IMPL dolls Star, Model and Idol Discussion thread 15

So, the exciting news is that my Candice head has arrived!! The disappointing news is that the sculpt is not at all what I hoped it would be. It appears almost as if the finishing/refining process was not quite complete on the master sculpt at the point that they made the mold and started casting: on the head that I received, you can see what look like marks of sculpting tools in multiple areas on her face. I'll try to take some photos to illustrate this and post them as a follow-up in the next couple of days. I've never seen anything like this before, and I currently have heads/bodies/full dolls from at least nine different companies at this point. I'm shocked and don't even know how to feel. I really dislike being negative but I can't in good conscience keep this information quiet. As far as my own plans, I see extensive modifications in my future, should be a fun (though unplanned) project

(Edited for clarity)

 

Really? I'm so sorry! My Impldoll heads are smooth and look very professional. This is so strange! Unless it's the lips. They like to sculpture the lip texture on some of my dolls, which I like. You could just blush the lips and they look very natural with the texture they leave but other than that, I've never seen anything like that @Gamine , so sorry!

 

@IngieBee Yes she has a very pretty sculpted lip texture, I have no issues with that It is the various textured divots/pockmarks/depressions on other areas of the face that are perplexing to me. As a sculptor, they look to me like tool marks in the master sculpt that were never fully smoothed out. I have one other Impldoll head sculpt and I completely agree with you that the face sculpting is very smooth and professional, which is part of why I was so surprised by this!

I also just want to clarify that I really enjoy Impldoll as a company and I'm sure that a lot of loving care went into Candice's sculpt, I don't mean to dismiss that at all. I'm just sad and confused by the quality of the end product that does not give her the chance to shine the way that she deserves. My thoughts in my previous post (and this post as well) are just my own speculation about what may have caused the issues I'm describing, I could be completely wrong about the situation

 

Oh, that's really disappointing to hear

 

Here are some photos of Candice in real skin resin color (I was intending to colormatch her to DF-H tan). I manually decreased exposure on these photos so that the contours of the sculpt would show up a little better. I don't have any photography skills to speak of, and I wasn't able to clearly capture in these images the elements that I was attempting to describe in my previous posts, but it's very obvious to the naked eye. I might try to take some video footage of the sculpt before I begin modifications and see if that is more helpful than the photos. At any rate, I will try to make this my last post about this topic, but if anyone has any questions I'll be glad to respond

Spoiler: Photos

 

to be absolutely honest, I don't see any marks. I see some weird-looking sculpting decisions that probably aren't noticeable with a faceup (the side nostril shaping looks...odd) but no tool marks

 

i honestly don't see any sculpting marks either she just look like she has a very defined face with sharp angles, maybe it's just the lighting so i can't see them or maybe the face is just a lot more defined without a faceup and you didn't notice when you bought her.

 

@Girrl For sure, I totally understand that the possible sculpting tool marks are not showing up in the photos, despite being immediately apparent to my own eyeballs! What I do think is visible in the photos however, is an unusual lumpy/bumpy texture in multiple areas of the sculpt: all over the chin, the sides of the nose bridge, the area above the upper eyelids, and even the cheeks (to a lesser extent). I broached this topic, even though it makes me uncomfortable to put myself in this position, because if the perspectives were reversed and someone else in this thread had received a doll that looked like this I would definitely be interested in knowing about it. I probably just need to let this go and come to peace with the fact that no one else will be able to see what I'm talking about because they don't have the opportunity to see the sculpt in person, and that I'm going to feel like I'm losing my mind

 

@Enchiridion Thanks for sharing your perspective! I agree, I'm sure these details would be much less noticeable with a faceup!

 

I'm really sorry she didn't turn out right for you, do you think you'll be able to work with it? Or will you go with something else now? Kind of bummed that you're unhappy

 

You are so kind to me @IngieBee It means a lot, thank you for being so awesome I'll try to take some time before making any final decisions, but tentatively I'm planning to modify her or get a different head sculpt entirely. She has a body already, a husband and daughter at home, and a brother in the works, so one way or another I'm going to bring this character to life

 

At least I believe that their resin doesn't discolor when sanded. Because they sand their dolls all the time. Hope you can get her they way you want her!!! @Gamine

 

@IngieBee Ooh, thanks for the tip!! That's great to know that Impl's resin doesn't discolor with sanding!

@Thymeseer I know you've been waiting for this sculpt from the start, and it was breaking my heart to think about you or anyone else potentially being disappointed with her when she arrives. I have my fingers crossed that you end up adoring her to pieces This is the type of situation where I would much rather see other folks be happy than see my own petty complaints be vindicated!!

 

does anyone know which wigs fit Model heads best? Iris specifically in my case. I looked at the measurements and it looks like the head circumference is juuust over 8 inches, so would a 7-8 be too snug? would an 8-9 be too big? currently looking at getting an 8.5 inch wig made to fit smart dolls, and I'm curious if that would fit well

 

Oh, and a other thing I wanted to bring up in this thread: does anyone know why Impldoll stopped making their thigh mobility joint option? I ordered my Iris with the thigh joint in january and it showed up as an option on the dealer site, but now when the dealer emailed me to tell me she's ready to ship, they said the doll would come without as its no longer an option. I'm really worried about how this will affect my girl's poseability

 

@Gamine I don't think your complaints are petty and though I can't see all the tool marks I can see the weird texture you're describing. I think the bones of this sculpt are great and I hope you can work on her and get her to the right place for her character to come to life. It really would be a shame if the master sculpt itself is so flawed.

@gaymergoose I don't have Model heads (only Idol) but given how big and round these heads are I'd say make sure any wig you get has good elasticity (and good grip). The extra smooth resin means all my wigs have to be put on with tack. Even if they're the correct size for the measurements, the head shapes themselves are not standardized to other wigmakers so the wigs will slide on and off pretty easily - too easily for my liking. I'd go for the exact size or half a size down (or be prepared to make the wig a bit smaller with a pin-tuck).

 

@gaymergoose If the wig is stretchy, I like to go with the smallest possible. But most of my wigs are Monique, and that's what I'm used to, that was easy. Now they are out of business, and I don't have a feel for other companies. So I don't know what to tell you???

And I didn't know they stopped making the thigh joint??

 

@A Wee Tiefling Thanks so much for the encouragement!! I started modifications on Sunday, I'm in way over my head but this will be a great learning experience It's going to take multiple rounds to accomplish all of the changes that I have in mind, thankfully resin is patient!

 

I really can't wait to see what you do with her @Gamine . I'm currently learning how to sculpt blythe dolls and hope I can get better at it then I'll try things on bjds if I gain any confidence