Safari 2018 - complete list!

sphyrna18 wrote:

barracudacat wrote:

Thank you for the explanation, Doug.  I can definitely understand about the fierce competition.  I don't mind if several companies produce the same species at the same time if they are done differently (such as the Uintatheres) as both can fulfill different needs in the market.  The main reason I'm concerned is that I strongly value Safari as a company and wish to see their long term survival.  As I know you're well aware of, plagiarism is considered against the law in the US.  By the way, this is in no way meant to undermine your fantastic talents as an artist.  I simply ask for those in charge of decision making at Safari to consider such things for future releases.

I was prepared to give Safari's latest batch of figures wonderful reviews, especially the Malawisaurus since I love both the species choice and the scale.  However, I noticed a striking similarity to this image here, especially the fact that both have very similar calico-like colors and eye patches.  

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While it seems technically different enough to be legal, it's still very difficult to tell.  Plus, I know the original artist would likely feel cheated out of his or her design.  It's frustrating as a consumer because a very simple color change would have turned this into a must-have figure.  Even though I know changing figures like this would have been expensive, I would still consider it a good investment for future survival.  Unfortunately, as it stands I can't financially support Safari this year.  However, I do have hope things will turn around and I'll be eagerly awaiting the day when this happens.

I can't help but notice that you've also posted the same general complaint against some of CollectA's upcoming releases, citing very generalized coloration and pose/sculpt similarities to other pieces of art as examples possible plagiarism, and for that reason you will not be supporting CollectA this year.  While you are certainly welcome to your opinion, may I caution you against making spurious claims of plagiarism that you can only loosely substantiate on behalf of artists and artworks that you do not legally or professionally represent.  And admins, I ask that you please monitor this carefully.  While some may hold the same opinions as Barracudacat, there is now an open accusation of plagiarism against two companies that have held good relationships with this forum, which, thus far, have not been addressed by Admins.  This is a good way to find our forum on the receiving end of a Cease and Desist order, not to mention losing positive relationship our forum currently holds with these companies.  I do not want to see the entire forum lose relationships with Safari and CollectA because one or two members seem to be looking for reasons to justify not purchasing new figures.

Again, Barracudacat, and everyone else, you are welcome to have your opinions.  If you don't like the artistic direction the companies are taking, that is fine.  I, and many others on the forum, don't share that opinion. Before you call foul, though, you could simply address it as an artistic vision you don't like vs. a moral issue you feel must be corrected.

Doug explained the 'query ' and gave us much insight into the basic conceptualisation and development of figures ( was not required to do it but he did !!) and I guess you can't do more than that !! Very valid points Sphyrna18 !!

The topic is unlocked now

Now, about Malawisaurus, I can see that Doug models and painting you are showing are similar, indeed they are both Malawisaurus and I find your opinion about the painting rather far-fetched.

It is the same with the Regaliceratops, I can see they are two Regaliceratops and I sincerely can't see one is a copy of the other, it seems to me they are different, not less than Papo and Schleich okapis.

Kikimalou wrote:

The topic is unlocked now  

Now, about Malawisaurus, I can see that Doug models and painting you are showing are similar, indeed they are both Malawisaurus and I find your opinion about the painting rather far-fetched.

It is the same with the Regaliceratops, I can see they are two Regaliceratops and I sincerely can't see one is a copy of the other, it seems to me they are different, not less than Papo and Schleich okapis.

I just want to clarify that I did not do the Malawisaurus, I won't comment on it any further for that reason.

Doug Watson wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

The topic is unlocked now  

Now, about Malawisaurus, I can see that Doug models and painting you are showing are similar, indeed they are both Malawisaurus and I find your opinion about the painting rather far-fetched.

It is the same with the Regaliceratops, I can see they are two Regaliceratops and I sincerely can't see one is a copy of the other, it seems to me they are different, not less than Papo and Schleich okapis.

I just want to clarify that I did not do the Malawisaurus, I won't comment on it any further for that reason.

I thought you were the sculptor

By the way have you made the previous Carnegie dimetrodon?

Kikimalou wrote:

Doug Watson wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

The topic is unlocked now  

Now, about Malawisaurus, I can see that Doug models and painting you are showing are similar, indeed they are both Malawisaurus and I find your opinion about the painting rather far-fetched.

It is the same with the Regaliceratops, I can see they are two Regaliceratops and I sincerely can't see one is a copy of the other, it seems to me they are different, not less than Papo and Schleich okapis.

I just want to clarify that I did not do the Malawisaurus, I won't comment on it any further for that reason.

I thought you were the sculptor

By the way have you made the previous Carnegie dimetrodon?

No all the Carnegie pieces were sculpted by Forest Rogers.

Ok, thank you, I asked this because the two models are so different I thought it would be fun if they had the same father.

About the flamingo, is it exactly the same mould? The legs seems stronger on the new one.

Kikimalou wrote:

Ok, thank you, I asked this because the two models are so different I thought it would be fun if tahy had the same father.

About the flamingo, is it exactly the same mould? The legs seems stronger on the new one.

It is the same sculpt, they may have beefed up the legs but I don't think so. The only difference I see is the paint job. I wasn't involved in the reissue.

Doug,

I can understand why you react this strong, but no one is accusing you of plagiarism.
You research before you create and take a lot of time to make your figures.
You are proud of what you make.
And you should.
They are your creations and they are wonderful.

Don't let the internet get to you.
Just look at my squirrel and lets get that smile back on your face.  

Please?

Bloodrayne wrote:

Doug,

I can understand why you react this strong, but no one is accusing you of plagarism.
You research before you create and take a lot of time to make your figures.
You are proud of what you make.
And you should.
They are your creations and they are wonderful.

Don't let the internet get to you.
Just look at my squirrel and lets get that smile back on your face.  

Please?

Yah that worked.

Phew!

Doug Watson wrote:

bmathison1972 wrote:

I should point out the flying frog, bison, plus the already mentioned tabby cat and maybe Komodo Dragon are mere repaints, or so it seems (if new sculpts, they don't look that different).

I don't know about the others but the North American Wildlife Bison is a completely new sculpt. The original was in a straight ahead walking stance. Mine is in a rutting stance with the rear legs splayed, pawing the ground with the left front hoof and head cocked to one side in the middle of the swaying display they do.
The WW Bison is also a different pose from the original NAW Bison.

Thanks for clarifying Doug. Sorry about that. It's actually been a while since I've seen the old version but it looked similar.
I love your work. I would have many of them if I wasn't so taxonomically selective lol

btw...after doing some snooping around I think we can attribute the spiny lobster to the California spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus.

Doug, I hope you stay and continue to interact on the forum. I for one was very interested in your commentary on the bison model. I think its refreshing to read what you were thinking for the pose and being someone who visits Yellowstone National Park every year and really enjoys the bison there, you hit the nail on the head and did a great job, I think, showing a certain kind of behavior and expression in your wildlife model. Not to mention the WW bison, it is truly stunning and will probably have to join my shelves despite the room issue, it really is a great looking model.

I do have one question for you Doug if you will humor me. For the preproduction, I assume that production of the models to be released for the next year starts months early in order to get X amount ready to ship to stores etc. So the paint scheme for models is also likely settled far in advance and the specific colors purchased early as well. Since I imagine they have to paint a few hundred for each model, that's quite a lot of paint right? So its really not that easy to just change the paint scheme last minute, that's more money down the drain and paint that the brand then has to figure out what to do with later. Am I right? I was just curious about the production process (since I wouldn't mind starting my own brand up one day perhaps and its something I've always wondered about). Thanks in advanced for any reply.

On the rest of the models, I think they are all quite stunning in my eyes. I'm impressed in the species choices and the quality shown in the photos. Even the reissued models are nice with a newer coat of paint that gives the figure a new feel to it, I can see a world of difference in the texas longhorn (though neither the orange or the black and white are quite tempting to me... yet.) I feel that safari has to be one of the top brands for the moment in terms of species releases at the very least, and this is good news for me since its an American brand I can get easily, when even some Schleich models are getting more difficult to track down these days...

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I do have one question for you Doug if you will humor me. For the preproduction, I assume that production of the models to be released for the next year starts months early in order to get X amount ready to ship to stores etc. So the paint scheme for models is also likely settled far in advance and the specific colors purchased early as well. Since I imagine they have to paint a few hundred for each model, that's quite a lot of paint right? So its really not that easy to just change the paint scheme last minute, that's more money down the drain and paint that the brand then has to figure out what to do with later. Am I right? I was just curious about the production process (since I wouldn't mind starting my own brand up one day perhaps and its something I've always wondered about). Thanks in advanced for any reply.

I am afraid I don't have an answer for you there, I understand the basics of production but I have never visited the actual factory in China so I am not sure how they purchase colours. I know I do give them fits sometimes since in most cases when I am matching the colour of an extant animal I don't use stock colours I mix my own artist's acrylics so that causes problems for them.
P.S. Safari Ltd has some interesting videos on YouTube showing facets of the factory painting process on some of their pieces and they are amazing to watch.

We love the connection we have with CollectA and Safari and we highly value that.
I am really happy to see that artist like Doug can speak about and show their work here on STS.
Hope that will continue for many more years :3

Now let's see how many animals people already have on their Wish List!
I surely have a hard time to control my 'I have to be careful with my space' problem

bmathison1972 wrote:

btw...after doing some snooping around I think we can attribute the spiny lobster to the California spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus.

I will remember for the map

So, was this the last batch of 2018 releases? Do we have the complete list for Safari in 2018? Plenty of interesting things, and really diverse, by the way... This is what will come to my house:

Sulawesi Babirusa. I would have preferred a Moloccan or Togian one, as we already had Collecta's, which is the same species than Safari's... I think Safari's pose is more natural and attractive than Collecta's. But tusks are finer in the latter...

North-American Porcupine. I am so happy to give my Schleich Crested Porcupine a companion! Yes, quills could be better represented, but they are far thinner than in Old World porcupines, and therefore really hard to achieve in scale. Now, Safari, bring us a Fisher. It would be great for those creating dioramas (not my case...)

Muskox. I started collecting quite recently, so I wasn't able to get Schleich old Muskox (at least, at a decent price...). Now Safari has finally offered us a great opportunity to have this species in our shelves! I love the pose, it's really dynamic, and painting seems also ok.

Black-tailed Jackrabbit. Quite a surprise, as with the procupine! We have plenty of domestic rabbits, but very few wild lagomorphs, which is a pity, as they are ecologically so important. I guess small animals don't get the same attention as big ones... I love everything in this jackrabbit, from pose to painting.

Sumatran Rhino. I think most of us were really jaw-dropped when we discovered this figure... So, so, so beautiful! And a species which is so greatly endangered! Body hair is really well achieved! Now, bring us a Javan Rhino, and we'll have all five rhino species represented! (Well, we could argue about the status of both species/subspecies of White Rhino, but that would be an issue for a different thread...)


Thank you so much, Safari, for bringing so many news!!!

So great to see an artist from one of our favourite brands! Welcome, Doug

NightLioness wrote:

Now let's see how many animals people already have on their Wish List!

I'd love to get the Przewalski horse! The muskox looks pretty neat as well. I just have to make choices again xD

NightLioness wrote:

I surely have a hard time to control my 'I have to be careful with my space' problem

I'm sure that you're better at controlling your collection than I am with mine

Wow!!

Half a day out and a lot happned! Fortunately the moderation is already competently done and I can enjoy what I think is the best year of Safari of ever! ... and if you are tired of what is best or not, I even doubt CollectA will be more exciting than Safari this year despite the great releases already announced. Let's see what...
Wildlife has a lot to enjoy, Sumatran rhino is the highlight among many other fantastic figures. Wings of the World also is bringing a very nice long-eared owl and I want it! The falcon is also very well designed.
I was excited knowing there was a scorpion, probably a little disapointed here but the lobster is fabulous! Yes, I am even enjoying a lobster. Prehistoric is just incredible, that hyaenodon looks as it was made to please me, sorry for my egocentric comment but I love it! All other prehistoric mammals are also quite interesting too!
Sea life is fantastic, from that vaquita to these sharks and the whale... more a top quality tube. Blessed 2018!

I wish the Safari site would ship to The Netherlands. I can wait to have that Tinker!

Tarunyada wrote:

So great to see an artist from one of our favourite brands! Welcome, Doug

NightLioness wrote:

Now let's see how many animals people already have on their Wish List!

I'd love to get the Przewalski horse! The muskox looks pretty neat as well. I just have to make choices again xD

NightLioness wrote:

I surely have a hard time to control my 'I have to be careful with my space' problem

I'm sure that you're better at controlling your collection than I am with mine

We will see how much control you have in the next Holliday weeks

Choices, choices, choices! XD

In particular, I'm thrilled with the porcupine, black tailed jackrabbit, cardinal, and groundhogs!

There are more figures, which are not listed here.

Arctic Dragon (Wonderful )
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Gnome Dragon
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Baby Sea Dragon
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Sea Dragon
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