Praiter Yed's Star Wars Customs

[Praiter Yed]

I've updated this 1st post to make it easier to find the various customs in this topic. Apart from the first two (which are just further down the page) each image links to the larger versions...

Original Post...

If anybody wants TLG to produce some official figures, just ask me to make a custom first! My first ever attempt at a decal was for a Bossk figure, shortly after Lego released their far superior version. I recently designed and printed (but have not yet applied) a Jek Porkins face decal, an official figure is now due for release in 2012. And now I present to you, the first Star Wars custom that I have considered worthy enough to show here and now rumoured for a 2012 official version my Yavin IV Ceremonial Princess Leia...

Also, Ewok Village Princess Leia...

I'm not sure about the hair on this one. I'm thinking that maybe this would be better. Comments, criticism and suggestions welcome.

I hope to update this when I have more to show.

More in my flickr.

and even more in my Brickshelf when public.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Praiter Yed

[Brickdoctor]

Very nice work, Praiter Yed. The decal application is well done. In my opinion, the figures are perfect in their simplicity, much like the first Star Wars minifigs. I think Ewok Village Leia might look better in a darker color, though.

[commdr_neyo]

Wow, nice job

I'm really liking these figures, the decals look like they could be official! Although Lego would have less cleavage

You used waterslide decal paper, right?

[Legostein]

Hello Praier!

These look really excellent. They are very motivating to create a little vignette or diorama with them to show them in their right place.

Cheers,

~ Christopher

[Masked Builder]

Very nice Praiter! Any chance you'll do more figures?

[XimenaPaulina]

I think we have a new bona fide customizer in town. The decal designs are very professionally-done, very LEGO-ish with just the right amount of details. Though I agree that hair piece you suggested is better suited for Ewok Village Leia. Great job man, and looking forward for more custom figs from you!

[Shadows]

These are great and fill a void that TLG probably won't. Ceremonial Leia would be great for the next SW Encyclopedia by DK. Then, once again, it will only be Chewie left out.

As for Ewok Village Leia... well, I don't see any more Endor sets coming, so we're stuck there. A shame, it's a really nice concept.

Thanks for sharing these and keep up the great work.

[LuxorV]

Very professional work here, Praiter Yed

Have you tried some other head-gear for Ewok Village Leia, though? The one you show here does not fit the reference pic very much

[Praiter Yed]

Very nice work, Praiter Yed. The decal application is well done. In my opinion, the figures are perfect in their simplicity, much like the first Star Wars minifigs. I think Ewok Village Leia might look better in a darker color, though.

Thanks Brickdoctor and cheers for the blog. I'm not against the new more complex prints, imho some work, some don't but ANH Leia's print seems to have lasted through all the revisions probably because it does the job, nothing else is needed, I think these are the same. Maybe dark tan would be better for Ewok Leia though.

Wow, nice job

I'm really liking these figures, the decals look like they could be official! Although Lego would have less cleavage

You used waterslide decal paper, right?

Thanks, commdr_neyo. I think I really over-did the cleavage on Ewok Village Leia - you can see on the decal design how I changed it at the last minute before printing - I thought the smaller cleavage wouldn't stand out but now she looks like she's wearing a Wonder-Bra (maybe Ewoks keep them in stock?). Yes, it's a waterside decal - transparent, ink-jet printable.

These look really excellent. They are very motivating to create a little vignette or diorama with them to show them in their right place.

Cheers, Christopher

Thanks Legostein. I collect OT minifigs so I tried (and mostly failed) to guess which figures TLG probably wouldn't produce - so I've not really planned any vignettes for these, although I have a very simple idea for the Celebration Leia but you'll have to wait until Celebration Han is released to see that one .

Very nice Praiter! Any chance you'll do more figures?

Cheers Masked Builder. Absolutely, I've already got Aunt Beru, Biggs Darklighter, Jek Porkins and the Imperial Scanning Crew ready to apply - just need to find some spare time.

I think we have a new bona fide customizer in town. The decal designs are very professionally-done, very LEGO-ish with just the right amount of details. Though I agree that hair piece you suggested is better suited for Ewok Village Leia. Great job man, and looking forward for more custom figs from you!

Cheers KDM.

These are great and fill a void that TLG probably won't. Ceremonial Leia would be great for the next SW Encyclopedia by DK. Then, once again, it will only be Chewie left out.

As for Ewok Village Leia... well, I don't see any more Endor sets coming, so we're stuck there. A shame, it's a really nice concept.

Thanks for sharing these and keep up the great work.

Thanks Shadows. There has been a rumour that Celebration Leia will be released with the Y-Wing next year but I don't think it's confirmed yet. As for Ewok Village Leia, who knows, maybe for the ROTJ anniversary... ?

Very professional work here, Praiter Yed

Have you tried some other head-gear for Ewok Village Leia, though? The one you show here does not fit the reference pic very much

Thank you Luxor V. I think I will buy a new hair piece from BL when I get chance.

Edited September 25, 2011 by Praiter Yed

[The Penguin]

Very nice work, indeed!

Though I generally don't comment (since don't like much) on decaled figs, but those are quite exceptional! Not only do the y look good, but also are masterfully designed. Still I can't help but ask if some photo-editing has been used to "clear" the edges?

Good day, ladies and gentlemen! )

[Mr Man]

Also, Ewok Village Princess Leia...

Great job Praiter Yed , very nice and very Legoish (just like TLG would have made ), the chest is a bit dark on the printed transfer, but looks OK on the no printed one . I look forward to seeing your scanning crew .

[Praiter Yed]

Very nice work, indeed!

Though I generally don't comment (since don't like much) on decaled figs, but those are quite exceptional! Not only do the y look good, but also are masterfully designed. Still I can't help but ask if some photo-editing has been used to "clear" the edges?

Thanks The Penguin. I certainly wouldn't have the skill or patience to paint minifigs the way you do.

I'm not shy of a little photo-retouching, if I build an MOC I'll happily take out some dust or scratches, things that don't really improve the build but just just enhance the picture. With a custom decal I'd only be fooling myself to retouch the image. I'm pleased with the way these turned out but if I did anything wrong or can improve them in anyway I'd rather show them as they are and be advised by my peers. Naturally I picked the best image to show, here is a darker picture where you can see the edge but it's still not that visible.

Great job Praiter Yed , very nice and very Legoish (just like TLG would have made ), the chest is a bit dark on the printed transfer, but looks OK on the no printed one . I look forward to seeing your scanning crew .

Thanks Mr Man. The flesh tone looks darker on Ewok Leia due to the tan torso showing through the print on the transparent decal. I'm happy to hear you're looking forward to the Scanning Crew, my aim is to print the arms of these guys and possibly the hats too (and the top of their scanning gear) but for now here's a purist version I did a while ago...

Edited September 25, 2011 by Praiter Yed

[The Penguin]

Thanks The Penguin. I certainly wouldn't have the skill or patience to paint minifigs the way you do.

I'm not shy of a little photo-retouching, if I build an MOC I'll happily take out some dust or scratches, things that don't really improve the build but just just enhance the picture. With a custom decal I'd only be fooling myself to retouch the image. I'm pleased with the way these turned out but if I did anything wrong or can improve them in anyway I'd rather show them as they are and be advised by my peers. Naturally I picked the best image to show, here is a darker picture where you can see the edge but it's still not that visible.

Thank you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to to make this awesome creation look any worse. I was just wondering, because should there had not been any photo improving, I would've started nagging you about how you managed to get such a great quality and would request you to sell me some!

Again, great work! I can't wait to see more from you!

Good day, ladies and gentlemen! )

[Praiter Yed]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to to make this awesome creation look any worse. I was just wondering, because should there had not been any photo improving, I would've started nagging you about how you managed to get such a great quality and would request you to sell me some!

Again, great work! I can't wait to see more from you!

No worries The Penguin, I didn't take any offence to your question, I'd rather you asked than think I'd been tinkering with the image.

I've just found some spare time to apply Biggs' face decals so hopefully I'll get chance to photograph them at the weekend. Thanks again to everyone for the encouraging comments

[Mr Man]

I'm happy to hear you're looking forward to the Scanning Crew, my aim is to print the arms of these guys and possibly the hats too (and the top of their scanning gear) but for now here's a purist version I did a while ago...

*Snip*

Great work on the purist versions Praiter Yed , however the jumpsuits are supposed be tan aren't they :sceptic:, either way the AT-ST pilot's torso looks great on them . I look forward to some arm printing .

Edit: Never mind I checked and they are grey .

Edited September 28, 2011 by Mr Man

[Praiter Yed]

Here's two more, just face decals this time...

Biggs Darklighter

and Jek Porkins

I really should have done a decal for Porkins' helmet but there seems little point with Lego releasing him in 2012. I really can't believe they're doing a Porkins figure - I expected a new Biggs but Porkins, never! Maybe I should have done a proper Wedge face instead.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Praiter Yed

[Darth Nihilus]

Here's two more, just face decals this time...

Biggs Darklighter

and Jek Porkins

(snip)

I really should have done a decal for Porkins' helmet but there seems little point with Lego releasing him in 2012. I really can't believe they're doing a Porkins figure - I expected a new Biggs but Porkins, never! Maybe I should have done a proper Wedge face instead.

I can't believe that Biggs Darklighter decal! I want one!

[Praiter Yed]

I can't believe that Biggs Darklighter decal! I want one!

Thanks darthnihilius - I think the Biggs one is best too.

I'm happy to share all of these if anybody can let me know what is the best format/resolution to upload. These are vector graphics so a pdf would probably be best but brickshelf & flickr don't seem to allow them

[Mr Man]

Biggs is absolutely amasing Praiter Yed , I need one id I ever start my X-Wing squadron plan .

[Brickdoctor]

Those are incredible. Especially Biggs.

[Praiter Yed]

Biggs is absolutely amasing Praiter Yed , I need one id I ever start my X-Wing squadron plan .

Thanks Mr. Man. Doesn't every afolsw plan to build an X-Wing squadron ?

Those are incredible. Especially Biggs.

Cheers Brickdoctor.

I'm not sure who will be next - the imperials are partially printed (I've tried the hat print but what I wanted to do doesn't work ) and I've just applied Aunt Beru's torso decal but I have a feeling it's gone wrong - will have to wait and see

[Masked Builder]

Very nice Praiter! I really like Porkins face.

[legobodgers]

Biggs is incredible, having just started doing decals myself I can really appreciate the quality of these.

[Praiter Yed]

Very nice Praiter! I really like Porkins face.

Thanks Masked, controversial - Biggs seems to be the most popular choice

Biggs is incredible, having just started doing decals myself I can really appreciate the quality of these.

Cheers legobodgers, I still consider myself a novice and have to say the ones I've posted here are definitely the best decals I've managed so far. I don't think it's any coincidence that they're also the first ones I've done using transparent decal paper which I've found harder to work with, but worth it for the end results.

Aunt Beru didn't turn out as bad as I thought but still not as good as I'd like - I'm going to try again using different materials so might be a while before any more updates.

Edited October 3, 2011 by Praiter Yed

[Praiter Yed]

For the Aunt Beru decal I had been using Lazertran paper but the image was becoming transparent when I applied varnish - even though I used a varnish that isn't supposed to do that . Anybody else had this problem?

I bought a sheet of white dry-rub paper a while ago and decided to give it a try. After a few attempts I managed to get it right - this stuff is STICKY and there's no chance of re-positioning once it touches the plastic. I'm pretty happy with the results although the photo doesn't really do this one justice ...

Edited March 5, 2012 by Praiter Yed