Twilight Witch King LS Bust!!

[RoboDad]

OK, first let me reiterate that I do like this bust. But, I also recognize that it isn't perfect. Where I think I differ with some people is the degree to which it is imperfect, and also the comparison with the SSW bust and statue (some people keep insisting that those pieces are perfect in their likeness, which is simply not the case).

With all that said, I took the major concerns that people have voiced, and tried to use them to come up with a way to show that this bust, while not perfect, isn't that far off. Also, it bears repeating that it really only seems to be a big problem when viewed "head on". From various oblique angles in the 360 view, it really looks quite good.

So, without further ado, here is my photoshopped version of what I think would make this bust (the face, anyway, which is the main concern people have) almost identical to the screenshots and other photos that have been posted, in animated gif format. I also took the liberty of adjusting the color in the modified version to more closely match the other photos. What do you all think?

 

[TOE]

I want this in PF

 

[WrathofSauron]

Robodad I am in total agreement with you that although its not perfect (show me a bust that is by the way by anyone!!) it does really look good particularly at different angles and I think its great what you have done with Photoshop but I think the key with this bust like MANY others is HOW ONE DISPLAYS IT and it seems to have a great "side on" pose where this face issue is not as obvious as many think. I really believe that maybe for the first time here we have a bust that truly will be far better in hand and displayed "correctly" will be AWESOME!!
Nice adjustment picture though Robodad!

 

[woodsy]

OK, first let me reiterate that I do like this bust. But, I also recognize that it isn't perfect. Where I think I differ with some people is the degree to which it is imperfect, and also the comparison with the SSW bust and statue (some people keep insisting that those pieces are perfect in their likeness, which is simply not the case).

With all that said, I took the major concerns that people have voiced, and tried to use them to come up with a way to show that this bust, while not perfect, isn't that far off. Also, it bears repeating that it really only seems to be a big problem when viewed "head on". From various oblique angles in the 360 view, it really looks quite good.

So, without further ado, here is my photoshopped version of what I think would make this bust (the face, anyway, which is the main concern people have) almost identical to the screenshots and other photos that have been posted, in animated gif format. I also took the liberty of adjusting the color in the modified version to more closely match the other photos. What do you all think?

Very Nice! What a difference thinning the jawline and widening the eyes a bit makes.

 

[woodsy]

Robodad I am in total agreement with you that although its not perfect (show me a bust that is by the way by anyone!!) it does really look good particularly at different angles and I think its great what you have done with Photoshop but I think the key with this bust like MANY others is HOW ONE DISPLAYS IT and it seems to have a great "side on" pose where this face issue is not as obvious as many think. I really believe that maybe for the first time here we have a bust that truly will be far better in hand and displayed "correctly" will be AWESOME!!Nice adjustment picture though Robodad!

Couldn't agree more! Although what has really impressed me about all the LSB's to date is they all look much better in hand.

 

[pixletwin]

I just realized what I don't like about it.. It looks like one of those "animated" portraits.

 

[The Dwimmerlaik]

Man the crown looks just bad in the LSB i still dont like it , but oh welll

 

[LOTRFan]

That is an improvement Robo, but for my $$$ anyway it is still too puffy.

 

[GrueSam]

I just realized what I don't like about it.. It looks like one of those "animated" portraits.

Yep. Looks like an animaquette.

Matt? Too PUFFY?

LOL

That's my new word to describe myself when I'm on the rag.

Too Puffy.

 

[LOTRFan]

Yummmy, and I will from this point onward NEVER view this piece the same way again.

 

[Fritz]

There's another question, why are the spikes on the crown on an angle rather than straight up?

Speaking of the crown. It would have been ultra cool if the crown was a separate piece instead of sculpted to the head.

 

[woodsy]

Your image was scrunched from the screencap. I have fixed the proportions in photoshop. I would still say there are inaccuracies in the sculpt.

Here's what I see. The bridge of the nose on the SS sculpt is not wide enough and subsequently the eyes are not wide enough apart. The jawline is also slightly wider than it should be. The crown is not 100 % accurate [but it's more accurate than the Weta bust and statue] and I don't have a problem with it, other than the fact it is sitting too high up on his head. I've also noticed the pins holding the crown in place in a couple of the photo's on the SS website, and that will definitely have to be remedied!

These are not major inaccuracies. The fact of the matter is you will find greater inaccuracies in most Weta busts and statues, esp. if we are talking about human-like characters. Does anybody even remotely think that Weta's versions of Aragorn, Legolas, etc....are accurate portrayals

The eyes, and eye sockets, of the SS version are a dead ringer. The cheek structure, mouth, and chin are also very accurate. I'm am not quite sure why so many people have decided to put this bust under so much scrutiny, but they have...and I suspect if we all put the rest of our LOTR collections under this much scrutiny our shelves and display cases would be quite bare.

My biggest complaint with this bust is base, and the lack of a nameplate. Quite frankly the base is lame. Since we were all introduced to the WK on Weathertop why could we not have gotten a "Weathertop-themed" base with a nameplate much in the way SS gave us themed bases for the ML, CT, Sauron, and the Balrog It is the same complaint I have with the Gandalf bust.
Unfortunately the only one's who can give us the answer to this question is SS, but since this doesn't qualify as one of the "light and fluffy" type questions they seem to like responding to, I doubt we will ever get an answer.

 

[RoboDad]

I think you nailed my concerns with the bust as well. I already posted this in the other thread, but here's is my latest version of the bust (courtesy of Photoshop) that attempts to correct these problems, along with a comparison to the other versions (film and SSW):

Edit: I changed it to a GIF to allow the original to be compared as well.

 

[woodsy]

I think you nailed my concerns with the bust as well. I already posted this in the other thread, but here's is my latest version of the bust (courtesy of Photoshop) that attempts to correct these problems, along with a comparison to the other versions (film and SSW):

Edit: I changed it to a GIF to allow the original to be compared as well.

You've done a terrific job with this BTW! It is pretty apparent when looking at the three images together the Weta version isn't even close to the SS one as far as accuracy is concerned. I would certainly agree the WK statue is terrific looking [I own one and it is one of my favorites], and as GrueSam put it, there is an "air" of royalty to it...but that doesn't mean it's an accurate portrayal.
Is this really surprising though? I mean let's face facts here. Weta wasn't exactly known for their accurate face sculpts so the fact they messed up on the WK shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone. I guess because it's "cool" looking somehow makes it exempt from any criticism.

Too bad you couldn't use your Photoshop magic to create a Weathertop-like base which would be much more fitting this bust! It's really a shame SS doesn't choose to utilize the talents and creativity of some of the board members here by posting their prototypes prior to final approval, and seek their advice. This bust is a perfect example of how we all could have benefitted from that.

It's also too bad SS has chosen to do nothing relating to our concerns. They've sat back for the past week while we've "duked" it out back and forth and never have they given us their point of view. They certainly like to tell us how seriously they take the LOTR licence and how much care they take in producing each and every piece, but where are they when we look to them for a little clarity or answers to our concerns

Ask SS some "light and fluffy" meaningless question and they're all over it! Ask them a question with a little substance behind it and the only sound you hear [other than the sound of crickets chirpping] is the screams of SS reps as they trample each other heading for cover in the nearest bomb shelter.

 

[crazytrain]

As I posted in the other thread woodsy, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, because, for me the Weta statue is much more accurate than the SS bust when you compare those 3 images...

 

[woodsy]

As I posted in the other thread woodsy, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, because, for me the Weta statue is much more accurate than the SS bust when you compare those 3 images...

Esp.the extremely narrow nose, the chin without a cleft, the thinner looking lips and the much less pronounced cheekbones. I can certain see where you would think it more closely resembles the actual still image of the Weta prototype

 

[crazytrain]

Esp.the extremely narrow nose, the chin without a cleft, the thinner looking lips and the much less pronounced cheekbones. I can certain see where you would think it more closely resembles the actual still image of the Weta prototype

And yet you agree that Robodads photoshoping of the SS bust makes a huge improvement as it widens the distance between the eyes, thins out the cheeks etc.... The truth of the matter is that the Weta one is too thin and the SS one is too fat - you prefer fat, I prefer thin, what can I say??

 

[woodsy]

And yet you agree that Robodads photoshoping of the SS bust makes a huge improvement as it widens the distance between the eyes, thins out the cheeks etc.... The truth of the matter is that the Weta one is too thin and the SS one is too fat - you prefer fat, I prefer thin, what can I say??

Noooo.....what I said was what a difference thinning the jawline and widening the eyes makes. And although the SS nose is much wider than the Weta version, it is still not wide enough where the nose meets the eyes. But yes, I certainly do think RoboDad photoshop version is better than SS's. I've never said SS's WK was perfect, far from it, I've just said it is a closer representation than Weta's.


I also really think SS blew it with this generic, lame, copycat base that doesn't contain a single shred of creativity in it. It tells me SS was more interested in pumping this thing out than taking their time with it, which of course is contrary to previous statements they have made concerning the LOTR licence.

Anyway, that said I am tired of trying to defend SS on this one [and yes, I am well aware they didn't ask me to in the 1st place]. Obviously SS isn't too concerned about this so why should I or anyone else be. At the end of the day I really like it and will be adding one to my collection. I'm sure the sales [or lack of sales] of this bust will tell SS loud and clear what people think about it. Although I suspect they have a pretty good idea of that already.

 

[Fritz]

Thanks to the new Saruman vs Gandalf Diorama, no one has criticized the Wiki bust in a while.

 

[woodsy]

Thanks to the new Saruman vs Gandalf Diorama, no one has criticized the Wiki bust in a while.

No kidding! Talk about taking the wind out of the sails of that arguement! Speaking of the WK. It looks like SS has removed the Ministry of Info preview article about the WK...either that or I just can't seem to find it. Some of the remarks left in the comment section were pretty nasty...maybe SS decided enough was enough.