1990 Movie Classic Collection Figures, Head Re-Sculpt: Update

[Splint'r]

Hey everyone. Nearly 2 years have gone by, since I've last shared an update on my little pet project here. Unfortunately, work and life in general, took hold of my time, from my hobbies and progress has been majorly slow.

Well, since then, new life changes has granted me some time to regain focus on this little project. I actually went ahead and scrapped my first sculpt to start over again, as I really wasn't happy with it, despite the forum's approval (thank you btw!). I just felt I could do better.
So, I worked hard, trying to capture that quintessential look for my Donnie, working off many screen caps and promotional images.
Once I was able to get it as far as I could, I pursued making a few test casts.
Then I added some paint. Nothing overly refined. Just enough to sit well with an unpainted body.

Despite the fact that NECA, is putting out the nicest and most accurate 90s movie figures out there, I still wanted to fix my Playmate's line. I really do like their articulated bodies and I'm more of a standard action figure size collector too. (plus I can't really drop that much cash for giant toys right now).

So far, this is what the new Donnie sculpt, looks like. It fits right over the ball joint and has a little more movement than the standard head. Mine actually swivels all around. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to look and I hope you like the pics. (please let me know if the pics are too big. I'll resize them).


The new sculpt, ready for the mold process:

(direct link to image: http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...eysculpt-0.jpg)


Test casts developed for tooling:

(direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...ts-tooling.jpg)

Developed a green paint that matched the plastic tone on the bodies, though some were left out to be given a full film accurate paint job, which would require the entire body to be repainted as well. Any pin holes found, were patched up before the next step:

(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...greenheads.jpg)


Painted prototype (with minimal paint apps, applied with airbrush and detail brush):

(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic5.jpg)


(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic1.jpg


(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic6.jpg)


(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic4.jpg)


(Direct link to image:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic2.jpg)


(Direct image link:http://www.narcomics.net/tmnt-head-s...title-pic3.jpg)


I am now working on my Raphael. I tossed out the old sculpt to start a new one and will do my best to capture his likeness. No ETA at this time. Whenever time permits, I will finish him. Pictures of that project, will come when I feel it's getting close.

[RaphaelinSTL]

INCREDIBLE work! Looks great.

[Candy Kappa]

That's a great looking head sculpt, just marvelous! puts Playmates' Classics sculpts to shame.

[Nasubionna]

I am lucky enough to have been sent a painted prototype of this head, and let me tell you from firsthand knowledge: it is incredible. The level of detail and accuracy Nar has achieved here is top-notch, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that Donnie's likeness here is on par with NECA's Donnie, just on a much, much smaller scale (I have both the NECA Donnie and Nar's prototype head - attached to my Playmates classics figure - sitting on my desk, fyi...)
The 1990 Henson turtles have been my favorite incarnation of the turtles my whole life, so naturally I was super pumped when NECA started their line. However, I know that the price tag and the scale of those figures make them difficult if not impossible for many fans to buy. If that applies to you and if you get a chance to get one of these head sculpts here (assuming Nar makes them available for purchase), do it. You won't be disappointed, and that tiny, sad hole in your heart from not having Henson turtle figures that will fit in your house will be fulfilled.
Excellent work, Nar, truly! Thank you so much for the prototype!

[DevilSpooky]

Fantastic work, but they clash way too much with the body to be a proper replacement.

[Splint'r]

Thanks for your kind words! Yeah, blurring the lines between hyper realistic and cartoonish stylization, was not easy. So, I agree, the head sculpt does inspire a full body repaint. I've sent out a few samples to some very talented toy artists, I've met on instagram, who will be giving their entire figure, the full repaint treatment and I will be doing the same for mine, once I'm done with the rest of the bros. Honest question... do you guys think I should just quit this project? The only reason I'm doing this, is simply because I couldn't stomach the original heads on these toys and as far as I'm concerned, NECA has no current plans to release a smaller version of their beautiful 18 inch figures and if they ever do, it probably won't be happening until next year. However...if they do release 6 inch versions of their 18 figures sooner than later, then there's obviously no point for me to continue, as we'll just buy those.
Anyways, I had fun with it and learned a great deal, working with with these materials. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. I'll be back when I have more updates. :-]

[frank_one]

Amazing! The shape and all the details are there, it looks just perfect and spot on.

[DestronMirage22]

I love it! It really captures the likeness spot on.

[Rewdog]

That is superb! You wouldn't be selling these replacement heads at some point would you?

[Splint'r]

Originally Posted by Rewdog

That is superb! You wouldn't be selling these replacement heads at some point would you?

Thanks everyone Yes, I do have some that will be available soon, but they are painted copies, much like what you're seeing up there. If you want an unpainted copy, I will be making more next month.

[tmntfannumerouno]

Originally Posted by Splint'r

Thanks everyone Yes, I do have some that will be available soon, but they are painted copies, much like what you're seeing up there. If you want an unpainted copy, I will be making more next month.

I'm in for an unpainted cast. Great work man

[Rewdog]

Originally Posted by Splint'r

Thanks everyone Yes, I do have some that will be available soon, but they are painted copies, much like what you're seeing up there. If you want an unpainted copy, I will be making more next month.

Keep us in the loop mate when you have painted or unpainted available!

[Sabacooza]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind having all 4 as well. These look amazing!

[Meow]

I guess you can count me in as well, as an oversea-er, assuming all 4 won't be finished so quickly right?

[Splint'r]

Thanks guys, I'm really glad you like them. As part of my ongoing pursuit for "reasonable accuracy", I'm also going to re-sculpt the hands and feet, as well as the plastron, which may be cast in a very soft pre-tinted resin plastic. I feel like the plastron pieces on these toys, make the turtles look a bit rounded in the mid section. They're also slightly wider than they should be. The very last thing I will do with these, is re-do their weapons, to match the screen used props, as well as whole new belts to properly store them in.
On Donny, his Bo holster is in the wrong position. It should be sitting on the back end of the shoulder strap at an angle.
Same with Raph's sai holsters. They need to be curved a bit so they steer clear from his upper thighs.

I can't give specifics on when what will be done, considering this is a side hobby I'm playing with in between my actual job, but I'm gunning for one new head sculpt per month. Raph is nearly complete now. My next piece will be Leonardo, then Mikey, etc.

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

I'm going to try to do a poor man's version using Crayola Model magic. I scored a Secret of the Ooze Classics Donatello on eBay for $15 shipped.

[TheCanadiandrome]

Can't wait to see em all done

[D Piddy 1982]

Hey, only just seen this thread. Your work is fantastic and I may well be in for 1 or all 4 of these heads too! Only thing is i'd then obviously have to purchase the actual playmates figures, of which I don't have any.

The NECA 1/4 figures are great and look amazing, but I'm a traditional action figure kind of guy (size-wise). I may get Leo if I can get hold of him (UK based), but these heads you are doing really fill a gaping void in the TMNT line.

Great work, can't wait to see all 4 finished heads!

[Bmaga123]

Looks AMAZING! Put me down for a painted head of each please if possible

[TheCanadiandrome]

Nice dude, can't wait to see completed