Custom Face Up Ethics

Please don't roast me for asking this question; I just want to get opinions/input on this idea.

I won't go into the company or owner details (as there is a thread for that), but I really am in love with Smart Doll Chitose's face. She was always on my want list, but because of actions Danny has made I cannot support his company. I much prefer the Dollfie body and the way it feels anyways. My question is, how ethical would it be to ask someone to do a face up like hers or as similar as possible? I was looking at the limited edition heads for sale right one on Volksusa and thought this head would be perfect if I decide to pursue a custom face like Chitose's on it. I did a very rough draft of how it would look (please forgive the artwork as I only know how to use MS paint).

I'm not interested in buying her second hand, because I really just don't want to have any Smart Dolls. So, would you be okay with this if you were an artist? If I had any knowledge and skill, I'd probably do the face myself. I'm not 100% decided if I will even buy the head. Like I said, please be kind. I'd just love to have this little girl's face without supporting Danny.

EDIT: Looking up pictures of this sculpt with different face ups, I think I am going to just go for a dream choice. I'm not sure her child-like expression would fit a more mature sculpt. Thank you all again though for your advice and input!

Edited July 27, 2020 by Deyja

As someone who periodically paints dolls on commission, I personally don't really take issue replicating default/company make-up. (UNLESS it's a one-off/auction model and etc)

Sometimes folks damage their doll's original make-up and want it redone! 😉 In other cases, some people want something like "DD Beatrice's make-up" but want to have it applied on a DDH-07.

I mean, it wouldn't be a perfect 100% recreation due to the difference in sculpt anyways.
There will also be some other external factors since this is hand painted instead of being plated/masked on like the factory one.

Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion, and it might not reflect other artists. 

I do draw the line when it comes to copying individual artist's works though. 

10 minutes ago, Subaru said:

As someone who periodically paints dolls on commission, I personally don't really take issue replicating default/company make-up. (UNLESS it's a one-off/auction model and etc)

Sometimes folks damage their doll's original make-up and want it redone! 😉 In other cases, some people want something like "DD Beatrice's make-up" but want to have it applied on a DDH-07.

I mean, it wouldn't be a perfect 100% recreation due to the difference in sculpt anyways.
There will also be some other external factors since this is hand painted instead of being plated/masked on like the factory one.

Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion, and it might not reflect other artists. 

I do draw the line when it comes to copying individual artist's works though. 

Thank you for your input! I hadn't thought of damaging a face up from a factory doll.

16 minutes ago, Subaru said:

 In other cases, some people want something like "DD Beatrice's make-up" but want to have it applied on a DDH-07.
 

LOL!  Not that I've ever asked anyone to do a faceup for me, but that one would be a request from me.

Just to throw a spanner into the mix ... Have you considered a DD K-on Akiyama Mio ? (which I strongly feel was orignally aped to make this one...)

Not quite as detailed paintwork due to the period though, also on the old DD2, but there's one on mandarake at the moment for 50k yen with just the bass guitar, wig and shoes. stained body. but overall not in bad shape I guess.

Other than that ... if you are just giving that as a reference picture for an artist to perhaps have some leeway to flesh things out a bit even further there shouldnt be much of an issue.

However if you asked for an exact copy thats where things can get a bit peculiar, but seeing as there isnt a direct comparable head in the volks lineup at least (apart from mio, which is a limited though), that shouldnt be an issue either.

4 minutes ago, finnleo said:

Just to throw a spanner into the mix ... Have you considered a DD K-on Akiyama Mio ? (which I strongly feel was orignally aped to make this one...)

Not quite as detailed paintwork due to the period though, also on the old DD2, but there's one on mandarake at the moment for 50k yen with just the bass guitar, wig and shoes. stained body. but overall not in bad shape I guess.

Other than that ... if you are just giving that as a reference picture for an artist to perhaps have some leeway to flesh things out a bit even further there shouldnt be much of an issue.

However if you asked for an exact copy thats where things can get a bit peculiar, but seeing as there isnt a direct comparable head in the volks lineup at least (apart from mio, which is a limited though), that shouldnt be an issue either.

I'm relatively new to Dollfies, so I don't know much at all about previous models or even heads. I had never seen Mio before. She's cute but not quite what I'm going for. Thank you for the suggestion though, it was a good one!  I'd be good with artist leeway on a face up

I see no issues at all wanting a Chitose lookalike but with a DD.  I don't feel that it's stealing anyone's concepts or ideas since it's a replication of a factory default face on a completely different head and body style.  I'd say go for it. 

If you don't do the custom DD head on a Volks body you could always try to get a Chitose head secondhand and put it on a Volks DD body.  It's easy and looks great if you get her in the milk skin tone.  I have an Infinity head on a DDdy body and it looks just fine.  If you do something like this, you aren't giving Danny any money and you get the body you want.  😉  

Either way I wish you luck if you go for it!

 

 

Billy

38 minutes ago, baldylox said:

I see no issues at all wanting a Chitose lookalike but with a DD.  I don't feel that it's stealing anyone's concepts or ideas since it's a replication of a factory default face on a completely different head and body style.  I'd say go for it. 

If you don't do the custom DD head on a Volks body you could always try to get a Chitose head secondhand and put it on a Volks DD body.  It's easy and looks great if you get her in the milk skin tone.  I have an Infinity head on a DDdy body and it looks just fine.  If you do something like this, you aren't giving Danny any money and you get the body you want.  😉  

Either way I wish you luck if you go for it!

 

 

Billy

That's always an idea. I don't think I've seen a SMD head on a DD body before. Do you think any other type of head would work better for a custom Chitose face other than the one I picked?

I've seen several face-up artists say they won't copy other artists' work, but generally that's more in reference to other custom face-ups, rather than a default factory face-up.  I think if you say "similar to Chitose" rather than expecting an exact copy (which I think would be hard to do anyways), you should be fine.

Yeah mimicking factory faceups isnt unheard of, since there are some rare birds out there most people can't hope to afford.

That said, if there's anything about Chitose's factory face up that you actually would want to be different, this would be an opportunity to get that. Eyebrow color comes to my mind, something more neutral like a dark brown would go with so many more wigs.