Concept artists and action figures

[ArtistDaniel_Ross]

Hey fellow concept artists,

Is anyone interested in making action figures? Here is a thread that will (hopefully) fully assist anyone who thought about doing it as a hobby, career, side-job, whatever.

I think this is a great way to get started.

Here we go...

I want a list of materials you use for your sculptures (clay, what kind of clay, brand, etc?, plaster, aluminum foil, etc.):

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Soon, I will provide a list of the top companies that make action figures (though some of them may seem obvious, it's important to have that info in this thread); any companies I miss, feel free to add any you think of or researched (including sources is suggested).

Then, we can help each other get there, "There" being whatever goal it is you have. Any other ideas you all have are appreciated.


Thanks, guys, for your time.

-Daniel Ross

[cryogenesis]

I've always wanted to make action figures. I'm in the process of making a ball-jointed doll right now, and plan on using some casts I've done to begin doing action figures. I've found magic sculpt works great. The first one(s) I'd like to do is one of Solid Snake (from the metal gear games), but as he looked as an action figure from a dream I had once. The other figure I wanted to do is Taki from the Soul Calibur games.

I've read a few articles about how toy prototyping is done, but found the whole process too arduous.

[ArtistDaniel_Ross]

Cool.
Feel free to go ahead and post some pics of your work. Doll-making, action figures...it's all okay with me. Solid Snake. I remember that game. hours of cut scenes. He sounds like a great start for this thread.

Welcome aboard, Cryogenesis!

[Killer Napkins]

actually that would be awesome... this thread should rock.. ive never done any jointed figures and kinda wonder how... sculpting is one thing that always interests me on how other people do it.. ive taken a couple workshops so i know some basic stuff.. and from smellybugs tutorials and stuff ive learned to sculpt... but this should be cool... ill keep checkin out this thread

[Snakeman]

I've read a few articles about how toy prototyping is done, but found the whole process too arduous.

I am making a maquette.
in a fixed position and am wondering how to make moving joints.

I'll have to stick to this thread, will be good.
is it possible to post some links to the article, or any other info relating to that, and toy prototyping?

[Fovos]

nice , since im getting back to my sculpting. cant wait for that list with the companies.

what i used till now, it was epoxy from AVES, and super sculpey. but recently i found, prosculpt polymer clay. i really like working with it. very easy to shape it, and it comes in different colors, translucent white, baby, fairy medium, caucasian medium and ethinc brown. im telling you hard to see my self going back to sculpey. it is little bit pricey i think but is worth it.
here is the web site

http://www.prosculpt.com/catalog.cfm/ProSculpt/

you can find it also on ebay little bit cheaper.

[ArtistDaniel_Ross]

According to the following link, these are the top 5 action figure (and in this list, collectible) companies:
http://actionfigures.about.com/od/creatingactionfigures/tp/Top-Current-Companies.htm
1.Sideshow Collectibles
2.NECA
3.Mezco
4.McFarlane Toys
5.Hasbro

God bless us.

[egerie]

Cool. I'm getting into sculpting again and starting with a Samurai Jack figure. Unfortunately, an action figure would be too much to undertake technicaly (moving joints as previously mentionned), but here's to hoping this thread would become a resource!

[Killer Napkins]

jsut curious.. about doing this as a career... how is it? like.. pretty competative decent pay and whatnot?

[cryogenesis]

I started working on the Taki (Soulcalibur) girl yesterday. I took pics of my process, but haven't uploaded them yet. Below are pictures of some ball joint dolls I made for my thesis. I'm extremely influenced by the asian ball joint doll phenomenon, so Taki will most likely be a ball joint doll, or "BJD". All three dolls were modded from one mold. The other stuff after them are random things I've done in the past, most of them not really posable.


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/Modelfullshot.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/Deitywithaltar.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/SBcloseshot.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/SBtightshottoright.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/AllDolls.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/wandandoverhat.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/good4.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/xenopherus/2.jpg

[Fovos]

1 more company with a really good name out there....gentle giant studios.

www.gentlegiantltd.com
www.gentlegiantstudios.com