As a Star Wars fan and action figure collector, I’ve always appreciated the extraordinary attention to detail in the Star Wars Black Series action figures. For this project, I chose a custom figure 6″ Cade Skywalker figure to give it a distinct, personal touch. Cade, the Jedi from the Star Wars: Legacy comic book series, is a popular character, and bringing him to life in action figure form was an exciting challenge. Here’s how I turned a Black Series DJ, Luke Skywalker and ERG, into my one-of-a-kind Cade Skywalker action figure custom design.
Step 1: Planning the customization
Before I picked up the paintbrush, I considered the figure pieces I’d need to create this custom figure. I knew I wanted to create a character design similar to the comic adaptation but with some upgrades to give it a more unique and personalized look. A few things I knew I wanted to change were:
- Paint details: I wanted to make him look more spirited and less menacing. I also aimed to add more realistic weathering to his clothing and armour to give him a lived-in look. With a clearer plan, I gathered the parts and paint and got ready to dive into the customization process.
- Cloth elements: I thought it would be interesting to add a huge scarf, and Kylo Rens looked suitable given the tattered cape and rough aspect.
Step 2: Disassembly and preparation
The first stage in every customisation job is to disassemble the figures needed for the project, and this was no different.
I carefully removed the head from the Dathstar Escape Luke figure, the arms from the ERG and the head, arms and jacket from DJ.
Using boiling water in a pan technique to soften the plastic and make it easier to separate. I made sure to take note of how each part came apart so I could reassemble the figure later without any problems.
Once the action figures were dismantled, I began preparing the components. It was critical to be thorough at this stage since a well-put-together figure would result in a much cleaner finished product.
Step 3: Customising the paint job
Now came the fun part. Using fine brushes and Citadel paints, I enhanced the armour and clothing. I used a mix of washes and dry brushing to create a more battle-worn effect on the shoulder armour and large scarf. I believe this gave the figure’s clothing accessory a more textured feel and made it look like Cade had seen some serious battle action experience.
One of the most important details was getting the body not to look like it belonged to the original DJ character, so I gave the torso and arms a new paint application.
Step 4: Modifying the accessories
Cade’s accessories are a key part of his character, so I decided to upgrade them.
- Belt and holster: I wanted to give Cade a more functional and rugged look, so I added a custom blaster, which I painted to match the rest of his gear. The belt and holster are DJs. I left the lightsaber to the observer’s imagination as there have been many designs created before.
Step 5: The final touches
The final stage was to apply little finishing touches like minor paint details to his eyes and weathering effects to his clothing and equipment.
Conclusion:
The final creation was exactly what I had envisioned: a customised Cade Skywalker figure that sticks out among my other Star Wars Black Series figures. I think this action figure customization was a great way to combine my love for Star Wars with my passion for creative expression, and I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out.
Tips for customizing your figures:
- Take your time: Customising a figure requires patience. Try not to rush through the painting or weathering processes; the small touches will make all the difference.
- Experiment with materials: Do not be afraid to experiment with different accessories or garment items from other figure lines. They can create a lot of depth to your custom figure.
Feel free to do your personalisation by changing the customisation procedure or adding any other insights from your experience.
If you would like any extra information or particular guidance on the figure customisation process please contact us today.