Daniel Yu is a Singaporean sculptor who works primarily in the medium of clay and resin. He is heavily influenced by an upbringing steeped in local tradition along with pop culture ephemera. He enjoys painting action figures and applying a clear and detailed vision to them. As an artist, he enhances features on diminutive, 3.75 inch tall action figures to maximum effect. Notably, his work on highlighting details on Super7’s ReAction items can often rival similar features found on figures twice their size. The precision on some of these items would give NECA’s 7 inch action figures a run for their money while still embracing the stylised retro presentation of the original ReAction figure. It is actually surprising to realise these items painted by Daniel are only 4 inches tall – or smaller.
Daniel’s technique is varied and all encompassing, using specific method when required, saying “a bit of everything! Paint washes, highlights and drybrushing.” The results are impressive to say the least. He also claims to be “A big fan of the ALIEN franchise and also collected some of the NECA ones. I never imagined that I’d have so much fun doing up these Super7 ones.” Let’s take a look at the results of Daniel’s labor.
Here is Daniel’s interpretation of the battle damaged SPACE VILLAIN Wave 3 Acid Blood Alien. Super7 released this item as a black base figure with green paint spattered upon it. Daniel’s attention has given it a much more considered treatment, re-interpreting this piece and giving it more meaning than the manufacturer’s original random finish.
Next we have a superb re-interpretation of the Alien known as “Jeri”. This outlandish character was a cigar smoking, gun toting synthetic Alien featured in the Dark Horse comic, ALIENS: Stronghold. Once again, a standard Alien figure was used for the base and Daniel has pushed the meticulous envelope to maximum by including a finely detailed cigarette of truly miniature proportions, a signature prop of the Jeri character.
This blue Alien figure is another fine themed piece. It uses a Wave 3 ALIEN ReAction figure as a base. The fixed in place extended tongue is a default feature included solely on this ReAction figure. Daniel’s re-envisioning breaths entirely fresh life into it, completely ignoring any of the coarse and random red patterning Super7 had originally applied the production figure.
The Alien isn’t the only character Daniel has directed his creative efforts. Some human characters from the movie ALIEN have also benefited from his keen attention to detail. Here’s Kane in his breached compression suit with facehugger attached. The base figure used here is from ALIEN ReAction figure Wave 3. This is another fine example of detailing that belies a figure’s true size as, once again, it is only 3.75 inches tall. The detail makes it appear much larger.
Embracing the challenge of painting faces on human characters less than 4 inches tall is its own trial and there’s only so much detail that can be applied to a figure whose face is about half an inch long. Daniel’s work appears to accommodate such restrictions as this ALIEN Wave 3 Ash testifies with a minimum amount of compromise. The tiny shapes of facial features such as eyes and lips on ReAction figures may not lend themselves well to such treatment but the use of color choice, flesh tones and hues is outstanding and more than adequately compensates for deficiencies within the figure’s vintage style sculpting. Once again, a complete paint over that solidly re-interprets the figure to maximum effect.
The challenges of painting fine details onto a human figure are overcome in this fine example of Ripley. This is another item from the ALIEN Wave 3 ReAction figure set. This green variant of Ripley also includes a small Mr. Jones, the cat that is often seen lounging around the Nostromo, casually eating pet food and watching crew members have large round holes punched into their heads. Here, Daniel once again demonstrates a penchant for detail that overcomes the limitations of these low detailed sculpts.
Significantly, Ripley’s face lacks Sigourney Weaver’s likeness and other bodily proportions are imposed by the limitations of retro themed action figures. Once again, these challenges are overcome using the color choice and skin tones. Their application is aided by a feminine finish that aids in the final presentation. Features such as fabric folds, crew insignias and diminutive shirt button details are also present. The flamethrower and orange tabby cat are both welcome supplementary items to this piece.
How long does it take Daniel to complete painting one of these figures? He said, “The time to completion varies. It usually takes a few days of planning, prepping and painting the figure. If there are additional sculpted elements it takes longer.” How about the remaining Nostromo crew, does he have any plans to paint those, too? “I have the remaining crew members! And was planning to paint them up, although visually they are rather mundane compared to the creatures and monsters and I always get distracted.” I know for sure people will want to know if they can purchase these items. Daniel told me, “I have done a few commissioned pieces upon request”. So, shoot him a message if you’re interested in a unique, hand painted ReAction figure for some quotes.
Daniel Yu hasn’t solely limited his artistic flair to the ALIEN property, either. He’s been prolific with a host of ReAction and various other 3.75 inch figures, too. You can find more images including sculptures on his web site dedicated to his work, ranging from The Worst and Universal Monsters to Legends of Cthulhu; along with other impressively detailed joys to behold.
Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your work with us all, for answering my questions; and for the kind permission to highlight your work on HIDEOUS PLASTIC.
