Okay, maybe this isn’t exactly an artistic discipline but I am toying with the idea of creating some custom action figures of the comic heros of my youth, as a hobby and possibly to pass on to my grandkids.
I’ve done some reading about custom painting here and here but I’ll read any other links you think are worthwhile.
I’m looking for suggestions on where to find accessories other than Ebay and how to judge the scale of the accessories. I’ve seen plenty for smaller figures and a 1/6 scale which seems to be for 12 inch figures. I’ll be using Marvel Legends and DC Direct figures. Where do I find weapons and other accessories for that scale?
Any input about custom figures welcome.
You’re already consulting two of the best customizers on the web, Iron Cow (actually a very nice guy) and Jin Saotome. You also want to check out the customizing forums on The Fwoosh message boards, where those guys and several other outstanding customizers regularly post their creations, tips, tricks, and techniques.
Here are some more of my favorite action figure customizers:
Airmax Animated (I actually own two of his customs, the Comedian from Watchmen and Grifter from Wildcats, both done in the Justice League Unlimited style)
Doubledealer’s Customs
Casimir’s Inanimate Objects
Glorbes’ custom blog (this guy is my current personal favorite; I love the dark, anachronistic, steampunk/pulp styling he brings to almost everything).
Dozens of custom galleries and customizing articles and links hosted by Raving Toy Maniac (check out the Custom Con entries too).
I’ll second theFwoosh. There’s some really great people there.
Basically, you just start buying figures and adding to your fodder. It takes time and money, but watch for sales, watch for bootleg and other cheap figures. TheFwoosh has threads where you can trade for stuff too. Be creative - you can make accessories from all sorts of stuff. Twist ties saved from opening figures and foam sheets are incredibly useful. I also liked saved toothpaste tubes. Just cut it open and clean it out and you have a great flexible material for clothes and stuff. Just make sure you sand it a little so the paint sticks well.
Most customs won’t stand up to heavy play. Paint chipping is the biggest problem.
I finally got rid of all my stuff after it sitting basically untouched for maybe five years.
Wow!! Great links, with tips. Some of those Customs blow me away. I’m going to start with the very basics of painting and maybe switching body parts. I don’t think I’m up for sculpting. I think the forums might be good to finds specific accessories though. I need twin 45s for the Ghost who Walks.
If you really want to get blown away, check out this more complete list of Glorbes’ custom figures from Iron Cow’s forums (which were down when I posted earlier):
http://www.ironcowprod.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47
This one is my personal favorite: http://www.ironcowprod.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1595#1595
Great. I don’t want to look at stuff that good too long or I’ll be discouraged from trying. Fortunately I see enough that are just okay to make me want to paint a couple.
I’m thinking of the heros from decades gone by such as The Fly and Jaguar from Radio comics, or some old Gold Key and Charlton characters. Maybe even the Thunder agents.
At work we have lots of odds and ends and small parts that get tossed. I’ll start collecting some for accessory fodder. Ya never know.
Dang! I just wrote a section about a comic book publisher developing an action figure for his webcomic for a piece of fiction I’m writing. I would have found this thread useful. How dare you start it AFTER I’ve already written the section! Now I’m afraid to follow the links for fear I’ll learn something that will make me rewrite the section.
Seriously, interesting reading.