Customer Reviews

Babes, Beasts, and Brawn: Sculpture of the Fantastic

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The reviewer below is actually right, but I did like the book.
I like Mr. Kiwus works, and I don't think he is just average. He's capable of doing excellent likenesses and very smooth forms.
However the How-To section is the main reason I bought this book and for that it's a keeper. I mean, it's the only book I know focusing on action figure sculpting.
Great stuff!

This book isn't going to show you exactly how he makes his sculptures. Most of it is devoted to a review of his portfolio, with only the last several pages reserved for an explanation of the process. While it's nice to see another artist's work, I really wish this had been more instructional in nature.

This is also a great book for inspirational action/fantasy figure sculpting (see Pop Sculpture book). The book is chock full of reference material on sculpting action figures. The author gives a summary of his past history in sculpting from the start of his career to his present standing. The book includes instructionals on how to turn your sculptures into action/poseable figures but not much on sculpting techniques in general. Great for anyone interested in getting their foot in the door for sculpting figures for toy companies or liscensed movie figurines.

The book reads like the portfolio of the author. And the recent trend is that sculpting action figures is going toward more virtual approach, such as using a software like zbrush then feed the data into cnc milling machine or 3d printer. Personally I like the author's works and the book can provide some inspiration for budding artists, but it doesn't shed that much insight on how the sculptures are created. I'd rather suggest learning Zbrush as a vritual sculpting tool. Many sculptors recommend it because the market is shifting to Zbrush creation.

I should have read the reviews here before purchasing this, but I really hoped to be inspired by this book. It didn't happen, as most of the sculpting pictured here is from early to mid-90s toys, well before action figure sculpting hit its stride. Everything is static and fairly mediocre - which is not a comment on the artist, but that's just how action figures were done at that time.

Not really a worthwhile part of a collection.

Yes, the book is generously illustrated and the how-to section is informative but Mr. Kiwus is an average talent and this book seems to be more about self promotion than the art of toy sculpting. For a look at some truly wonderful sculpture one only need pick up a copy of Toy Fare, Wizard, Previews, Toy Review or any number of related publications. Certainly, Randy Bowen, the father of the mini-bust and comic related sculpture is more deserving of a book reviewing his remarkable career.