Interrogate Mike

[speedracer]

of all the pieces you did for madame tussauds which one did you like best..=)

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by Vader

Those would be incredible. Marvel and DC? Or only marvel? Look forward to seeing them.

A diverse group not limited to Superheroes

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by speedracer

of all the pieces you did for madame tussauds which one did you like best..=)

Good question, probably a Pierce Brosnan I did.

Its probably been replaced now by an updated,better version.

which brings me to another point.I read a lot on these forums and the net about "this bust being better than than bust,or this being a better likeness than that one".

A lot of these things are about timing. If I chose to do a head today of say ..Tobey Maguire ,it has nothing to be compared to so its just a work of art.
But if the next sculptor comes along and decides to do one he now has a level to compare,to surpass.It will inevitably be a tighter rendition because now he knows he will be judged(of course thats assuming they are both on the same skill level).He now has the advantage plus hes seen the other guys piece,which means additional reference.

So when a new version comes along ,assuming its on a commercial basis, it SHOULD be an improvement.if it aint,then why bother?

Also I dont usually keep rehashing the same character over and over to get it 100%,when Ive done it,its done. I usually see things I could improve but thats what makes an artist. i prefer to move on or else I would go insane.

[red-kal]

how do you decide what photographs to use when your doing a likeness?

do you take proportions from photographs at all?

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by red-kal

how do you decide what photographs to use when your doing a likeness?

do you take proportions from photographs at all?

Regarding photos, I take what I can get.Obviously they need to relate to the expression you are doing.

No I dont take proportions,not if you mean measuring them.I do it by eye.

It helps if you try and make some of the pics the same scale as your sculpt.

[red-kal]

thanks

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by red-kal

thanks

No problem. Sorry it wasnt more specific.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by jsoex

Mike,

Do you have any in-progress pics of that life-size Venom bust that you did for Sideshow? That's the most amazing bust ever. It'd be cool to see that in the clay stages.

It's really cool that you have your own section for fans for you and your fans.

I think I do..at least pics of the finshed sculpt before molding. I'll dig them out if you would like to see them.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by Sinema

I've another question. Not related directly to your work, but to sculptors in general.

Are common "bases" available from a company...or are they just sculpted as well as the subject material?

I'm looking for around 20 bases for various statues, but I'd like them to all match (square, stepped, black), instead of the misc. ones they are on.

Is there a company that can provide these in various sizes.....or is this another piece that the sculptor must make?

Actually Im looking for the same thing myself.I'll let you know what I find and vice versa.

[Vader]

Mike,

I know you used to sculpt a lot of figure kits (I have a bunch of your kits). Your focus now is likenesses and more particularly 1:1 busts. Do you have a preference for one over the other?

Do you try to give your own "take" on a piece, or do you just try and replicate the character as precisely as possible? I know your pieces ultimately have a "feel" to them. I can recognize one of your pieces instantly. But is that intentional?

Have you considered doing 1:1 busts that incorporate more of the chest/shoulders of the character (much like the old Greek busts)?