I remember that "Old Ben" series of shots you did and yes...that sculpt (and Tim's superb one here for Palpatine) are really anything but neutral.
Playing around with the cam this morning, I came up with this one...a little fuzzy but...there's plenty of McDirmand in there...
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39833615@N00/4979834660/" title="EMPEROR-07 by qui_gonbear, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4979834660_c538d77d28_b.jpg" width="932" height="1024" alt="EMPEROR-07" /></a>
There more I look t this figure, there more I really like how well they captured this character...looks like he's coming off that shuttle arriving at DSII...
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39833615@N00/4979834718/" title="EMPEROR-04 by qui_gonbear, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4979834718_e568c7d8ca_b.jpg" width="758" height="1024" alt="EMPEROR-04" /></a>
"You have done well, Lord Vader."
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39833615@N00/4979227257/" title="EMPEROR-05 by qui_gonbear, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4979227257_1d134a56c5_b.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="EMPEROR-05" /></a>
And taking a cue from Darth Cruel, here's another look at the evolution of a Sith Lord...
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39833615@N00/4979227195/" title="SITH-EVOLUTION-01 by qui_gonbear, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4979227195_a80b9193e5_z.jpg" width="640" height="488" alt="SITH-EVOLUTION-01" /></a>
And I haven't even put the "grimace" head on yet! I'll get to that... I'm really digging this figure...