THE TWO GODS OF CUSTOMIZING

HIROKI HIYASHI - GOD OF THE WEST
Hiyashi is the best customizer east of the border. The figures he has produced are absolutely mindnumbing. I would give my left arm in exchange for one of his works. Check out Hiyashi's site when you get a chance. Be sure to put on a neckbrace before you do because your jaw will drop.

	The figures you see here are created by Japanese figure sculptor Hayashi. You're trying to tell me that 1:6 scale figure making is not an art? These figures are completely scratch built. Heads were sculpted and painted by Hiyashi. Sword and weaponry were all made with either letter openers or stainless steel and I think he even sewed a lot of their clothing. Any one who can produce figures like these deserve the title of God of Customizing in my book any day.

JIMBOBWAN - GOD OF THE EAST
JimBobWan is a madman. I mean that figuratively of course. JimBob earns my highest respect for his dedication to the hobby for several reasons. The figures that he makes are truly, truly unique. I have spent a great deal of time looking at his figures on JimBob's site to get some inspiration and believe me, I've had plenty. JimBobWan's site is a necessity if you want to get into customizing 12 inch figures.  It's funny that I've been told by many newer collectors that my site was the one that started them into customizing figures.  Truth be told, Jimbobwan was the one who started me into customizing my own figures and if someone else is getting the same inspiration and knowledge that I got from Jim's site, my goal is complete and I'm happy to be able to return the favor to Jim.

 

	One of the main reasons JimBob earns my respect is that he never gives you the direct way of doing things. He'll hint at how it's made, but doesn't tell you exactly the way to go. I think part of it has to do with the fact that a lot of other customizers take the knowledge he shares and then try to produce a cheap knock off and then sell them on eBay. If you take a careful look at JimBob's figures, there is no way in the world you can duplicate his work. Another reason, I think, is that JimBob tries to get your creative juices flowing. He'll give you an idea by looking at his stuff, but it's up to you to implement that idea. For that reason, JimBob deserves his title as the God of Customizing. The reason why I called JimBob insane was that all of his figures are produced with intricate detail. He links chainmails by hand. If you can imagine linking a few thousand tiny rings together to make a piece of armor . . . uh, enough said. His armors are scratch built, piece by piece, with real leather and stainless steel.  Browse around Jim's site and you'll see why this guy is a God in my book.  Although Jim has slowed down quite a bit from the hobby (primarily because he's found another love - his music), he hasn't forgotten about it so check his site for updates every now and then and you're sure to find some good inspiration.

Although his site is fairly old and Jim isn't as prolific as he once was, there seems to be countless tips and techniques that could be weaved from his site.  Even to this day, I am still experimenting with things Jim has done three years previously.  There are countless things that I still cannot do that Jim has mastered.  If there ever truly was a master in the 1:6 art, Jim is one of them and he seems to be equally skilled in every craft - whether it be painting, vacuforming, sculpting, sewing; you name it, and Jim seems to have already perfected.

No matter your level of customizing or doing 1/6 scale figs, there is always room to learn. As I mentioned before, there are so many different aspects of the hobby that not everyone is perfect all the way around. A few people I know excel at certain things like sewing or painting, but not sculpting or weathering. It's up to you to learn and practice it. With this hobby though, you won't succeed without trying. So don't give up and give it your best. If you fail the first time, you might fail again the second, but you will succeed somewhere, right?