Oh my god! It's been a long time since I posted here but DAMN, I just couldn't let this one go by!
Darthbish, what you have said here (over and over again) is without doubt the biggest insult toward prop artists I've ever encountered since I joined the scene. I think your worst attacks are directed toward Lynn which by the way is a well respected prop builder/painter both here and over at the RPF.
You clearly have no idea how much time, money and efforts that goes into the making and painting of an accurate ESB Boba helmet! Just like Lynn I have offered my building and painting services over the years, so far without any complaints. I ALWAYS go to extreme Lents to make sure my customers gets the most accurate and well made products available. That takes time! Just stop for a second and think what actually goes into making an ESB Boba!
First you're sent a raw fiberglass helmet. This sucker needs to be cleaned, cut, filled and sanded. This is not something done in a flash! During this proses you're also working with materials that are VERY bad for your health.
Then you need to research, collect images and carfully study them, make up plans how to tackle the project and so on. Do you think this is done over a night?
Then comes masking, painting and weathering. Ask anyone who's made a screen accurate ESB helmet and they'll tell you what a cute little project that is!:rolleyes
When I charge people for my service it's always based on how long time I think the project will take to finish. My last Boba helmet which I made for a friend as a trade for he's services took me more then a month to complete. Sure, I only worked on the evenings since I too have a daytime job. That was a month were I spent almost ALL my free time to make this bucket as good as I possible could. In fact it took so much work that I will never accept another ESB helmet. If I by any means should change my mind I would easily charge $400 for the job. Why such a ridiculous high price? Course that's how much a month worth of my evenings costs! You actually think I (and other painters) are gonna give that to you for free just because you like Star Wars too!?
Also, your whining about people not sharing their secrets are also complete BULL! "How to's" are all over the web but you actually have to make the effort to search for them, not everything gets served on a plate. I've put up "how to guides" for almost all my projects. I also spend countless of hours in front of my computer answering e-mails from people who ask for tips and help. I do that because I think it's fun to be able to help others who share my hobby.
Here's the last Boba helmet I made:
If you like it my tutorial it can be found here:
http://www.starwarshelmets.com/
If you don't think you're up to it send me a MSH helmet plus 400 bucks and I'll CONSIDER making it for you.:rolleyes
Steve.