Goycochea, Argentina

I decided just to put one pic up today, as it's a warm Sunday afternoon, and I fancy going for a walk!

So here's a custom Sergio Goycochea figure:

It's in Argentina colours, in case you weren't sure, though I couldn't tell you the year.

Some people have said they think it's the best I've ever done. They guy I painted it for was pleased and he asked me what I thought. I said I thought it was good... but I like them to be perfect!!

To be entirely honest, I preferred it before I put the little dark blue 'U' shapes on it. (They are actually Argentina football crests on the real kit)

I loved the colour merging, and the black lines, but there was something about those U shapes that I couldn't get exactly right, in my own opinion. I think it's because on the shirt, they weren't straight! Makes it even harder than if they were, in a funny way!

Anyway, what do you think? One of my best?

Berbatov, Spurs x2

Saturday morning and I'm off out to the beach in a bit; yipeeeeee!!

But I thought I'd treat you to a couple of Berba repaints before then:

I think the first one is a custom figure of some kind; I'd not seen Berba in that pose before, and he arrived with me in a Man United kit. It also had a heavier base than normal.

Nice simple, but effective repaint tho.

The second one... not all that much to say about it, really! I mean... I quite like it!

Arsenal Keepers

This is one of those times where I learned something repainting figures; I couldn't have told you the names of Arsenal's second and third choice goalies prior to this!!

These are lookalike figures, unsurprisingly!

They were good fun though! I particularly enjoyed the sort of camouflage pattern on the shirts! 

Liverpool 1991-92

Thought I'd go with some Liverpool figures the day after Everton. 3 players, all in the same kit:

You may have read some of my posts complaining about painting adidas designs before (That Liverpool 93-95 one...) but this one is actually pretty nice to paint!

And how could I possibly complain when I get to admire that Venison mullet from close proximity!

Everton 1999-2000 Part 2!

Part 2 of the Everton 1999-2000 figures! Little did I know when I wrote part one, that there is also going to be a part 3. Part 4 as well, if I stick to 3 figures on a post. 

They are very much at the 'Work in Progress' stage at the moment tho.

Here are the next 3, in shirt number order of course!

This was the first time I've done a Xavier. Interesting sculpt!

It's also the first time I've had a Bilic in my hands. He's pretty rare, but it's not the best likeness, is it?!

More Everton soon!

Francis, Wednesday

Anyone up for a game of spot the difference?!

Did you get them?! 

One has a sponsor, and name on the back, and the other doesn't! And if you're really splitting hairs, I'd say the collars are slightly different.

Even on the kit with the Mr Tom sponsor, I don't think they would've had names on shirts, as it was from 1992. I always offer it as an option tho, as some people just prefer it.

Looking at some pics of Francis in his Wednesday days, one other thing that maybe I should have done is added a bit of grey to the hair! (Of course if either customer had asked for it, I would've done it!)

Roy of the Rovers Reboot!

Here's a team I haven't featured on the blog for a while; the illustrious Melchester Rovers!

For those that didn't know, Roy of the Rovers has been rebooted in the form of graphic novels, and while I haven't read any, I thought I'd try my hand at the new kit!

It features a new badge, with a lion on it, and an association with hummel means the trademark (and beautiful!) chevrons down the arms and side of the shorts!

Other changes... I can't say I approve of Roy's red boots! At least they match the kit, I suppose.

And having already admitted I haven't read the books, I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt on the number 14 shirt (not Roy's customary 9) and assume that he was given this number before establishing himself in the first team!

I'm fairly sure this ending up being bought on ebay... I certainly don't still have it, anyway!

Hleb, BATE Borisov

I've been asked to paint a huge variety of teams over the years, but some do still come as a surprise!

This one is Aleksandr Hleb in what is my first, and I'd be bold enough to guess also my last BATE Borisov repaint!

I even had to google image search to double check that I had the team correct!

I know I've been trying to put at least a couple of pics on each blog post, but I didn't really know who to put with him in terms of a theme!

Vinnie Jones x2 Leeds

I watched Vinnie Jones on Harry's Heroes last week! If you haven't seen it, it's well worth a watch!

Vinnie represented the England veterans XI... unusual for a Welshman... from Watford!

Anyway, here are what I am pretty sure are my 2 most recent Leeds repaints of him:

The yellow one is definitely the most recent, and if this post has taught me nothing else, then I know I crop the photos more closely than I used to!!

Arsenal away, part 2

I posted 'part one' of these kits a while back, so thought today was as good a day as any for part 2!

I split the pictures up by who ordered them, so one lucky person now owns both of these beauties!

I loved how these turned out! I think I explained last time, that it's unusual for me to paint the sponsor on. I also painted the A on the shorts. If you want to know why, find the other post about these kits, by clicking here... I'm not explaining it a second time!

Suarez, Ajax

Not really in the mood for writing, so... here's Suarez in an Ajax kit.

A picture is 1000 words, right?

Custom Man United Subbuteo XL

An XL Subbuteo figure for your viewing pleasure today!

This was ordered by someone as a birthday present for his mate! 

He chose the kit and shirt number, and, while this didn't need any of these changes, hair colour and beards can easily be adjusted too. Likewise boot colour.

I'm open to suggestions on the base colours as well, although you surely know me well enough to know that I'm happiest when it a) matches the kit and b) is the same as the original subbuteo figures were for the team!

Anyway, if you want a custom subbuteo figure, get me with the links in the header, or search 'Marc's Corinthians' on Facebook or Insta... or use the contact form below. 

Literally no excuse!!

A couple of Fowlers

Wanna know what I just did?

Wrote, almost word for word, the same blog post I did about 2 weeks ago. Serves me write for not keeping my albums up to date, I suppose!

As a result, I've hastily thought, what pictures can I put up, and settled on a pair of Robbie Fowlers!

I've painted one like this before, and let me tell you something; those adidas stripes on the rib area are one of the biggest pains in the backside to do! So many different angles, lengths thicknesses etc to keep right and consistent!

I bet I even wrote the same on the blog when I did this one last!

As for this one; I made sure I clarified with the buyer that he knew this is the kit corinthian made Liverpool in with their very first batch.

He said he knew, but wanted me to do it better! I'd say I did, tbf.

More accurate representation of the collar, proper number font, and 3 adidas stripes instead of 2 on the shoulders, and shorts. I think the sock tops were just plain white as well, on the originals.

Oh, and that hair too...

2 Milan Microstars

Here are a couple of recently finished Microstars for your Monday; lookalike figures of a couple of AC Milan stalwarts:

The same kit for this pair, and obviously I needed to fill the bases as well, to cover their original names. 

I was very happy with these 2; in fact, I'd put them up there as probably the best microstars I've done, when you consider the level of detail. Adidas stripes all round, yellow trim, shorts numbers...! 

Nacer Chadli x2

Yesterday I promised you Spurs, here are 2 Spurs Soccerstarz repaints!

Clearly I did this at a point when I was still struggling to take clear photos of Soccerstarz. Actually, that still happens now, sometimes tbf,

I remember being pleased with this one. The thin stripes on the front are no mean feat on a Soccerstarz figure. I also handpainted the sponsor. I remember thinking it would be easier than getting a decal in exactly the right place.

This one is relatively easier than the sky blue one... but having had a look through my repaints album, I decided Chadli was my theme today, rather than a specific kit! Being as they're in alphabetical order of names, it made it easier to pic; and gave you, dear reader, a bit more variety to look at!

Chicharito, Bayer Leverkusen

Football is back! It's the Bundesliga, it's behind closed doors, and if you hadn't been without football for 9 weeks you absolutely wouldn't care, but: Yay for the Bundesliga!

I originally planned to post some Spurs pics today (cos I still have a huge back log of them) but then I remembered the above... so sorry Spurs fans, but I'm sure you can wait til tomorrow.

Here is the only Bundesliga repaint in my repaints album that I haven't already blogged:

Definitely the only Leverkusen figure I've done! Definitely the only Chicharito I've done!

It's a nice one tho- I quite like red and black stripes and hoops.

In case any of you are wondering why it looks a little different, it's a Kodoto figure. They're similar in size to Prostars, but have moving arms and a turnable head! The moving arms are a bit of an issue to be honest! Painting around them tries my patience, anyway!!

2 Bolton Repaints

I chose these two figures for today's post, then realised I have very little to say about them...

Erm... until I painted this, I didn't even know there was an N'Gotty figure! There's insight into my process for you!

And... er... I think this is the second time I've done a Djorkaeff Bolton figure.

Also... I... it... I used humbrol number 104 for the dark blue. 

Hope you all enjoyed this post!! Let's be honest, the blog posts are all about the pictures anyway!

If a picture is 1000 words, then this post is about 2100!!

Craig Bellamy Bobble Head

Lots of people who are unfamiliar with Corinthian Figures often refer to them as Bobble Heads.

Well, this is my first repaint of an actual bobble head!

I did this quite a while ago now, but if memory serves, it was originally wearing the black and white of Newcastle United. It was pretty similar to painting a Corinthian really. The only major differences were the size (this figure was a fair amount bigger) and the fact that you do NOT want to hold onto the head while painting it!!

One other point to make, is that this figure is actually a minor remodel! Newcastle kit (it was Newcastle, I just checked) had a collar and V neck, and the city kit, as you can see, is just a round neck. I did a little bit of sanding, and used a bit of filler to change that!

Everton 1999-2000, Part 1

I'm only here cos I don't want to start writing my assignment...

So, as I am here, how about some Everton figures?

I've actually done 6 Everton repaints into this kit, but I haven't put 6 photos into this one blog post. I'm not a maniac!

This is a pretty simple kit, but I was pleased with how clean the lines are around the neck. I also think the thin white line on the sleeve adds a lot! 

This batch of figures was also the first time I've painted a Kevin Campbell, who I understand is pretty rare!

I've got plenty more Everton figures coming for you to keep an eye out for, including some pretty good (if i say so myself!) Neville Southall repaints, and minor remodels!

Funnily enough, at the same time I received the figures to repaint into Everton kits, I got a pretty large Liverpool order too! I'm just waiting for confirmation of their arrival before I start posting pics of them! Keep an eye on my facebook page and instagram as well as here!

Arsenal Away, 1995 (I think) Part 1

Well, here's an unusual thing for my recent blog posts; I actually finished these figures within the last few weeks!

In trying to clear some of my back log, I've been posting pretty old pictures recently! 

Anyway, here are some Arsenal away repaints.

I loved this kit as a kid, and as a result, whenever I designed my own kits, they always featured some (slightly wonky) lightning. Hopefully no-one considers these repaints slightly wonky!

Lightning aside, there are a couple of other aspects to these repaints that are different from the norm- I painted the sponsor and the Arsenal A on the shorts, both for different reasons.

I hand-painted the sponsor because I felt that, with the lightning design, putting a decal over the top, and having to paint the 'joins' would probably be just as much work as painting  what is a relatively simple (and short!) sponsor.

For the A, basically... I couldn't find a good clear version of it online to print. I'm very happy with how it looks, especially on Bergkamp, I'd say!

Oh, also in case you're wondering why this is 'part one', I had 2 separate orders for this kit. I've decided to group them that way for the blog posts, so the other 2 figures will be up here soon... ish.

Bierhoff, Chievo

Just a quick Saturday evening post before I go out... for a walk.

Only one pic today, and I'd guess it won't surprise too many people when I say this is my only Chievo repaint!

This is pretty standard as repaints go, though it does include a little logo on the bottom right corner of the shirt (front and back) Showing my ignorance a bit when I say: it's a little guy on a horse!
(I'm pretty sure he's from the club crest, but don't know more than that)

The yellow base is the other thing that's a a bit out of the ordinary. I was going to say that it was requested by the buyer... but now I think about it, I'm fairly sure he did it himself before even sending it to me!

Leeds Soccerstarz

Here are some Leeds Soccerstarz repaints, that just feel from a different age... Well, I suppose any time when there was football feels a different age at the moment, but these feel a world away from Bielsa's Leeds!

Here was a time of hopeful punts on loan signings, and while all of them were very much in the 'worth a punt category' none worked out particularly well for us!

Danny Graham joined Leeds on loan towards the end of the 05/06 campaign that ended in play-off final defeat against one of his future clubs; Watford. He joined a side that were badly out of form, and did nothing to help reverse that, only featuring 3 times, and not managing to score. 

I did all of these figures ages ago, to be honest, but I would think this is probably my first attempt at pinstripes on a Soccerstarz figure. Like I say about most of my repaints from more than 2 years ago: It looks ok, but I'd definitely do it better now!!

Another repaint for another short term loan! Johnson managed 5 appearances in 2006, but the loan deal wasn't renewed afterwards. Let's avoid what he's been up to since...

This is the easiest of the 4 repaints on this post! Just plain white with a bit of blue and yellow on the socks. I've made the sponsor a bit too big, to be honest. 

Like Johnson, Livermore played just 5 times for Leeds, before going on to play for England...

I'd say Barkley is the one of these 4 loanees that is looked back on with most regret by Leeds fans. I don't think I'm rewriting history when I see you could see glimpses of his ability in the 4 appearances he managed in his short loan spell.

What I know for certain is that, in the most typical Warnock statement imaginable, Colin said: "I can't guarantee him a place in our midfield when we have (1000 year old) Michael Brown", and then sent him packing back to Everton.

3 out of these 4 loanees, that essentially made no impact at Elland Road went on to play for England. Leeds That.

Peter Withe x2

Peter Withe is probably most famous for his time at Aston Villa. That's the kit Corinthian made him in, anyway!

A couple of my regulars asked me to repaint him, and the results were repaints of the kits he wore before and after Villa!

I always find this body pose on figures a bit of a pain!! It's hard to do the side of the body without getting paint on the arm that's tucked right in! Especially with stripes!

The Sheffield United one also had a tricky badge, as it is the crossed blades logo, and Sheffield United written out, but not enclosed in any kid of shield. It was one of those times where I had to get the decal size exactly right, to the millimetre!!

Two decent jobs though I'd say, overall!

Di Canio, Home and Away

And that post title means I am now singing the Home and Away theme music from the 1990s. 

Home and Away was a TV show that people used to watch before it got moved to Channel 5.

...

Ask your parents.

Anyway, here are 2 Di Canios

I've done him in this kit several times now, but I think this is the best version. Obviously the more you do something, the better you get, and I think I have absolutely hit my stride with striped kits!

The details round the collar and cuffs are a favourite now as well!

In contrast to the first one, I've never painted this kit before. It was a relatively simple one- just the collar and the hooped socks requiting full concentration!

Ferdinand Prostars XL x2!

I don't think I've blogged any XL Prostars in a long time!

Here are 2 Ferdinands in Spurs away kits. I don't know if I did a home, but it's not in my repaints album!

Plenty of Adidas stripes to go round again, including on the top of the socks. Easier on thee than microstars, anyway!

I think my favourite thing about these 2 is how clean the lines are around the neck/collar. Go on, zoom in and have a look!

They're good right?! Especially on the sky blue one, I'd say!

3 Bolton aways

Even after a month of blogging 2 out of every 3 days, I've still got hundreds of pictures to put up! Plus loads of figures on my desk, meaning more photos soon to be added to that file.

This all made me think I'd better get back to three or four photo blog posts!

Here are some Bolton away kits:

For some reason that I can't quite put my finger on, I love the McGinlay one! Maybe it's just nostalgia; I was always so jealous of Bolton having a cool sponsor like Reebok when I was a kid!!

Also, by my 10 (ish) year old logic, McGinlay scored loads of goals for the worst team in the Premier League, so the teams in the top 5 should have a look at him, cos he'd definitely score more for them!

Observations on the others, I enjoy a figure where the hairstyle covers the name!! And I'm glad that Stelios chose that for his shirt, rather than Giannakopoulos!