Pop Sculpture: How to Create Action Figures and Collectible Statues [Paperback]

Tim Bruckner (Author), Ruben Procopio (Author), Zach Oat (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 19, 2010

Sculpt toys and collectibles with modern-day tools, techniques and applications used by today’s top industry professionals
 
Ever since a 12-inch G.I. Joe took toy soldiers to a whole new level by giving them the ability to pose via moveable parts, as well as interchangeable clothing and accessories, the business of creating pop sculpture icons for the mass market was off and running. Superheroes came next, followed by TV show and movie characters, most notably those from Star Wars. Today, action figures exist for sports stars, rock stars, even presidents.
 
With today’s blockbuster success of animated films, action figures and collectibles have become a behemoth industry—with a growing need for skilled artists who can bring these characters to life. So how do you get started?
 
The trio of veteran industry insiders who authored this book take you on an incredibly thorough journey that begins with drawing conceptual drafts and continues through rough sculpting and honing the final product. Along the way, you’ll learn how to research your character, shape casts from a variety of materials including wax and resin, make accessories, articulate characters so that they are poseable, paint them, and ultimately convince an art director to buy and manufacture them. Whether you want to make small PVC toys, collectible statues, or larger high-end collectibles, Pop Sculpture offers step-by-step demos and words of wisdom from the pros.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

RUBÉN PROCOPIO has contributed to more than 25 Disney animated features, including The Little Mermaid and The Lion King. He founded Masked Avenger Studios in 2003 to expand his sculpting, design, and comic book illustration services.
 
ZACH OAT is the editor of TelevisionwithoutPity.com, a popular TV and movie criticism website. He is former editor of ToyFare magazine and was the original “toy wrangler” for Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
 
TIM BRUCKNER, one of the pioneers of the comics/fantasy toy field has worked for companies such as Kenner, Gentle Giant and DC Direct, where he designed and sculpted the DC Dynamics statues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 2010 1st Prtg Stated edition (October 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823095223
• ISBN-13: 978-0823095223
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Arts & Photography > Sculpture > Technique
  • #32 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Toys & Models > Toymaking
  • #65 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential For Any Sculptor Looking To Break-In November 9, 2010

By Adrian Faulkner

Format:Paperback

I spent about ten years of my life writing and helping to promote popular collectibles from action figures to resin busts. It's very easy for an outsider to be dismissive of the art of such things - who didn't own a Princess Leia action figure that made her look more simian than human. But the truth is, the mass manufacturing process means that sometimes a lot of detail gets lost. Certainly in my time I saw the standards of sculpting rise from the barely acceptable to the truly stunning. I dare anyone to walk into the Four Horsemen's studios and look at the Masters of the Universe 2-Ups (basically a prototype at twice the finished size) and not have their breath taken away.

Tim Bruckner is one, if not the best, in the business. He's a pro's pro - a sculptor other sculptors look up to. If you've ever seen DC Direct's Alex Ross-inspired Justice Line you can see a lot of his best work. In fact he's worked on a lot of DC Direct's properties bringing various comic artists' drawings into the 3D realm.

So now Tim has teamed up with Zach Oat of Toyfare fame and Rubén Procopio (Electric Tiki amongst other things) to bring us the definitive book on creating action figures and statues.

You'd think with the number of customizers and people wanting to break into the industry there would be a wealth of books on the subject, but this is the first one I've ever seen, and frankly, after being amazed by how comprehensive it is, I don't think another one is ever going to be needed.

What's stunning about this book is the level of detail. It goes into everything, filled not just with information, but tips as well. It starts with looking at the art reference, goes through the sculpting and casting to painting and ends with tips on going pro. Gorgeous photography detailing the various processes sit alongside little cartoon asides that not only raise a smile but raise pertinent points.

If you've ever marvelled at the level of art in an action figure or bust, then this is a fascinating book even if you have no intention of ever sculpting yourself. You can just dip into it and always come back with some new piece of knowledge you never had before. But if you're into customizing and hoping one day to turn it into a full-time job then this book is a god-send. Seriously, in ten years' time I reckon this will be THE textbook every sculptor learns from.

As someone who worked on the fringes of the industry for ten years, it's an incredible book. For anyone looking to get into the industry I'd say it's pretty much damn well essential.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mainly for beginner toy/figure kit sculptors... May 1, 2012

By Justin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A very useful book for getting started with sculpting as well as setting everything up. My one complaint is there's really very little in the way of actually sculpting HOW-TOs in the book, which is fine, but if you're learning how to sculpt accurately, get a book on anatomy. This book shows you how three particular industry talents, and really, only one or two of them, go about sculpting pieces, the materials they use, etc. etc. If you aren't familiar with sculpting/carving in wax, this book will try and familiarize you with it, but it basically only shows you how to get a rough sculpt done in clay/whatever, then casting it and finishing it in wax, and doing another cast in resin. Sound complicated?

If you aren't familiar with that whole process, the book will get you started with it. If you ARE familiar with it, then there's the main problem: you're already familiar with it, and all you'll divine from the book is a handful of helpful hints. The book does a lot to really impress on you that you can't get good sculpts if you aren't finishing in wax. But, if you just want to sculpt some figures in clay or Super Sculpey, like me, without dealing with all sorts of other things like casting in wax and wax pens and whatever else, again like me, then this may not be a wise investment.

Otherwise, there's lots of pretty pictures and a bunch of great, helpful hints if you want to seriously devote yourself to sculpting in the figure kit/statue/action figure industry.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible book that could use a bit more editing February 4, 2011

By Thomas Satcher

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wow, I have spent countless hours trying to learn as much as possible about this industry and trying to complete some good works. This book blows all of my knowledge out of the water. It should be noted that in order to really "follow along" with the project presented in the book you will need A LOT of supplies. pressure pot, compressor, wax pen, camping stove, rubber mold materials, resins, the list goes on but all of it is required to get the job done. A very daunting task indeed.
The book is very well written with lots of witty comments and animations. I have only had it for 2 days and am nearly done with it because I love to read it so much. It makes the process seem much easier than it is and encourages me to spend more time in the studio.
My only gripe would be that their is a lot of editing issues, missing words, odd image references est but its no biggy. The pictures are as a whole very good with only a few blurry spots here and there. It is certainly a must buy for anyone interested in the industry of Toys.