the kind they sell in sporting goods behind a plastic case. A dremmel for sanding down plastic.

Finally, least but not last.... a hell of a lot of patients and practice. I don't mind sharing and I don't think roadie wouldn't mind either. She's doing a real good job on play sets so feel free to ask me or her. We totally ask each other and try to improve or work constantly and some of the other folks on this board are quiet helpful too. But watch out for ba|1, he has a knack for finding flaws, LOL!

Ideas for customs??? Well generally people get into customizing because certain figures they want are never really produced. For me it was that Jennifer Garner "Elektra & Daredevil" movie figure. They said they were going to release one, but never did - so I made one for myself. Then I started to experiment with other loose toys I required in a lot and lord and behold a few Charmed and Buffy customs later I'm kind of here.

Seeing other peoples work do inspire you to try to push out a custom of your own creation. It always starts with a good idea, and a nice base with some select parts.

I don't have anything extra parts at this time, but to keep cost down for yourself try to stick with a real good base figure to minimize on buying parts and extra figures especially if you are doing this as a hobby and not for commission.

[btvs417]

Thanks guys! elee, heres the dvd cover covers.box.sk/newsimg/thumbs/max1223100407-frontback-cover.jpg

I'm hoping to do Chuck & Sarah together like on the cover. NBC has a set of chuck figures, but they're more like the serenity pvc ones and they look cartoon-y. www.nbcuniversalstore.com/img/product/resized/799/00372225-877799_catl_600.jpg?k=739fc18a&pid=372225&s=catl&sn=nbcuniversalstore

Roadie, I deff want to do a set of Roswell figures! I thought I'd try the Chuck ones first since they seem like they may be fairly easy to do. Other ideas I had were Calliope Reaper-Jones from Amber Benson's book series, the scene from Buffy I had mentioned to you before with Spike & Joyce (from your avatar!), Supernatural, Dollhouse...too many to list lol

[elee0031]

Thanks for the pic.

I'd go with a Jolie "Lara Croft" figure from Tomb Raider Movie. Maybe Switch from the Matrix series 1 line as a back up if you can't find a cheap Lara Croft.

You'll have your work cut out, but I'm also thinking of a third figure like Ada Wong from Resident Evil...well at least for the dress or the base of the body.

For Chuck I wanna say use Xander Head from Diamond Series for the open mouth expression and resculpt the hair to match the picture. Season 7 Xander seems like the best bet.

Should be pretty simple for him. Just don't go too over board when removing the hair. Then you'll use less sculpy.

[btvs417]

Thanks! I'm bidding on a couple of loose buffy lots on ebay. I might use a series 3 cordy fig for sarah's body. The Xander fig is a good idea. I think the mouth is going to be the hardest part on that one.

[elee0031]

The thing with Cordy is the skin tone and I'm not sure if that figure is stacked like the jolie figure is. Well it's a suggestion, so if you think it'll work... Also Xander has an open mouth for almost all of his Diamond Select figures. It's the same head sculpt with different style of clothing on the body.

I wouldn't recommend getting the PVC figures if you plan on customizing, because if they are the same as the Serenity PVC they are not in the same scale size as some of the standard action figures. However the 2nd figure on the NBC link the head reminds me of Adam Baldwin and would make a good head for a Hamilton figure from Angel.

[btvs417]

It is Adam Baldwin! I wouldn't customize the NBC figures. I want those to display.

[btvs417]

So I disappeared for a while. Moving, new job, etc. BUT...I went to Michael's today and bought some super sculpey, sculpting tools and more paint. I've decided to wait on the Chuck idea and I'm going to start with Calliope Reaper-Jones from the cover of Death's Daughter. escapepod.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ea_deathsdaughter.jpg
I have a MAC Series 1 Buffy & Willow to work with for parts. I'm probably going to try and sculpt Runt (the dog) from scratch. Any tips/suggestions are welcome!

[elee0031]

It's your friendly neighborhood guy Lee here and again I come bringing a some what idea of a base figure for you on your current project for Death's Daughter. I believe this would be the perfect base figure for what you are trying to achieve. www.ebay.com/itm/Mcfarlane-Metal-Gear-Solid-Meryl-Silverbuagh-Figure-/160801750782?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item257087fefe

[btvs417]

Ohh that's a good one! I'm gonna have to see if I can get one. thanks!

[elee0031]

I'm not too familiar with that figure but you can use either the head or the head and upper body with an DST Anya to get the pose just right. Not sure if the parts will mesh together but they should be about the right size.