Want to make a custom villians - Page 2

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-20-2010, 02:23 PM

Yeah I did the boil method.

I'm working on Venus right now. I know that it may be a little weird since I was talking about doing Hun and that but it just hit me. This one is just a basic figure with sculpted pieces. I'm happy so far with how the mask is coming out, went with a full head mask. And the caprice part turned out pretty good I think. The only thing I'm having issue with is the shell.

*VaughnMichael* · 04-20-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowabunga Carl

Yeah I did the boil method.

I'm working on Venus right now. I know that it may be a little weird since I was talking about doing Hun and that but it just hit me. This one is just a basic figure with sculpted pieces. I'm happy so far with how the mask is coming out, went with a full head mask. And the caprice part turned out pretty good I think. The only thing I'm having issue with is the shell.

Oh that's great I can't wait to see it

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-20-2010, 03:04 PM

It is my very first one so it isn't great. The paint is looking nice. The back shell I am not happy with. Maybe when it is painted. I don't know.

Anyway the story I have for my version is that she is a genetic test of a scientist using the turtles DNA and human. So that is why she looks a little more human than they do.

turtlelife · 04-20-2010, 04:50 PM

Yeah I'd say Venus is quite a departure from Hun, but I'm interested to see how you make her. I was thinking of using a 2k7 movie Leo body as a base, just for the shape of the shell for Venus, maybe that can help your shell dilemma? I do like that you changed her origin for your purposes though, I've kind of been doing the same thing for my customs. Just trying to fit them into the Mirage universe, making them more serious and dark, since most of my customs so far are updates to the original toy characters. I like how you dubbed it "Ultimate TMNT" though, much easier way to explain it to people.

Have any of you guys had any thoughts on how to make a Cerebus yet? He's one of the few I can't seem to figure any parts out for, and it still boggles my mind there is no figure of him ever made. Any ideas, or am I stuck with having to pretty much sculpt him from scratch?

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-20-2010, 04:55 PM

I am using a Power Girl DC figure for my base. Everything had to be molded. The mask and front I'm happy with. The front looks even better painted now I think. Though it will in no way be nearly as good as the ones I've seen on here. Actually the more I see on here the more I think mine looks like crap

turtlelife · 04-20-2010, 06:23 PM

Lol, don't get down on yourself, we all have to start somewhere, and no matter what you're still learning. I've been customizing off and on for a couple years now and I'm always learning. And I know I am personally never done with any figure I've made. There are always ways for me to improve them with new paint jobs, better sculpting or new parts that become available. All that matters is that you are happy with what you made.

I learned something from an art teacher long ago, she said, "Mistakes are just you finding something else to create". I've messed up so many heads and body parts, but all it does is make me try and figure something else to use it for. Even if it is something completely conceptual with no franchise behind it, 'cause I can't just waste it.

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-20-2010, 06:50 PM

For my first time I don't think it is bad. I got everything painted except the eyes and the shell. I need to pick up white paint and a brown for the shell. It isn't the best but I'm happy with it. The goal for me was to make something that looked like a turtle, I did that. I'll try to get some pics up when my roommate gets home and I can use their camera.

turtlelife · 04-20-2010, 11:37 PM

Hey as long as you're happy with your creation that's really all that matters. Just remember, you can only get better with practice and learning your own technique. I can't wait to see the pics of her, 'cause I'm really interested to see Power Girl turned into Venus. Oh and if you get a chance any comparison shots with NT:NM Venus and/or the NECA TMNT would be great.

Eyes are my Achilles heel when it comes to customizing, so good luck with yours. I've never been able to draw eyes properly and I can't seem to sculpt or paint them properly either. I'm always seeing something wrong with eyes I make. If I try and carve out anymore of the eye on my Slash custom to make it look right to me, he'll be a cyclops. But I guess then I might be able to make Bellybomb

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-21-2010, 12:08 AM

Still a work in progress

***First of Two Latin Kings*** · 04-21-2010, 12:11 AM

That's...different.

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-21-2010, 12:32 AM

Is that a nice way of saying bad? It's my first one

turtlelife · 04-21-2010, 12:48 AM

I see what you are going for with her, and since your story is human to mutant, I can also see why the more human aspects (such as the hands) might have stayed with her after mutation. Honestly I'm thinking though I might make a Mona Lisa out of the Power Girl now, the pic with her painted just green made me think of Mona Lisa.

It's not a bad start at all man, and again as long as you are happy with what you made, that's what matters. You already made the front and back of her shell better than I could've when I started, so just keep practicing. And don't get discouraged, 'cause customizing can be a frustrating hobby.

Topsu · 04-21-2010, 01:10 AM

Backshell is hard to do with just sculpting, I once did a turtle out of clay and backshell didn't end up being too good. Plastron is turned out okay for a first custom, you'll learn sculpting cleaner as you do more.
As for head, I would've made her more turtlelooking, but if you're going to more humanlook, that's okay. Custom is good when you like it yourself

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-21-2010, 08:02 AM

Even though it is suppoused to be Venus it is her in my fan fic. Once it is up I think it might make more since why she retained more of her human looks. That and I thought a head might be to hard to sculpt my first go around

Topsu · 04-21-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowabunga Carl

That and I thought a head might be to hard to sculpt my first go around

Well, that isn't too easy, but you'll only get better with trial&error. In fact I'm sculpting whole head on my current custom, and that's pretty hard, I must admit.

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-21-2010, 11:07 AM

I saw a wrestler figure that looked just like how i would picture a real life Rocksteady looking like. It would just need a yellow wife better and pants molded onto him. The only problem is that I think he is to tall considering I always thought he would be shorter then Hun but taller then Bebop.

RayH · 04-21-2010, 01:36 PM

It's a good start...

A key thing to remember about sculptng is the tools, you can make your own. Like i always make mine out of pieces from plastic coat hangers, I stick it in the pencil sharpner and you can make good sculpting tools that way. Make custom sculpting tips by sanding the shapes you want sculpt. but good array iof tools is vital.

turtlelife · 04-21-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowabunga Carl

I saw a wrestler figure that looked just like how i would picture a real life Rocksteady looking like. It would just need a yellow wife better and pants molded onto him. The only problem is that I think he is to tall considering I always thought he would be shorter then Hun but taller then Bebop.

Well there are always ways to cut down or add on to the size of a figure. Kitbashing is my preferred way, but in doing so, unless you know how to create or transfer joints, you may lose some posability. That's how I made my Casey fit the size I wanted him to be. Sure a lot of parts out there aren't compatible, but with wrestling you shouldn't have that much of a problem.

Which wrestler did you choose? I keep trying to think of someone who looks like Rocksteady in WWE, lol.

*Cowabunga Carl* · 04-21-2010, 07:53 PM

I need to go back and pick him up. I just saw him didn't look at the name which was stupid cause now if they don't have him I'm screwed

turtlelife · 04-21-2010, 08:40 PM

Well explain him a little if you can I might be able to help you out with his name. When it comes to wrestling figures though, there are multiple versions made of almost every wrestler out there, so you don't have to worry about finding that exact one. In fact there may be a better version of him out there which would be shorter for you. Also if you go to Flea Markets and yard sales then you can easily find most wrestling figures for a dollar or two. That's the best way to find custom fodder from any mass produced toy line.

If you check out Wrestlingfigs.com you should be able to find some bodies and heads you might be able to use. They have a huge database with pretty much every recent wrestling figure made there.

04-20-2010, 04:55 PM	#25
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	I am using a Power Girl DC figure for my base. Everything had to be molded. The mask and front I'm happy with. The front looks even better painted now I think. Though it will in no way be nearly as good as the ones I've seen on here. Actually the more I see on here the more I think mine looks like crap Last edited by Cowabunga Carl; 04-20-2010 at 05:37 PM.

04-21-2010, 01:36 PM	#37
RayH Thug Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 86	It's a good start... A key thing to remember about sculptng is the tools, you can make your own. Like i always make mine out of pieces from plastic coat hangers, I stick it in the pencil sharpner and you can make good sculpting tools that way. Make custom sculpting tips by sanding the shapes you want sculpt. but good array iof tools is vital. Last edited by RayH; 04-21-2010 at 01:50 PM.

04-20-2010, 02:23 PM	#21
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	Yeah I did the boil method. I'm working on Venus right now. I know that it may be a little weird since I was talking about doing Hun and that but it just hit me. This one is just a basic figure with sculpted pieces. I'm happy so far with how the mask is coming out, went with a full head mask. And the caprice part turned out pretty good I think. The only thing I'm having issue with is the shell.

04-20-2010, 03:04 PM	#23
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	It is my very first one so it isn't great. The paint is looking nice. The back shell I am not happy with. Maybe when it is painted. I don't know. Anyway the story I have for my version is that she is a genetic test of a scientist using the turtles DNA and human. So that is why she looks a little more human than they do.

04-20-2010, 04:50 PM	#24
turtlelife Random Punk Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 43	Yeah I'd say Venus is quite a departure from Hun, but I'm interested to see how you make her. I was thinking of using a 2k7 movie Leo body as a base, just for the shape of the shell for Venus, maybe that can help your shell dilemma? I do like that you changed her origin for your purposes though, I've kind of been doing the same thing for my customs. Just trying to fit them into the Mirage universe, making them more serious and dark, since most of my customs so far are updates to the original toy characters. I like how you dubbed it "Ultimate TMNT" though, much easier way to explain it to people. Have any of you guys had any thoughts on how to make a Cerebus yet? He's one of the few I can't seem to figure any parts out for, and it still boggles my mind there is no figure of him ever made. Any ideas, or am I stuck with having to pretty much sculpt him from scratch?

04-20-2010, 06:23 PM	#26
turtlelife Random Punk Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 43	Lol, don't get down on yourself, we all have to start somewhere, and no matter what you're still learning. I've been customizing off and on for a couple years now and I'm always learning. And I know I am personally never done with any figure I've made. There are always ways for me to improve them with new paint jobs, better sculpting or new parts that become available. All that matters is that you are happy with what you made. I learned something from an art teacher long ago, she said, "Mistakes are just you finding something else to create". I've messed up so many heads and body parts, but all it does is make me try and figure something else to use it for. Even if it is something completely conceptual with no franchise behind it, 'cause I can't just waste it.

04-20-2010, 06:50 PM	#27
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	For my first time I don't think it is bad. I got everything painted except the eyes and the shell. I need to pick up white paint and a brown for the shell. It isn't the best but I'm happy with it. The goal for me was to make something that looked like a turtle, I did that. I'll try to get some pics up when my roommate gets home and I can use their camera.

04-20-2010, 11:37 PM	#28
turtlelife Random Punk Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 43	Hey as long as you're happy with your creation that's really all that matters. Just remember, you can only get better with practice and learning your own technique. I can't wait to see the pics of her, 'cause I'm really interested to see Power Girl turned into Venus. Oh and if you get a chance any comparison shots with NT:NM Venus and/or the NECA TMNT would be great. Eyes are my Achilles heel when it comes to customizing, so good luck with yours. I've never been able to draw eyes properly and I can't seem to sculpt or paint them properly either. I'm always seeing something wrong with eyes I make. If I try and carve out anymore of the eye on my Slash custom to make it look right to me, he'll be a cyclops. But I guess then I might be able to make Bellybomb

04-21-2010, 12:08 AM	#29
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	Still a work in progress

04-21-2010, 12:32 AM	#31
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	Is that a nice way of saying bad? It's my first one

04-21-2010, 12:48 AM	#32
turtlelife Random Punk Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 43	I see what you are going for with her, and since your story is human to mutant, I can also see why the more human aspects (such as the hands) might have stayed with her after mutation. Honestly I'm thinking though I might make a Mona Lisa out of the Power Girl now, the pic with her painted just green made me think of Mona Lisa. It's not a bad start at all man, and again as long as you are happy with what you made, that's what matters. You already made the front and back of her shell better than I could've when I started, so just keep practicing. And don't get discouraged, 'cause customizing can be a frustrating hobby.

04-21-2010, 01:10 AM	#33
Topsu Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 400	Backshell is hard to do with just sculpting, I once did a turtle out of clay and backshell didn't end up being too good. Plastron is turned out okay for a first custom, you'll learn sculpting cleaner as you do more. As for head, I would've made her more turtlelooking, but if you're going to more humanlook, that's okay. Custom is good when you like it yourself

04-21-2010, 08:02 AM	#34
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	Even though it is suppoused to be Venus it is her in my fan fic. Once it is up I think it might make more since why she retained more of her human looks. That and I thought a head might be to hard to sculpt my first go around

04-21-2010, 11:07 AM	#36
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	I saw a wrestler figure that looked just like how i would picture a real life Rocksteady looking like. It would just need a yellow wife better and pants molded onto him. The only problem is that I think he is to tall considering I always thought he would be shorter then Hun but taller then Bebop.

04-21-2010, 07:53 PM	#39
Cowabunga Carl Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,384	I need to go back and pick him up. I just saw him didn't look at the name which was stupid cause now if they don't have him I'm screwed

04-21-2010, 08:40 PM	#40
turtlelife Random Punk Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 43	Well explain him a little if you can I might be able to help you out with his name. When it comes to wrestling figures though, there are multiple versions made of almost every wrestler out there, so you don't have to worry about finding that exact one. In fact there may be a better version of him out there which would be shorter for you. Also if you go to Flea Markets and yard sales then you can easily find most wrestling figures for a dollar or two. That's the best way to find custom fodder from any mass produced toy line. If you check out Wrestlingfigs.com you should be able to find some bodies and heads you might be able to use. They have a huge database with pretty much every recent wrestling figure made there.