A realistic figurine of someone you love
Natural proportions, their real face, full colour. Not a bobblehead, not a caricature, just them.
Most figurines of people are caricatures: a big head on a small body, with the likeness carried by a hairstyle and a T-shirt. This is the other kind. Natural proportions, a real face, the way they actually stand. We have had this request through our quote form, along with a very good question: which photo works best? The answer is below.
What to send us
- A clear, front-on photo of the face in daylight, with a natural expression.
- The face from the side and from three-quarter on.
- A full-length photo, front on, standing naturally, for build and posture.
- Photos of the outfit you want them in, and of any glasses, jewellery or tattoos that should show.
- A note on the pose, and anything about them that should come through.
Which photo works best
Not one photo, a set. A single photo, however good, shows a face from one angle, and the sculpt has to work from all of them. The most useful set is a front-on face in soft daylight, the same face from the side and from three-quarter on, and a full-length photo standing naturally. Phone photos are fine. Close-up selfies are not, because the wide lens stretches the nose and shrinks the ears.
Avoid sunglasses, hats, heavy filters and hard shadows. If it is a surprise and you cannot ask for photos, look through recent ones for a clear face in daylight and send several. We will tell you whether there is enough to work from.
Realistic proportions are less forgiving than a caricature, which is why you see renders before anything is printed and can ask for changes. It is then printed in resin and finished in full colour.
Size, material and finish
- Size
- Standard, around 15cm, suits most gifts. Large, around 20cm, gives the face more room.
- Colour
- Full colour, hand painted or as a full colour print. We will advise which suits the piece.
- Material
- Resin, for the finest detail in the face.
- Base
- Plain, engraved, or none.
- Finish
- Matte usually looks most natural on skin and clothing.
How long it takes
The quote comes back within one working day, along with any questions about the photos. Sculpting is the slow part, so for a birthday, an anniversary or Christmas, give us the real date and tell us whether it can move.
Questions
Can it look like them without a big head?
Yes, that is the point of this style. The figure is sculpted at real human proportions, so the likeness has to come from the face and build rather than exaggeration. That is why the photo set matters.
What if my photos are not great?
Send what you have anyway. We look at them before quoting and tell you honestly whether they are enough for a realistic likeness, or whether a slightly stylised figure would come out better.
Can you put them in a particular outfit?
Yes. A work uniform, a sports kit, a favourite jacket. Send photos of the real thing and it is sculpted from those.
Other figurines people ask us for
Custom wedding cake toppers
The two of you on top of the cake, sculpted from photos and dressed as you will be on the day.
Superhero figurines of your kid
Your child as a stylised superhero figurine, from photos, in a costume of their own design.
Pet memorial figurines
Your cat, dog or other companion, sculpted from photos as they were at their best, on an engraved base.