I've been thinking about customizing a lot in lieu of actually having time to DO any customizing, and I was trying to figure out what my favorite part of the process is. What's your least favorite?

For me, I think it's actually disassembly, sorting, and organizing parts and accessories. There's something just really relaxing about coming up a system for where everything goes, and having a place to put everything.

I think my least favorite is actually painting, mainly because it's where things seem to most often go wrong. When it goes well it's very satisfying, but paint rub/chipping can be maddening.

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Overall I think it is the act of world building. Making a single custom figure never had great appeal for me, at least without a full collection to accompany it. Instead, making the supporting cast and making figures, vehicles and scenes to give that same custom context is everything to me.

Hands on wise, I enjoy that pre-painting stage of getting the parts just right. I don't enjoy the act of painting because I feel a lot of pressure at that stage. But I love it when I can capture a likeness of bring out the best of a sculpt. Then the post painting. Finding modding or creating the miniature bits that make the figure seem like they belong in that world.

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My favorite part is the designing and trying different things and modding to create something new. I never seem to get tired of that aspect. I have quite a few customs that have stalled after that phase ended and are awaiting paint. I don't dislike painting per se, but it does require me to be in the mood.

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Most awesome.

My favorite part of the customizing process is the challenge of finding what I need to make it a reality. This is as much fun as crafting the backstory. It can be frustrating sometimes if the best part needed just happens to be on a figure that is shortpacked, or worse, an exclusive. But then it forces me to dig deeper and search wider for an alternative.

Like yourself, my least favorite part is painting, but more because of my climate here, and the inability sometimes to paint some of these oil impregnated joints and such that have me swearing since it wouldn't kill them to cast the joint mechanism in a homogeneous color with the arm or elbow. It is easier to paint a joint darker to match the arm than it is to paint it lighter. For myself, I just plain figure 'forget it', and accept the off color joint as a marking or tattoo. All of the supposed 'tried and true' ways of painting them have never worked. Even sanding, which I don't care for since I want a strong articulation not a lose one.

Been having some permanent success with the new Testors Aztek brand of airbrush paints, which are great applied with the airbrush or a regular brush.



Thankfully, and I mean thankfully, some of the casting sites have casted the pieces I needed, heads and such in the colors of the different fantasy races I have been creating. It is far more comforting to make a Drow elf with a head casted in black than it is to prime and paint a flesh colored one that obsidian black. Getting my own noggin in the medium brown, or my harpy heads in white to match their feathers, these great favors from the casters help the dreams get realized. You can't put a price on that really.

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The eureka moment, when you've been driving yourself insane trying to figure out how to make something work, and you find the perfect part/paint/technique and it all just comes together.

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For me, I enjoy the painting process the most, with the exception of a few colors. I like putting those finishing touches on that takes a project to a new level whether it be customizing, my woodwork projects, or when I assist from time to time in building homes. I like to see that finished product. I also enjoy mixing and matching parts. Normally I start each custom with one piece, a head or torso that I want to use and go from there. I just try different pieces to see what works best or what I like. The same kinda goes for my paint schemes. I kinda have a vague idea and it just goes from there.

My least favorite part is writing the backstory and taking photos. I hate, hate, hate taking photos. My hands shake quite a bit at times and it's difficult to get photos that aren't blurry. Also we got a new camera and I have no idea how to work the thing. Writing the bio/backstory is something I have to force myself to do. I have written so much in the several year getting my 2 masters degrees that I hate sitting in front of a computer ant typing. I mean I can think it up in my head but I can't get it out of there.

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Worst for me is sculpting. It bring the whole process to such a standstill while waiting for the stuff to cure. And if its a complicated mod that requires multiple stages of sculpting, that can add days to a build I usually throw the piece back in the WIP drawer where it languishes for way too long.

Everything else is a best. From the brainstorming, the character bio, the construction, the paint, and of course seeing the final piece come together just as I envisioned it or even better in some cases. And I like positive feedback on good customs and some helpful tips on pieces I feel went downhill along the way.

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Josh,

The quickest, simplest way to make your figure photography easier and look better is PUT THE CAMERA DOWN!

Find some books to stack, and something like a small sack of beans from the pantry, and stack them. Use the books to get the camera about "eye-level" with your figures, and use the bean sack to cradle the camera. This takes 90% of the motion out of the shot, and helps get much, much clearer images. If you can set your camera to delay (it waits a few seconds after you press the shutter button to actually shoot the image), that can get rid of the last little bit of blur from shaking. Or, if your camera can be triggered remotely, triggers are pretty inexpensive on amazon (less than $10) and have the same effect.

That, and bringing in as much light as possible (desk lamps are very useful, and you can use paper to screen or filter the light so the shadows aren't as harsh) will greatly improve the quality of your shots.

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Thanks for the advice. Whenever possible I try to get my daughter to take photos but you know teenagers. It's hard to get them to do anything. I will have to try your suggestion.

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I know it sounds sort of smart assed but my favorite part is being done, being able top look at it and be satisfied that you don't need to do anything else to it.
I sort of like to dremel things, making small changes with it and sanding. im not a sculptor and I paint well but its a slow frustrating process to me but demeling is sort of calming I guess.

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This. Specifically in regards to engineering. When I'm at that point where I think something should work, I've been trial and erroring it for hours/days, and BAM! It works just the way I planned or even better than I ever imagined it could. After that I just want to finish so I can show everybody.

Painting, it use to be because it was tedious and I could never match skills with the best of the best. Now it is because I rarely have that chunk of time and I always, A.L.W.AY.S., underestimate how long it takes, even after I break the jobs down into sections or colors. When you only have a half hour to paint a head and the eyes just aren't making things easy, it is very frustrating.

Picture taking is a chore. Only because I'll think I have the shot, look on the computer and only one of the twelve is focusing on the figure and it cut off the feet. But DOTD's comment about lighting made me realize I need to start bringing some of my portable lights with me when I do location shots. Set it up like a movie scene.

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best for me is the final shots and feedback.

from concept to final paint i am a ticking time bomb set to katy kaboom! but i get zen when it's picture time and a real feeling of self from a "that a boy" from one of the masters

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I found one of my favorite parts last night. I have a nightstand next to my bed that is being used as a catchall for some fodder boxes as I sort stuff.

I had an unopened Ultimate Roadblock I intended on putting in a baggie to save on space.

I realized I hadn't ever taken off the vest from an Ultimate Roadblock before. In doing so I noticed the interesting upper section. I grabbed my box of cast heads to see if I had any bigger head sculpts. I found one that looked like a WWE BnB Undertaker with glasses added on. It fit right on the neck and I started turning it around to see how it looked.

I liked the look. Mentally it seemed like my mind's eye was this pitch black area and suddenly holes were appearing to let light in. I started getting a feel for what type of character he could be and what he could do.

I like those moments where you start with something and then it seems like you unlock another part and then another and another and pretty soon you have an idea for a new character.

I guess it's that sudden possibilities moment and potential I like.

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Favorite part is vehicle construction, least favorite part is painting. So bad that if I had the cash to pay someone else to do it I would.

Lately I've enjoyed the experiencing the process with my boys. They are not so much interested in the actual process, but are interested in character development and parts sorting. The cool thing is, they are actually pretty good at it.

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