1/6 Hot Toys - MMS610 - Back to the Future (1985) - Doc Brown Collectible Figure

[Chopper Face]

I think the best way to understand what you’re paying for with a custom paint job is to try to do one yourself- and try really hard to make it look at least passable- then compare your best efforts to what a custom artist can produce.

As with any art commission, it’s not just an outcome you’re paying for but the considerable time and focus it takes plus all the hours of trial and error required to develop the techniques and precision skills that came before, the research to acquire suitable reference material etc.
Then, as the artist becomes more known, demand for their work increases, their time and work become more valuable until they peak at a level that keeps them comfortably in work and profitable.
At least the materials are cheap.

 

[nm.ct]

I think the best way to understand what you’re paying for with a custom paint job is to try to do one yourself- and try really hard to make it look at least passable- then compare your best efforts to what a custom artist can produce.

As with any art commission, it’s not just an outcome you’re paying for but the considerable time and focus it takes plus all the hours of trial and error required to develop the techniques and precision skills that came before, the research to acquire suitable reference material etc.
Then, as the artist becomes more known, demand for their work increases, their time and work become more valuable until they peak at a level that keeps them comfortably in work and profitable.
At least the materials are cheap.

couldn’t have said it any better.

 

[Mike86]

I think the best way to understand what you’re paying for with a custom paint job is to try to do one yourself- and try really hard to make it look at least passable- then compare your best efforts to what a custom artist can produce.

As with any art commission, it’s not just an outcome you’re paying for but the considerable time and focus it takes plus all the hours of trial and error required to develop the techniques and precision skills that came before, the research to acquire suitable reference material etc.
Then, as the artist becomes more known, demand for their work increases, their time and work become more valuable until they peak at a level that keeps them comfortably in work and profitable.
At least the materials are cheap.

I think $200 for a paint job isn’t bad. Still a lot but I can see it. Just adding in the rooted hair at another $250 (at least from the person I was referenced) that seems like a lot to invest in one piece of a figure. Granted yes it’s an important piece but still it’s hard to justify paying twice the price of a full figure for just a sculpt.

But I also realize that the pieces aren’t mass manufactured like a full on figure from Hot Toys, Sideshow, or whoever.

 

[HAL9000.]

I think $200 for a paint job isn’t bad. Still a lot but I can see it. Just adding in the roofed hair at another $250 (at least from the person I was referenced) that it’s a lot to invest in one piece of a figure. Granted yes it’s an important piece but still it’s hard to justify paying twice the price of a full figure for just a sculpt.

But I also realize that the pieces aren’t mass manufactured like a full on figure from Hot Toys, Sideshow, or whoever.

I have some Rainman figures, and various other high-end custom ones too. I also have cheap knockoffs in my collection. It's really down to what you're willing to invest and how important accuracy is on a particular figure. I have a Dracula set worth around 5k, but that movie has meaning for me. Others aren't so important.

Like you, I have a threshold for this particular figure, and $450 is too much.

 

[Darth KirBayBey]

I know I have no clue when it comes to custom work but I could probably swing $450 if it was for the paint job and the rooting

 

[davejames]

So we have a deal here? Davejames will paint and hair in waves of 10 for 450 + shipping. Please provide the head. In order to help James to focus on his art. I will habdle the administrative part such as collecting payments, headsculpts etc. As I do this for free please understand that payments must be send as gift only. PM me for Paypal details. @davejames I come back to you when the first 10 are ready.

Ha, I needed a good laugh today guys. Thanks.

 

[Mike86]

In all honesty if I was paying anyone I would prefer it be a fellow board member. Just sayin haha.

 

[shells075]

Yeah, I cant see anything (custom wise) being offered for a lower price, you're basically paying for someone's time and talent, which will always come at a premium, personally I dont think it's too much money, some other custom work costs lots more. I cant help but think a company might get involved and make their own Doc sculpt at some point, but I'm not sure if I should hedge my bets on that happening.

 

[davejames]

Exactly. If I had your skill, davejames, I'd take on ten or twenty at once, line them up, and do one thing on them each day. Even if it took a month or two or three, it would still be worth it.

I suppose if I were to lose my job and needed some fast income, but right now my time is a lot more valuable and I've got about a thousand other figure mods and repaints and model kits, etc that I want to get started on before I die. Lol

 

[HAL9000.]

I suppose if I were to lose my job and needed some fast income, but right now my time is a lot more valuable and I've got about a thousand other figure mods and repaints and model kits, etc that I want to get started on before I die. Lol

Me too. I'd have to charge 1k each to cover the lost time. Says the guy sat at a keboard talking on here most days. You've already made it clear you're not doing more. Take it as lots of compliments for what you've achieved with yours.

 

[choombaz]

Wow, maybe I should consider doing commissions after all! Lol

Only problem is I know I'd go out of my mind repainting the same head again and again. Just getting through it once is a struggle for me, so don't know how these guys are able to pump out so many.

They probably have a team in the back earning $5 a hour. Just like HT lol.

I think Im going to hide my Doc in the DeLorean or I might pose him, with him holding his clip board over his face. Maybe a mass produced Doc sculpt might materialise in the future.

I’ve always had my doc with his sunglasses on.

 

[Darth KirBayBey]

So how many are getting Dean's head sculpt with sculpted hair over the one without? I'm really torn between the two. I know nothing about rooting hair but it looks so good with it. I might just go the cheaper route and get the one with sculpted hair to save on cost

 

[Mike86]

So how many are getting Dean's head sculpt with sculpted hair over the one without? I'm really torn between the two. I know nothing about rooting hair but it looks so good with it. I might just go the cheaper route and get the one with sculpted hair to save on cost

If I was to get one I think I’d go for the one without and try and get rooted hair. Really seems to suit Doc.

 

[Darth KirBayBey]

If I was to get one I think I’d go for the one without and try and get rooted hair. Really seems to suit Doc.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. What hair would be the best to use?

 

[Mike86]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. What hair would be the best to use?

No idea. Again I’m not really into the custom scene at all. This would be my first foray and I’m debating if I want to sink that much money into one figure. My fiancée did make a comment that the sculpt looks weird and too young.

 

[epateddy]

Has anyone had success posing this figure without a base and crotch grabber? Don't love the look of those things but there is something about the feet on this figure where they won't sit flat to the shelf. It tips forward or backwards no matter how you set the legs and feet.

 

[Hologram AI]

There's one painter who is very popular and booked up a year in advance, even though I think the applications are a bit heavy-handed for my personal taste, and he gets $450+

$450 is on the extreme higher end if you’re only getting the sculpt painted. Rooted + painted is a different thing.

I’m getting my Doc painted by someone who’s extremely good but for $300. There are multiple good artists I’ve spoke to that have quoted $100-$200 to get Doc painted.

 

[ebor]

I have not seen Skiman post in years. He was doing commission paints (and sculpts!) he was reasonable and talented. My repaint of my SS Obi Wan remains one of my favourite figures in my collection. I miss him. I hope he and his family are doing good.

 

[pixletwin]

I have not seen Skiman post in years. He was doing commission paints (and sculpts!) he was reasonable and talented. My repaint of my SS Obi Wan remains one of my favourite figures in my collection. I miss him. I hope he and his family are doing good.

He is good. He is still doing sculpts but has left painting behind… which gave me a sadz.

 

[surforia]

I'd be in with a group for the $450 paint + hair on the bald Doc sculpt.