skywalkersaga wrote:Thanks for your input, asgardianboy. I agree that tbleague has quite a few improvements to make, but I'm personally not bothered in the slightest about having totally seamless bodies, for many of the reasons GF stated. But also because I'm perfectly contented to 'hide' the joints when necessary, especially since most of my figures are clothed anyway.
Where I feel tbleague needs to improve is in overall body SHAPE, for both female and male bodies. I don't mind the existing body shapes, but I'd prefer to have a LOT more options in that regard. Tbleague have at least been trying to branch out a tiny bit more with the female bodies in the last year or so, adding a 'buxom' body and some others, but still a bit behind on variety with the male body shapes. Would be nice to have somewhat more versatile 'normal' looking male bodies, for sure.
And we won't even get started on lack of skintone variety. That being said, for now it suits my purposes just fine to use the oil pastel technique to colour bodies in the variations I need.
Headsculpts not matching perfectly is another that.... doesn't really bother me?? I can understand why some people are focused on this, but at the same time... the nature of heads being hard plastic while the bodies are soft silicone means that the light will always be hitting them slightly differently. Probably the main way to get as close as possible to reducing that effect would be to use a matte spray on the headsculpts, like Mr. Super Clear matte varnish. Even then it might not mean the light hits exactly the same, but it might help. Other than that, I'm happy to repaint my sculpts to match bodies when necessary.
With male sculpts, I think some Hot Toys skintones look fine enough with the male tbleague body colour.... at least, when I've compared them in-hand and in photos, the match is 'close enough' that it passes for me. But of course everyone's mileage varies, as does everyone's eye for detail and colour.
As for durability, again, I can understand people's concerns about this, and of course would not recommend going around swapping all bodies to tbleague bodies if one is worried about them not lasting a long time. But for making a custom figure from scratch, I find them perfectly adequate so far. I'd rather create a figure that fits my specifications that will last two or three years before having to potentially replace the body, than never make any figure at all. In some cases, this is the dilemma I have found myself in, and because I am keen to work on certain characters, using these bodies is a risk I'm willing to take. If someday there's a better and more durable option for seamless bodies, then I will go through my customs and try to upgrade them. Until then... I'm happy to take the chance. : )
Re: the WorldBox body, if it is the AT025, then it's one I'm also eyeing up to potentially purchase. I haven't quite decided yet, but if I do go for it I'll report back.
I have sent emails to Phicen asking for other builts and skin colours. To no avail.
You can't always cover the wrists/ankles.... :-(
Your tip to "dull up" the head is noted. Light reflection indeed is a very important factor. Thanks! ;-)
I understand you see the business case for your Phicens.
If you ever get the AT025, let us know!
Heads matching Phicen bodies should be more. If restricted to a few heads, the joy of kitbashing with these bodies gets hit. Phicen should fill the colour gap!
Thanks,
m.