Superjedi's GMH as ESB for Steveo4529

Superjedi:

does the GMH mandible have a subtle vertical curve as viewed from the side, or is that a photo distortion I often see?

Hi Spy007,
I took a look, and it does appear that the mandible is very slightly bowed outward.

UPDATE: July 30, 2013

No photos today. The re-primering came out nice and even. Those few low spots
filled in very well. I applied the first color a little while ago. :) It's the Concrete on
the rear panels.
Tomorrow I'll be able to begin stenciling out the areas for the dark green. I'll definitely
have some pics to show during that process.
 
Necro, not sure that I really trust the colors that appear in video. Even with hi-def video cameras
these days, there's too much variation in lighting, etc. to make that a definitive resource in choosing
colors. I'm pretty happy with the color palette that I've been using. There are enough photos floating
around from the AoSW and MoM exhibits to make some pretty informed choices. (y)

This. That paragraph just sums up the colour through lighting variations perfectly (y)
 
Only thing about the AOSW and other indoor event pics is lighting and camera used...same goes for the video...theyre going to be close but in person my eye sees one thing but on the screen it shows up brighter after being photographed...its close but different none the less. Maybe someday we can get an actual list of the colors used or an equivelent of what was used or something. Till then I think what most use looks good to me...screen grabs from the bluray and such are great too for color....since at least we know it wasnt beat up in those, mishandled etc in the archive
 
Did you make your own stencils, or do you use Rafal's stencils?

Necro, I use Rafal's stencils as an excellent base. I always have at least one reference pic up on my
screen as I'm painting, and use those to make sure I'm getting the shapes and the very finest details
correct as I'm going along.

UPDATE: July 31, 2013

Got the back panels prepped for dark green. The Concrete dried overnight, and this afternoon I stenciled
on the color breaks. Since I've done a GMH or two before :p I already have a complete set of stencils that
fit this helmet. That's a big time saver! Here are two shots with the stencils applied.

IMG_0302_zps64b33560.jpg


IMG_0303_zpsed54a1dc.jpg


Once the stencils were on, I used my trusty Winsor & Newton masking fluid to fill in the areas that
will remain Concrete. The masked areas appear slightly darker and shiny in the pics below.

IMG_0304_zps89004be1.jpg


IMG_0305_zps59beb15f.jpg


I had to do some running around this afternoon, so I'm going to wait until tomorrow to airbrush
the dark green mix. I never like feeling like I'm trying to beat the clock. More to come! :)
 
Hope I don't disappoint, Beans!

UPDATE: August 2, 2013

Some delicious back panel progress! Got the dark green airbrushed on. Although it's always
harder to see in pics, there's a degree of cloudy variation in the overall color. I try to do a
kind of mid-dark translucent coat, and then go back and darken certain areas based on the
reference pics. The color variation will become more apparent after dull coating the helmet.

IMG_0306_zpsaf0962dc.jpg


In these pics I have gone back with some Concrete and a fine brush to clean up some of the
edges I wasn't satisfied with. Just to nail the shapes of the details.

IMG_0307_zps46d264b6.jpg


The next stage will be adding the gray and silver. I'll also go back with some of the dark
green mix and add those splotches that appear in the ref pics.

I'm hoping to have the back panels totally complete by the end of the weekend. That's a tall
order! Especially with that giant silver area on the right panel. . . but we'll see. :)
 
I usually just lurk on your helmet paint-ups, but I have to say:

For one, you're a MACHINE. Your turnaround time and updates are just INCREDIBLE.

Two, your topical approach (versus layered) is a beauty to behold.

And three, quit screwing around and do an RotJ!
 
Rubio, thanks man. :) Painting is like my Zen meditation. I just get into it and don't even
realize how much time is going by. . . until my stomach starts rumbling. LOL

Necro, those little detail brushes are my bread and butter for these paint ups!

UPDATE: August 3, 2013

More work complete on the left rear panel. This is SP Lark Dk Gray.

IMG_0308_zps26bf334c.jpg


It looks a little funny, but once I get the silver added it will take on a more familiar appearance.

IMG_0309_zps08c76088.jpg


Hope to post another update sometime later. (y)
 
Awesome E, looking really clean, and I really feel you have nailed your technique down to the point it is absolutely spot on the money every time! As always, looking forward to every new update :) (y)
 
Hiya Jonny. Thanks man! At this point, I can pretty much outline every stage of the paint job in my head. :lol:
I strive for consistency with each new helmet I do. At some point, I'll break out of my comfort zone and
tackle a ROTJ lid! You know who I'll be asking lots of questions when I do! (y)

UPDATE #2: August 3, 2013


The left panel is complete. I added the silver, the additional small splotches of dark green, and the
physical scratches. To get these very fine scratches, I use the sharp point of a compass and scratch
right through to the gelcoat.

IMG_0313_zpsb49e6bcd.jpg


Tomorrow I'll work on the right panel. . . and that giant silver area *sigh*
When the majority of the paint job is complete, I'll come back to do the pale grayish-blue contrasting
color that shows in some of the silver areas. There's a good amount of it on the back panels, and there's
more in other areas of the helmet.
 
Hiya Jonny. Thanks man! At this point, I can pretty much outline every stage of the paint job in my head. :lol:
I strive for consistency with each new helmet I do. At some point, I'll break out of my comfort zone and
tackle a ROTJ lid!
You know who I'll be asking lots of questions when I do!

Yes. This.
 
I look forward to it too Rubio! And while I have absolutely no doubt Eric will nail it, any questions my way will be a pleasure to help out anywhere I can :)
 
Oh no! Not another crazy Superjedi ESB helmet! So, how long you will be bore us with these machined paint jobs (I really think that you have a painting robot factory or some crazy SJ minions)? Huh?! We already know that you are super good at ESB paint jobs... No need to prove anything!

I beg... I demand... No, I command (and I hope everyone else will support me) that the next paint job to be a ROTJ one! Who's with me?!

Superjedi Minions.jpg

(You know that I love your paint jobs!)
 
Minions! :lol:
Thanks Raf. I'm hoping to begin a ROTJ helmet for my own collection by the year's end! (I think. . . maybe. )

UPDATE: August 4, 2013

Back panels are now complete, except for the pale contrasting color.
That big silver area is a killer! Especially with all the tiny gray chips in there. When I do this area, I stencil
on the main silver area, but I also stencil on some of the larger gray chips to give me some landmarks.
I paint these landmark gray chips before doing the silver. Then I go back and paint on the silver, being
careful to leave the majority of the landmarks exposed.
Then it's lots of looking back and forth between the helmet and reference pics, adding smaller and smaller
gray details until this section is complete.

IMG_0314_zps43a2b2c9.jpg


Here's another angle showing the other 2 major damage areas on the right panel. I have also
added the physical scratches to this side. Same technique: use a sharp metal compass point to
scratch through to the gelcoat.

IMG_0315_zpsbb14a1c9.jpg


Now that the rear panels are done, the next stage will be to apply the base color to the dome and
inner cheeks! I enjoy completing that stage because it really begins to look like Fett from that point on.
Thanks for following along so far. :)
 
Eric you are a machine my friend!!!! Looking awesome as always bro. Like everyone else I would love to see you do up a ROTJ lid.
 
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