Never miss a new post again!

I've had a few messages from customers recently who said that they had missed some posts I made showing new customs, because they hadn't been to the website for a while. Well there is no need to ever miss a new custom or post ever again!

If you look to the right you'll see a box where you can enter your email address. Once you have gone through this (I've even done it myself), every time I make a new post on this website.. you'll be sent a short email telling you that I've made a new post. It even gives you the title of the post so you can decide whether you think it's something you may be interested in or not.

Why not give it a try... lots already have, and it will mean you are always up to date on my latest custom figures, or any other notifications (ebay auctions etc)

It's right over there >>>>

Luke Skywalker - ROTJ - repainted

This is the Sideshow Jedi Luke figure, from Return of the Jedi.

This was the first modern 1/6 figure that I bought (ignoring old crappy Hasbro figures from years ago), and unlike several figures which came out after this... I always loved it. I thought the sculpt was great, it looked to me just like Mark Hamil, and it made a great display figure on my shelf.

There were a few things I thought could have been better however. The arms were too long (which has been covered at great length on various forums), the fitting bodysuit showed off the bad shape of the Sideshow base body, especially around the hips. (large gaps between the joints meant that the fabric would fold inwards, to where there should not be a gap, ruining the illusion of a real person). Also the paint job on the eyes gave him a strange 'surprised' look (although not as bad as some people complained)... but I thought it could have been better.

I repainted the whole head, instantly bringing out the excellent sculpt. I also shortened the arms by cutting a section out of the forearms and glueing back together, and I used tissue, padded and taped to the body to pad out the parts I thought could use some help. All of this improved the figure a great deal for me, and it has been one I have always loved having on my shelf.

I intended to keep this until I got myself a good Darth Vader (like the one Sideshow is releasing soon) but later this week I'll be selling this figure on eBay, just like I did with my Legolas, Anakin, Obi-Wan and Aragorn figures, to help raise funds for my upcoming honeymoon.

Anyway, enough talk... here's a few photos. (I'll post here when the figure is up for auction)

Get your orders in quick!

As many (most?) of you know, I'm getting married to the lovely Jane at the end of September (followed the day after by this amazing honeymoon), and I've decided that after this date I will not be accepting any new commissions for painting/sculpting work. (although unpainted head casts will still be available).

My reasons are this... my order books have been filling up at an incredible rate lately, and if I had to guess I'd say that my waiting list probably stands at around 8 - 12 months. I never thought I would have so many people waiting for things at one time. I love it, don't get me wrong, but I think it's time I stopped taking new orders and concentrated on clearing my books.

Another reason for this is that for some time I've wanted to do original new headsculpts, and even full figure customs of completely new characters, but my repainting and resculpting schedule has been so relentless that it hasn't allowed me the time to work on any of these ideas that are rattling around in my head.

So after the 20th September (probably the last date leading up to the wedding when I will be able to answer emails), I won't be taking any new orders for painting or sculpting work. If you want to get your name on the ever increasing waiting list for some work from me... then you've got 2 months to get your order in! (and bear in mind that whilst any orders made before that date will be met, there will probably be a fairly long wait before I can get to your work. Thankfully most people who have had custom work from me have told me that it's been worth the wait for them. )

If you've got any questions about this, or if you want to get your name down for something.... then feel free to drop me a line at this address - d.carnall@blueyonder.co.uk

....just make sure it's before the 20th September ;)

Darren

Message Board online!

After the last chat box thing decided to stop working, I've now got a brand new message board up and working. You'll find it over on the left underneath my opening paragraph.

Go ahead and leave a message!

Darren

Quick Chat not working...

For some reason the 'Quick Chat' facility on the right of the blog seems to be down. I'm not sure why, but if the actual service has stopped then I'll have to find a replacement. Bear with me while I try to sort this out for you. (will be a shame to have lost everyone's comments)

Luke Skywalker (ESB) repaint...

I finished this for a customer yesterday afternoon. Finally starting to get some things finished alongside the sculpting I'm doing. These aren't the best pics... my camera makes things too dark or too light when I take them at my desk, but these ones are good enough to show it.

Click on the pics for larger version...

Hot Toys 'Future Wars' Kyle Reese - repainted & weathered

I finished this commission recently. It was for a client who was giving it as a gift to a friend who was leaving the country. Apparantly the client (and the recipient) both loved it... which makes me happy. Anyway... on with the photos

my Obi-Wan Kenobi 1/6 custom is UP FOR SALE!

How Ripley looked last week...

I've done more work on the face since these pics were taken, so at this stage it was looking a bit rough and innaccurate, but it just lets you see the direction it's going in.

It's almost finished now, I just need to try and make a couple of sample casts, then it will be sent away for molding... but enough talking, here's the pics from last week.