Admiral Piett 12" Official IMAGE THREAD

[Deak Starkiller]

I don't know, I know when I look at the portrait, for me what's missing in certain lighting is his face almost looks healthy and normal, and I've got Piett burnt in my mind as always looking sickly. Any lighting that really brings out the bags around his eyes and defines the eyelids more really brings out that sickly look. Maybe it's more a matter of a paint job that would define those areas under light that doesn't. The head is pretty flat as far as the flesh, the same tone all over, a little darker her or lighter there could help out. Real people have uneven skintones.

I do fine Piett's one of the best figures of late, paint's nice and clean, costume looks great, body choice was right for the character. Between Han in Carbonite, Vader and now Piett, I've been adding some great stuff from Sideshow this summer.

I see what you mean about looking...sick. I think if SSC utilized some of the skin texture techniques that HT uses then I think this figure would've benefited greatly from it. Maybe put it over the top, instead of the smooth skin of the final product. And I need me a Han in Carbonite...my Jabba needs him.

 

[MaulFan]

And I need me a Han in Carbonite...my Jabba needs him.

I would say go for it, but I think you really have to desire the piece, if you really want it, it won't dissappoint, but it seems like some people who are iffy aren't wowed as much as they expected when they get it.

As for Piett, I don't think texturing would make a difference, but variable paint would help.

I'll use HT's John Connor as example, notice how there's darker and lighter and redder tones to the skin, ignoring the textural quality, there's just a simple variation.

Now if Piett were painted similarly, having darker tones around his eye sockets and paler outside, and maybe some highlights to the wrinkles around his eyes, that sickly look would probably shine better, but the monotone look forces the need for light and shadow to show that stuff off, and in some lighting, it doesn't come through as much as others. Photos where the baggy, sickly look comes through, he looks like Piett, photos where he looks to have a healthier face, he looks like someone else. Even in hand, the lighting rule applies, I look at him in some spots in my room or daylight versus house lights, and he can look totally dead on, and others not so much.

I find that with portraits smaller than say 1/2 scale, there's almost an art to how they're painted even down to mixes of flesh color, that can really help the sculpt work shine, and it's not a cookie cutter process either, it really seems like each portrait needs to be handled in ways that are best for that one. You wouldn't paint a Piett like and Old Ben for example, each face would require different methods to bring about the defining features.

 

[thenammagazine]

I would say go for it, but I think you really have to desire the piece, if you really want it, it won't dissappoint, but it seems like some people who are iffy aren't wowed as much as they expected when they get it.

As for Piett, I don't think texturing would make a difference, but variable paint would help.

I'll use HT's John Connor as example, notice how there's darker and lighter and redder tones to the skin, ignoring the textural quality, there's just a simple variation.

That would be great, but remember, there's a 60% increase in price between Sideshow's Piett and Connor. It's natural to expect better quality when paying more. What we received, for what we paid, was well worth it. It's not fair to compare Sideshow's stuff to HotToys, unless the price is equal.

 

[MaulFan]

I'm not trying to compare Hot Toys and Sideshow, just explaining things that can help bringing out likeness and sculpture in a portrait.

 

[pixletwin]

You were saying if Sideshow used a variable paint app (and you used a HT fig as an example) it would bring the likeness out. I would say you most certainly were comparing hot toys to Sideshow.

 

[MaulFan]

Fine, you guys win again, I'm an ^^^^^^^, blah blah blah.

 

[pixletwin]

no. I am just not sure why you feel the need to contradict everything nam posts is all. Even when he is spot on.

 

[thenammagazine]

Fine, you guys win again, I'm an ^^^^^^^, blah blah blah.

That's not what I was saying at all. What I'm saying is expecting Sideshow to employ techniques used on a figure that retails at a 60% higher MSRP than their own, is like expecting Hundai to toss a Hemi into their cars but still charge the same. As it is, Piett is a quality improvement over what we've received in the past from them, at this same price point. You should be acknowledging that instead of suggesting they jump through the higher, smaller hoops of a more expensive product.

 

[MaulFan]

He's not spot on, and how can he be spot on to my point, he's not me.

I was just discussing variation in skin tone and how it can help portraits and off the top of my head I knew of the photo of the John Connor to give visual explanation of my point. Could have been a Medicom, BBI, Dragon, any figure, I only used a visual that I knew of to demonstrate my point. I'm not comparing comanies, I'm simply saying that variation of the skin tones within a portrait can help boost it.

 

[thenammagazine]

He's not spot on, and how can he be spot on to my point, he's not me.

I was just discussing variation in skin tone and how it can help portraits and off the top of my head I knew of the photo of the John Connor to give visual explanation of my point. Could have been a Medicom, BBI, Dragon, any figure, I only used a visual that I knew of to demonstrate my point. I'm not comparing comanies, I'm simply saying that variation of the skin tones within a portrait can help boost it.

I just realized something... I think it might've been in the obi thread, or even here, you were also stating that they should go with the unpainted heads, "like HotToys does," using, if I recall correctly, both CloneObi and Gandalf as examples.

 

[MaulFan]

I just realized something... I think it might've been in the obi thread, or even here, you were also stating that they should go with the unpainted heads, "like HotToys does," using, if I recall correctly, both CloneObi and Gandalf as examples.

I did, for a finish, and I still feel that way, cast heads look more like skin than the painted ones from Sideshow.

Overall, the cast heads look more realistic than the painted ones, but variation in the skin tone would help bring some of the sculptural details.

Of the two, I'd rather the new cast style to the old painted way, I was just discussing ways portraits that don't always shine for the likeness they're supposed to represent could be better presented.

 

[thenammagazine]

I did, for a finish, and I still feel that way, cast heads look more like skin than the painted ones from Sideshow.

Overall, the cast heads look more realistic than the painted ones, but variation in the skin tone would help bring some of the sculptural details.

Of the two, I'd rather the new cast style to the old painted way, I was just discussing ways portraits that don't always shine for the likeness they're supposed to represent could be better presented.

And all I'm saying is that your suggestion, bolded above, is rightfully expected on a fully painted head (Sideshow's old way) or HT's 60% more expensive head. Indy is a good example of what happens when they try that. Most weren't satisfied with that result. What Sideshow is doing now, is well within the range they're charging for the figures, and the finished head looks remarkable. I don't feel ripped off in the slightest. And for those who do, he should be an easy pass.

If it bugs you that much, five minutes with a $0.99 piece of pastel chalk and some clearcoat should make you happy.

 

[MaulFan]

And the point I'm trying to make is I'm not trying to say Sideshow should be doing what HT's doing or that I'm dissatisfied with the Piett figure.

We've been having an ongoing discussion about seeing likeness in the Piett portrait and sharing ideas on why it seems iffy at times, yadi yadi yada, and one observation I've had is that lighting showing off the "sickly" forms to his face really helps with spotting the likeness and I was just tossing out the idea that something like varied skin tones could compensate for lighting that doesn't do the job. I'm not saying what should be done or what I wish was done, simply sharing a thought I had regarding the issue being discussed.

 

[thenammagazine]

And the point I'm trying to make is I'm not trying to say Sideshow should be doing what HT's doing or that I'm dissatisfied with the Piett figure.

We've been having an ongoing discussion about seeing likeness in the Piett portrait and sharing ideas on why it seems iffy at times, yadi yadi yada, and one observation I've had is that lighting showing off the "sickly" forms to his face really helps with spotting the likeness and I was just tossing out the idea that something like varied skin tones could compensate for lighting that doesn't do the job. I'm not saying what should be done or what I wish was done, simply sharing a thought I had regarding the issue being discussed.

But that seems more like a display issue to me. Personally, I see the likeness. I'd rather they leave it up to the consumer how to light and display the product, than make the decision on how we should be displaying our figures, sticking us with only limited options because of paint aps. That's also one of the reasons why I hate "looking" eye paint aps. It severely hinders the display options. I'm sure you can appreciate that.

 

[pixletwin]

But that seems more like a display issue to me. Personally, I see the likeness. I'd rather they leave it up to the consumer how to light and display the product, than make the decision on how we should be displaying our figures, sticking us with only limited options because of paint aps. That's also one of the reasons why I hate "looking" eye paint aps. It severely hinders the display options. I'm sure you can appreciate that.

You have pretty much summed up why the doll dot is so annoying.

 

[MaulFan]

That's also one of the reasons why I hate "looking" eye paint aps. It severely hinders the display options. I'm sure you can appreciate that.

I hate those too, I'd like ANH Leia and Illum Padme much more if they didn't have that.

As for the skin paint, I'm not talking about anything extreme to creat fake shadows of sorts, just a variation of tones that mimics how real skin acts and subtle highlighting of lines and things. Little things that would boost the sculpt but not be limiting.

Here's an example from Small Studios, some small, natural color variations in places help to make some of the forms show up better, like the left nostril would probably blend more into the bridge of the nose and not have that defining ridge show between them, but that touch of red there helps it so even well little, it shows. With some faces, those little details showing up help the whole package look right and seeing them washed out can alter perception.

 

[thenammagazine]

You have pretty much summed up why the doll dot is so annoying.

Why are you still pining over that like an ex?! It's gone. We saw that it's gone. You should be skipping naked through a field of pansies, rejoicing that it's gone.

I hate those too, I'd like ANH Leia and Illum Padme much more if they didn't have that.

As for the skin paint, I'm not talking about anything extreme to creat fake shadows of sorts, just a variation of tones that mimics how real skin acts and subtle highlighting of lines and things. Little things that would boost the sculpt but not be limiting.

Here's an example from Small Studios, some small, natural color variations in places help to make some of the forms show up better, like the left nostril would probably blend more into the bridge of the nose and not have that defining ridge show between them, but that touch of red there helps it so even well little, it shows. With some faces, those little details showing up help the whole package look right and seeing them washed out can alter perception.

Again, you're expecting a Hemi in a Hundai. Can you produce a great example in the price range of Sideshow's products? That'd add more weight to your argument. Instead all we've seen is a HotToys headsculpt and a custom repaint.

 

[MaulFan]

You have pretty much summed up why the doll dot is so annoying.

Hey, no monkey, we may have victory with that cause, all hope rests on KOTCS Indy.

 

[MaulFan]

You should be skipping naked through a field of pansies, rejoicing that it's gone.

Can't blame him just yet, should be hopeful, but just because the prototype guys seem to have heard our cries, the message may not have gotten to those factory workers, after hundreds of figures, it wouldn't surprise me if they put it there out of habbit

 

[galactiboy]

I too would like to see a little more variation in Sideshow's skin Tones. Gandalf (to me) looked great with the touches of red. I'm down with the cast-in-color as a base... but a little more work needs to be added so they don't end up looking so flat.