SilentSurfer's Laboratory: Come up to the Lab & See What's on the Slab.

[SilentSurfer]

 

[LordAzrael]

This was an interesting project: converting a Triad Vanity into Kate Nauta as Lola in The Transporter 2. It's not a great likeness obviously, but it's a fun sculpt to paint, and I like the way it came out. And even though the hair isn't sculpted to look wet, I couldn't resist giving her makeup that slightly runny look.

Turned out awesome Nathan, now I just need to hunt down the costume. Hoping SMG can help me out ;-)

 

[SilentSurfer]

I'd love to see it finished. It will be hot.

 

[SilentSurfer]

The current batch of Walters is done. I will be contacting the owners with specific pics. Here is the first bald & mustache version I've painted, and some tan shoes. Pics don't do the shoes justice, but I really have the tan suede paint recipe dialed in now. Even they do the light reacting thing like my flesh tricks.

An accidentally cool shot!

 

[SilentSurfer]

Don Draper up next.

 

[galactiboy]

Your work if ____ing insane! So realistic its almost creepy

 

[bigbawsmcgraw]

The current batch of Walters is done. I will be contacting the owners with specific pics. Here is the first bald & mustache version I've painted, and some tan shoes. Pics don't do the shoes justice, but I really have the tan suede paint recipe dialed in now. Even they do the light reacting thing like my flesh tricks.

An accidentally cool shot!

jesus wept!

 

[Fluid]

Hey Surfer,
I recently started sculpting. I've heard you say that a good sculpt makes your job easier. What kind of things can a sculptor do to achieve this? Any specific pet peeves that you could steer me away from? And what type of media do you prefer for the final casts? Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Hopefully I'll be sending you some NEW customs to work on soon.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

Wow. That Walt is un-freaking-real.



I've never gotten around to watching the show, but I may start now ... because seeing your paint-ups make me want to own a figure. Which may be the most round-about way of getting into a show ever devised.

 

[Fluid]

I had numerous friends recommend it to me but seeing Trevor and Surfer's work is really what got me to watch it. I'm so glad I did too. What an amazing show. And Trevor and Surfer should be extremely proud of what they do together. Un-frickin-real!!! Their work did just what you're saying, it made me get into a TV show. LOL

Wow. That Walt is un-freaking-real.



I've never gotten around to watching the show, but I may start now ... because seeing your paint-ups make me want to own a figure. Which may be the most round-about way of getting into a show ever devised.

 

[SilentSurfer]

Hey Surfer,
I recently started sculpting. I've heard you say that a good sculpt makes your job easier. What kind of things can a sculptor do to achieve this? Any specific pet peeves that you could steer me away from? And what type of media do you prefer for the final casts? Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Hopefully I'll be sending you some NEW customs to work on soon.

The likeness is everything. If the likeness isn't there, there isn't much a great paint job will do to make it come to life. If the structural likeness is there, it's up to me then to figure out the proper skintones, contours, shadows, sunburn, etc. to make it look truly realistic.

Even more important is that the sculpt is refined and well finished. If I can see your tool strokes on the surface, my paint technique will show it. I use translucent techniques so that light plays on the surface like real skin, so if you have unnatural textures left on it, it's going to look bad. I prefer a very slightly textured, smooth surface for a truly natural look. Trevor's sculpts are as textured as I ever want to see.

Resin is all you need, but some sort of Hot Toys like plastic is fine. Resin loves paint much more than plastic though. If the head can be cast in a pale flesh tone (which is very hard to pull off correctly-most come out too pink or dark), that is the best for doing translucent skin effects, but all of Trevors have been gray resin, and I haven't had problem getting similar effects just with pain.

I've never gotten around to watching the show, but I may start now ... because seeing your paint-ups make me want to own a figure. Which may be the most round-about way of getting into a show ever devised.

That's how I ended up with a Serial Killer figure. Everybody had be painting their heads, so I got curious about the show, and loved it. I haven't actually watched Breaking Bad yet though.

 

[SilentSurfer]

Another Walter with hat.

 

[Fluid]

The likeness is everything. If the likeness isn't there, there isn't much a great paint job will do to make it come to life. If the structural likeness is there, it's up to me then to figure out the proper skintones, contours, shadows, sunburn, etc. to make it look truly realistic.

Even more important is that the sculpt is refined and well finished. If I can see your tool strokes on the surface, my paint technique will show it. I use translucent techniques so that light plays on the surface like real skin, so if you have unnatural textures left on it, it's going to look bad. I prefer a very slightly textured, smooth surface for a truly natural look. Trevor's sculpts are as textured as I ever want to see.

Resin is all you need, but some sort of Hot Toys like plastic is fine. Resin loves paint much more than plastic though. If the head can be cast in a pale flesh tone (which is very hard to pull off correctly-most come out too pink or dark), that is the best for doing translucent skin effects, but all of Trevors have been gray resin, and I haven't had problem getting similar effects just with pain.



That's how I ended up with a Serial Killer figure. Everybody had be painting their heads, so I got curious about the show, and loved it. I haven't actually watched Breaking Bad yet though.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

I had no interest in 1/6's until I picked up a "Serial Killer" for my collection back in October. Now I own 18 and have 9 WIPs (5 of which are from Breaking Bad).

All I can say is "WATCH BREAKING BAD!!!" If you aren't completely sucked in by the very first episode I'll be utterly surprised. So yeah, I dare you to watch the first episode.

Simply amazing work there on the new Walter White and his accessories. Too bad pics can't really capture just how amazing your work is in real life. Another stellar job!!!

 

[MarfMaster]

The Walts look amazing, Nathan. For some reason your photorealistic techniques really pop on that sculpt. I have a mustache/goatee Walt and shoes I need to send you at some point (if you'll have them). I almost sent him to you for this latest batch, but I've been dragging my feet for some reason Really anxious to see you work your magic on my next two sculpts, since we've never seen them from you before.

 

[Gruff Old Bear]

This is my first Nathan head, and I shot these within the last half hour just sitting here at my desk as the sun comes in my window, which faces west. I added a black frame to finish them off, but Nathan and the sun did the rest.

 

[csi]

What body did you put that on Bear?

 

[Gruff Old Bear]

It's the Abigail Whistler body from Hot Toys. I didn't know to send Nathan the body, but when I told him what body I'd be using he said, no problem, and color-matched it in absentia.

 

[Deckard]

Another Walter with hat.

You and Trev are my 1/6 scale dream company. Make it happen.

 

[SilentSurfer]

The Walts look amazing, Nathan. For some reason your photorealistic techniques really pop on that sculpt. I have a mustache/goatee Walt and shoes I need to send you at some point (if you'll have them). I almost sent him to you for this latest batch, but I've been dragging my feet for some reason Really anxious to see you work your magic on my next two sculpts, since we've never seen them from you before.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to doing those, too. They'll be nice additions to my Star Wars portfolio!

All I can say is "WATCH BREAKING BAD!!!" If you aren't completely sucked in by the very first episode I'll be utterly surprised. So yeah, I dare you to watch the first episode.

Simply amazing work there on the new Walter White and his accessories. Too bad pics can't really capture just how amazing your work is in real life. Another stellar job!!!

Thanks. I'd love to watch Breaking Bad. If anybody has the whole thing on DVD or BluRay and is willing to lend it to me... or if they have it uploaded somewhere like the way I caught up 5 seasons of Dexter in two weeks...

This is my first Nathan head, and I shot these within the last half hour just sitting here at my desk as the sun comes in my window, which faces west. I added a black frame to finish them off, but Nathan and the sun did the rest.

What an amazing pic, Daryl. She looks awesome like that.

And we know this won't be the last head I do for you.

 

[MarfMaster]

Thanks. I'd love to watch Breaking Bad. If anybody has the whole thing on DVD or BluRay and is willing to lend it to me... or if they have it uploaded somewhere like the way I caught up 5 seasons of Dexter in two weeks...

Netflix's streaming service has seasons 1-3 available, and they offer a free 1 month trial.