"DEATH SQUAD COMMANDER" created by Elias

Not only is today Star Wars Day, but this year is also the 40th anniversary of Star Wars! To celebrate Customs for the Kid figured we would bring an old Vintage figure to life that collectors are still waiting to see made with some modern sensibilities. Namely super-articulation...

Action figure collectors were really bummed this year when the Death Star Commander was released in the 6" scale by Hasbro in his black outfit rather than in his original Vintage Imperial greys.  So to pay tribute to the figure from the childhood of the OTC crowd we figured we'd showcase a custom version of the character to celebrate May the 4th.  Elias made the helmet a little more screen accurate and gave the figure a much needed paint job to complete the piece.

It was a great way to enhance the our collection here at home and a fun way to pay tribute to our favorite film franchise.  Stay tuned for a lot more custom action figures from A New Hope throughout the year as we plan to continue paying homage to the film that started it all on its 40 year anniversary.

"DEATH SQUAD COMMANDER"

created by Elias

SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

One figure for inspiration and another for its creation.

"TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP DIORAMA TUTORIAL" created by Elias

So for school, I was recently given an assignment where I had to create a blog explaining the process of adopting a new skill and putting it into practice.  I had hoped I could have written a blog about anything since I had seven years of experience writing this one.  Although that would have given me an unfair advantage over my peers if all I had to do was some copy and paste to get my assignment done. Therefore, I decided to try my hand at something closely related to creating my own action figures, I figured I'd tackle learning how to make a Star Wars diorama.  

You would have thought for as long as I've been writing this blog, that I would have tried it at least once, but we never really had the space in the house to both build and display a large scale piece. Dad once made a small display piece for a few of our Star Wars Rebels action figures, but that is about all we ever attempted and I wasn't even home for that build.

I have a feeling that this may be the only diorama that I do.  Not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I have no idea where I'm going to even put this one now that it is completed.  I probably should have went a little smaller on this build.

Nevertheless, I learned quite a bit making this diorama. By the time I finished, I realized I acquired more than just one skill, but I added several new ones to my skill set.  I learned how to use plaster of paris bandages, installation and utilization of LED lighting in a display, and ways I could create an uneven surface in my display base with a variety of mediums I never used before.

I have to give a shout out to Frank D'iorio's Diorama Workshop website for providing me with a great step by step explanation on how to fabricate the outer shell of the Tusken Raider Hut.  I took it a step further and fleshed out the inside too, complete with tusked supports wrapped in real leather bindings, fur rugs, and a metal fireplace with light effects.

On top of that I had to make my first video tutorial explaining the entire build process in great detail so viewers could recreate my final result.  Dad even taught me a few tricks in post production as I edited what I had filmed.

But enough talk, watch my tutorial!

"TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP DIORAMA"

created by Elias

View inside the Tusken Raider hut. Real leather straps were used to accent the hand sculpted tusks that were painted and then used to simulate the hut's supports.

 A metal electrical fitting was used to construct the fireplace.

 Rugs and wall hangings were made from a furry fabric to simulate animal hides.

SKILL LEVEL: ADVANCED

BACKGROUND IMAGE:

_Pixelpiper. Star Wars Tatooine Landscape. Digital image. Flickr.com. Flickr.com, 13 July 2013.   

     Web. 29 Apr. 2017. https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelpiper/9280370598/sizes/o/.

"REEGESK" created by Darth Daddy

Reegesk was a Ranat scavenger and experienced thief from Aralia, known as a fair trader. He regularly traded with Jawas such as Het Nkik. Reegesk was not picky, and was willing to steal anything, even trash. His tribe needed power for their bootleg vaporator unit, so he went into Mos Eisley to look for a power source. He attempted to trade a Sand People battle idol to Nkik in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina, during which he quietly stole the power source of Nkik's BlasTech Industries DL-44 for use with his tribe's vaporator, leading to the death of Nkik, not knowing his gun had no power during a shootout with stormtroopers.

In all honesty, this figure took me about 30 minutes to make.  Exactly as long as it took me to drill the headcast, place it on the body I had in fodder, and sew the soft good robe shut. In less than hour I was able to add another desired character to our Cantina display.

"REEGESK" 

created by Darth Daddy

SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

COMING SOON - TUSKEN RAIDER DIORAMA TUTORIAL

So Customs for the Kid have been hard at work all week creating content for our blog. Dad has been working on a new Clone Wars action figure for a future episode of "Customizing The Clone Wars", and I have been venturing into some new territory by tackling my first ever Star Wars diorama piece.  I had a school assignment where I had to document my journey as I adopted a new skill. Since I have been making custom Star Wars action figures for 7 years now, I figured it was time that I tried to make my first diorama. The best part about this assignment was that I decided to do a step by step video of my entire process from start to finish.  I put so much work into the video that I decided I would share the tutorial with all of you once it is completed. In the video, I cover the build of the Sandpeople hut complete with interior details, the creation of the desert environment, and how to use LED's and a glue gun to create fire effects.  I'm almost done with the video editing so stay tuned for the release of my video and pictures of the completed project!

"CUSTOMIZING THE CLONE WARS" - EPISODE 46.5

Clone Wars custom action figure artists, Peak-OB1 Custom Creations & Darth Daddy of "Customs for the Kid" display Clone Wars custom action figures from Season 3 of The Clone Wars TV series episode "Witches of the Mist".

John Iacono's 6" Custom Star Wars Collection

If there was one criticism that could be made about our blog, it would be that we don't feature 6" custom Star Wars figures. The second critique would be that we don't feature enough Clone Trooper customs.  So to counter the critics, we figured we'd share a custom action figure collection that addresses the oversight, and give all the naysayers a little taste of what they've been looking for.  

Last weekend Darth Daddy had the opportunity to visit Star Wars customizer John Iacono at his home, and while there he took in all the eye candy that John had displayed on his shelves. Yeah, it's true we only customize in the 1:18 scale, but that didn't stop Dad from drooling over all the cool 6" custom figures that were showcased from floor to ceiling.  Like us, John Iacono had the work of numerous artists in his collection in addition to his own custom action figure creations and Dad really enjoyed getting to see what artists were doing in the larger scale.  John's custom Clone Trooper creations were out of this world!

John Iacono's collection was so unique that we had to share it with you all, because it was truly noteworthy.  We couldn't get over the size and scope of his collection.  He had figures from The Prequels straight through to The Force Awakens.  He even had Legends characters and a sizable Rogue One presence.  John's Clone Trooper customs were just stellar!

It was really cool to find such a vast Star Wars custom collection so close to home. Dad left having a lot of admiration for the artists working in the 6" scale, and the collection he was privy to seeing had some of the best artists out there today!

"Wolffe and Colt Clone Troopers"
created by Cody Kreuziger

"Jabba Han in Carbonite Diorama"
created by Daniel Garcia

"Monster High Ahsoka Tano"
created by Jedi Ash Designs

"Savage Opress, Mechanical Maul, Ahsoka Tano & Nightsister"
created by Kevin Watkins 

"Old Rex and Wolffe, Young Boba Fett, Swimming Kit Fisto, Bib Fortuna, 501st Clone Heads & Ki Adi Mundi head cast and paint"
created by Jason Harrop 

"Zeb, Ezra & Embo with Marrok"
created by Rex Barja 

"Season 3 Sabine Wren & General Krell"
created by Frank Lach

"Speeder Bikers"
created by Christina Mehr Iacono

John Iacono's 6" Custom Star Wars Collection

"CUSTOMIZING THE CLONE WARS" - EPISODE 46

Clone Wars custom action figure artists, Peak-OB1 Custom Creations & Darth Daddy of "Customs for the Kid" are joined by Dayton Allen aka Sith_fire30 as they display Clone Wars custom action figures from Season 3 of The Clone Wars TV series episode "Monster".

Hasbro Petition: Make Super-Articulated 3.75" Star Wars Figures Mainstream Again

Super-articulated action figures are what makes blogs like ours exist.  If you want to support the artists who fabricate dioramas, create photonovels or make super-articulated action figures then please sign this petition.  With the re-introduction of action figures with only five points of articulation, these artforms are quickly losing steam.  Established artists are running out of materials to make new pieces and newer artists that want to join the community are discouraged by the high prices of the older super-articulated figures that they need to get started.  We have seen so many amazing projects come from the action figure artist community to let it just disappear into obscurity. Please take a few moments and show your support by signing this petition.  It only takes a few seconds! 

click the image to sign!

In 1977, Star Wars took the world by storm. Renowned toy company Kenner gained the rights to produce toys based on the film, and the Star Wars 3.75" action figure and toy craze began. In 1995, Kenner brought back Star Wars action figures under their parent company Hasbro. For the next 17 years, Star Wars action figures evolved and improved, receiving high levels of detail and articulation. In 2013, Hasbro devolved their Star Wars figures into very simplistic designs with a basic 5 points of articulation (5POA). In 2015, their 3.75" super-articulated figures (SA) were given as an exclusive to Walmart, where releases are infrequent and comprised primarily of older, repackaged figures. Distribution and availability under Walmart has been abysmal, and the morale and dedication of lifelong collectors and supporters of Star Wars 3.75" super-articulated figures is dwindling. 

Hasbro- Please bring back super-articulated figures as a mainstream product line with respectable availability at all major retailers. With better product being available to worldwide customers and patrons of Hasbro, you will sell more products and regain your reputation as the world's leading maker of mass-produced toys. As a lifelong customer of Kenner and Hasbro, I have become disheartened and disengaged by the lack of quality Star Wars action figures in the 3.75" scale. Not all figures require super-articulation, but every mainstream figure available should not be 5POA. Your fans, collectors, and customers want to give you our money. Please deliver figures in the 3.75" range that are deserving of it.

This petition will be delivered to:

Star Wars Team

Hasbro

"ROTJ EWOK" created by Darth Daddy

This was a quick custom thanks to an awesome headcast we purchased from I-AM-BOBA-FETT aka Riff Valley Designs. All we had to do to make this figure was add the headcast that we painted to the Vintage Collection Lumat action figure and fabricate some chest armor from some dried wood we had in fodder.  With about an hour or two of work we had one nice looking Ewok to add to our Endor display.

"Ewok" 

created by Darth Daddy

 Background by thecardboardgalaxy

SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

 Riff Valley Designs aka I-AM-BOBA-FETT

Unique Star Wars head casts from a talented Star Wars customizer:
Riff Valley Designs eBay Store


CHECK OUT MORE BACKGROUNDS BY:
thecardboardgalaxy

"CUSTOMIZING THE CLONE WARS" - EPISODE 45

Clone Wars custom action figure artists, Peak-OB1 Custom Creations & Darth Daddy of "Customs for the Kid" display Clone Wars custom action figures from Season 3 of The Clone Wars TV series episode "Nightsisters".

"CALAMARI CREWMAN" created by Elias

This was an action figure that was inspired by some friends of ours.  This custom Star Wars figure is just a simple repaint of The Black Series "Admiral Ackbar" action figure that can be found at Wal-mart locations  at a deep discount if you are fortunate enough to come across one.  All that needed to be done was a little prep work and some new paint.  The joints on the figure were reduced with a Dremel to prevent paint rub before any paint was applied.  After a few hours of effort was put into the paint application we had a new character to populate our Rebel alliance display shelf.

One of the coolest parts of doing this project was taking the time to bring attention to a great project that Star Wars customizer Peak-OB1 Custom Creations recently did prior to Toy Fair New York to give the Hasbro action figure design team some ideas on how to make some new Star Wars characters in action figure form using existing parts that have already been massed produced.  By using these parts, Hasbro would not need to spend more in production costs, only re-release old molds with new paint schemes and some minimal part swapping to give collectors some really desirable new characters to add to our collections.

"CALAMARI CREWMAN" 

created by Elias

SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

"Calamari Rebel"

created by Evilivo

Peak-OB1 used Star Wars customizer Evilivo's "Calamari Rebel" as inspiration when he made his own figure.  Dad bought the parts to recreate Evilivo's version.

"RANCOR PIT DIORAMA PARTS" by OUTER RIM TRADERS

Outer Rim Traders has knocked it out of the park with their latest offerings to enhance your Rancor Pit dioramas.  They are now offering the large Rancor pit door, the Palace entry door, and the Round gate that Luke and the Gamorrean Guard enter through.  They commissioned FigureWorks to design and laser cut the acrylic masters that were then molded by Outer Rim Traders and mass produced as resin casts. You can get all three pieces for $57 plus shipping.  Head on over and get your parts now!

$4

$10

$43

FACEBOOK PAGE

1:18 SCALE DIORAMA PARTS

1:18 SCALE HEADS, HATS & HELMETS

1:12 SCALE HEADS & HELMETS

1:12 SCALE DIORAMA PARTS

1:12 SCALE JAWA & BUBO RESIN KITS

1:12 SCALE ACTION FIGURE ACCESSORIES

ALSO CHECK OUT:

FigureWorksCustoms

"CUSTOMIZING THE CLONE WARS" - EPISODE 44

Celebration Anaheim featured Clone Wars custom action figure artists, Peak-OB1 Custom Creations & Darth Daddy of "Customs for the Kid" display Clone Wars custom action figures from Season 3 of The Clone Wars TV series episode "Pursuit of Peace".

RYKROF ENLOE: RISING DEPTHS

A new chapter in The Enloe Trials is completed. Head on over to the Yakface forums for the latest adventure in the saga of Rykrof Enloe!

CUSTOM CRASHED FIRST ORDER TIE FIGHTER DIORAMA