I've been toying with the idea of creating my own custom transforming figure. I don't yet know whether it would be a modification of an existing toy, or a complete scratchbuild. All I know is that I lack both the patience and skill to do much painting. I've been toying with the idea of making a custom Vehicle Voltron. The lions have been made several times over, and Mattel will be making even more Lion Voltron toys, both with the classic '80s design and with the new design seen in VOLTRON FORCE on NickToons. Matchbox's old deluxe Vehicle Voltron, also known as Voltron I, was cool, but like many transforming toys of the 1980s, it was a statue, and it had several quirks that I've never liked. So... does anyone have tips for first-time, want-to-be customizer? Thanks in advance!
One of the best tips that I can give you that I don't think is covered in tutorials, practice on junkers or unwanted figures. Also, practice makes perfect is the best advice that anyone can give ya and if you still have any questions after reading all of the tutorials, most everyone on here will not hesitate to help you out with questions.
Expanding on the junkers theme.... Don't be afraid to try and fail! Make mistakes, they are a big key in developing the engineering skills needed to pull off successful transformer customs. Think like a chess player, in other words try to see four or five "moves" ahead. Always ask "If I do _____, how does it affect _____?" And have fun with it!
Yep! This thread is especially for guys like yourself: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/tutor...ed-they-had-known-prior-creating-customs.html
I have to totally agree Hank, I can't tell ya how many times I failed at a few customs but it helped me in the long run, I knew what not to do in the future and that's just as important as knowing what to do.
It's totally up to you man, I think the advice that me and Hank are talking about, is pretty good advice. Practice makes perfect and so do mistakes.
Git outta my head! I'd like to add a little caveat to the "practice makes perfect" statement: if one practices to become better, they hone their skills; if one simply practices the familiar, they may be practicing the bad habits already created.
Totally agreed to what both of you said. But, yes Allen, they need to be practicing to hone their skills and not simply practicing the familiar.
Thanks to everyone for their advice and encouragement. I don't know how far I will get with my idea -- a custom "Vehicle Voltron" -- but I'm encouraged to take it past my crude doodles and random ideas that are floating around in my head.
I'm pretty new to it all myself, even though I've done a couple now... My biggest piece of advice would be to not be afraid to ask questions! This board is full of awesome customizers, but they're also very helpful and REAL people! No two customizers are exactly the same and lots have their own ways of doing things even if they achieve the same results, so if you see something you like, shoot a PM and ask! You may not end up doing it the same way, but at least you'll be aware of your options when it comes to whatever you're looking to achieve with a certain aspect. Also, definitely what they said... practice makes perfect. I was so thrilled with my custom shockwave, and then after I customized more, I looked back at it like, "what the hell is this?" and completely did another one (same idea, just with new techniques and skills learned from doing it more) and it came out 1,000x better! It's a fun something to get into, and welcome aboard!
