Two Siths of a feather, flock together...

Hey peoples!

Below are featured two customs relating to the ancient Sith religion. Different degrees of completion, one has begun to be painted while the other is in it's early stages of sculpting.

Darth Sion is an ancient Sith Lord originating from the early days of the Old Republic, thousands of years before the Yavin battle. Sion is the Lord of Pain...and his body represents his agony and devotion to the dark side power...any other being would die from such trauma...Sion chooses to live in the torment and gain strength from the Dark Side.

This version of Darth Sion is seen from the character skins found in the video game The Force Unleashed. If you are familiar, you know just how awesome his character is...for those who don't, I suggest you go to youtube and look up Sion in the Force Unleashed to see what I'm talking about...When I saw this version I blew me away...exactly how I pictured Sion to be...almost zombie like, with and "undead" color scheme and lifeless expression. After seeing that, this is what I came up with...

Sion's sculpt has been completed and a coat of gray acrylic has been applied. I use Testors Floyqil acrylics - tried using enamels back in the day but not a fan in terms of customizing figures. So far I'm about mid way of completing the paint application on Sion and am very pleased! Hope to post some completed images next moth...perfect for October spookiness!!!

Next is a custom I have been tooling around with for a very long time...this is a possible beginning to an "Ultimate" Darth Vader which would include removable head gear, battle damaged armor and armor "variants" which is the different armor versions from all three films. Presently I am working on an Empire Strikes Back version of the Sith Lord. As far as articulation goes, I hope to give him as much as I can without hurting the feel of the sculpt. I have in mind an alternate lower torso and legs which would allow him to sit in his meditation chamber...a custom dio I am also presently tooling with. Enjoy the pics...

So you see, I'm very early on with this custom...

The body has original parts being used from the Legacy version of Vader by Hasbro, along with some major sculpt work.

Shoulder armor is sculpted and is a removable piece (ESB version)

The head sculpt is a two-part face plate and helmet - The face plate is a modified version of Gentle Giant's bust up version, while the helmet is an original sculpt.

Breathing controls and belt also from the bust up and will be repainted...

So this piece isn't going to be a complete sculpt...I'm having a little help from my friends so to speak. Hey...if the parts work, why change them!!

If you haven't seen any of my other updates I have posted on custom boards, you can see them always on my Flickr page...

http://flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/

Enjoy the updates - I will have more finished work to show you on my next post.

Take care!

sith_fire30

How to sculpt a snake...Metal Gear Solid Custom Work

I've taken a hiatus from customizing for a number of weeks to celebrate the birth of my new nephew...but back again to revisit some of my older work that I have yet to complete. A subject of work that isn't Star Wars related that i have taken a keen interest in is Metal gear...mainly centering around the periods of MGS, MGS: Snake Eater and MGS4.

Below are some images of my custom work relating to Metal Gear, most of which have not been worked on since the photos were taken...about a year ago! I'd say it's about time to get to work!

Some finished painted head sculpts of Named Snake, Snake (Zombie) and Big Boss - All of which has a special removable accessory - a cigar!

Above is Gray Fox, also called the Cybrog Ninja - Heard he may have a role in the next Metal Gear. This custom will incude an alternate head sculpt and an alternate arm both seen in the above photos. I'm using a microman figure as the base.

From the Metal Gear: Guns of the Patriots universe comes Raiden. Sculpted on a Microman body, this character will require an emense amount of detail. I may have to forego the clear shoulder armour in exchange for articulation - I haven't decided yet. I really look forward to working again on this piece :)

Vamp from MGS4 - First things frist - I'm loosing the hands...just don't like them for this sculpt. Secondly I plan on extending the waist line a bit. I've actually began working on his legs and feet but haven't had a chance to photograph my progress - perhaps in a furture blog entry :)

Next is "Old Snake" from MGS4 - Sculpt is coming along fine but I am still struggling with the questions...Should I sacrifice detail for articlulation? Snake is an action hero...but it's the outfit that makes the character...anyway, as you can see, his ammo packs are coming along nicely - have started on the legs...but again, not photographed as of yet. I am happy with the head sculpt and paint work so far...

Johnathan from MGS4 - Quite a ways to go with this character. Suffice to say that there's many parts of this sculpt that will be getting a workover - for instance the arms and hands - out of proportion with the upper torso. The head sculpt is complete and I think the legs are coming along, I will have to sculpt larger jump boots.

The PMC troops from MGS4 - I'm actually doing 4 of these guys...a Grunt, Sniper Unit (2) and another I have't decided yet. Detail again is a MUST - Head sculpt for two of the soldiers are complete and will be interchangeable. I'm actually using the camera that is included in the game to take reference shots to use for my sculpt work! Your a great photographer Snake!

Speaking of Snake - I have NEW IMAGES one sculpt that is complete and has had it's first base paint applied. Snake from Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater will have an assortment of different head sculpts, camo options (just the head sculpt not the body) and weapons. Below is an image of the completed sculpt - the upper body will be removable to fit a shirtless torso still in the works! I am also working on the "Crocodile Disguise" head dress as an altternate accessory :) Enjoy!

I have pleanty more Metal Gear in the works - Raven, Liquid and more are planned. I'll have another update much sooner than this one promise! Thanks for looking!

These and more images can be found at my Flickr Photostream...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/

New Scale, New Challenges - Terminator Salvation T-600 Endoskeleton

I've always intended to work on larger scale custom figures...it's been several years now but nothing had struck my interest enough to go forward...that is until I witnessed this massive beast of machinery that was introduced at last years comic con for the movie Terminator Salavtion. Now say what you will about the movie - plot holes, corney ending, whatever - you have to admit, this machine rocked! The machine I'm speaking of is the T-600 endoskeleton - and after about a month of work invested into this custom piece, I am asking myself....WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! This is no custom picnic! This guy will probably be the most challenging piece I have ever worked on...but challenging is the magic word and is the reason why I am very enthusiastic about completing not one, but two of these massive machines.

The figure will be inscale to that of the NECA T800/Terminator 2 figures recently released. Actually, I am using a dismantled NECA T-800 as the base work for the figure - casting each piece then manipulating the parts to fit the size and framework of the T-600 which, when finished, should be roughly 1.5" taller than the T-800 endoskeleton figure....and much more massive. I will be casting each new piece created for the T-600 in order to create a second...or even thrid version of the machine.

The first set of images below is work in progress of the T-600 Skull - Sculpted in Aves FIXIT, it is definately a must for using a magnifier! Want your eyes to cross, try doing this work without one LOL !

Now onto the torso - Each piece is being resized and resculpted so it's a major undertaking! Pictured below is the WIP of the skull, neck and torso. I hope when I complete the neck and make a cast from it, I will be able to segment the pieces and create a "bendy" spinal column leading from the skull to the torso :) The chest plate and back still have a lot of work to be done. Then will come the arms and legs...that's a while off.

Finally a shot of the finished T-600 skull primed with a dark gray acrylic paint. I'll probably finish the paint application to the skull before moving on with the torso. Hope you enjoy the pics!

As always - More images of the above T-600 WIP can be seen on my Flikr Photostream at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/sets/72157620907730403/

Works in Progress...Part 2

Hey guys! Sorry for taking a bit more time than expected for my next update - Anyway I have more WIP images to present to you, starting with a few female sculpts that I have been working on now for the last month or so...all characters from the Star Wars Universe of course...

Jedi Aayla Secura, Jedi Sian Jeisel and Mika, a farghul bounty hunter

The female form is definately the most difficult to sculpt - you have to find a balance for everything...proportion is the key. Legs can be too long, breasts can be too big (wa wa wi wa!) or the body can resemble that of a "thin man" than that of a full figured woman. I'm still learning and I feel I've gained much knowledge since my first female custom - I use to avoid working on female forms...not anymore! :)

More pics of the ladies featured above can be found in my WIP set at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/sets/72157617639615411/

Next, the Dark Times.....

Dass Jennir and h2 from Star Wars Dark Times comic

Once I saw the cover to Dark Times Issue 13 (seen above) with Jennir riding into port looking mysterious and determined, I was inspired....and sometimes an image is all that is needed to get me moving on my next custom....above you see some early WIP stages of these characters...below are more recent images of their progress....

H2's torso was created using a clear top from the cap of salon spray for the base, then sculpting an attaching details where needed. The front plate isn't sculpted, but is a dremeld down piece from the many "Build-A-Droid" parts I have laying around, then heated so that it would fit the smaller curved surface of the torso H2 possesses The body's diameter had to be smaller than that of a usuall astromech droid..plus the insides are hollow which makes the sculpt lighter and gives the ability to create the working navigational fins and allows for a connection to a clear acrylic stand so that H2 may appear to be hovering about.

More pics of Jennir and his unfavored companion can be found in my WIP set at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/sets/72157617639615411/

This Blog entry is going to become a mile long so let me wrap up with letting you know that I will be featuring some NON-STAR WARS customs on my next update...including my first 7" scale custom!

Hope you guys enjoyed the pics - much more can be found at my WIP set over at Flickr - the link is above.

Talk to ya later!

sith_fire30

Works in Progress...Part One

Happy Memorial day to everyone! Take time this weekend to remember all those brave men and women whose ultimate sacrifice has given us the our freedoms.

I've got plenty of works in progress to update you all on - so much so that I have broken it up into two parts....possibly three...

To those of you that are not familiar with my custom work, I sculpt within the 1:18 scale - roughly equivalent to the 3.75" Star Wars/GI Joe figures Hasbro produces. "Roughly" because I use the scale originally taken by Kenner's POTF line back in the early 90's when the Star Wars figure line was being rejuvinated....and it seems that scale has reduced over the years but I've tried to remain consistent.

I began working with Super Sculpty but quickly turned to AVES FIXIT sculpt and have been hooked ever sence. FIXIT has a limited work time...about 4 hours...afterwhich the mixture begins to cure and limits the workability. For this reason, I work in small amounts at a time...piece by piece..so that I can get the most detail without being rushed. Because of this, I work with many...and I mean many subjects at one time...each at it's own pace with it's own challenges. This keeps me interetsed in my work and helps stimulate my creativity without the worry of burnout or bordom.

Alright..ENOUGH! On with some of my Works in Progress..

Jedi K'Kruhk from Dark Times...WIP

Harll from Star Wars Republic..(yes, I spelled it wrong in the image...sue me LOL! )

Choka Skell Yuuzhan Vong Warrior from Star Wars Legacy - Early WIP...

and finally for part one...a parting shot if you will...from my Deliah Blue WIP...

She's still got a lot of work to be done! The head sculpt has to be redone and the joint work is being updated...but this shot was just too cool to pass up!

Stay tunes for more WIP next week- as always, more images of the customs you see here are available on my Flickr photostream...check it out!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/sets/72157617639615411/

I will be adding additional commentary to my WIP images on Flickr so be sure to check that out as well.

Thanks for your continued interest in my work! Comments and suggestions are always appreicated!