Jim Lawson style custom Michelangelo action figure
 

The past few months I have been re-reading many of my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. The City at War arch in particular is one of my most favorites. The entire C@W series was penciled by Jim Lawson who is probably the only person to have possibly drawn more of the turtles than even Eastman and Laird.

Recently I commissioned Jim to draw me a picture of all four turtles, which he did an amazing job on. I was so inspired by my commissioned piece that I decided to make my own Jim Lawson styled Ninja Turtle action figure.

I began with a 2007 TMNT movie Raphael which I shaved down in order to sculpt the new details with an epoxy clay. As you can see in the work in progress shots, about 90% of the figure was resculpted. The nunchucks were crafted from wooden dowels and wire. The belt was made from vinyl.

While Leo and Donnie are my personal favorites, Mikey doesn’t always get the respect he deserves, so I chose him.

I showed the pics to Jim himself and he said, “he was impressed” and “you made my day”. In turn, him being pleased with my rendition of his art made my day!

Michelangelo (Jim Lawson style)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...AYZIE/jl12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/FUGAYZIE/jl1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/FUGAYZIE/jl6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/FUGAYZIE/jl8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...AYZIE/jl11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/FUGAYZIE/jl9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...AYZIE/jl10.jpg

Mikey stands 6" tall and has aprox 13 points of articulation :)

For those who are unfamiliar with his art, here is a pic for reference.
NOTE: this is not the piece he did for me. This is a pre existing piece Jim has posted on his website. I only used it as a good style and color reference.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...YZIE/jlref.jpg

Some before and during shots
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...iew_tmnt_2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ZIE/jlwip1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ZIE/jlwip2.jpg

Oh. My. God.

THAT IS AWESOME. Accurate as hell. I want one. Jim's gonna sh*t a brick.

^ 100% agree!!!! That is an Awesome great work!!!!!!
:o:o:o:o:o :tthumbsu::tthumbsu::tthumbsu:

Really well done!
What type of epoxy clay are you using?

really amazing.

DUDE! That is great.

I scoffed when I read the thread title, didn't think it'd look good at all. But you just blew my mind, that rocks.

that is so freaking amazing, awesome!

This is really good !!! I'd buy one if they where on the shelves .
Cowabunga !

That is sweet. Glad Jim was flattered, cause that's awesome.

You've done something incredible here... this is what I would want from a "Classics" TMNT action figure line, artist accurate sculpts of the TMNT that are incredibly stylized and unmistakably sculpted after the design of those artists. Congratulations on a job very well done.

that's flipping amazing. impressive, most impressive.

WHY DO THEY NOT MASS PRODUCE SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR US TO WASTE MONEY ON!?

I WANT ONE I WANT ONE I WANT ONE!

...i take that back

I WANT ALL 4

aves apoxie sculpt


Wow, thanks everyone for the kind words! i didnt think it would get this kind of response. this project was so much fun that i might do a few other artist renditions in the future. if i had to say right now...i'd say Veitch and Farley are the two i'd like to attempt first.

Ohh...Farley would be awesome. A quartet of Turtles one by a different artist would rock!

OH. MY! .:o

I want one. Seriously, this is just great. I love Lawson's style and you did a fantastic job on this.

I have to echo everyone's statements. This is mighty fine craftsmanship here.

-ms

I can't say anything that hasn't been said yet, but this is still awesome. I really hope we would get these kind of figures.

That is amazing. 8)

Great news!!! i offered it up to Jim as a gift and he accepted!!! that's so awesome! a true TMNT legend will proudly own & display one of my customs! Shredder said it best, "money can not buy the honor bestowed here today"

Friggin AWESOME.

In for 4 :)

The question I have is, would you be willing to take on a commission? I would seriously consider buying one from you to display with my Lawson commission.:)

This is really amazing work! Great job!

And this is also the exact kind of action figure I was longing to see while Playmates kept pumping out Music Turtles. :trazz:

Wow!
Saw pictures of your work up on Lawson's facebook page and figured if anyone would know who the artist was...The 'Drome would.

Un-freakin-believable work.

AND mind blown

Very accurate, impressive!!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. I've never commissioned anything before but this is something i would love to have and would seriously consider.

If by chance you WOULD accept commission(s), shoot me a pm about a 4 set

very cool! i like it allot

I'd like to echo these sentiments. I'm curious if you'd do it. Though I'm saving for some stuff right now I'd love to get one down the line.

Great Googly-Moogly!

The resemblance is uncanny!

How long ago did you start this project?

i'm floored by the detail and accuracy! that custom work is absolutely amazing- very very well done :) hope to see more from you!

that's really good :) i want to add this to my collection

Goodness gracious! This is amazing!

Very cool. I'd have bought one of these if they were ever made. Even better then the comic turtles Playmates had planned.

This is SOOOO frikking awesome! I'm a huge fan of Jim Lawson, and this custom looks just amazing!!!

If you are going to make the comissions, put me in your list~!

That is Amazing! Crafted extremely well.

Truly AMAZING work dude! Put me on the commissions list if you wind up taking some on. Wow! Such awesome accuracy. I saw this on Lawson's FB and figured it would blow up on the Drome! Again, excellent job.

i started it the day i saw my commission posted on Jim's FaceBook. it was so awesome that it planted the seed of inspiration! if i tally up the actual man hours...i'd say about 10-11 hours NOT including drying times for the apoxy clay. i am only able to squeez in a half hour/hour every couple days or so over the past few weeks. though, this project really drew me in so there was a day or two where i was able to squeez in an extra hour of customizing time.



OMG, I never imagined the level of response I’ve gotten on this! I have 9 people interested in commissions! Its very flattering. Unfortunately I will not be taking any commissions for these. With a family and a busy job, I just don’t have the time. Not to mention that I have a few other styles I want to try my hand at. If I ever make any more Lawson styled turtles, I’ll let you guys know :)

Mikey is currently on his way to Jim. I presented it to him as a gift and he accepted. I figured what better person to have it than the man who inspired it :)

Thank you all for your very kind comments. i truly appreciate them. hopefully i can repay those comments in the near future with another cool custom ;)

I'm really curious to know whether or not the Raphael used as the base was bought from me on ebay recently. This project doesn't seem like it would take all that long to do provided the person already had the materials, not to mention the practice and talent (which to me is a given).