So much for this Craig Ferguson

[DollyKim]

Thanks for everyone's help but it just isn't working out. Desert Guy is back to himself minus his eyebrows which needed touching up. So it's off to think do I build one from scratch or what.

On the other hand Geoff Peterson is going well and drying.

[MeltedCaramel]

Haha, I too late to jump on this bandwagon? I totally agree with everyone's choice. Desert Guy has that "knock off" look that an artist can turn into a portrait. You know, like that Hot Toys "It's totally not Obama but it is" doll. Feedback to paint him more Craig like...obviously you have the hair to work on, you mentioned it being nowhere near done, but a couple suggestions:

Subtly widen the smile and pay attention to Craig's deep parentheses like laugh lines on his face. They're one of the characteristics that stand out and draw your eye. I would also give his mouth a bit of an upturned quirk, a half smile. With "realistic" faceups it's important not to get TOO realistic though, otherwise Craig will look like he's aged eighty years. The doll already mimics his basic facial features, so I would really pay attention to the defining characteristics.

I have no idea if that helps or just makes me sound like an art snob. I promise I was trying to be the first, not the second.

[DollyKim]

That does help. Desert Guy's biggest problem is he looks too young and he doesn't look like a young Craig. To make him look right would require modification I don't want to do on my PTE guys I only have one of. Some of these fellows literally take years to find.

It's looking more like I'll add Craig to the list of heads to try and sculpt. I need to get in to the clay again anyway.

[MeltedCaramel]

Ahh, do you mean you're going to sculpt over the original head? And I'm so sorry for being newbish...what is PTE exactly? I was admiring the articulation and body type on...err....half-naked!Craig, because they don't have True Type's disgustingly over-realistic veiny look (sorry TT fans, I just enjoy the TT basic body!! ^^;; ) but they're masculine enough to pass off for a well-built character.

And I think your progress shot was going great!! You should definitely give Craig another shot. ^_~ In related news, no idea who Geoff is but I'd adore seeing a pic or two (of your doll, I'll google the real guy unless you're working from a specific photo and want to provide? ). I love seeing customs of all different kinds and it seems like you're into a bit of what I'm into in that everything isn't like, MH or original characters who look like they belong in an Anne Rice novel. (DON'T HURT MEEEEE. I'm not pointing to anyone on THIS board!!! AT ALL. I just have to laugh when my tumblr spits out customs that look like they rolled around in a pile of "Victorian Gothic" and came out a little worse for the wear.)

[MeltedCaramel]

Oh! I forgot, if you're afraid of damaging the original doll you can go all mad-scientist like and perhaps try and make a resin mold of Desert Guy's head as a starting point? I haven't tried the mold making thing yet but it seems like some people have got some really simple techniques for your amateur mold maker.

[DollyKim]

PTE is Power Team Elite. They show up at Big Lots stores around holiday time and I've ended up with one of just about all of their caucasian headsculpts over the past few years. I don't mind repainting them, I've already changed Mini Cooper's eyes from brown to blue, but if I only have one of them I don't want to carve or add any sculpting material to them. My skills don't go to mold making yet, especially silicone.

These two are Power Team Elite figures I had copies of.


And I can do full figures.


Since Desert Guy isn't old enough sculpting a Craig head looks to be the next thing to try. I just need to be in the proper spiritual mood to make him too.

[DollyKim]

Making a Craig from scratch viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9395