MS3 Progress thread :)

[superjedi]

Hi all,
Well, Fedex dropped off a gorgeous MS3 helmet at my house today. I'm doing an ESB paint job for a member here. If he wants to reveal his secret identity, he's very welcome!
Previously, I had worked on an MS1 and a Sgt. Fang bucket. This thing is niiiiiice! Outstanding cast, and a very even FG layer inside. . . very smooth! The pre-located ear pieces are great! Just plug-n-play!
It arrived with the keyslots and part of the visor already trimmed out, with the bottom portion of the visor area still in place (for stability during shipping I suppose) and I took some time today to trim the remaning portion of the visor and smooth the edges.
This is about all I will have time for today unfortunately.
Tomorrow I'll have a bit more time to check everything over really thoroughly and hopefully get the first coat of primer on.
Pics!

[superjedi]

UPDATE: OK, just did a quick concept sketch of the new paint technique I'm going to try!! I think this will be the NEW STANDARD for all future Boba helmets until the end of time!!!! Mu-ah-ah-ah!!!!
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Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT from ESB. . . that scene was cut from the final film.

[Laan]

That is so wrong!

Ive seen your work before Eric. You do fantastic stuff. Im sure this will be too.

[Wes]

Eric,

Once you get done give it to me and I'll pick up Scooby in the Mystery Machine.

[Laan]

Like, zoinks!

Rut-ro Shaggy

[MandalorFett]

All of the sudden I want a Scooby snack!

Look forward to the progress, you do a great ESB paint job.

[Jimmy BufFETT]

WHHAAAATTT?????? You gotta be kidding me! Did you get hit by lightning recently?

[AFettFullofDollars]

Ahhh... I forgot that the moon is currently in the seventh house and Jupiter IS aligned with Mars.

[superjedi]

I would have gotten away with it, if it hadn't been for you meddling TDHers!!

[MandalorFett]

Ahhh... I forgot that the moon is currently in the seventh house and Jupiter IS aligned with Mars.

Dude, you're giving away your age.

Looking forward to the flower power bucket!

[Uther]

Sniffin' a bit too much glue lately, eh?

[CSMacLaren]

Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT from ESB. . . that scene was cut from the final film.

You sure? I could have sworn I saw it at the end of ROTJ during the Ewoks' "Nyub nyub" song!

[Jluck]

man, i was always told not to eat the food from the vendors in the parking lot!

[GCNgamer128]

Great looking cast! I didn't think MarrowSun was still alive, haha. I'll PM him on a price for a bucket, for I am building a PPv1 costume next.

[MandalorFett]

Great looking cast! I didn't think MarrowSun was still alive, haha. I'll PM him on a price for a bucket, for I am building a PPv1 costume next.

Actually, I think this bucket was bought off someone else. I don't think MS is around any more. I've tried contacting him for quite a while now, and no response.

[stormtrooperguy]

Actually, I think this bucket was bought off someone else. I don't think MS is around any more. I've tried contacting him for quite a while now, and no response.

that's too bad... the ms3 is my favorite, out of what i've actually seen/held myself.

[Too Much Garlic]

That paint concept is actually quite... disturbing...

[Laan]

Actually, I think this bucket was bought off someone else. I don't think MS is around any more. I've tried contacting him for quite a while now, and no response.

Well, here it goes.... Thats my helmet. I asked Eric to work his magic. Ive had that helmet for, um, wow, a long time.

I actually talked to MS a while ago. He is around still but VERY busy with family, has two kids now, and work. But hang in there, he will eventually get with ya.

[superjedi]

Hey, Todd! Glad you revealed your true identity.

I was just having some fun with my 'concept' picture. Todd's waited a long time for this helmet to get under way, and I wanted to give him something to look at!
Maybe I should change this thread's title to "Lack of Progress Thread."

More to come later today!

[MandalorFett]

Well, here it goes.... Thats my helmet. I asked Eric to work his magic. Ive had that helmet for, um, wow, I long time.

I actually talked to MS a while ago. He is around still but VERY busy with family, has two kids now, and work. But hang in there, he will eventually get with ya.

You're a lucky man Todd, SuperJedi is a master w/ the ESB bucket.

Glad to hear MS is doing well, and still around. He is one of the MOST talented guys on TDH!

[Laan]

You're a lucky man Todd, SuperJedi is a master w/ the ESB bucket.

Glad to hear MS is doing well, and still around. He is one of the MOST talented guys on TDH!

Yeah MS is a great guy.

Thank you sir. Eric has the skills, no question. :thumbup

[superjedi]

Well, my brain has started working again, so let's post some ACTUAL progress on this thing!!

UPDATE: July 25th
Got the helmet primered with Duplicolor auto primer. I like Duplicolor sprays. They're really tough when they dry, and they go on nice and smooth.

Then I painted the two rear panels with Floquil Concrete. (Yes, everything else was masked off beforehand. I just don't like leaving the tape on any longer than necessary.)





The Floquil paints are soooooooooo nice to work with. They spray on easy, and dry pretty quickly. I only had to wait a few hours to begin outlining the damage on the back of the bucket.



I use a reverse tracing technique to mark the damaged areas.
First, I measure a known area of the actual helmet, such as the height of the keyslot area. Then, I use one of my reference pics and size it to "actual size" by holding a ruler up to my computer monitor. I take a piece of tracing paper and hold it against the monitor and draw the outlines of the damage areas.
Then I take the tracing paper, flip it over, and re-draw the outline on the reverse. After that, I hold the paper (right side out) against the surface of the helmet and use the back of a small paint brush to draw over all the lines. This transfers the lines to the helmet. It's a bit of work, but it allows me to be very accurate in placing the pencil lines.



Next step: masking fluid over the areas that will remain Concrete, and spray on the dark bluish green!

[shabad]

Brilliant stuff, love progress threads by awesome painters.

[Laan]

Wow dude!

[Mr Fett]

Great idea for your stencils. It should turn out great.

[Kashyyyk4ABY]

Its cool to see what these projects were and what they turn into. Great work! Can't wait for more updates.

[Wes]

Good work SJ

[superjedi]

UPDATE: July 26th
OK, more stuff done on the back of the helmet. I had transferred the pencil lines onto the back panels, and today I painted on some Winsor & Newton's masking fluid. I think this stuff is very easy to work with. It flows easily and it's easy to control the application with a small brush.
This pic shows the areas that are masked. It shows as darker and kinda glossy.



Once the masking fluid was dry, I sprayed on my custom bluish green color. I tried to match this tone as closely as I could to pics of the screen used helmet. I started with a base of Testors Euro I Dk Green, and added some Floquil BAR Blue a few drops at a time until I thought it looked correct. Then my secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, and we're cooking!!
These pics show how different the color can look in different lighting.





After several hours, I took the tape and plastic wrap off, and rubbed off the masking fluid. I've never had any problems with the fluid sticking to my undercoat or anything. To remove the masking fluid, I just use a little scrap of tracing paper and rub it in small circles over the surface. It gives just enough texture to "grab" the fluid without scratching the surface. It basically just rolls off in little dried blobs.

And here's what it looks like now.





I'll go back and pore over my reference pics to see if there are any touch ups needed. Then the next step will be to put on the Panzerolivgrun on the dome and lower cheeks!

[Laan]

Dang Eric! You work fast. Look sgreat man.
One question though, just wondering.... Those pics with primer and the light is just washing it out?

[superjedi]

The pics with primer? Not sure which ones you mean.
All the pics besides the first 3 in my first post have a coat of gray primer. Maybe the flash is making some of them look different.

[Laan]

The last set, sorry. Im still amazed on how much the flash kills it. Hope I didnt come across as rude.

[Jango's kid]

Lookin better all the time!!!!! Keep those progress pics coming!! Its shaping up to be a great one!!!
D

[superjedi]

UPDATE: July 27th
OK, I think this helmet is starting to look a little more like one of our favorite Mandos! I got the Testors Panzerolivgrun on the dome and lower cheeks.
Again, I masked everything else off first. Not only the back panels, but the mandibles and "hat band" also. I just don't like putting on too many layers of paint whenever I can help it.

Here's another example of how lighting affects the colors. First shot is with flash, the second, without.





And here's the front.





That'll be it for today. I want this to really cure for at least 24 hours before I mask it to paint the mandibles.

[Tension113]

Your progress tutorials just get better and better.. As usual, it looks great so far.. Let's see.. It's Friday now, I'll make my 'completion prediction' for Tuesday... or maybe Monday night..

Lookin good Eric

[Laan]

Looking good bud!

[Kashyyyk4ABY]

That masking really turned out good!

[superjedi]

Matt! How's it going? What are you working on these days?
I don't think I'll meet your 'deadline' though.

UPDATE: July 28th
OK, now it's really starting to look like Boba! Got the mandibles/band/keyslot area painted. Everything was masked off first of course.
Again, showing a couple pics in different lighting. Really alters the way the colors can appear.





And the back.



Next will be the dark upper cheek areas, and then all 'major' color application will be complete apart from the ears.

[Mercke Lutso]

you're not even half finished, and it already looks fantastic!

[Laan]

Youre doing great man!

[superjedi]

Glad you like it so far!

UPDATE #2: July 28th
OK, I started adding the damage to the rear left panel. I'm using Floquil Bright Silver and Polly Scale SP Lark Dark Gray. I'm doing the same tracing paper method that I described earlier in the thread.



After all the damage is painted onto the whole helmet, it'll be dull coated and further weathered with pastels. Once that's done, the colors won't look so stark and they'll be brought closer in tone.

[superjedi]

UPDATE #3: July 28th
Wow, rainy days are great for painting!
Got the back right panel done. . . whew. This section always makes my eyeballs fall out and roll around on the floor.
Used the same techniques, just a lot of concentration needed to try and match that big damage area.

I also went back over both back panels and added the fine scratches with a compass point.



Now that THAT area is out of the way, I can start working on the keyslot area and hatband around toward the ears.

I don't know why, but each helmet I paint, I always start with the back.
More to come!

[MARROW SUN]

Looking great! I too like to get the back out of the way first. I guess its because I find it the most difficult area and I like to tackle it while I still have lots of patients.
Keep up the good work!

[zombierepellent]

That looks awesome. I've honestly never finished the back before.

[Laan]

Amazing Eric!

[superjedi]

Hey! It's Marrow Sun, "The Maker!" Haven't seen you on the board for a while. Nice to see you haven't dropped off the face of the Earth.

And off we go again. . .

UPDATE: July 29th
OK, started the damage on the red areas. I started with the keyslot area and now I'm starting to work my way around the band toward the ears.
When I work with my reference pictures, I try to do small sections at a time, because the perspective of the picture can throw off the shapes. I try to look for shots that are "flat on" to the area I'm working with.



And a little closer upper.



I'll continue working my way around toward the sides.

[psberetta]

Dude.....are you a human ?
You are slappin' that paint on perfect and FAST


NICE job man.

-Tim-


Edit for spelling....spelled "paint" as "pain"......Ha, goes together

[Laan]

Wow, I must agree with Timmy. Great stuff man!

[superjedi]

I tend to do a lot of painting on the weekends cuz I don't have nearly as much free time during the week.

UPDATE #2: July 29th
OK, made it to the right ear. Still using the Bright Silver, SP Lark Dark Gray, and PRR Maroon for the darker red color.



Next I'll start working toward the back of the left ear.

[Laan]

Eric.. dont get your wife mad at ya .

[evan4218]

You are making this look far to easy! Keep it up. That back looks great and to me that is always the hardest part.

[superjedi]

Thanks guys! I enjoy painting quite a bit. I dunno about some of you, but I find it relaxing. Maybe I'm crazy.

Todd, don't worry! She's very understanding of my hobbies.

UPDATE #3: July 29th
OK, this will be it for today. . .
I made it around to the back of the left ear! Huzzah! The "thumbprint" isn't on there yet. I'll save that till pretty much the very end of the paint job. I want to get the kill stripes and some other 'landmarks' on first to make sure I place it just right.



Next will be one of my favorite parts: the mandibles!

[MandalorFett]

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!




(P.S. I've got your goodies).

[mrgr8ness]

Looking awesome! Yeah, I like doing the back first as well for some reason

[Laan]

The more I see the more I get excited. Looking great.

[NikNak_aka]

Looking really good Eric. I wish my paint progress was this fast. Spare time is hard to come by these days for me. Plus the layering technique I tried didnt work out so well so I have to start over.

[superjedi]

NikNak,
I've never tried the layering technique. I just get the feeling it wouldn't give me the same kind of control as topical. And yes, spare time is something of a luxury, but I enjoy painting and feel that this is a good use of my time.

[Mercke Lutso]

B-E-A-utiful!!!

[superjedi]

UPDATE: July 30th
"Here's where the fun begins. . ."
Boba has part of a face! I started working on the mandibles today. I really take my time on these sections as I feel the placement and proportions of the damaged areas really define what the helmet looks like. Not that the other areas are less important, but the "face" is the first part people will look at, so I take extra care when doing the areas around the T-visor.
This section took a little under 3 hours to do, and that'll be it for today!

[webchief]

Gorgeous work!

[Mr Fett]

Fantastic work there. Tons of patience. Very well done.

[superjedi]

Anyone getting bored of all these pics yet?

UPDATE: July 31st
And we continue around the mandibles. . .
Got the left mand finished up, and started at the bottom of the right one. The UPPER right mandible has a looooooot of fine detail, and with limited time during the week, I won't start this area just yet. I want to make sure I give myself a good block of time before getting into it.

Here's a couple of angles of where I am right now.





Stay tuned for more!

[MandalorFett]

Getting sick of the pics? Are you crazy? This stuff is like gold!

[Laan]

I have to agree with MandalorFett. Cant get tired of the pics. Never mind that is my helmet

Its looking amazing Eric. You are a true artist sir.

[superjedi]

UPDATE: August 1st:
Whack for my daddy-o! Whack for my daddy-o! There's whiskey in the jar-o!!
Don't you hate it when you get a song stuck in your head?

Alright. . . the mandibles are done.
Had to take a few breaks while doing the right mandible area. There's a lot of tiny shapes to do in there. *Whew!*
Here's the result of today's work.



Once again, after all painting is complete, I'll go back to do some pastel weathering, and add the tan "spatter" over the front of the helmet, so the contrast will be toned down some.

Next will be the cheeks! I usually save the dome for last because. . . well, I don't really know!

[AFettFullofDollars]

Wow, WOW, WOOOOOW!!!!!!!

[Laan]

Jeez, I giggle like a sissy every time I see an update!

[MARROW SUN]

Just super! Now hurry up and paint my armour

[Mr Fett]

You have got the look DOWN !!! Tremendous painter, right there.

[Jimmy BufFETT]

Awesome work so far!:thumbup I'm gonna get to see this one in person ... can't wait!

[Laan]

Awesome work so far!:thumbup I'm gonna get to see this one in person ... can't wait!

WHAT??? Oh man, Im jealous!

[Jimmy BufFETT]

WHAT??? Oh man, Im jealous!

I meant when it's done and you start trooping with it!

[Laan]

:o Ooops. Sorry.

I was kinda thinking road trip though.

[superjedi]

Thanks guys! It's really starting to shape up.
I was comparing it to my MS1 and I honestly think this one is much better!

Just super! Now hurry up and paint my armour

Huh, who, where, what?? Did I make another deal that I don't know about?

[MARROW SUN]

Huh, who, where, what?? Did I make another deal that I don't know about? [/quote]

Don't worry I asked your wife and she said it would be OK. So when do I send it to you

[SD68]

Looks spot on SJ. You make it look so easy! I love how quick your updates are.:thumbup

[superjedi]

Don't worry I asked your wife and she said it would be OK. So when do I send it to you

That woman. . . always writing checks my body can't cash!

Well, a deal's a deal I guess. She mentioned the 7000% commission that you'll have to pay her, right????
You have to read the fine print with her!

"NO" UPDATE: August 2nd

I had to spend around 5 hours totally reformatting my computer. Picked up a virus apparently that sent me to pop-up Hades. Nothing we tried would get rid of it.
Fortunately, all the pics and music and that kind of stuff is stored on our external hard drive, so I didn't lose anything. *Whew!*
But everything seems to be working A-OK now, so more updates will follow soon!

[tonyrb]

Amazing painting job, it's going to turn out brilliant.

Top work

Tony

[superjedi]

UPDATE: August 3rd

OK, back into the swing of things. My computer is fine, and I can concentrate on more important things. . . like Boba Fett!

Got the upper cheeks and portions of the lower cheeks done. Now that the mandibles are painted, the "Fett face" is really starting to take shape. All I have left on the lower parts of the helmet is some small detailing on the lower left cheek. I won't begin this until the weekend. Once I start on the gray areas on the lower cheeks and dome, I'll have to adjust my SP Lark Dark Gray a bit by darkening it slightly. Out of the bottle, the tone is really close to the Panzerolivgrun, and doesn't show up well. I'll darken it with some PRR Brunswick Green a few drops at a time until I get a good tone that matches the reference pics.

Pics!





This weekend I'll also do the dreaded KILLSTRIPES!!! (Cue the scary music here!)

[shabad]

Incredible, I love progress threads and this one is the best yet. Great pictures!

[AFettFullofDollars]

Incredible, I love progress threads and this one is the best yet. Great pictures!

I agree. That has got to be the BEST ESB paint job I have seen yet! SPOT ON with the size and spacing of all the damage and yet still maintaining the chaotic and random look of the film used bucket.

"Well done, Indy! Well done indeed!"

[superjedi]

Dang guys! I'm blushing over here. :o
I like posting progress on these things. . . it gives my poor fingers and eyes a rest!

And. . .
UPDATE: August 4th
Wow, got a lot more done today than I anticipated. I completed the cheeks, but forgot to take pics of those areas. Oops!
After that I started on the dome. One of the things that can make or break the appearance of the helmet is the kill stripes. With each bucket I paint, this is the most nerve wracking part for me. To place the stripes, I measure my reference pics and tape them off using that blue painters tape. I have found this to be an extremely useful tool. I've never had a problem with too much tackiness, and I haven't (yet) had it pull up any underlying paint. I'm very careful to let my base coats dry for at least a couple of days before putting any tape on.
Once I have the basic outlines taped off, I use Winsor & Newton's masking fluid to mask off the chips within the stripes. I usually do this by eye.
Here's a couple shots showing the stripes masked off. I have my camera on the close-up setting, so there's a weird fish eye effect. The masking fluid appears shiny in the pics.





After everything is masked, I apply some UP Armor Yellow with one of those dense little make up sponges. I apply several light coats, letting each one dry for about 15 minutes in between, until no more green shows through. Once the yellow is dry, I brush on some reddish-orange pastel powder, making it heavier on the rear stripes, and kind of fading as I come around toward the front.
Here's how the stripes look once they're unmasked.



After the stripes were done, I began on the damage on the dome. I started from the killstripe area, and worked around the back of the helmet toward the right ear.
Here's the killstripe area. All the tiny tiny thin scratches were made with a compass point, following closely with the reference pics.



Here's the rear view. What a jumble of scratches on this section!



And finally, the area just behind the right ear. This is a good stopping point for today. . . cuz my wrist is cramped!



Tomorrow, the cat scratch and dent!! Woo hoo!

[Predatormv]

Wow I didn't check this thread for two whole days, I really expceted to come back to a finished helmet. I can't believe how quickly you are turning this helmet out!

[AFettFullofDollars]

Ah yes...Masking tape and Windsor and Newton on the killstripes. It may take a little longer but the results can't be beat. There's no school like the old school!

[superjedi]

Well, due to unforseen issues, I lost a big chunk of time today cuz I had to take my wife to the airport. She's going to VA to deal with a family issue. Nothing serious, but she'll be gone for a couple of weeks. She's got the good digicam with her, so I'm using my old 4.0 mp camera. So the colors will look a little different from my previously posted pictures in the following

UPDATE: August 5th:
Cat scratch fever!! Du-du-du! Cat scratch fever!! Du-du-du-duuuu!!

Ah, the famous cat scratch. I've worked pretty much the right front half of the dome. I think this is pretty much as far as I'll get today. I was hoping to do the dent, but like with the "face" area of the mandibles, this area is one of the most important, so I want to be sure I have plenty of time set aside to tackle it!
Here's a couple of angles of the dome so far.





Once I get to the dent, that's pretty much going to be it for major painting on the helmet itself. I still have the ears to paint and apply decals to, then some "spatter" and pastel weathering on the whole bucket!

[Wolfi]

Just amazing!!!

[Nobody]

Outstanding Work!

[MandalorFett]

Looks so good. Love the Nuget refrence too.

[Laan]

SWEET! Lookin better and better man.

[Kashyyyk4ABY]

Man that is awesome!

[Darth Fett]

looks great awesome!

[GundamZeppelin]

Beautiful!

[superjedi]

UPDATE: August 6th

And finally, the feature without which this board would have a different name: The Dent!
Took my time with this area. There are several good 'head-on' shots of the dent itself, which makes outlining it much easier. But it's harder to find a good angle for that big scuff that trails back from the dent itself. I had to use a couple of different pics and play with the position a little bit to get it placed properly.
This area is complete! I had a discussion with Laan before I got started about whether he wanted a "screen used" paint job, or an "exhibit" paint job. The exhibit helmet through the years has gathered some extra damage, including all those strange black marks between the dent and the kill stripes. So those will not be added. I tend to prefer this look myself, and when I eventually do another helmet for myself, I'm gonna go with this look, too!
I dunno if it's my old camera or what, but the colors are really getting blown out. But here are the newest pics.





All that's left now on the bucket itself is the big scrape on the top of the dome. That'll get done tomorrow, and then it's on to the ears! 8)

[Laan]

Man, you have me giggling like a little girl. Fantastic work. :thumbup

[superjedi]

Well then, I have reached my goal!
Thanks man.

[Mojo-Fett]

SJ...that is the dogs danglies... Great job.
Was most of it 'layered' or 'topical' hope mine looks half as good (When I get my new lid that is )

Gavin

[superjedi]

Gavin,
Thanks! It's mostly topical. The only section I layer is the back, where I mask off the lighter color before spraying on the bluish-green.
Personally, I just trust my paintbrush more than masking fluid.

[tonyrb]

Inspirational work

[psberetta]

Dang dude....insane, totaly insane.
Nice job.


-Tim-

[MandalorFett]

Great to see a "movie-like" paintjob. That's what I went for with my poor effort to paint an ESB bucket (I'm not a good painter). Such great work, I've got all your paint-ups on my compy at home.

[superjedi]

Thanks, Jim. Yeah, after looking at some of the hi-def pics floating around, it's amazing how much "incidental" damage actually happened to the helmet after all these years! Like I said, I talked with Todd about the differences, and I like this version a lot!

UPDATE: August 7th

OK, all the main color application on the helmet is done!! Woo hoo!! Party time!! Excellent!!



Next up will be the ears. I'll be giving them a good primer coat, and that'll show me how much extra prep (if any) will need to be done. I've done a little sanding on them so far, but it's hard to tell how much work will need to be done until you get a coat of primer on. The ear pieces look like they're in nice shape, so I don't expect to have to do much else to them.
More to come!