*UPDATE 2013* WIP : Jayvee's 'lil' chunk of ROTJ love' paint up

Hello once again my Fett loving brothers and sisters! As I had so many humbling and positive responses to my ESB paint up thread, the time has come to do a ROTJ paint up – so I am detailing it much the same way, in my normal pedantic and long winded way... So please bear with me peeps... Once again, I acquired one of BGHunters brand new casts to paint up. And once again, I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of his work – this new cast is absolutely epic, with fine details added in like no other. I will say it again – if you are looking for a quality, screen accurate helmet with correct screen non symmetry etc, James is right up there with the very best. I only hope my paint can do his awesome work some justice... So, on to the paint up. I spent a long time colour testing to get what I feel is a really good colour combination, and am using Humbrol, Folquil and Model Master paints. I have taken bits and pieces from lists such as Evan, Spidey, BGHunter and SlavePilot 1, and have also come up with a few of my own mixes for areas like the back panel green. I will document the colours as I update each section. Once again, it is a fully airbrushed job, and fully layered, bar some fine detailing work, which is topical to match the sandy helmet. One last thing I will mention, is that the version I am going for is this time as it appears in the ‘Star Wars the Exhibition’ and ‘Magic of Myth’ Exhibits, with a little extra in the damage and marks department. So, with that said, away we go!.... :)



JAYVEE'S ROTJ COLOUR LIST (As of 4/11/2012)

*All the paints listed are ENAMEL based, through an airbrush.

BASE COAT - Humbrol Light Grey (147)

MISTING THROUGHOUT ALL SILVER AREAS - Humbrol Silver (11). Misting over silver using a combo (this should be actual fading, not mixing the colours together) of Humbrol Gunmetal (53) and Humbrol Tank Grey (67).

KEY SLOTS (REAR) – Same as above, will just need some Floquil Caboose mists in between upper key slots, particularly the 2nd, 3rd and 4th slots.

BACK PANEL MAIN GREEN - ‘Jayvee’s Chameleon Green’ – Floquil Southern Green and Floquil CNW Green mix (1:1 ratio).

DOME AND LOWER CHEEKS MAIN GREEN – Humbrol 31 + Humbrol 78 (approx. 2 ½: 1 ratio mix). Misting over main dome/ lower cheek green: Airbrushed mists throughout, using a combination of: Humbrol 66 (Olive Drab), Humbrol 147 (Light Grey), Humbrol 150 (Forrest Green), Humbrol Cockpit Green (78) and Floquil Caboose, matching reference photos as much as possible. Also some respraying over areas with main green, as well as some very minor splatters with Humbrol 33 (matt black).

KILLSTRIPES - Humbrol 82 (orange lining) + Model Masters International Orange (2:1 ratio mix).

UPPER CHEEKS - Tamiya XF-17 (Sea Blue); Misted over with Model Masters Schwartzgrun RLM 70.

MANDIBLES AND TRIM – A very light spray of Humbrol Ocean Grey (106), to even out colour after mistings have been masked. MAIN COLOUR - Floquil Caboose.

EARS – Rangefinder Ear : Humbrol tank grey (67), Humbrol Gunmetal (53), Humbrol Metallic black, humbrol Matt black(33), Humbrol Gold, Floquil Caboose.

Other Ear : Basecoat of Humbrol light grey (147). Once dry, mask out damage areas to remain 147 colour, and apply - Humbrol Blue Grey (106), then mist looking at reference pics using a combination of : Humbrol tank grey (67), Humbrol Gunmetal (53), Humbrol Metallic black, humbrol Matt black(33), Humbrol Gold, Floquil Caboose.

These were applied using reference pictures as much as possible, then weathered with a combination of techniques with sanding, steel wool, washes and pastel weathering.


DETAIL : A heap of fine detail work throughout entire helmet with various colors, starting from, but not limited to : Humbrol Light Grey (147), Humbrol Matt White (34), Humbrol Silver (11), Humbrol Matt Black (33), Humbrol Tank Grey (67), Humbrol Olive Drab (66), Humbrol Cockpit Green (78), Humbrol Chocolate (98), Humbrol Insignia Yellow (154), Humbrol Wine (73), Humbrol Forrest Green (150), Floquil Caboose, Floquil Dark Blue.

Prep Work

I’ve said it before – I loathe the prep work. But it has to be done, and the better the prep, the better foundation to paint. James cut out the visor area for me before he sent it, but I fitted a visor, cut out the key slots to display a nice resin MQ-1 cast that I had, bondo’d any loose areas, and sanded that dude down. Being a bit strapped for time, it probably took me a good 10 days for the prep work. I then primed the lid, checked for imperfections, lightly resanded, and gave it a basecoat with Humbrol 147 (super light grey).

Pics 1 and 2 show a ready to go primed and base coated lid, pic 3 shows the cut out key slots with the MQ-1 cast attached (this pic is after the silver layer, as I didn’t have a good earlier pic of it), and pic 4 is of all the lovely little accessories that come with our lovable Mr. Fett. The small Honeywell micro switch is a great little cast, but I have replaced it with a real one that James had sent me for my ESB lid (not pictured)– I thought I had lost it, but found it in my art box the other day, so I will use it to fit both of my helmets if I ever need to take some high quality pics. Last but not least is the Interior – I dirtied it up a touch, and clear coated the gel coat, as that is how the ROTJ interior appears. I have other nic nacs to add in there for accuracy down the track – ill update this section in good time...

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Back Panels

I always like to do the back panels first. There of course is no actual rule; it just helps me kinda get my painting groove on. Also, it is the one area a little separate from the rest, so once completed, you can mask it out and cover it up - where the other areas are sort of all connected in some way. In any case, the pics show how I attacked this area. It is quite a different process to ESB – while that paint job is layer after tedious layer of stencilling and masking, there are less layers in ROTJ – however, each layer is more involved. It’s definitely a reason why I really love the process of this paint up, and it has really grown on me...

Pic 1 shows the masking on the basecoat colour – this is minimal, but to my eye, there are a few areas where it looks like the gel coat shows through, so this is how I approached it. Some people don’t worry about the basecoat colour, but I like it for 2 reasons : 1. as mentioned, you can bring out small areas to replicate the gel coat, and 2. I like it so I can accurately stencil out my nicks and gouges section by section, so the damage lines up accurately. Then once they are added in and the silver goes on, you have nice, clean looking gouges. You can see this before and after comparison in pic 2...

Pic 3 shows the silver layer now on and getting ready for the misting of the silver process. Here, I have liquid masked the areas to remain bright silver, and then using my scaled templates, I roughly transferred the areas where the shading will be. Pic 4 shows the shading process over these areas. It looks a mess, but trust me – there was many a reference photo pulled out, and a definite method to the madness. It was also a perfect time to shade the key slot area, as they used the same misting colours...

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Back Panels (cont...)

After this, the misting had a light matt cote to keep it all intact, and was then completely re-stencilled, being very exact this time. Then it was time for the wonderful shade of green to go on. Now boy - did I try some greens. I tried everything I could get my hands on to get that real ‘chameleon’ Green shade that changes so much in the reference pics, depending on the light and camera settings. I wasn’t a fan of straight CNW green – it was just too dark for my liking, and simply didn’t have the vibrancy that the green on the real helmet appears to have in certain lights. I tried to photo the CNW in many lights, with or without flash etc, and it was just too dark or too blue. I mixed many a colour, until I came across what I think is a perfect shade – a mix of Floquil CNW Green and Floquil Southern Green (1:1 mix). The addittion of the Southern green really is the catalyst for this colour, and in my mind, it is spot on - changes in light, has the correct vibrancy and hue, and isnt either too dark or too 'lime'... It is definately what I will stick to for any future ROTJ or PP2 lids...

After this layer, came all the misting and detail work. I love this part, and found it a really good challenge versus just stencilling and masking layer upon layer. The pics show the back panels in their 98% completed stage. A couple odd scratches here and there, but pretty much done. Pics 1-4 show the back panels in detail. One thing I tried to emulate accurately was the misting over the green. The Right hand panel is pretty much standard misting, but the left hand panel on close inspection, has fine splatter misting – which I was able to do by taking my time and constantly crimping my air hose on the compressor. I also sprayed a few very light mists of caboose in the key slot area as it appears – particularly in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th key slot for accuracy...


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Looking forward to seeing the rest. Your paint jobs are awesome :D

Comparison Pics and Back Panels colour list

Here, I have some comparison pictures. I have updated these images with some new ones of mine in the sunlight - the main reason was to show just how the green changes dramaically depending on the light - which is something that stands out in the reference pics of the actual helmet. You can see the differrence in the shade of the green, compared to my other detail shots of the back panels on an overcast day in the shade, a couple of posts up. I'm really happy with the colour, as because it seems to act very much like the pics of the real lid, it means im pretty close to the actual colour, or at least in the same ballpark. The CNW alone simply does not act like this...

So enjoy the first section gang. It might be a little while until the next update, as I am taking the newly Mrs. Jayvee on a honeymoon to the mighty So Cal for some summer and Beach Volley action. Thanks for looking gang, as always, any ideas or feedback most welcome. Peace...


Colour list:
Humbrol Light Grey (147) (basecoat), Humbrol Silver (11), misting over silver using a combo (fading, not mixed together) of Humbrol Gunmetal (53), Humbrol Blue Grey (79) and Humbrol Tank Grey (67). Key slots masked off, then ‘Jayvee’s chameleon Green’ applied – Floquil Southern Green and Floquil CNW Green mix (1:1 ratio). Fine detail work added with Humbrol silver (11), Humbrol Light Grey (147) and Humbrol Tank Grey (67). Various fine details using a variety of colours.

WOW! Jayvee! What you did so far is awesome! That is pure perfection... in each and every detail! Can't wait to see the other parts painted!

You and Mrs. Jayvee have a good time on that honeymoon and I wish you both all the best!

Thank you kindly gents. Ahh Raf, I cant tell you how much i'm looking forward to a nice break. Appreciate the kind words on the paint so far! :)

Bro that is looking killer and love what you did with the weathering on the back. The green mix that you came up with on the back panel looks spot on to me well done.So which tourney are you going to Hermosa or Manhattan?

Cheers Deadland, means alot from a paint master like yourself :)

As for the volley - Hermosa open my good man! We'll just miss Manhattan, but will be there for the manhattan 6-man which is always classic! Cheering on my good bud Matty O! :)

Cool have a good time, used to live in El Segundo back in the day and would go a watch. Great event!!!

dang dude. that is so good

Wow, that looks excellent! I was a latecomer to your ESB thread, but I'll be following this one for sure.
I'm in love with that green you mixed for the back panels. Seriously, I want to take it out for dinner and
give it some flowers. :lol
You definitely have an eye for patterns and details!

Yea Superjedi, I found the green really responds the best when you give it a gentle massage and cuddle.. Just a small carress, all above board of course.. ;-)

Thanks for the words of support so far chaps! :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjedi

Wow, that looks excellent! I was a latecomer to your ESB thread, but I'll be following this one for sure.
I'm in love with that green you mixed for the back panels. Seriously, I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant. :lol
You definitely have an eye for patterns and details!

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fixed. thank you 30 Rock.

Hahaha, nice fellas, nice..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saint_nasty

fixed. thank you 30 Rock.

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Much better. Thanks Saint N!! :lol

Fantastic work, as always !

Wow Jayvee! You are truly amazing! :cheering The misting is fantastic and the detail is mind blowing!! :drool Thanks so much for sharing all the techniques and paints that you have used. So looking forward to the rest of your paint up, as I'm sure everyone here is!!! Have a great time on your honeymoon and congratulations to you both! I'll be watching this space!!! :cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hobbit057

Wow Jayvee! You are truly amazing! :cheering The misting is fantastic and the detail is mind blowing!! :drool Thanks so much for sharing all the techniques and paints that you have used. So looking forward to the rest of your paint up, as I'm sure everyone here is!!! Have a great time on your honeymoon and congratulations to you both! I'll be watching this space!!! :cheers

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Thanks for the huge props there Dave, far, far too kind. I definately like to share as much info as I can, as particularly with ROTJ, there seems to be less info than ESB paintups, so even if someone gets one technique or colour out of it,then im glad I could be of some help.Thanks again mate!

Evening Fett-Maniacs! Not too much to report at the moment, as I have been working on scaling and laying down stencils for my dome work, as well as testing a few extra colours. So to start the weekend, just a small addittion of a couple quick photos of - (PIC 1) the real Honeywell Micro-Switch that I will be using in this helmet; and (PIC 2) a small one of a very early stage of it fitting into the ear piece. Certainly nothing too exciting, but those who do like the finer details may be interested in these teeny, tiny bits of accuracy. The switch was provided by James (BGHunter, the very excellent maker of this lovely lid). Enjoy peeps, and with a bit of luck, may have a few dome shots to show before we head off on holidays. Thanks for looking gang, Peace :)

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DOME 'SNEAK PEEK' TEASER

Greetings Fett-Monkeys! It's time for myself and the newly Mrs. Jayvee to head off on our honeymoon - California style, but before we go, I couldn't not give one little update, as I obviously wont be able to do anything for a few weeks. What we have here, is the beginnings of the dome paint. First up shots are of some of the misting and masking process on top of the silver, while the next couple of shots are a 'sneak peek' at the dome layer, with the green and misting laid down, and all the masking taken off. Now please bear in mind that this dome will still have to undertake some major tranformation steps from here - all the specific damage has been laid down, but in typical, pedantic Jayvee style, there needs hours of fine detail work, weathering and overall blending that still needs to take place. The first remnants of this fine detail work can stat to be seen on and around the arrows. And hark 'what about those magnificent orange killstripes' I hear you say - rest assurred, that will be the next step my fine friends! again, if you look colsely, you can see the outlines for these laid down in water soluble white pencil.

Again crew, it's just a teaser to the finished dome, with what I could get done before I head off for relaxy-time :) Most of the colours were Humbrol, and the main green was a nice humbrol mix i stumbled across, but will update properly both colours and mixes when the dome and cheeks are completed. In the meantime, enjoy the teasers, and aloha my good people! Peace.. :)

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Awesome!

Enjoy your honeymoon! :)

Really great paint thread, superjedi said I had to check it out and he was right. :)

how have i missed this...superb job I love it.

Morning Fett -aholics! Back from an awesome summer holiday in California-land, and back onto working on the Fett. This is a small update on some of the dome paint - specifically the killstripes, and the fine detail work in and around them. Obviously, there is still a lot more to go on this section, but here are some shots of the almost completed fine detail sections on one quadrant of the dome. Really happy with how this section is coming out so far, and have even tried to emulate the non- symmetrical killstripes, and many of the highlights and scratches. With a bit of luck, the dome paint will be finished shortly to move on to the cheeks and mandibles, but for now, heres a few shots to show some progress, and to show you that although slow, this paintjob is still going ahead! As always, any feedback or thoughts welcome,and glad to be able to share just a little bit of new work with you all! Peace :)

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What the... Are you kidding me!?
At first I thought it was the real deal, then the second and third thought was the same until I saw the comparison image. You nailed all the details (big and small) and everything looks perfect (as always). You have one amazing eye (well... a set of two) for the fine details, and even if you already proved with that ESB helmet (as I said before) that you are in the top 10 of the best helmet painters, with this paint job (already) you have moved quickly in the first 5, and I think no one can argue this fact.

Amazing paint job! Keep the awesome updates coming... And I already foresee a Pre-Pro #2 paint job in the near future.

Stunning! :thumbsup

Not bad, very good!

are you trying to play the game of spot the difference, cause you are doing a good job, well done:thumbsup

Here is a REALLY good pic of something you may want to add to your dent...tell me what you think...
Boba Fett Costume - The Dented Helmet Gallery

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]

Cant tell if that gouge is there or not in 1 pic it looks like it might be but in another it doesnt look like it...great work on the paint BTW

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Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Here is a REALLY good pic of something you may want to add to your dent...tell me what you think...
Boba Fett Costume - The Dented Helmet Gallery

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]

Cant tell if that gouge is there or not in 1 pic it looks like it might be but in another it doesnt look like it...great work on the paint BTW

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You are right! That gouge is part of the ROTJ dent along with those physical scratches all over the helmet.

First off - wow! Thank you so much to everyone so far for your super kind comments. You guys really are very kind, and im really enjoying this paint up, so hope I can keep it going at the same level for you all.. :-)

Fett4real and Raf - yep, that little gouge is there for sure. I havn't actually got to fine detailing the dent as of yet, but rest assured I will sort it when its time for that section. Really appreciate the thoughts and excellent pic fett4, many thanks buddy! :-)

Dude you are rocking this thing!!! Just simply amazing.

Beautiful! Keep it up. :thumbsup

Blimey!!! This is ridicules!! Ha ha, just kidding! Wow Johnny you are truly amazing! I agree with Raf you are definitely one of the finest artists to put paint on a Fett helmet! You deserve all the accolades because your work speaks for itself..... can't wait to see all the little bits of authenticity come together! :cheering

Morning Fett-Fanatics! It’s been a long winded one, but time for my next update installment on this gem of a helmet cast. To recap for the un-initiated (as I’ve been taking my punk-@$$ time ;)), this is a ROTJ paint up, and I’m trying to get it nice and accurate. Pretty happy so far, but you other Fett gurus may be a better judge than me…

What we have in this update, is pretty much the dome in its entirety – complete with fine detail, super fine detail, gouges, scratches, nooks, crannies – you name it. There is every possibility that I may have missed a scratch or mark here or there, but I think I have done pretty well in recreating everything my grandpa eyes can see. This includes lots of misting, black marks, white marks, silver scratches, and even down to some red and yellow paint marks. One thing I am definitely noticing about the ROTJ paint up, is that if some think ROTJ is easier because it seems to have less intricate major damage than ESB, then that would be quite a mistake. This dome area alone has simply been a beast – fairly technical, and some serious time consumption getting the details right - but highly worth it in my mind.

The next section I will look at is the lower cheeks/upper cheeks/mandibles. Yep, I separated the dome from these areas, as the damage is very much connected throughout those areas, so doing them together until the final colour layer for each makes the most sense to me... So as that is quite some involved work, like the dome area updated in these very new posts, it may take some time for new updates – but I will keep you all posted as they happen, I promise! :)

So, onto the images… The first lot of pics show the helmet at all angles to showcase all the dome paint in a 360 view. There are a lot of angles, and what I have attempted with all the pics, is to show images that highlight many of the fine details. I have also used a few different lights and backgrounds, so I can gauge how the dome green acts. As it gets very close in shade in different lights to the screen helmet, and seems to change, looking more olive etc in certain lighting, it allows me to think I’m in the right ballpark with the shade of green I concocted…

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This second group of pics, show a couple of general angles I liked, with the second showing how the dome and back panels look together as a whole. Pic three is a close up of the dent detail complete with small gouge (thanks for that Fett4 and Raf), while pic 4 shows my dome in two differrent lightings and one with a flash on the camera. This was initially for me to gauge the colour, but think it illustrates nicely how the dome green changes dramatically in diferrent cnditions, much like how the real one acts. Pic 5 is simply a nice little comparison shot I liked. Again, remember folks, that these pics are being referenced from the Magic of Myth Exhibits, so there are some extra damage areas if compared to the hero movie version. Enjoy, and of course, all feedback, questions or comments welcome! Peace :)

Colour List – MAIN BASE COLOURS: Basecoat light grey (Humbrol 147); Silver (Humbrol 11); Misting over silver using a combination of Humbrol Gunmetal (53), humbrol Tank grey (67) and humbrol Blue grey (79). Main Green – Humbrol 31 + Humbrol 78 (approx. 2 ½ : 1 ratio mix).Misting over main dome green : Airbrushed mists throughout dome, using a combination of :Humbrol 66 (olive drab), Humbrol 147 (light grey), Humbrol 150(Forrest Green) and Floquil Caboose matching reference photos as much as possible. Also some respraying over areas with main green, as well as some very minor splatters with Humbrol 33 (matt black). KILLSTRIPES :Humbrol 82 (orange lining) + Model Masters International Orange (2:1 ratio mix). DETAIL : A heap of fine detail work with various colors, starting from : Humbrol light grey (147), Humbrol matt white (34), Humbrol silver (11), Humbrol matt black (33), Humbrol tank Grey (67), Humbrol olive drab (66), Humbrol chocolate (98), Humbrol Insignia yellow (154), Humbrol wine (71),Humbrol Forrest Green (150), Floquil Caboose.

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I think that dome color is pretty close if not spot on...I dont like to look at the colors from the MOM and such because of the lighting but the screen grabs from the Skiff Scene...and I think the color is a bit lighter then it appears in those pics, and I think you captured it pretty well. Cant wait to see the rest its looking great though...Im jealous cant wait to start my ROTJ paint up when I get home.

I agree bud, those skiff photos out in the sunlight is what I like to gauge my overall colour tone on too. It is also where I came to the conclusion that the back panel green is much more vibrant than CNW alone - In those skiff pics, that back panel green really 'pops'. As I say, from trying both dark to lighter lighting, the dome green seems to act very much like the screen grabs and exhibit shots, so im pretty happy with the overall colour. Thanks for the kind words brother! :)

MAN! Would you PLEASE quit using screen grabs of the real helmet and trying to pass them off as your own work?! It's really getting irritating! :lol

That is without a doubt the absolute BEST RotJ Helmet paint up I have ever seen!

WOW Jayvee- The level of detail here is uncanny. The "fingerprints" on the right side of the dome are so precise! Wonderful work bud.
B

That's it. . . I quit. :doh

Beautiful work!!

Gosh, thanks for all the great comments so far gang, way too kind.

Fettfullofdollars - wow, thats huge props coming from a gun painter like yourself, highly appreciate it..

Superjedi - judging from the awesomeness of your own paint ups, id say you still have some life left in ya bud! ;-)

I couldn't agree more with those who spoked before this post. And those are some of the heavyweight painters of TDH. That dome is a pure... ART!

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Originally Posted by RafalFett

I couldn't agree more with those who spoked before this post. And those are some of the heavyweight painters of TDH. That dome is a pure... ART!

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Thank you kind sir. Y'know, it's really funny you say that Raf, it was something I was just talking about to a friend regarding an art piece. While it's awesome to have a really cool, Star Wars lid as a finished piece to display once completed, it really is more of an art piece to me also. While some like to do it for trooping etc, which is also extremely cool, for me, its definately about about all the processes and skills that go into the painting accuracy - its just on a really awesome, 3D canvas so to speak. Some people who dont appreciate this so much, and say things like "what are you gonna do with that", make me laugh, because they are the sort of people who also won't bat an eyelid, when looking at someone who paints a vase of flowers for the 3 billionth time on a standard canvas ;) It really is interesting - but also what makes this community so great. We all have that common interest where we can appreciate the art, process, dedication and various reasons why we all got into this caper. Thanks again for the kind words my friend! :)

I hear ya JV, my brother and others are not able to appreciate what people go into creating such beautiful things, the time, research, and the effort, and still hope things still go good,they are art, even though I look at my MR helmet it is art, as I would not wear it as it is there to inspre me, now thats art but yet it not perfect, and from what I have seen you have the talent, good on ya bro! keep it going you have earned it :thumbsup
cheers

The reason that my wife allows me to display my Fett helmets downstairs in the "public" part
of the house is because they are my artwork. :)
The rest of my collection stays secluded in the shadowy unknown recesses of. . . upstairs.

Nice point my stormtrooper only lasted 1 month in the living room then it went back into my mancave.
hopefully she will see the artwork in my fett I am building now.

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Originally Posted by superjedi

The reason that my wife allows me to display my Fett helmets downstairs in the "public" part
of the house is because they are my artwork. :)
The rest of my collection stays secluded in the shadowy unknown recesses of. . . upstairs.

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I discovered early on when my stunning wife refferred to me as a 'scruffy looking nerfherder', that this girl must get a ring on her finger pronto! Very supportive she is of my hobby, due a lot to growing up with brothers who are star wars geeks and artists. So, she 'gets it all', not to mention I dont get relegated to the man cave too often, unless its due to acting like a twelve year old, which to be honest, is more often than not.. ;-)

I know my wife wishes I was as mature as a 12 year old. :lol :lol

Usually whenever we go out somewhere, when I park the car she'll say "Lock the door"
and of course my reply is, ". . . and hope they don't have blasters."
That always gets a big eye roll from her.

Howdy Fett- Rockstars! It’s been a busy month with some house moving taking place, but have found a smidgen of time to devote to Mr. ROTJ Fett, and got to a point where it’s time for the next update installment. In this one, we have the completed lower cheeks. Now, while it doesn’t sound like much, the correct sizing and stenciling, not to mention the involved paintwork, was quite a task on these sections, and they provided a really solid challenge. To get them right involved lots of careful planning, and each cheek was vastly different, so it definitely took time to nail down all the colours, separate misting, and specific fine detail. I am really happy with the final result, not to mention how it’s all starting to come together. There are some small bits of fine detail to be added with the upper cheek colour. Obviously I will add these in as I do the upper cheeks, for good continuity and the same colour throughout…

I started these cheeks as per the other sections – with a basecoat, silver coat, masking out bright silver areas then misting over the silver for various areas using gunmetal and tank grey. I then masked these areas ready for the green coat. Again, I used my mix of humbrol 31 + humbrol 78 (2 ½ : 1 ratio). After this, each cheek was quite specific in shading. The left cheek (left as in looking at the helmet, so the rangefinder side), had some subtle grey mists which I used humbrol 66 (olive drab) for. The other cheek, had some light olive drab mists, but has quite a specific mist of olive/avocado along the bottom of the cheek. For this, I misted Humbrol 150 (Forrest Green), and toned it back a touch and blended with some more Olive Drab (66). Once dried overnight, the faded mists were masked out and applied topically in the correct spots on both cheeks using Humbrol 78 (Cockpit Green). These were blended using my main green mix and some olive drab. For these sections of lighter green mists, I went topical, as from looking at the ref pics, that is how they appear – more a faded look of the cheeks, and not an actual layer underneath. So I wanted to be as true to the real lid as I could be.

Once all the airbrush work was finalized, then came time for all the fine detail work in typical, pedantic Jayvee style. After that was completed, it was indeed time to sit back with a lovely aged tequila on the rocks, before I look at tackling the upper cheeks. Phew!

Pics added here show the cheeks one at a time in pic 1 and 2, then a double pic in 3, simply showing a couple of different light and colour shifts for each cheek. Pics 4 and 5 are showing how it’s all starting to come together as a whole, while we finish with a couple of comparison pics. Thanks as always for looking peeps, feedback most welcome. Peace :)

COLOUR LIST
Basecoat – Humbrol 147 (light grey)
Silver (Humbrol 11). Mistings over silver with Humbrol Gunmetal (53), and Humbrol Tank Grey (67)
Main Green – Humbrol 31 + Humbrol 78 (2 ½ : 1 mix ratio)
Misting over green with Humbrol Olive Drab (66), Humbrol Forrest Green (150) and Humbrol Cockpit Green (78).
Fine Detail work with Humbrol silver (11), Humbrol Tank Grey (67), Floquil Caboose, Humbrol Flat Black (33), Floquil Dark Blue.


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Are you trying to kill me?!...

I have no words to describe what you have done so far. I stick to my last post in this thread: PURE ART!!!

Hahaha, no, not looking at killing anyone or anything Raf - i'm a lover, not a fighter... ;)

Many thanks for your always kind words my good man. It's your ridiculously fine stencils that make my job a whole lot easier my friend! :)

man you have the skills to pay the bills with that work, you blow my mind with what is possible, I am yet to test my air brush skills, if I can getr close to your talent, I will be happy:thumbsup

That is amazing work! Tequilla well-earned my friend! :cheers

This work is the work of an insane madman. There, I said what everyone was thinking. :)

Seriously, outstanding work, Jayvee. It's truly an astounding level of detail and commitment to producing such a high level of art.

Aw, Jonny, such a shame you messed that helmet up.
Send it to me and I'll make sure it's given a decent burial.

:lol

As someone from your part of the world might say, that's heaps good! :thumbsup

Hark, I can hear the sounds of my insane madman laugh coming from my laboratory now 'Mwahahahaha'... (rips out my best Dr Evil impression :)..). That made me laugh, thanks for the kind and amusing words Roninson...

Ahh, nice Eric - I knew I could count on you to dispose of this lid Goodfellas style - I wont say anything if you don't, just keep it minimum mess, minimum fuss ;)

All I have to say is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!

Righto ROTJ Fett experts (and anyone else for that matter:)) - DISCUSSION TIME!
What im concerned with here, and something that has been discussed and debated a bit, is upper cheek colour for ROTJ. Now, ill give my 2 cents, and everyone feel free to chime in - Don't take what I say as gospel, i'm very open to be swayed by those with good colour knowledge, or indeed those that may have been lucky enough to see the helmet in person at exhibits etc...

Now, it seems everyone agrees that we are looking at a blue/green, that has shifts to black even in differrent lighting. Where it seems its open for debate, is, is it more blue base; or more a green base? The first group shot I added shows it is hard to choose - you would say blue in the first 2 pics, until you see a shift in light in the last 2, where it seems more green based. Now, dont get me wrong - if its got green in it, it has to have blue in it - the question is how much?

So I try some colour tests. Two of the colours always recommended are - Pollyscale enchantment blue, and model masters schwartzgrun rlm 70 (documented by spideyfett). Now I have problems with both of these colours. I really like enchantment blue, but I personally still feel it is too blue. This is evident in the sunlight and when photographing it with a flash - it essentially comes out bright blue. The real lid doesnt actually act this way. Flash definately brings out the blue value, but it seems a little too much with enchantment blue. Greens with a bluer base also have the blue value brought out when photographed - which is how the real lid seems to act, and one of the reasons I tend to be leaning this way. Schwartzgrun is more of a black/green, and I think spidey is more on the right track - the main problem I had with this colour, is there is not a big enough jump from the dome and cheek colour, hence it looks too light. I have been experimenting comprehensively, and come up with some good mixes, but want to know peoples thoughts on more blue/green, or more green/blue if that makes sense...

The second pic is taken from a screencap on the skiff in the sunlight. Here, with the sun shining off, the cheek looks a fair way away from the bright blue enchantment blue gives off in similar conditions. Not to mention, that with the greener blue, when photographing it, I can bring out the blue value making it appear more blue; but the bluer I go, I cant do anything to make it appear more green - something that happens significantly with the real lid in diferring conditions. So due to this thought process, my mixes that I am currently liking seem to be on the more green/blue side - Im definately swaying toward a ultramarine green/blue, and quite a dark shade at that - it still looks quite a dark colour, almost with grey tones in the sunlight, which are making me think the colour overall is quite a bit darker than we are giving it credit for.. Of course though, these are only observations - nothing is set in stone. ideas and thoughts, post them here, and lets see what we can come up with. Discuss my fellow Fett-lovers!...

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The 4th image I like the best, it has the correct color combination.

I think the upper cheeks are black. Then there are various shades of grey and green misted over this colour. The real problem with this area of the helmet is the compound curve of the upper cheeks which just refracts odd colours in different lighting conditions. That's just how I see it, taking into account how much shading and colour layering goes into the rest of the helmet... makes sense to me.
By the way Jayvee, your work is truly inspirational, just starting another ESB!

Firstly TF - thankyou kindly. Its your paintups that initially inspired me to push the boundaries as much as I could, and I still feel your work is some of the very best around, and truly professional. Cant wait to see the brilliance of your new ESB lid :-)

Now, with the cheeks, you have kinda nailed what ive been hinting at - im actually thinking the cheeks are more of a black/green/grey shade, and the blue is coming from the cheek curvature and lighting conditions, bringing out some of the blue within the green. This particularly happens with the flash, and under heavy lghting, which many of the exhibit shots have. Its also why I stated I think the colour is much darker than we give it credit for. Raf liking the fourth image is in line with the overall darker tone too. Its also why I like spideys effort with the schwartzgrun - while that colour seems overall too light for my liking, I think the shade is right if darkened up - but what I do know, is that the schwartzgrun is definately more a green, and not as much blue base. Hmm, more experimenting methinks - I actually think ive found a really good colour in the revell line of paints..

Okie-dokie peeps... just a little bit of colour testing info - not nearly as exciting as painted up sections, but all part of the process my fine specimens. This is just an addition to the thoughts on the upper cheeks. Now, I've done a heap of colour tests, and more and more I am leaning toward a shade of green/blue that is more toward the green than the blue - many people see it as more blue, but I tend to go with Terminal Fettlers line of thinking that it could indeed even be black with some green and grey or even blue mists added. But im still leaning toward a greener blue..

What I have done, is I have added a montage pic of a shade I really like and think I may well end up going with (thas not set in stone just yet though). Now, while this colour is a marine/sea blue, under the sunlight, it has a very green tinge to it - while under other lights, it has a dark, almost midnight blue, and can look charcoal in other lights. It is also a very deep shade overall. The montage I have added is my exact same colour swatch, simply taken with differrent lighting conditions and differrent camera settings. You can see just how much it 'chameleons'.. Looks a very green shade in the first pics, very blue toward the end, a cross in some and quite grey and neutral through the middle. This is why i'm leaning toward this shade - if a little greener, I can bring out either colour in photos, as it must contain blue to be green in the first place; yet, if I go bluer, or use the enchantment blue, as blue is a primary colour, I cannot bring out a green value in photos. But, when looking at pics of the real helmet, there are some pretty obvious greener looking cheeks as well as the blue in some shots, so it must have this green value. My colour swatch seems to act this way, and looks good when I try it against the other colours on my lid, so this is where my brain is sitting with it all at the minute! Any and all opinions appreciated! Peace :)

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That looks awesome man!

Morning Fett-lovers! Just a small update here - I have made some good progress on the lid, with the base colours for both the upper cheeks and mandibles and trim done - but with all the oodles of fine detail work to go on those areas, i'll wait until they are completed for full shots of those areas... Now, what I have in this lil' update, is a small showing of how the upper cheek colour I was concerned with came out. Again, its one of those things that may not interest many, but for those of you that like the accuracy and fine details - this one's for you! ;)

Now, I am very pleased with how this colour came out. Lots of colour testing, but it really has allowed me to find a really happy place for this area. Upon futher inspection, more and more, I liked Garrets (Terminal Fettlers) idea that the cheeks were black, with misted shades over the black. Makes sense with the amount of misting elsewhere on the helmet, and explains many of the colour shifts when the light refracts off the cheek curves. I also really liked the shade of Scwartzgrun rlm 70 that spidey nailed - so, bottom line, I ended up using both ideas - with a slight twist...

I did indeed go dark underneath, but instead of black, I used a colour in the tamiya enamel line of paint called Sea Blue (XF-17). This colour is a lovely green/blue shade, but the more coats you spray, the darker it gets, almost looking black, but with hits of the green/blue when under light. Then, to tone this back, and to add the appropriate misting, I used the Schwartzgrun, which acted beautifully over the dark shade. If needed, I was easily able to mist a little more XF-17 where needed..

What this left me with, was a colour I was very happy with, and in the two montage photos, shows by simply adding a flash, or differrent lighting, just how much this colour moves from an almost charcoal, to greenish, to bluish. As the real lid seems to act this way under similar lighting conditions, i'm once again happy I seem to be in a similar range.. Don't pay too much attention to the damage - still A LOT more fine detail work to come, but enjoy, and let me know what you think. Till the next sizable update, Peace peeps.. :)

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You nailed that color, Jayvee! Looking at each image I feel like I'm seeing images from the MoM Gallery. Your attention to every and each detail is almost obsessive (here at TDH this is a normal behavior) and is very appreciated and applauded.

Um, wow. That is seriously awesome work. Many will take what you have done here and make beautiful helmets with colors that act the way they seem to on the original. You've put some serious effort into this. :cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fettered

Um, wow. That is seriously awesome work. Many will take what you have done here and make beautiful helmets with colors that act the way they seem to on the original. You've put some serious effort into this. :cheers

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He has done amazing job! Definitely a master painter!

Howdy Fett Rockstars! Been going at it nicely on this paint up – still working my way around the back and sides of the trim, hence no rear helmet shots at this stage, but done enough to update with some front piccys… Now I have done a bit since the last update, so I will break it into a couple sections to make it an easier read. I will apologize now for the duct taped visor and no ears – while these areas currently look a little crude, the visor just gives me an idea of overall colour, and the ears just don’t look right unweathered, so I’ll wait for those to be done to add them. So, with that, away we go!

Upper cheeks –

I won’t go too much into these, as I’ve already had discussions and colour swatches earlier in this thread, but real happy with the colour on these. I’ve put a few shots in of both sides which show how the colour shifts, but as I’ve previously documented how they act under different lighting conditions, these shots are more about showing you all the added fine detail. There were a couple of mists which were important, such as the darker section at the bottom of the right hand upper cheek (Right as in looking at the helmet, so the non rangefinder side). Studying the pics, this darker section is evident in all the shots, so it seems is an actual mist, and not a lighting trick. You may also spot a shot or two here and there missing some fine detail on the Mandibles – just some earlier shots , but all the weathering is there now, as is evidenced in most of the new shots. Not too much more to add, other than I hope you enjoy kiddies! :)

Colour list: Humbrol 147 (light grey) basecoat; Humbrol Silver (11); Tamiya XF-17 (Sea Blue); Misted over with Model Masters Schwartzgrun RLM 70.

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Mandibles –

Holy moly - these bad boys were seriously time consuming!!! At the time of writing this, I’m still not done, and have the entire back and sides yet to detail. Probably an even bigger task than the dome, and that was monster... In any case, other than the Caboose colour used, there are some major details – the big grey mist on the left hand mandible near the front, some sand coloured mists, most noticeably up in the top corner of the left hand mandible, and the Pinkish bondo’d fix on the crack in the upper right. This area was really fun to do, and I even put a tiny bit of bondo on there with a toothpick before the paint for added texture. Interestingly, with this colour, I may have actually stumbled across a colour which may work well for the pinkish sections on the Pre Pro Helmet – it is a humbrol colour 250 (Desert Sand). I haven’t looked too much into those paint ups, but it seems like it could be a good match, or at least a good base for a mix… The rest of the mandibles had oodles and oodles of fine detail throughout. This included more mists, scratches, dirt marks, various coloured marks – basically everything but the kitchen sink! But so far I’m really pleased with this section, so I hope you enjoy too :)

Pic 1 in this lot show a pic I really like of the lid starting to come together as a whole. Most of the other pics are designed to be close ups to show fine detail. On the fourth picture in, you can see the sand coloured mists in the upper left hand corner of the mandible, that I previously mentioned. This was a nice little detail I really wanted to get right, and really adds to the overall weathering. Of course, there is a signature comparison pic at the end as I like to do. I always like to put these comparison pics cropped where needed, but with no colour editing, as it gives me a truer representation. But again, I think I’ve shown enough evidence of my colour shifts for the upper cheeks without boring you with too many more ‘technical photos’.

So there we are up till now. Clearly the rear side of the helmet will be next, then onto the ears. Once the major paint work is completed, we will move to the interior, visor, RF etc. Still a bit to go, but light at the end of the tunnel my fine friends! Hope you enjoy the update, as always, feedback, thoughts or comments hugely welcome. Peace my peeps! :)

Colour list : Humbrol 147 (light grey) basecoat; Humbrol Silver (11); Mists over silver using Humbrol Gunmetal (53) and Humbrol Tank Grey (67). Humbrol Ocean Grey (106) light spray to even colour out before applying Caboose. Floquil Caboose (Main Mandible colour). Fine details, using a variety of Humbrols depending on section, including Humbrol light grey (147), Humbrol Silver (11), Humbrol Desert Yellow (93), Humbrol Desert Sand (250), Humbrol Tank Grey (67) and various browns, blacks and yellows.

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Jayvee, Thanks for setting the bar as to what painting should be. The attention to detail is phenomenal.

Oh my!... First ESB. Then the perfect ESB. And now the perfect ROTJ! You are a paint god!

Agreed with all of the praise thus far. Truly outstanding and inspirational work, Jayvee.

OK, I looked at this update and went and threw all my painting supplies out the window.

Anybody have any ideas for a new hobby??? :b

Can't wait to see this thing finished, Jonny! You are killin' it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjedi

OK, I looked at this update and went and threw all my painting supplies out the window.

Anybody have any ideas for a new hobby??? :b

Can't wait to see this thing finished, Jonny! You are killin' it!

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I'm taking up knitting, anyone need a scarf? Check the cargo hold...:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by terminal fettler

I'm taking up knitting, anyone need a scarf? Check the cargo hold...:D

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There isn't a high demand for hello kitty pink vests

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 22ssplt

There isn't a high demand for hello kitty pink vests

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I should have guessed you would be first in line for my new TF woolen products! Pink PP2 scarf is it Dave? ;)

But seriously, great work Jonny! The finshed surface just needs a slight satin sheen to it...:thumbsup

Its all been said J..... you are a god, nuff said! Total admiration and respect bro! :cheering :cheers

Gentlemen - Thank you all so much for your ultra kind words! You guys rule and make this hobby as fun to share as it is to do. I can't thank you all enough :)

Raf/Dave - Cheers lads, it goes without saying how much I respect you chaps. While I am certainly no God, I did run this past the wife - while she assured me that I certainly wasn't a god, she did call me a few other things, probably better left not posting :)

Thirdethree - Thank you kindly - if pushing some boundaries and setting a standard as you put it, helps push others to great paint ups - while it was never my intention - is a huge positive. You have produced outstanding work - the idea that I may possibly have been a help in there somewhere, is not only gratifying, but truly humbling. Of course having said that, the way you are producing high quality lids, you will probably have a ROTJ done before me, and of better quality :)

Garrett - agreed mate, i'm still up in the air with which way to go with the satin sheen. I have the humbrol clear coats, but I may just lightly buff it back with steel wool on completion. It's a tough one, as I havn't found anything i'm really happy with yet for just that 'right' amount of sheen. On another note, if your knitting is as good as your painting, i'll take two beannies immediately please - the pom-pom on top variety of course!

Eric - best keep those painting supplies - I think the standard of your own work is more than enough to keep em' for a while longer... ;)

You are way to kind my friend, You are a truly awesome human being as well as a talented one! Your skills are as remarkable, and you never stop giving to us plebs. I for one appreciate everything you have shared with myself and this community... and all I can say is, the world is a better place for having the likes of you in it .... Thanks Jonny. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hobbit057

You are way to kind my friend, You are a truly awesome human being as well as a talented one! Your skills are as remarkable, and you never stop giving to us plebs. I for one appreciate everything you have shared with myself and this community... and all I can say is, the world is a better place for having the likes of you in it .... Thanks Jonny. :)

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Gosh mate, dont know how to respond - thats just such a kind thing to say. The one thing I can say, is that I am always happy to discuss any techniques, colours etc with anyone from beginners, to the very best of painters- if someone can get one idea, or technique, or colour or even just a little bit of inspiration from anything I have done, then it's just another thing that makes this hobby so gratifying for me. The people on this board are just so great, and with more and more of us Aussie Fett lovers popping up, it just really is a great community to be a part of. Thanks again for the props bud, just far too kind. With a bit of luck, can hopefully have some updates of the completed back trim and sides in the next few days! Peace :)

Full paint list, or I shall have to Ban you...no seriously this is looking amazing. I think everything is VERY close to what I personally see colorwise...there is always IMHO a color or two off on most paintjobs...but you have captured them very well. Like I said when I saw the dome initially brilliant paint matching here...Im about to be home and working on a few ROTJ jobs (one being a GMH for myself) and I really cant say how nice this is so far...should be a new std in ROTJ colors. I have the rattle can colors down pretty well, however the sharpness of the airbrush is just awesome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Full paint list, or I shall have to Ban you...no seriously this is looking amazing. I think everything is VERY close to what I personally see colorwise...there is always IMHO a color or two off on most paintjobs...but you have captured them very well. Like I said when I saw the dome initially brilliant paint matching here...Im about to be home and working on a few ROTJ jobs (one being a GMH for myself) and I really cant say how nice this is so far...should be a new std in ROTJ colors. I have the rattle can colors down pretty well, however the sharpness of the airbrush is just awesome.

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Fett4 – thank you for those huge props bud. As someone who I consider to be the King of ROTJ Fett, it really makes me feel I’m on the right track, if you approve the colours I have painstakingly concocted :). One of the things I really found when trying to nail down colours, was feeling it very important to realize how light plays a big part, and to match my colours after actually taking photos under similar conditions, to whatever ref pic I was looking at, as that’s exactly what we are looking at – a photograph. And we all know how light can make a big difference in photos...

As for the colour list - ask and ye shall receive my friend! Check for the update in my very first post in this thread, with the base colour list as it currently stands. I do put them down at the end of each major update, but i’ll put a version down now that is easier to read. I will update this with the ear colours I use down the track..

*While we’re on the subject of colours, just a small note to anyone who may be interested to how I mix ratios – I work in a gym, and find literally hundreds of the clear plastic tops that seal bottles of water, so I collect them up, and use them for mixing. They hold about 5ml of paint each, super easy to fill, and as they are all the same, perfect for getting your ratios right. :)

Nice stuff bud, and yeh color theory is something I learned a while ago in college, not everyone see's the full spectrum and dont notice things being off. But your eye is definitely calibrated. Cant wait to get to work in my new place, we'll see how it goes I have a basement and a garage not sure how warm the basement will be though.

And now it is stuck for everyone to see...

Gosh, a sticky - I feel a very privileged lil Fett lover! Thanks a bunch for that! :-)

Congratulations for the 'sticky'! You deserve it! Can I suggest to make 'sticky' Jayvee's ESB paint up thread too? ==> Jayvee's deluxe ESB paint up (with an awesome BGHunter lid...)

Congrats Buddy! You truly deserve your sticky... and again I have to agree with Raf on your ESB sticky. It will help me also, as I look at that thread daily now! :)

Stop it you two - you're gonna make me blush! Then I'll have to incure even more sarcasm from the wife than normal! Really appreciate all your support guys, truly humbled :-)

Guess your name is Sticky Jonny now. Like some kind of messy 1940s gangster! :lol
Well deserved indeed. This thread will be a great resource for anyone doing their
own ROTJ lid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjedi

Guess your name is Sticky Jonny now. Like some kind of messy 1940s gangster! :lol
Well deserved indeed. This thread will be a great resource for anyone doing their
own ROTJ lid.

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Hahaha. "Sticky Jonny was the kind of guy that rooted for bad guys in the movies..."

I do love Goodfellas... ;)

Morning Fett-Maniacs! Next update here for all the fine detail on the rear red trim and sides. It's only a teeny, tiny update, but sheesh - far more detail going on here than I thought, so took longer than I anticipated. Really enjoyed doing the big scrape on the side next to the rangefinder, and was just messing about with my ears, so took some shots with them attached very loosley, obviously unweathered.

Pics 1-4 are pretty much covering all the back and sides from different angles, with a comparison pic in pic 5. The real shot in the comparison pic obviously has quite a bit of glare, but overall, pretty happy all up with the comparison pic.. Ears will be next, but this was an enjoyable section to do, so let me know what you think, and hope you enjoy the pics! Peace :)

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There are no words my friend..... simply breath taking!!!:cheering

Okay gang, need some expertise here, so some more discussion from you kind folks! Now, while my paint attention will be moving to the ears shortly, the other area which I like to nail down, is the interior - and this my friends, is where I would like to hear your opinions...

Now, in the montage pictures I added, pic 2 shows the only 2 pics of the ROTJ helmet interior that I can find (if anyone has any other pics, that would help greatly:)). Now, the obvious problem with this, is that the set up looks vastly differrent. The Heilman Pic is in pic 1, and looks alot more stripped back. I actually prefer the 'rawness' of the look in this pic. Pic 2 however, has the helmet liner inserted, the side straps look a little different, there is different or less tape in certain areas, and it even seems that the black bit of plastic or rubber covering the back of the key slots, has disappeared (although that could be down to the angle and poor resoloution of the pic...). I have highlighted that area in Red..

This made me think that maybe we were actually looking at different interiors all together - the Heilman pics are clearly ROTJ, but was this second pic actually the interior of one of the stunt helmets etc, that may have been sitting out of frame?... Well it seems not. Where I have circled in yellow, it seems the bondo'd areas near the visor are a very good match for the Heilman pic, and that is something that would've been just slapped on with very little science - so it appears indeed the very same ROTJ lid, that has just undergone some reasonable inerior changes. The pics in pic 1, have areas highlighted in green, that show less damage on the upper cheek in the first Heilman pic. The second pic (this is taken from the same time and place as the second interior shot), even with poor resolution, shows more of the damage we see today - hence my thinking that the second pic is more recent.

So the Question is - which version do I go for? On one hand, I actually simply prefer the look of the Heilman pic, and it will be easier for display purposes. However, the second pic is more recent, which my outside paint reflects. The issue with this is, it may have been altered again for the 'Magic of Myth' exhibit, which I have used as reference for my paintwork. So if it has been altered again, the second pic may not be accurate either...

Phew! So - First or second set up - and why do you think so. And if anyone has any more info or pics to help out, i'm all ears. If this thread is gonna be a sticky, and reference for the ROTJ lid, we may as well nail all the details. Thanks for reading (if you're still with me ;)), opinions appreciated! Peace :)

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The Heilman images are from the ESB (pre-ROTJ) era, around 1980, while the second image is from the LFL Archive after the ROTJ, mid 80's to mid 90's (?). The interior is different because the now called ROTJ Hero helmet was part of the ESB Promo #1 suit, and for that purpose that helmet didn't needed a full working interior. But this changed dramatically when it was chosen to appear in the 'Return of the Jedi'... And because you chosed to do the ROTJ as we can see it now in the exibits, I say go for the second variant.

Haha! The first one looks like my attempt at an interior! ;) Definitely the second, looks way nicer! :)

Excellent gentleman - I was indeed thinking the more recent pic would b the one to go for, but I have to admit to actually really liking the more basic and less clutterred interior of the Heilman era.. Still, that was pretty much my line of thinking too - oh why must we be such accuracy whores raf?;).. Two things - ) do you think that black plastic/rubber piece is still over the keyslots? im not entirely convinced from the pics; and 2) Does anyone have any better images, or even the same one with better resolution? Appreciate all your help friends, peace.. :)

Some images I found in the Gallery:

Attachment 65403

There's no clear image of the inner back part of the helmet (except the one posted which looks identical to the Heilman image) and the black stripe paralell with the rear keyhole looks like a part of the helmet liner strap, or a black tape, or a piece of velcro.

Raf - firstly I would like to say thankyou for your time in compiling that awesome set of images. You are truly one of the best assets to this board, and your wealth of information on all things related to Fett history is astounding..

In fact, as the ultimate in Fett historians with your supreme accuracy, I may just take it upon myself to dubb thee - 'Mr. Precision...' ;)

I agree with your summary based on those pics my friend.. That extra black strip you mention is interesting - It may just be a strap acting up, but on higher resolution, does seem to have a velcro texture.. As for the black piece covering the keyholes, my thoughts are to keep it in - the pics probably aren't conclusive, so as its definately there in the Heilman images, and looks to be glued and bondo'd in place solidly, it seems unrealistic that they ripped it out. So I think common sense says to keep it in.

Once again 'Mr. Precision', I cant thank you enough, and having you in my corner during these paint ups is a blessing. You are a true gentleman. :)