InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Gandalf 1:6

[BrooklynWolf X]

@Spiln3r not in term of the realism. Because the figure really looks like a real human being.


I think what bothers me the most is that Inart created an idealized Gandalf.

Honestly, I think you have it reversed where Asmus’ version is idealized. When i look at Asmus’ PROTO, everything looks symmetrical. Like...he’s “handsome” (in an old wizard kind of way). InArt’s version seems to have captured the asymmetry of Ian’s face as well as “imperfections”. That’s why I literally gasped when I laid eyes on IA’s proto, I couldn’t believe how life like it looked.

Bare with me, this is gonna be long:







Now looks at Asmus’ proto:





Not one of these proto pics looks ANYTHING like the stills from the movie...but why do we “see” Gandalf/Ian?

Because Asmus captured the essence of him and made him look “handsome” and “cool”.

THAT’S what we were sold on.

Now we have IA’s version, that ISN’T idealized and actually looks like the images on top.

So...we need to ask ourselves here, are we judging these figures based off of what we see in our memory?

IA’s proto is clearly more accurate and less idealized, which is what I’ve always wanted in a portrait. one of the annoying things I have tolerated with HT sculpts is the constant idealizing of the actors faces. I don’t want the sculptors interpretation of the character, give me what I see on screen.

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

Further more:

As RRX has expressed, even the beard on IA’s looks more accurate. Asmus’ beard is, once again, idealized. Perfect, smooth, Not frizzy.

So I don’t get the critiques. Which leads me to think:

Are some people trying to talk themselves out of POing this? If so, I totally understand. The GD figure isn’t cheap!

If that is the case, it’s ok to just come out and say “nope, I’m officially priced out”.

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

Beard is more like this in LOTR right. View attachment 577942

This is the closest comparison I can find.

I think some here need to see the movies again =)

 

[dantes2501]

Many people have already pointed out the bridge of the nose is too narrow and the mouth is too small. As someone posted above they even admitted the prototype was rushed and acknowledged some of the imperfections. At this price point everyone is allowed to be critical or voice their concerns.

Agreed, that's exactly what I said. Even I can see there's room for improvement, especially on the nose shape (bridge and nostrils), and at this pricepoint everyone is surely legitimate to point that out. But I honestly can't condone someone that says that the sculpt doesn't look like Ian McKellen at all!

 

[R_R_X]

Further more:

As RRX has expressed, even the beard on IA’s looks more accurate. Asmus’ beard is, once again, idealized. Perfect, smooth, Not frizzy.

So I don’t get the critiques. Which leads me to think:

Are some people trying to talk themselves out of POing this? If so, I totally understand. The GD figure isn’t cheap!

If that is the case, it’s ok to just come out and say “nope, I’m officially priced out”.

QS/IA's beard is more realistic and better looking but it definitely needs to be groomed a little bit, trimming the edges to make it more pointy and trimming the hair around the moustache/mouth area would really improve the likeness, as far as people trying to find reasons to not PO I think they just want this to be absolutely perfect at the $500 price point and there's no gurantee the final product will reach the level of the prototype so they might not want to lose a bigger deposit than usual if this doesn't turn out the way they want.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Does anyone without the Asmus Crown Gandalf prefer the Asmus Crown Gandalf...?

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

QS/IA's beard is more realistic and better looking but it definitely needs to be groomed a little bit, trimming the edges to make it more pointy and trimming the hair around the moustache/mouth area would really improve the likeness, as far as people trying to find reasons to not PO I think they just want this to be absolutely perfect at the $500 price point and there's no gurantee the final product will reach the level of the prototype so they might not want to lose a bigger deposit than usual if this doesn't turn out the way they want.

Well yeah that too, for the price it better look FLAWLESS haha.

But at this moment, I think some of the criticisms are a bit...exaggerated.

 

[Hologram AI]

Inart is definitely aiming more for the Mines of Moria look than his early Fellowship look.

View attachment 577951



Does anyone without the Asmus Crown Gandalf prefer the Asmus Crown Gandalf...?

Probably better to use Asmus final version

 

[Luisenigma1]

I think IA is the most accurate I see Ian in that sculpt and the hair/beard is how it should be though as R.R.X said if they futz the beard or trim a bit in certain areas it should be fine. I wonder if Viper is also handling this if so then we will be fine as he did Gandalf the white and that turned out great. My most wanted though will be Aragorn in his strider look.

 

[Life_m2000]

Further more:

As RRX has expressed, even the beard on IA’s looks more accurate. Asmus’ beard is, once again, idealized. Perfect, smooth, Not frizzy.

So I don’t get the critiques. Which leads me to think:

Are some people trying to talk themselves out of POing this? If so, I totally understand. The GD figure isn’t cheap!

If that is the case, it’s ok to just come out and say “nope, I’m officially priced out”.

I’ll give you a different point of view. People aren’t trying to talk themselves out of POing it. In fact for the money they are dropping on it they are more than entitled to critique it to insure they get quality for their money.
Is this sculpt 100% Gandalf, no. But the paint job is excellent.
Also it’s a fairly bare bones figure for the money. Meaning people know the value is going in to the head which needs to be perfect.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I love that shot. Thank you for this clip!

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

View attachment 577951



Does anyone without the Asmus Crown Gandalf prefer the Asmus Crown Gandalf...?

Ysee, this is what I meant about being idealized. You look at Asmus’ version, it looks like something you’d see from an anime looking all heroic. But Gandalf, as bad@$$ as he is, doesn’t look like that. And that’s better reflected in the pic on the right.

 

[Rzeznikk]

I’ll give you a different point of view. People aren’t trying to talk themselves out of POing it. In fact for the money they are dropping on it they are more than entitled to critique it to insure they get quality for their money.
Is this sculpt 100% Gandalf, no. But the paint job is excellent.
Also it’s a fairly bare bones figure for the money. Meaning people know the value is going in to the head which needs to be perfect.

I think it could be combination of both.

Group A. Talking themselves out of it because they can't or won't spend that much on a figure
Group B. Trying to get word to Queen InArt to make fixes to get this to 100%.

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

I’ll give you a different point of view. People aren’t trying to talk themselves out of POing it. In fact for the money they are dropping on it they are more than entitled to critique it to insure they get quality for their money.
Is this sculpt 100% Gandalf, no. But the paint job is excellent.
Also it’s a fairly bare bones figure for the money. Meaning people know the value is going in to the head which needs to be perfect.

That’s fair, and you’re right! For 5 bills, it should be perfect. My point is that some of the critiques (IMO) are a bit much. Not calling out anyone in particular, but passing on this figure because “his beard is off” whilst saying Asmus’ beard looks better...that kind of criticism feels forced.

Apologies to anyone I’ve upset. $500 is nothing to sneeze at and the figure needs to look perfect for anyone to drop that kind of money...

But seriously, saying Asmus’ is better is...weird.

I have that version. I still adore it. But I’m not gonna sit here and tell you it’s the “better version”...both proto and final.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I think it could be combination of both.

Group A. Talking themselves out of it because they can't or won't spend that much on a figure
Group B. Trying to get word to Queen InArt to make fixes to get this to 100%.

Bingo!

And I totally get the price justification. It is very hard to make the leap financially to the next level, especially when you haven't seen an in-hand production piece yet. It is a very expensive leap of faith going from $350 to $500... so I don't begrudge anyone trying to work it out in their head.

I've seen this happen many times over my 20 years in the 1/6th hobby. In the end, most of the people holding off (or justifying) will ultimately cave and get this in time. Sorry, but that's what I've seen mostly happens. After all, the only ones who stick around and post are usually the ones who cave.

 

[Life_m2000]

That’s fair, and you’re right! For 5 bills, it should be perfect. My point is that some of the critiques (IMO) are a bit much. Not calling out anyone in particular, but passing on this figure because “his beard is off” whilst saying Asmus’ beard looks better...that kind of criticism feels forced.

Apologies to anyone I’ve upset. $500 is nothing to sneeze at and the figure needs to look perfect for anyone to drop that kind of money...

But seriously, saying Asmus’ is better is...weird.

I have that version. I still adore it. But I’m not gonna sit here and tell you it’s the “better version”...both proto and final.

Yeah, 5 bills it needs to be perfect. In my head crossing that price bracket is going in to the custom market. I haven’t seen many issues with this figure, I’d like the sculpt to be tweaked a little and the hat colour changed and in fairness they said they’d look in to the hat.
Only other thing I’d like is the other staff.
If they deliver the quality we are expecting with the Joker I will order a second Gandalf.

Yeah I understand the criticism you are talking about. Thing the beard on InArt is way better looking.
I have the Asmus Gandalf and I think it’s good but there was a drop from proto to final product and the hat is muck. I pose him without it.

 

[Rzeznikk]

Yeah, 5 bills it needs to be perfect. In my head crossing that price bracket is going in to the custom market. I haven’t seen many issues with this figure, I’d like the sculpt to be tweaked a little and the hat colour changed and in fairness they said they’d look in to the hat.
Only other thing I’d like is the other staff.
If they deliver the quality we are expecting with the Joker I will order a second Gandalf.

Yeah I understand the criticism you are talking about. Thing the beard on InArt is way better looking.
I have the Asmus Gandalf and I think it’s good but there was a drop from proto to final product and the hat is muck. I pose him without it.

That's the exact same pose I have my Bilbo in too

 

[Rzeznikk]

Bingo!

And I totally get the price justification. It is very hard to make the leap financially to the next level, especially when you haven't seen an in-hand production piece yet. It is a very expensive leap of faith going from $350 to $500... so I don't begrudge anyone trying to work it out in their head.

I've seen this happen many times over my 20 years in the 1/6th hobby. In the end, most of the people holding off (or justifying) will ultimately cave and get this in time. Sorry, but that's what I've seen mostly happens. After all, the only ones who stick around and post are usually the ones who cave.

Indeed crossing that $500 threshold we are entering custom territory. So yes the criticism will be strong and justified. But even custom runs are getting insane pricing levels now as well. People scoffing at the $500 price for this would likely have an aneurysm if they saw the cost on some of these runs. And there's still a Market even at that level so where is the cut off? Seems there's always someone willing to spend the asking price.

 

[bradjk10]

Man I really want this. Just don’t know that I can drop $500 on a single 1/6 scale figure. The value proposition just isn’t there for me. Shame because I’d love to have it.

 

[Life_m2000]

Indeed crossing that $500 threshold we are entering custom territory. So yes the criticism will be strong and justified. But even custom runs are getting insane pricing levels now as well. People scoffing at the $500 price for this would likely have an aneurysm if they saw the cost on some of these runs. And there's still a Market even at that level so where is the cut off? Seems there's always someone willing to spend the asking price.

Yeah customs price levels have gone up big time. I recently got burned on a custom figure spent 1500 on it and it’s not even complete. I have to finish it myself and it’s not accurate to what details I provided. Custom market is gone crazy.