Sideshow Collectibles Behind the Scenes: Sculpting and Painting

In the second part of our visit to Sideshow Collectibles, we chat with the managers of the sculpting and paint departments to learn about the process that each of Sideshow's statues go through from their prototyping to production phases. These artists have some of the best jobs in the world!

[jnschannel]

The Interviewer is asking so many good questions. props to him.

[rafindeed]

as a miniature painter and a concept artist, is amazing to see this process. it stills boggles my mind how can you achieve such realistic look with basically acrylic paint and inks. I struggle to make my miniatures look not cartoony and these guys can literally achieve any type of texture with only paint. Incredible job, i hope one day i can work on concepts for these guys.

[MoonMagicks]

Man, the raw talent these guys have is incredible! I have the utmost respect for them.

[model]

No matter how many features I see/hear/read about Sideshow's process, I'm always blown away each and every time.  Nice interviews.

[ogbutch]

Amazing amount of detail, work, and commitment. Nice job Sideshow!

[nudlZz]

I could watch stuff like this all day :-D

[AuntyGoogol]

You're a very good interviewer.... You come up with the best questions.

[RaiderTatum]

I really enjoy everything he interviews for, knows his stuff and as mentioned before key on what to ask...That studio is a candy store love this stuff!

[ValiantPixel]

I’ve got my first two Sideshow figures coming later this year - Iron Man Mark 3 and Mortighull Death Reaper General. I’ve been following their work for years now and I look forward to a LOOOONG relationship in the future. Thanks for being awesome Sideshow!

[dorukozalgan]

respect this job requires to be skiiled and hard work

[MaddieMadderson]

I would sell my soul for this talent. I am in the midst of making a cover out of sculpting foams starting from polymer and making a silicone mold for the bottom half of my prosthetic leg for shape/athetics and it is not easy. They make it look so easy.

[synthrogue]

Prototypes are still one of my biggest gripes with collector culture. Having bought very large, very expensive pieces myself there's always this anxiety about what the production paintwork is going to be like.
In the industry as it is now, multi-million pound/dollar companies like Sideshow really shouldn't be having the issue of the overseas production team having 'different paints' higher skilled people should be employed to replicate much closer to the original pitch.

One in particular was the Prime 1 Geralt statue that I initially missed out on, living in England we rarely ever get these huge, expensive polystone pieces because very few can afford or are willing to pay because of the extortionate price rise with our 20% tax on luxury items.
In the end I caved after finding one in Australia for much more than the usual retail price, with the cost of the model, extremely expensive delivery and customs and import tax on top it ended up costing me a little under £1000.

Opening it up, I was impressed and did like what I had but compared to the prototype it was worlds apart in paint application, it was overall just lighter and too 'clean' looking with some paint details that are far too bright on the Chort head base which is supposed to be a wild, dangerous, dirty monster and just looks a little cartoonish with its green details in parts.
The prototypes barely look like they justify the price tags they're asking in the UK and the production quality is absolutely unjustifiable for the price for the most part.

That said production vs prototype quality has improved over the years but as such the price has increased.
It can't afford to get higher but the quality in most cases could be pushed that little bit further for no real extra cost.

[bowser]

Anthony Mestas is an absolute paint genius, I would happily pay a lot more to have him paint my stuff.

[Gerald]

These were great. Nice to see a detailed interview by someone who not only appreciates the craft but understands it too. Wish they were longer.

[AstenRegisTheFlipside]

Love the detail in each of these figures. Pure art!

[tehsma]

I feel like Norm has listened to criticisms of his early interviews and improved considerably. Very fascinating episode. Good job folks.

[schnirpschnirpley]

I like norm. He always asks very good questions to whomever he's interviewing. 

[Seamo]

Simon Lee is indeed no joke! These people are mind-blowing!

[TheMrSlyxx]

Simon Lee is the boss. Everything that guy does is top notch and shows incredible character.

[Xplorer]

Damn that was a good interview. Good job Norm!