101 airborne

[Martin Homola]

This is my very first figure/ bust in my life. Be honest it is a chalenge for me, to paint the right face color. This figure has been ordered from China (online shop) and the qulity is not the best one. Your comments are always welcome, as well some hints or critique.

 

[sd0324]

Well, it is a recast. That is why casting is poor. You should see the awesome quality of the real bust from Nuts Planet.



Steve

 

[Bootneck]

Hi Martin.
I agree with Steve,this is a recast (fake) of an original Nuts Planet bust and not very good at that.
As this is your first figure the result will most likely put you off painting further figures.

An original Nuts Planet figure/bust are simply awesome & that is why these recasters copy them. You will be able to buy an original from a legitimate trader. Depending where you are in the world the guys on this site will point you in the right direction.

A genuine copy is of course more expensive but you get what you pay for.

Another point to bear in mind is that these figures are made of resin as are the originals. Resin is nasty stuff to work with at the best of times and should always be treated with respect. I would suspect that these recasts are made of a lower grade resin with possibly more nasties in than usual.

Don't let all this put you off,put it down to experience and keep away from cheap copies. They are produced all over the world & not just China. Have a look in the forum for a long & exhaustive debate on recasters.

Looking forward to further progress from you.

Peter.

 

[Wayneb]

Don't worry Martin.....You're not the only one,...Just do the best you can and look at it as a lesson learned...........Keep plugging away......Wayne

 

[megroot]

It's a recast indeed. I find myself once into the same way. Thought I bought a original KIRIN figure. At whas a disaster.
Bought years later the original and what a great figure it whas.
Learn to paint on this bust, and when it is finished buy the original and do him all over again.
The result is then more satisfying then on the recast bust.

Marc

 

[Martin Homola]

Guys,

Thank you for comments. You are right, this recast quality is horrible, but for me it is lesson learn...
Don't worry, I will not finish with figures, this will be used for "kind of training" for me.
Because it is a first bust for me, is better to try first the techniques on cheap fake
Yesterday I spend 2,5 hours to paint eyes... It was great relax for me. I hope, the result look
good.
Maybe on the end, also this bust will looks good, and I will be proud on my work

 

[montythefirst]

I would highly recommend buying the original when you can as it is very very well cast

 

[Martin Homola]

Done. Critique is welcomme

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Martin,

In general, you've done very well for a first effort, and I think you've got the makings of a good figure/ bust painter.

I would recommend that you practice painting eyes and faces, as these are the focal point of every figure and they can always be improved.

As others have observed, these cheap recast figures from China are not as good as the originals, however you can use them to practice and develop your skills.

 

[chailey]

Hi Martin,

If this is really your first attempt at figure painting I would say you have done a remarkable job, I echo Tony's comments on the eyes, which are always a difficult part of face painting to get right, even with the bigger scales.

Steve

 

[Martin Homola]

Hi Guys,

Thank you guys for your comments. Yes Steve, this is really my forst figure ever, and I know there is lot of space for my improvement. I got 32 more re-cast busts from China, for training. I hope, once I will paint the face as masterpiece But to be a master I need to practice, and it is a long way in front of me
I know, the eyes, and face is not the best one... I promise, I will improve my painting skill
Once again, thank you for your open critique, it push me a lot

 

[sd0324]

Wow, 32 more from China. That's gotta hurt.

 

[Babelfish]

I got 32 more re-cast busts from China, for training. I hope, once I will paint the face as masterpiece

32??? Seriously???

There are two very good reasons NOT to buy recast busts "for training" (or for any other reason, for that matter):

1) Even the very best painters have a hard time trying to turn a crappy cast into a respectable finished piece. And most recasts are of a noticeably inferior quality to the real deal. The old saying that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" was rarely more true. You will achieve better results - and learn much faster - by buying good-quality originals. If you're not happy with the results, you can always give the thing a Dettol bath and start over.

2) No figure manufacturers that I'm aware of are in the business in order to become millionnaires. Most are driven by a love of the hobby, some just do it as a sideline to their 'day-jobs' and are happy if they make a modest profit - or for that matter cover their costs. Some companies are more "serious" larger-scale businesses (Pegaso and Andrea for example), but even they work to relatively tight margins. So by buying fakes instead of originals, you are depriving the legit boys of turnover to plough back into new figures. Quite a few figure companies have gone tits-up over the past few years (Elite, Seil, S&T, JMD and Latorre spring immediately to mind, but there are other smaller ones as well), others release new stuff only once in a blue moon. Sending your money to Chinese pirates on eBay isn't going to help others avoid the same fate.

Anyhow, lecture over. For what it's worth and recast issues aside, I think this is a very respectable first attempt and I agree with Tony that you have the makings of a good painter.

- Steve

 

[Martin Homola]

Sorry, misstypo.
I mean 2 figures, not 32
Next, of coursr I will order original one.

 

[Babelfish]

Sorry, misstypo.
I mean 2 figures, not 32

That's a relief!!

- Steve

 

[Steve Ski]

I gotta say great job on your first large scale fig Martin, regardless of the cheap knock-off. You are well on your way to becoming a great figure painter, so keep your nose to the grinding stone and Ruck On. Remember, this is a fun hobby, so enjoy the learning process and ask questions when ya got em, we're here to help. Bravo buddy!


Cheers, Ski.