After a long hiatus, Bryan Silva and Studio135 are back in action and better than ever!
Bryan's new additions are "Punishment" and "GQ" - I decided to purchase a GQ and I asked Bryan to give me a very light painted stubble around the face and a well-edged painted stubble on the head. As usual, the paintjob is 10/10.
THE GOOD
The mask is based on a brand-new core, and believe it or not, fitment is even better than Chiseled, Knuckles and Brawler. The mask itself is definitely thicker than the aforementioned earlier models, but eye, lip, nose and overall fitment is incredibly improved.
Bryan's lip fitment remains the best in the industry; you still feel like you are being "kissed" by the mask's lips and I find that mouth movement (smiling, laughing, etc) improves to an 11/10. Fitment around the eyes is customizable via the flexible metal nosebridge, as well as the design of the sculpt itself; I find that there is a more complete coverage around the eyes WITHOUT impairing vision or feeling uncomfortable or pinched.
Ear design is always one of the most difficult items on a sculpt, and Bryan has continued his excellent work here - the ears are in proportion to the face and the angled earholes also give it an additional dollop of reality.
I had previously owned a CFX Derek that looked like a very sexy Dominican, and I wanted to have my GQ approximate that look - Bryan did an outstanding job for fleshtone and overall design match; eyebrows, stache and patch was done by the Crown Prince of hairpunching - the (in)famous Jerry Almond.
THE BAD
Minor at most. Two things that are missing on the GQ that were a staple of Bryan's earlier works are the sculpted front bib, and a well-defined neck musculature. The first is a side-effect of the 3D printing of the molds; the latter I hope will be addressed in either later versions of the masks and/or new designs.
As I mentioned above, the mask is thicker than his earlier models; I have a 22.75" noggin and this mask is absolutely, positively comfortable on me. This may not be the mask for those that have a much bigger head.
THE UGLY
None. Nada. Zippo. This is an incredibly handsome and realistic mask and a superb addition to Bryan's lineup of realface masks. This earns a definite "BUY" from me.
Below a video review of the mask. Say hello to Rafael "Rafa" Castillo! Enjoy!