1:6 Scale Sideshow Old Ben Kenobi

[Buttmunch]

I did consider doing that, (asking the Sideshow gang) I'll have to see if I can dig up any info. If any one sculptor starts it, everyone will have to do so, for consistency, so It would have to be fairly painless to get a handle on

And I'm thrilled you love your Ben figure! It's true that people are very demanding in the level of quality they want from a sculpt, and so we sometimes get some pretty critical comments, but I feel a lot of positive vibes from you guys and others. especially when people are only getting to view the pieces in photos. Thanks for that.

Trev

PS-I can't believe you can fit him into so many scenes, Sean...it really rocks!

I think one thing that keep most of us in check is that you and your fellow sculptors do post or watch here. Most of us, I think, are then more prone to say what the flaws to a sculpt are rather than just "it sucks." Plus when you guys show us photos of the raw sculpt (for example your Han), you can truely show what you sculpted and not just what comes from a bad photo of the painted prototype. So thanks for putting up with us, and keeping us in check with your insight. I really consider it special when we can directly communicate with the people that bring us these awesome collectibles. You just can't do that with most companies.

And I see what you mean that if one of you starts with the new skin texturing, the rest would have to as well for consistancey. It may work better for a new line without anything in it yet, than an already established line like Star Wars. Perhaps some experiementing could be done with the Dead for instance. If it works, it works. If not, we get a zombie with an interesting looking skin disease

 

[Grange Wallis]

Those pictures are amazing sean, I can see why I haven't seen you post for awhile, you've clearly been busy! Can't wait for old Ben!

 

[Puay]

They have picked up some skilled sculptors of late, but one thing I like about the sculpts from guys like you, Andy B. Tim Miller, Oluf, etc., is that you guys somehow manage to add subtle bits of life to your sculpts. I have Hot Toys Rambos and POTC figures with their newer sculpts, and the likenesses are superb, but there's no life to portraits, they're almost zombie-like, but having a feeling like they could come to life, like Sideshow delivers, is all the more better.

You are right MaulFan. Since the release of Jedi Luke, all head sculpts in this line have facial expressions. I especially like Kit Fisto showing his teeth. That's what make SSC so special.

With all the images seen here, can't wait for my Old Ben to arrive.

 

[nash]

You are right MaulFan. Since the release of Jedi Luke, all head sculpts in this line have facial expressions. I especially like Kit Fisto showing his teeth. That's what make SSC so special.

What happened to Darth Maul, Bespin Luke, Boushh Leia, Yavin Luke ?

 

[MaulFan]

What happened to Darth Maul, Bespin Luke, Boushh Leia, Yavin Luke ?

Darth Maul had no expression for most of his screen time or is overly expressive compared to 1/6 figure standards in the rest of his screen time. Bespin Luke is one of a few lifeless portraits. Boushh Leia strikes me as having subtle emotion, and Yavin Luke is subtly smiling and showing the content he did on screen.

 

[nash]

Darth Maul had no expression for most of his screen time or is overly expressive compared to 1/6 figure standards in the rest of his screen time. Bespin Luke is one of a few lifeless portraits. Boushh Leia strikes me as having subtle emotion, and Yavin Luke is subtly smiling and showing the content he did on screen.

I dont buy it. they look expressionless and zombie like to me.

 

[MaulFan]

Well, everyone sees what they want. I see expression in most of the SSC portraits so I made my comment that I like that. If people don't see it no biggy, but I've never seen life in Medicom's or most HT sculpts.

 

[IrishJedi]

Sideshow has released some amazing, life-like sculpts (like ANH Obi-Wan), but I gotta admit that there is much more "life" in Medicom's Maul portrait than in SSC's, which just looks stoned in comparison.

Bespin Luke suffers from subpar paint apps and Yavin Luke is just a complete dud to me. I don't understand the hate on Leia Boushh, though. That's still one of the better 1/6 SW head sculpts ever, imho.

 

[MaulFan]

Well, I think the stoned effect of Sideshow's Maul lies in the paint of the eyes, not the sculpt, and when I said Sideshow has some very lifelike portraits I was referring to sculpt because paint can totally lose that and the failed result falls upon the paint apps, but the foundation of the figure in the sculpt is usually well executed, especially ones by the 4 sculptors I mentioned. With the right paint, I think Sideshow's Maul and Medicom's wouldn't look all that different in expression, and if I ever get around to finishing my repaint, hopefully it'll show.

 

[IrishJedi]

Well, I think the stoned effect of Sideshow's Maul lies in the paint of the eyes, not the sculpt, and when I said Sideshow has some very lifelike portraits I was referring to sculpt because paint can totally lose that and the failed result falls upon the paint apps, but the foundation of the figure in the sculpt is usually well executed, especially ones by the 4 sculptors I mentioned. With the right paint, I think Sideshow's Maul and Medicom's wouldn't look all that different in expression, and if I ever get around to finishing my repaint, hopefully it'll show.

That's a very good point. Often times an inferior or just plain bad paint app can lead to people blasting what is otherwise a solid sculpt (look no further than the initial pics of ANH Han for a recent example of this).

Sideshow QC really needs to step it up when it comes to factory paint apps in production. If this Obi-Wan figure is an example of what's to come in the future, it looks like they have.

 

[pixletwin]

If SS were just consistent with great paint apps and upgraded their base bodies the world would sing in perfect harmony and we could all enjoy a coke.

 

[MaulFan]

Sideshow QC really needs to step it up when it comes to factory paint apps in production. If this Obi-Wan figure is an example of what's to come in the future, it looks like they have.

Exactly, and it's a point I've been pushing in here since I got Ben. Yes, Trev knocked the sculpt out of the park, great. In the end though, it could easily have been big woop if the paint sucked, and with as many pieces I get, I need good factory paint and can't afford custom jobs on everything. Not only was Ben sculpted great, but the execution of paints on him was very well done. The eyes (though the white dot will always ruin them a bit) are stunning, very well done and life like. That's what it takes for a great figure, for all the elements to be working for it and we've seen plenty of figures where so much was right but an element hurt the figure enough to take away from it. From the neck down, Faramir was a stunning figure from the factory, but the quality of his portrait ruined the overall perception of the piece. Ben has good sculpt, paint, and accessories, everything was done right, so he stands out.

 

[IrishJedi]

If SS were just consistent with great paint apps and upgraded their base bodies the world would sing in perfect harmony and we could all enjoy a coke.

I agree with everything except the Coke part.

But, indeed, if they call pull that off everything would be :chew

 

[MaulFan]

and we could all enjoy a coke.

All I can think of is an Eddie Murphy bit talking about getting chastised by Bill Cosby and telling the story to Richard Pryor and Pryor commenting "...tell Bill I said have a Coke and a smile and shut the f%&$ up."

 

[The Josh]

Well, everyone sees what they want. I see expression in most of the SSC portraits so I made my comment that I like that. If people don't see it no biggy, but I've never seen life in Medicom's or most HT sculpts.

I'm with ya I see expression in most of the SS sculpts I have with the exception of a few. I'm not asking anyone to see the same life or buy so take what I say as just that my POV.

Sideshow has released some amazing, life-like sculpts (like ANH Obi-Wan), but I gotta admit that there is much more "life" in Medicom's Maul portrait than in SSC's, which just looks stoned in comparison.

Bespin Luke suffers from subpar paint apps and Yavin Luke is just a complete dud to me. I don't understand the hate on Leia Boushh, though. That's still one of the better 1/6 SW head sculpts ever, imho.

I don't see a stoned expression in SS Maul but its not the same type as what Medicom did. Bespin Luke suffering from subpar paint aps? WTF? I've got two and they're perfect. Now, Yavin Luke sucks as far as paint aps go.

 

[pixletwin]

My Maul looks like he is seething with rage. No stoner look here. :maul

 

[OSCORP]

I agree on bespin luke thats why i'm selling him( i knew i shoulda went with my gut when i saw the first pics)But i bought the hype..ROTJ luke is much better IMO.(monkey arms and all)

 

[pixletwin]

I agree on bespin luke thats why i'm selling him( i knew i shoulda went with my gut when i saw the first pics)But i bought the hype..ROTJ luke is much better IMO.(monkey arms and all)

Like I said in Venny's thread, Bespin Luke is OK but Jedi Luke is a classic.

 

[IrishJedi]

It's really the eyes on Bespin Luke that throws the paint app off, imho.

And will you guys send your Mauls to come kick mine's ass?

 

[MaulFan]

The apps on the Bespin Luke could be more life-like in the eyes as Ben's look, but I also think the sculpt is fairly static too, so it requires even more from the paint to bring it to life. It's a give and take relationship. Sometimes, stellar sculpting saves so-so paint and sometimes stellar paint saves so-so sculpting.

Old Ben Kenobi