Sculpting enquiry

[Ranthony]

Hi all,

Possibly the wrong sub-forum, but I will ask here as it's relevant to the theme.

I have a young son with Atresia ( under-developed ear) on one side and am considering commissioning a sculpt of him in 54mm, dressed as Spiderman, without the mask.

My motivation to do this, is that, alongside his love of spiderman and our membership of an atresia charity that builds confidence, I believe that having a tangible model to look at and show friends will be of immense help in offsetting the 'negatives'.

As he has already shown an interest in toy soldiers and other models, I'd love to be able to commission an accurate representation of him as his favourite superhero, something he can use in his play.
54mm I think is about right.

I know the going rate is somewhere near 10 pounds per millimetre for a good sculptor, that being the case, what would you suggest are the best options, in terms of limiting cost?.

Are there sculptors who will sculpt a head only, that I can affix to a spiderman model?
Am I better off buying a dolly that needs minor adjustments and asking a sculptor to weave their magic?
Perhaps I have to go all out and tender for commision, I have no idea how this works, input and advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Ry

[DS615]

We live in the future now.
I've never done it, and it's been years since I did any research on it, but there are a number of methods available to Scan a real object (even people, and even from photographs), translate them into a 3D model, and then print them. It's legitimately astounding when you stop to think about it.

That may be something worth a bit of time to look into.
Just an thought.

[Ranthony]

We live in the future now.
I've never done it, and it's been years since I did any research on it, but there are a number of methods available to Scan a real object (even people, and even from photographs), translate them into a 3D model, and then print them. It's legitimately astounding when you stop to think about it.

That may be something worth a bit of time to look into.
Just an thought.

Thank you.
I'll explore that as a possibility as you are right, there is so much that can be done that we wouldn't have dreamt about, even 10 years ago.

Cheers

Ry

[BeneathALeadMountain]

As DS615 said you can definitely get the little chaps noggin scanned and then printed. I’d personally save the money from a whole 54mm and buy a decent, articulated Spider-Man (I’d personally be tempted by Miles Morales as he is the future) and then either scan and print or commission a sculptor to just make a replacement head  - often on the more expensive toys the heads are swappable and this would make it easier. Then it’s just a case of a clear brief with photographs to work from. With the scan and print people I’d tell them exactly why you need it and hope they see it as a good bit of PR for a company and give you a better deal. I would if it was my op. The only downside I can see is using Marvel characters for base if photographed but again maybe contact Marvel and tell them what you’re doing? (This may be naively optimistic and unrealistic of the modern world/people but worth the effort).

Good luck with this I hope you find a way to achieve your goal.

Andrew
BALM

[Ranthony]

Thank you Andrew, you've shone light as I am not 'in the know' in this field.

I expect PR folks would jump on this and I admit, it did cross my mind but as a father and a hobbyist, it didn't sit well with me upon my first thought, despite the potential savings.

I want this to be something my son will keep and pass to his children, as a unique and relevant piece of art, hence my willingness to put it to tender.

I am very grateful to you for your input.

Cheers

Ry

[BeneathALeadMountain]

That’s totally fair enough, it was more as an option if the financial costs were too high. The quality of printed resin miniatures is now very good (I can finally buy models that aren’t just destroyed aesthetically by print lines) so a 3D printed head is an option. Maybe find a appropriate action figure and get a 3D artist to stylise your son in the same style as the model - that would probably be the best route although the scan and print people seem to be offering something that would have been seen as sci-fi witchcraft when I was little!

I’m going to keep looking at this whilst insomnia is distracting me.

Is his favourite hero standard spidey? Did he like “into the spiderverse”?


Andrew

[Ranthony]

Many thanks Andrew.

I'm not 100% on the spideyverse, I can say that he watches the series with spidey, kid arachnid and Wendy though, aswell as old time cartoons on dvd.

Yes, his favourite hero is standard spidey, though he does have an attachment to iron spidey and kid arachnid.

I think your suggestion of going 3D makes the most sense, I'm grateful to you for that and will explore the options immediately.

Here is a picture (mods, I hope this is allowed) of his ear, if that offers anyone viewing the thread a required insight.

Cheers

Ry

[2010sunburst]

Can’t help with the sculpting side of this, but have you thought about perhaps crowdfunding it?

[Ranthony]

Can’t help with the sculpting side of this, but have you thought about perhaps crowdfunding it?

It had crossed my mind but having thought about it very briefly, I think it would become a charity event and that's miles away from what I intend it to be.

For me, it's about doing something for him and I hope that for him, it's about receiving a gift he can use to somehow 'frame' his condition and 'own it', as they say.

I'm grateful for the suggestion.

Cheers

Ry

[Mason]

I have added a link to this thread on the Professional Sculptors Group on Facebook to see if anyone there can offer help or advice.
 

[tin shed gamer]

Reading through your post. It seems to me the issue  of empowerment  is your main goal. The simplest and most robust solution is to make spiderman the same as him. Not him the same as spiderman.
So pick up a mask off Peter Parker action figure. Hot knife the ear away from the side of the head and fold it over.
He'll get far more use and enjoyment out of it than a miniature. For a child there's much more milage in your hero being like you than you being the hero.It gives him someone to relate too.
Plus he's  still a mini himself so there's  a lot to be said for something you can simply replicate time after time if (and when) something happens  to the toy.
Try this first.
Then if your still after a likeness of your son. I'll make you a 28mm head you can make a stamp mould from. It'll  be much more useful for involving him in you hobby when with an evenings kitbashing he can be on the table as anything  from a legionnaire to a Space marine .
Mark.

[Ranthony]

Mason, thank you, I had not thought to reach out beyond here as I don't have a wide hobby network.


Mark,

I think you've spoken words I ought to have had in me.
You are absolutely right on the issue of his empowerment, that is the driving force for me, though I have probably seen the issue through the lens of a father.
The input of others, detached emotionally, is of great value and your ideas are spot on.

I will return to re read your post in the morning as I believe there is fruit to be had by my putting your thoughts into action.

I am grateful for your having taken the time to post.

Thank you chaps, I'm touched.

Cheers

Ry

[Ranthony]

Mark,
Having thought it through, I'm going with your suggestion and have picked up a 12 inch spiderman figure today.

I'm going to source a peter parker figure, get started on some very basic kitbashing and remove the ear, then see if I can form an Atresia ear with green-stuff.
It'll be my first effort at this sort of thing but it's worth trying.

I think I can probably pin/glue that on and paint it to blend.
If it turns out well then I'm certain that he'll be delighted.
Once it's done, I'll update here and there will of course be pictures of the result.

Thanks to you all for your help and kindness.

Cheers

Ry

[BeneathALeadMountain]

I’m glad you’ve found a way forward with this. Your plan sounds sensible my only piece of advice would be “if you can” use procreate instead of green stuff. It’s another two part sculpting putty but is much easier to use, and will hold firm lines better when drying (you can also carve and sand it very easily when dry). If you can’t find any/afford it give me a shout and I’ll send you some of mine. TinShed is an excellent sculptor and will be a lot of help but if I can do anything give me a shout (if you struggle with the sculpting I’d be willing to try). I’d sculpt the ear onto a pin then you can drill into the head position it and fix/blend it in.

Good luck, keep us updated

Andrew
BALM

[Ranthony]

Andrew,
Thank you, that's incredibly kind of you.

I'll source some procreate as it sounds the better option, if I do get stuck or find my efforts fall short, then I will likely be in touch but I think the motivation to do it right, will yield results.

Thanks again

Ry