SS paint apps

[figuremasterles]

I'd disagree with that entirely, I think SSC offers the best skin tones overall (though Mulder and some for whatever reason turn out odd) and is above all human skin tone paint apps I've seen anywhere, even better than any customizer I've seen, but that's going by customizer's photos which may not be fair representations, as even SSC images aren't fair to their paint apps.

That's fair. Everyone has an opinion.
I mean, any time I repaint a perfectly good figure, I always feel a slight pang of guilt. Why? Someone worked really hard to make that figure the best they could for me. Granted, it's a factory paint, and a long line of workers slaving away at it, but, sometimes they are rather inspired. I LOVED my 12" George Lazenby Bond face. Really. I haven't repainted it at all. The older ones, Dracula for instance (I am only talking 12"ers here...) was a disaster. I GLADLY repainted that one. But, they learned. But, I only feel a slight pang....

And yes, SS paints run a tad greyish. I even think it has to do with those painting them. I note a slight Asian skin look to the colors often. No reason that is not a normal happening. Probably painted in China by many folks without caucasian color refs. No biggie. I am not even offended or bothered by that. They are doing their best with characters they probably cannot even see. Just copying a prototype at best.

But, being one who can repaint my own figures, I do. And, I am aware what this kind of thing has done to the after market. I hope it hasn't put off companies like Sideshow from making more figures. We, and I do mean a lot of US, constantly change the figures we so ardently buy. I am not sure what the upper echelons at SS think of this, but I hope they are ok with it.

Would I pay more to get better paints from them now? Hmmmm...why should I? I can repaint mine. But, for the masses, maybe there should be a raising of the bar some. Just don't overcompensate on the price with it too much. At this point, getting what amounts to a many hours of time paintup, is nearly impossible for a company. I cannot see that happening. The sheer expense.
At least the headsculpt can be done one good time, and that remains for all the figures. I like the trends I see in the company's direction with Star Wars at least. Trying to improve it all. Compete. Stay in the game. That's a good move. Glad to see it.
But, paint apps? Hmmm... not sure.
It will cost more. No doubt.
I even see it making them compare pricewise with Hot Toys and Medicom soon, if that happens.

I voted to wait and see if the price is affected too much on the figures. I am all for it in some ways, I just am wary that they can produce as many, as well as WE want.

Best of luck if they try.

And Maulfan, you go right on enjoying those paints.

But, I would like to challenge that comment of your's one day. I bet I could at least get your attention with a repaint on an appropriate figure.
Might offer that to you as a proof sometime. Call it a gift.
When's your birthday, and what's your favorite 12"?
If you are willing, I am. Only thing it'd cost you is some time without the figure. You'd get back something I think you might like better. Might. Can't be sure. I'd at least appreciate your openly posted opinion afterwards. One way or the other.

One time offer. Let me know. Soon. PM's open.

 

[Anzik]

Les, if I say you don't really improve on SSC factory paints, will you redo one for me for free?

JK.....

sorta...

 

[figuremasterles]

Les, if I say you don't really improve on SSC factory paints, will you redo one for me for free?

JK.....

sorta...

Um...No. JK. No, I'm not....

And I didn't say I didn't improve on them.
I just respect someone's right to an opinion to say I don't.
I also hope said sayer will take the Lespaint challenge.

If not. cool. Besides, I might fail to impress said sayer and change his mind.
Always possible.

Sorry it wasn't you that said it Anzik?

 

[creecher]

I find this poll to be ridiculous. That it raised the question of the Sideshow body. Ridiculous. What has that to do with paint? It does raise discussion, and that is good, and is the main aim of the poll isn't it? So I probably jumped into this discussion on a bad note.

The body will always be a seperate issue, Whether you like the one that comes with the figure or not, you have the option of swapping it out if you so desire, for whatever reason. Same with the paint. You can redo it yourself or have it done by an artisan, or accept the one that it comes with.

If the paint were to be done locally, in the USA, it would mean a significant price increase, no doubt about it. The shipping, to and fro, would be the prime reason. What improvements could be had by doing that? A time consuming and expensive excercise.

I suspect the difference in paint application, from one figure to the next, and even in figures of the same subject, is because of the different painters, and the conditions they work under. Possibly the lighting, due to the time of day they are being painted at. The difference between doing it for love and for pay is another swinging area. QC is also dependant on different persons and the grey area between good and bad. You are going to get that no matter where it is done. Cost is the bottom line, and that can't be achieved by doing it locally.

Time frames are next on the list, and that can't be achieved by doing it locally either. Everything about production and/or art is limited to a time frame. I don't think I need to elaborate on why something has a deadline. I think that is obvious. All this, and more factors, can explain why there can be such a drastic change form prototype to production, when work, in different areas, is chained together, to bring either an excellent result or a poor one.

Would I still buy? is the question asked, and I would. Why? Because of the subject matter. Mostly we buy what pings our pang.

 

[Memnoch]

Ahem, well I didnt know a simple poll would cause this much... discussion. Creecher.. the body thing was a tounge in cheek thing. To our many customizers... ah you guys are great and if SS COULD match the protos I suspect a big dry spell Lets just remember this came outta my head just as a HUGE hypotetical of basically would we pay more money if SS could match the proto, not saying that they ever could.

 

[Anzik]

Actually I'm not Les. I am a huge fan of your work. I was an art major in college and at 40 years old I've done quite a bit of work in various mediums, so when I look at the work you and others do on these figures I have an extra appreciation. Like I said I don't find anything "wrong" with the factory paint, and every so often I come upstairs to find my son using Obi Wan to kill the Hasbro Grievious and I wince. I can imagine having cardiac arrest if I saw him doing that with a figure you had redone.
I like my toys to be toys that can be played with and as an artist, I don't think you should play with art.

As a side note, one day if I have one of my sculpts that I am satisfied enough with I would love to send you a copy, just for yourself and someday down the road just see what you could do with it, if youre ever interested.

 

[user 1190]

They are working on paint issues. They were talking about making it so that the pre production paint apps would be the same paint that they use on the production figures, which is not the case now. Also its not for a lack of them being there, I forget whatthe number was but they visit the overseas factory quite often way more then I expected. Remeber that every figure is hand painted. If you moved these to a US shop I would say that the price would double at least just based on the labor costs.

 

[darthviper107]

They have the ability to have the right paint application from what they are using now so I doubt that moving to a different factory in the US would make any advantage.

But if it did make a difference then I would be interested if the money wasn't too much extra.


And..new body.

 

[customizerwannabe]

Also its not for a lack of them being there, I forget whatthe number was but they visit the overseas factory quite often way more then I expected. QUOTE]

Then their quality control issues should be much fewer than they are.

 

[creecher]

Ahem, well I didnt know a simple poll would cause this much... discussion. Creecher.. the body thing was a tounge in cheek thing.

Yup. I knew I jumped in a bit heavy handed. Nevermind.

I have been away for a bit and I haven't had much time to read all the threads, but I do think this one's a goodun. One that Sideshow would probably read.

I've been in Tasmania, where the people have two heads. It has given me an idea. Announcing the new Sideshow Customizer exclusive. When pre-ordering, tick a box that asks for an unpainted head to be included with the factory head. Once more than, say 300 requests have been met, the exclusive will be produced for those wishing it. Maybe a pipe dream now, but might be possible in the future. At a price, I dare say. Maybe that would keep the increase down to a minimum without costing too much in production.

 

[user 1190]

Also its not for a lack of them being there, I forget whatthe number was but they visit the overseas factory quite often way more then I expected. QUOTE]

Then their quality control issues should be much fewer than they are.

They cant look at 6000 figures. Everyone is hand painted so each one is a lil different and some more then others. I can say that my Luke looks much better in person then some of the pics posted here.

 

[customizerwannabe]

Actually I meant on their statues. The qc on the 12" figs seems fine.

 

[user 1190]

Actually I meant on their statues. The qc on the 12" figs seems fine.

Those are hand painted too.

 

[dekadentdave]

Those are hand painted too.

And that's what you get when you pay $1.50 an hour Chinese factory laborers to paint your figures compared to paying top-notch skilled customizers $25 an hour for a pristine work of art. You get what you pay for.

 

[LordAzrael]

Why is it though, that people can spend $100 on an Hot Toys Aliens marine, pay to have the heads custom painted, and seem to have no gripes with HT for their job and be thrilled as hell with the final custom job, but hold SS to a standard that it needs to come out of the factory with no need for customizing?

Exactly. Even the "bad" paint apps on Sideshow products are up there with the more expensive Medicoms and Hot Toys. I just don't see it happening on products produced on this scale regardless of what you pay. Thankfully the sculpts tend to be top notch with a few notable exceptions (*cough* faith* cough*) and that leaves scope for you to get a professional artist to repaint it should you so desire.

 

[galactiboy]

And that's what you get when you pay $1.50 an hour Chinese factory laborers to paint your figures compared to paying top-notch skilled customizers $25 an hour for a pristine work of art. You get what you pay for.

Whatever they pay them the factory workers tend to do a great job. I don't think its lack of skill, but moreso poor direction or choice of paints. I think it takes quite a bit of dexterity to place the eyes as cleanly as they do (assuming the small detail are hand painted as well) and to have little to no slop on the figures. The paint is usually very consistent in coverage and tone (again no small feat), but if you (as a worker) are given one color to paint with and no choice in the matter whaddya gonna do?

But conversely, the paint apps on on some figures like Bib Fortuna and Jedi Luke were stellar.

 

[figuremasterles]

Whatever they pay them the factory workers tend to do a great job. I don't think its lack of skill, but moreso poor direction or choice of paints. I think it takes quite a bit of dexterity to place the eyes as cleanly as they do (assuming the small detail are hand painted as well) and to have little to no slop on the figures. The paint is usually very consistent in coverage and tone (again no small feat), but if you (as a worker) are given one color to paint with and no choice in the matter whaddya gonna do?

But conversely, the paint apps on on some figures like Bib Fortuna and Jedi Luke were stellar.

I agree. Bib Fortuna was stellar out of box. Love that one. And Jedi Luke was good. Not great, but at least he didn't look stoned. They do need to get away from the dark red washes on eyes. I think of that Dr No Connery Bond. Wow. He'd been on a bender. All I did for one guy was rewhite the eyes a bit. Some of these need very little to be satisfying.
Although, and this is purely personal, I hate hard hairlines. Most figures have them because there is no time to blend them realistically. No real criticism in that, just an observation, teamed with the fact I prefer better hairlines.
Eyes and hairlines. Improve those two bits, and there will be much less complaining I bet. And, de-grey the skin just a bit.
It may be an easy fix, even for factory apps.

 

[Collector Freak]

They can't get it perfect when it's produced on such a large scale. The paint will always suck.

 

[Puay]

I thought the craftmanship for the paint work is fine. Its getting the colour scheme right in the first place that's crucial.

 

[DarkArtist81]

And that's what you get when you pay $1.50 an hour Chinese factory laborers to paint your figures compared to paying top-notch skilled customizers $25 an hour for a pristine work of art. You get what you pay for.

That's the truth... I love a lot of SSC paint apps... as Les said, Jedi Luke and Bib were spot on! I repaint my own because I enjoy it and I like the challenge inherant in doing that.

However, it would be nice if all figures came with the "prototype" look as far as paint apps. But it will never happen. I'd be nice for the collector, and I'd probably be out of a side job.... but it would be worth it.

Factory work will never equal custom paint. There is a different vibe in the room when you are one of 50 workers, painting the same head over and over again than if you are a single customizer....

I know for myself, I have to create a Zen like state to create my work. I put in the DVD featuring the character I am painting, to get the subtleties that fade away in your mind when you are just going from reference. I have a beer, get relaxed and let it flow.

The saddest thing is that I could never work for a collectibles company doing what I do, it's just the way this all works. But such is the way of the world, and I cannot complain.

I still do wish you guys had better paint apps though, even with the consequences.