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Registration is free, allowing you to participate in interactive features such as reviews, contests and forums. |
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Upcoming Events |
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Customs by Liquidisk
What does the word customizer mean to you?
Someone who modifies an existing figure, or sculpts a new figure (whether an existing character or an original one) that isn't intended for mass production.
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Isildur |
How did you begin customizing?
I loved science fiction stuff like spaceships and robots, so as a kid I constructed these out of paper and cardboard. One of the early figures I made was a fully transformable Optimus Prime that was made of paper, with paper hinges and joints. Sometimes I would also take some of my figures and construct accessories and turn them into new characters.
As a customizer what do you create?
I used to build a lot of Transformers--both existing
and original ones--but nowadays it's mostly movie- or
comic-based figures.
What is your process when you are customizing, from start to finish?
I generally sculpt the figures, cast the sculpt, add
articulation, and then paint them.
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| Reed Richards |
How long does it usually take to make one of your customs?
Between two months to a year, depending on time
constraints.
Have you ever sold any of your customs, if so where?
Online, primarily through e-mail requests.
What has been the highest price that you have received
for a custom?
That would have to remain between me and the client.
Do you get requests?
Yes.
What has been the oddest request?
Nothing odd, just obscure ones or characters I'm not
familiar with.
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Lynda Carter Wonder Woman |
What has been the easiest item to customize?
The smoothest flow from concept to execution was
probably Sue Storm.
What has been the hardest item to customize?
When the Dan Ketch Ghost Rider comic came out, I decided to sculpt a fully articulated one (it ended up having over 50 points of articulation, plus chain accessory). It took me 3 years to finish it due to time constraints.
When you are customizing what are the essential tools
one needs?
Sculpting tools, X-acto, ruler, pencil
13- Who in the customizing world or other has been an
inspiration?
I'm drawn to good sculpting, and Art Deco pieces (like Erte's bronze sculptures) and Michelangelo's works are huge inspirations. I also draw inspiration from Japanese figures with their sleek shapes and smooth-flowing forms.
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| Lady Deathstrike |
What project would you like to take on as a customizer?
Battle Angel Alita. I've been wanting to sculpt one for years, and in fact would have made one already. But I heard that James Cameron is doing an Alita movie and I wanted to see how the official merchandise would look like. Of course, I might decide to make one beforehand, anyway. We'll see.
What has been the best creation that you or someone else has made?
My personal favorites (from my own work) would be X2 Deathstryke for a fully-sculpted figure, and Archangel for a custom/modified one. From others: Doubledealer's Northstar comes to mind.
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate yourself as a customizer?
I'd leave that to others to decide.
What would you say makes your customs different from others?
I sculpt more than I kitbash, and I also design and
construct my own articulation.
Why do you think people started customizing? And where do you think customizing will lead to in the future?
I think customizing stemmed from collectors'/hobbyists' desire to see their favorite characters in plastic form, and to see them done the way they envisioned them to be. It adds a different level of involvement to the hobby. It's not too much of a stretch to surmise an eventual effect on figure production/character selection itself (if it's not happening already).
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Archangel |
Do hope to create your own toy line like McFarlane?
That'd be great. I'm certainly not closing off any
options in that regard.Do you also collect toys or artwork perhaps for inspiration?
I collect action figures and pick up the occasional comic book or graphic novel. I also check out the special effects in movies. Mostly I just observe goodm design/art, be it a book cover, a painting or sculpture, etc.
Any advice for anyone looking to get into customizing?
Start with easier projects before moving to more
complicated ones. Learn all you can with each project.
And never forget to enjoy whatever it is you're
working on.You can see more of his great work here... http://www.geocities.com/liquidisk/
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The Fantastic Four |
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