SOULDOLL Zenith Chiron Discussion - 70cm Centaur & Human versions

Speaking of Euclase, I wonder how the resin would match, because it would be awesome to put the spare head on that body.

And I sort of like the human face better than the elf version...

 

Why are people so quick to say it's a "fantasy creature" it does not have to be proportioned? Not to be rude, but the best fantasy sculptures I've seen were executed using real life animal reference and by that I mean applying the whole anatomy to create a being no matter how fantastical. It looks real because the sculptor said to him or herself, "how would this thing run, breathe, eat, how would it's muscles deform while moving?"

Yes, fantasty beasts are up to interpretation, but come on folks, do you really think that horse body is supportive to the rest of the figure?

Those of you who like Chiron the centaur version, can like him, but don't be so quick to brush aside a more critical eye.

 

Chai_fiend, I must say that even if people have certain tastes in fantasy creatures, I'm in awe with this sculpture.
Also I must say that this particular centaur like creature is based on Chiron-> http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Images/ChironAchillesSwiecinski.jpg
The likeness with this and the bjd version is stunning.

 

Wow, that's a really neat comparison and the body does look very similar. The other thing to take into account is functionality. I don't know the answer to this but, to make the horse midsection bigger, how much heavier would he be? How well would his legs support the weight? Would the horse body have the same range of motion? It just strikes me that the horse body can't have been easy to engineer in terms of being able to hold the weight of the horse + man body and be fully posable. It's possible that it's simply stylized for the sake of being stylized, but there could also be a purpose behind it that we aren't aware of. Of course people will buy or not buy depending on if they find him attractive, but I think it's something interesting to consider.

 

I'm just impressed as heck with the engineering! And, yes, I know his horse half isn't anatomically correct, but it's quite possible anatomical correctness at that size wouldn't have translated very well in ball-jointed form.

Also, as stated earlier, there are several BJD with heads that are out of proportion, eyes that are FAR too large to be realistic, limbs and torsos that aren't quite 'right' anatomically...and nobody seems to mind that so much...I find it funny that some people seem so up in arms over the anatomical proportions of this creation lol

Anywhoo...not for me, but I'm excited that Souldoll has managed to pull this off! And that they're offering him in WS as well as gray.

 

If you think about it, the horse body would be perfectly fine in real life because if he were alive the lungs and other organs would be in the human half so the horse 'chest' wouldn't need to be proportioned like a real horse. Also I agree with the weight thing. I'm sure he's heavy enough without any extra weight added.

 

Ilves- that sculpture does indeed look like Souldoll finished product!
But I have to say that slinky body is ridiculous and it recalls lots of laughing over extreme proportions in Survey of Western Art I.

Regardless of whether or not a bjd is a fantasy creature or based off a human, discussion about realism, proportions, anatomy should not be discouraged or dismissed as silly, or "someone taking it too seriously." Especially when we're discussing the same things that artists and sculptors may consider when producing a piece.

It's valid commentary.

 

Hot, Hot, Hot! Simply hot! I feel instantly for that face! Oh and the body is just... I can not WAIT to see order him and post pictures of him. I don't really dig the centaur version, but the ears are lovely. The middle part of the body seems too think. It seems like if itr were real, it's back would be sore from seeming so weak. The connection between the 'human' uppear body and the 'hore' bosy is weird, but good in some way. The human version is going to be a doll I goggle over for a long time. What a handsome boy. That face!

 

chai_fiend - No need to get defensive or upset, no one is dismissing you. I'll repeat myself if necessary: I just think it's odd that the extensive stylization of the human figure by various companies in this hobby has brought out less criticism than this centaur. Yes, the horse torso's form is too thin, but by god if I ever saw a human man in real life with the anatomic structure of a Dollshe or a Mecha Angel or a Feeple... well you get my point?

 

Hm, I do get your point ArvanahModray, but I think it is something to do with the apparent mismatch between the relatively realistic human parts (just ignore the eight-pack) and chunky horse's legs as against that skinny horse torso. Because it is not consistent, it looks more like shoddy sculpting than stylisation. It's a shame, although it is still a very striking piece.

 

I was noticing that, but I think it's because it *looks* like the human torso is actually the same mold as the torso used for the centaur...that the horse parts were made to fit together to the torso the same way the hips and legs of the human do.

I honestly can't decide if that was a good move or a bad move on Souldoll's part not to create a completely different human torso for the centaur.

 

I'm curious to see how much mobility the human torso will have on the centaur body. Perhaps the slighly odd appreance of the joint couldn't be helped if the joint is versatile.

I'm tempted to get the centaur some time later (when I am not broke), skinny horse torso and all. I'm kind of on the fence in this particular dicsussion. I'm not an expert on horse anatomy, but I can see that it is thin. On the other hand. There is so much stylization in this hobby that I find the stylized horse body to be appealing and very fitting. His body is a remarkable bit of engeneering, and his face and human torso just push my buttons.

I guess I'm saying that I can't wait to see some owner pics to help me decide if I need this wonderful creature to be a part of my collection.

 

If you didn't have chunky horse legs, I don't think they would offer as much stability when it comes to posing--look at all that man and horse body those legs have to hold up and balance.

Real horses are not built that way through the body. However, real horses have tendons and muscles and ligaments and bones that hold them up and allow them to move. I also collect model horses and have some very realistically sculpted artist resins. They are very proportionate, but they are solid pieces--some have metal rods in their legs for added strength and stability. This centaur is jointed and has to be able to move and hold up the body and not break, so I'm not sure how else they really could have done it. I can understand people looking at it and thinking 'but horses don't look like that!' because they don't. However, I don't think it's poor sculpting on the part of Souldoll either. I really think they were working within the limitations of the materials and what they needed the body to do. After all, our dolls don't just stand around--they aren't solid pieces of resin and most people expect a certain amount of posability as well as durability. That might mean having to take some liberties with the body to make it work.

 

The human version is amazing but... The horse half is.... Silly, and I am not apologizing for my blunt assessment. ^___^

I am wondering how difficult it would be to bulk him up a bit... The horses torso is horrid. But I fear that altering it and adding more definition would interfere with the joints.

Sigh. I really wanted one too… But I can’t justify just getting the human version, lovely as he is. I don’t really collect 70cm dolls. An oversized centaur running around was completely acceptable but…

Maybe I’ll change my mind. I suppose once he starts shipping and I can see owner photos I can decide whether or not modding him will be possible.

 

I don't mind the skinny horse torso, because I figure if I want to pose with a female bjd 'riding' him, the skinny torso will work a lot better than a bulkier one. I'm going to be saving up for him. I think he looks great and I love his face as well.

 

He would be great having a grey horse-like part and flesh colour human torso.

I wouldn't have thought of that, but it makes sense ^^

 

has anyone noticed that souldoll has changed the option for chiron centaur?
am i crazy or till yesterday they put only the skin up for choosing and not if you wanted the lower part of the body or not? and also they have increased the price not a few dollars to have a complete set adding this choice!
so for 850$ basically now you're going to get what? just the blank head and the upper torso? it sound a bit crazy to me really, and especially not fair. what has changed between yesterday and today? i'm truly a bit disappointed!

 

It looks like they listened to us!!!

I think it means that you can choose to get the Human lower body as an extra, just like the extra human parts that Soom includes!

How exciting, that you can have two gorgeous creatures in one! Saves one the agony of choosing between one sexy creature and another.

 

No, serendipityhope, I think it means that you can now add a human lower body to interchange with the horse body. That's an interesting development.

EDIT: LOL! Beaten to it!