VINTAGE SUPER-ARTICULATED EPISODE III DARTH VADER - QUICK CUSTOM

Parental Supervision Required. Take the upper torso of the Young Anakin Darth Vader from that Target 2 pack and swap it with the Vintage Darth Vader with the ball jointed hips and call it a day.  I boiled both figures in hot water and then when the plastic the figures are made of got soft enough I swapped the torsos switching out the lower fabric as well.  Figures will be hot and you can definitely burn yourself.  I advise letting the excess water completely drain off the soft goods before attempting to touch the figure even with your oven mitts on.  

I like this project because it takes only a few minutes to create.  I need to grab one more of the Vintage Vaders so I can do an Episode VI removable helmet Vader with ball jointed hips and the Sebastian Shaw likeness.

VINTAGE ARTICULATED 

EPISODE III DARTH VADER

created by Darth Daddy

Vader with the Hayden Christensen head sculpt.

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

Dad's Darth Vader custom action figure was featured on the front page of Imperial Shipyards.

Star Wars Custom Action Figure YouTube Videos

We saw these videos and thought you all might enjoy them too. Casting Cave sounds like a cool place to look into if you need parts casted.  The Obi-Wan Kenobi in Mandalorian Armor video just got me to part this figure out, although I'm going to go Clone Wars style. 

http://castingcave.ecrater.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CastingCave

CUSTOMIZER SPOTLIGHT UPDATE: "DROIDS" action figures created by Peakob1

We just updated our Customizer Spotlight archive page.  I picked up two of these action figures pictured below in an eBay auction and the other two I got directly from the source. Peakob1 had recently updated his Mungo Baobab action figure and sold us his original when Dad commissioned Peakob1 to make us a Jord Dusat to go with the Thall Joben and Kea Moll we won in an auction. I'm really happy that I have some custom action figures from the Droids cartoon now too. Especially ones that fit in so well with the rest of my collection.

"DROIDS" action figures
created by Peakob1

 MUNGO BAOBAB
created by Peakob1

"Thall Joben, Jord Dusat & Kea Moll"
created by Peakob1

"Jann Tosh"
created by Peakob1

Peakob1 Custom Creations on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Peakob1

For more images from Peakob1 click here:
http://www.yakfaceforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5631

here:
http://droidsandewoks.forumotion.com/customs-and-art-f13/

and here:
http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=20796.0

To go to the ebay page of Peakob1 click below:
http://myworld.ebay.com/peakob1/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

"Diva Shaliqua" created by Darth Daddy

Diva Shaliqua was a half-Theelin singer originally in the custody of Ingoda the Hutt. Named for the elite group of Theelin singers, Shaliqua's parents were killed while she was still a child, but she continued to serve her master until custody over her was transferred to Jabba Desilijic Tiure, Ingoda's business rival. Jabba would take her to varied public events, such as the podraces of Mos Espa, on the planet Tatooine. At one of these gatherings, Shaliqua met gambler Romeo Treblanc, who was actually the owner of Coruscant's Galaxies Opera House.  

Though Treblanc suffered a great financial loss at the Boonta Eve Podrace of 32 BBY, he took a great deal of interest in the half-Theelin, seeing that she had untapped singing talent. When he had recuperated his losses in the following year, he purchased Shaliqua from Jabba, and took her back to Coruscant, where he hoped she would perform as an opera singer in his theater. Shaliqua, however, did not know of Treblanc's intent, and instead decided to rob him, before escaping his custody. Keeping a low profile, she made a living singing at various nightclubs in Coruscant's less reputable districts.

RECIPE

Head - Casted Plourr Ilo with sculpted hair

Arms and torso - Vintage Slave Leia (with sculpted modifications)

Legs - Indiana Jones Marion Ravenwood

Feet - Rystall Sant

SKILL LEVEL: ADVANCED

 "Diva Shaliqua" 

created by Darth Daddy

 

 

 

Diva Shaliqua in Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

 Here she is with the green screen behind her during the film's production.

The Enloe Trials: Chapter IV – Shadow of Death

The latest installment in The Enloe Trials Photonovel Series is here… in this new adventure, Rykrof Enloe and his comrades face death at every turn as they seek an ancient Sith artifact on Dathomir.

It’s a race against time and countless dangers in Chapter IV – Shadow of Death – check it out after the jump!

Customizer Spotlight #34: Shaka's Customs aka munchkins2005

This is a cool looking Star Wars custom action figure that we saw on eBay and wanted to add to my collection.  This is a character from Shaka Customs original line, Star Wars The Lost Files: Bluestunie. 

Bluestunie is Rappertunie's father, and one of the original members of Jabba's band.  We use this figure as a street musician in one of our Tatooine street scenes.

Shaka's Customs started by trimming some plastic from the shoulders, and head of a Rappertunie action figure.  Then he built the hair, re-sculpted his head, and a gave the figure a full paint job including his seat and instrument.

Shaka's Customs is a seasoned veteran over at Figure Realm.   He has created toys from several toy lines, so you should definitely check out the links below to see more of his work. 

 "Bluestunie"

created by Shaka's Customs aka munchkins2005

To go to the eBay page for munchkins2005 go to the link below:

http://www.ebay.com/usr/munchkins2005

Also check out Shaka's Customs on Figure Realm:

http://www.figurerealm.com/viewcustomfigures.php?op=4&id=2086

CAFN Episode 59: Galactic Merchants

CAFN Episode 59: Galactic Merchants

Wow, what a great podcast Custom Action Figure News had with Casey, lead designer for Galactic Merchants: creators of the great new Space Station and Space Cruiser Action Figure Display Dioramas for your 3 3/4" figures. Needless to say they covered the ins and outs of these great new diorama offerings, covered just a ton of member questions, and even talked about future action figure display dioramas. Lets just say we were left just as excited, if not more so, after the interview than we started out being.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/custom-star-wars-display-project

https://www.facebook.com/GalacticMerchants

If you haven't seen the brand new and improved CAFN Page yet, be sure to give it a look.

Go here to listen to the Custom Action
Figure News podcast: 

 http://www.imperialshipyards.net/cafnpage.html

If there is anything you would like them to feature on a future podcast be sure to let them know at:

chad.cafnpodcast@yahoo.com

tamer@imperialshipyards.net

TheBudjetJedi Does It Again - Foam Noodle Wampa Cave Diorama

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBudgetJedi?feature=watch

Patricio Berroeta added to "Customs I Wish I Owned"

One of my favorite things about Star Wars custom action figure art is that it's a global phenomenon. Patricio Berroeta aka Pato Berroeta lives in Santiago, Chile. He is a graphic designer, digital art director, illustrator, and comic artist. He is also a Star Wars action figure collector, and action figure customizer.

Pato started to share his customs with the world in 2011. His personal goal is to complete all the characters that were not produced by Hasbro for the Battle of Carkoon, Jabba's Palace and the Mos Eisley Cantina scenes so he can add them to his personal collection. His representations of these characters are just spot on and every time I look at them I think about how much I'd like to add one of his customs to my own collection one day.

Sometimes he does figures from other Star Wars episodes, but only when spare pieces allow. His work inspires me to take up his cause and make these much needed additions for my own collection one day as well.

Patricio Berroeta aka Pato Berroeta

Here are some links to the work of Pato Berroeta:


Custom figures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pberroeta/sets/72157632870643826/

All his figures in order (even with covers):
http://www.facebook.com/patoberroeta/media_set?set=a.10151400434033650.1073741825.719453649&type=3

His"Work in Progress" album:
http://www.facebook.com/patoberroeta/media_set?set=a.10151585511698650.1073741828.719453649&type=3

Cantina Mos Eisley Diorama (2012):
http://orden99.cl/cantina-de-mos-eisley/



Also be sure to check out his comics pages and illustrations:

Comics pages
http://www.facebook.com/patoberroeta/media_set?set=a.340566438649.150326.719453649&type=3

Illustrations.
http://www.facebook.com/patoberroeta/media_set?set=a.311719368649.146152.719453649&type=3

A VISIT TO SPRYWALKER RANCH

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to see some awesome Star Wars custom action figure art created by one of the most talented customizers out there today, Luke Sprywalker. Some of you may know L.E. Spry aka Luke Sprywalker from the Celebration VI "Star Wars Custom Action Figure Panel" that was held in the summer of 2012.  Luke Sprywalker was a speaker at the panel along with Star Wars customizers Sillof and Sith_fire30.  Dad and I had the opportunity to visit Luke Sprywalker's home, affectionately dubbed Sprywalker Ranch while on a trip through North Carolina on our way to visit family. Getting to hold some of my favorite custom action figure art in my own two hands was a real treat.  I thought the photos of his work were cool, seeing them in hand was just mind blowing.

 Luke Sprywalker on the right drinking the blue milk.

Dad decided the best way to mark the occasion of our visit to Luke Sprywalker's was to update the video of his custom action figures that way you all can see the artwork that we got to see when we visited.  His figures are just amazing.  Seeing his art was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had since I started this hobby, and making friendships like his has made the adventure all worth while.  Hope you enjoy the video.

LUKE SPRYWALKER

Dad updated the video of Luke Sprywalker's custom action figures for this post.

THE SIGHTS

While I was there I go to see my friend Jaxon's awesome Starkiller costume.

We got to check out Luke Sprywalker's super cool vehicle creations too. Up close and personal. We always loved this swoop bike.  It was really cool to give this one a closer inspection.  The paint work was impeccable.

I was always a big fan of a photonovel called Star Wars Apocalypse that was written by Kessel Run Imports and illustrated by Hangarbay94.  Luke Sprywalker and Hangarbay94 made all the custom action figures and vehicles for it and I got to see the actual pieces they used during our visit.

I even got to see this Jabba's Palace diorama from Celebration out in Luke Sprwalker's garage.

 It was really cool to get to hold the winning figure from our Smuggler's Gambit Custom Action Figure Contest that we held with RebelForce Radio.

THE SWAP

While we there, Luke Sprywalker taught Dad how to make molds for resin casting, and we did a parts swap that landed some really cool items in my fodder box.  I already made a custom from some of the parts he gave me.  All I did was paint some flames on this Clone Pilot's helmet, but I like the way he looks.

CLONE PILOT "TORCH"

created by Elias

Luke Sprywalker gave us these awesome iconic Star Wars boxes during our visit.  I can't wait until Dad molds and casts these so we can have some more of them to scatter around my room.

He also gave us two casts of this piece for diorama building.

PARTS FOR DAD'S PROJECTS

 

Dad parted this guy out and started to modify the base figure so he can begin sculpting.

Luke Sprywalker and Dad did a parts swap that helped Dad acquire some much needed parts to complete his figure.

These two pieces, although looking a tad rough around the edges, are going to save Dad hours of sculpting time and will help him complete the larger pirate at a much faster pace than if he had to make these elements from scratch.

MOLDING & CASTING LESSON

RESULTS

Coming soon.

Dad made a cast of the Finn Tegotash head that he created so he can make pirates more quickly.

Eight templates ready to go

Dad's cast held all the detail.

Dad also utilized what he learned during his molding and casting tutorial to make a duplicate of the lightsaber hilts for his soon to be finished General Pong Krell custom action figure.

Dad just has to paint in all the fine details on this figure before shipping him off to Star Wars customizer Hyperdrive so he can create the soft good clothing on this artistic collaboration.  Luke Sprywalker got a good look at this figure during our visit and gave it his stamp of approval.

 

REST & RELAXATION

Swimming in the pool at Sprywalker Ranch with Jaxon Spry.  Our visit wasn't only action figure related.  Good times were had by all.

Custom Action Figure News - Episode #58: DS CUSTOMS

Custom Action Figure News was joined by Darth Streams aka DS Customs and really enjoyed talking about his great custom figures. In addition CAFN really delved into the process of making your own custom cardbacks with removable bubbles from both a materials and hardware perspective, as well as the photo-editing work. Stay tuned as CAFN showcases some of Bill's great PSD templates and all the places he gets his materials from.

LISTEN NOW

Here is a link to the materials and supplies used to create custom cardbacks:
http://www.imperialshipyards.net/SMF/index.php?topic=8766.msg164601#msg164601

If you haven't seen the brand new and improved CAFN Page yet, be sure to give it a look.

Go here to listen to the Custom Action
Figure News podcast: 

 http://www.imperialshipyards.net/cafnpage.html