First pics up of my progress on my Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asylum_...7594541105528/
I'm very interested in hearing the opinions, good and bad. Please hold no punches.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/3...acb04bbf47.jpg
Printable View
First pics up of my progress on my Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asylum_...7594541105528/
I'm very interested in hearing the opinions, good and bad. Please hold no punches.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/3...acb04bbf47.jpg
Looks interesting, what are the lines for? They give your armor a circut board look.
I'm going for a 'panel lines' thing on the armor. Like it may be made up of modular parts or has tiny compartments in it. Just an added accent that will be much more visible once the grime is weathered into it.
I didn't work a lot on the armor this weekend but here's what I have done so far.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/3...c691739c_b.jpg
I've got lots more progress pics on my Flickr site (link higher up in this thread).
I'm very interested in people's opinions on the 'panel lines'.
What is this made of? Sintra or ABS vacumform? I REALLY like the shoulder bell you have there. I want to see this armor together. I'm thinking that shoulder bell or something like that would look great on a Heavy Assault Mandalorian armor I am envisioning. I look forward to your progress.
It's ABS armor from TK 1223. Really really great stuff.
That looks fantastic! I'm just confused on how you got the lines on there. How did you do that?
the grid line texture gives it a very unique look, as does your colour scheme, its lookin excellant so far!, shoulder bells are nice too:thumbsup
-Wulfie
Alright, a punch right in the Stomach: >:
:thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup
:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
I ****ING LOVE IT! :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup
First, I used masking tape to lay out the design. Then I VERY slowly and lightly traced along the tape with a razor blade. Once you go over the line a couple of times, you'll get a groove in it and then you can start adding force. If you go to your local hobby shop and buy a scribing tool, this will be easy. Otherwise, angle your razor blade 45 degrees from center to form a "V" channel in the plastic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toragh
NOT TOO DEEP or you'll cut through your armor!
Did that make sense or should I take pictures? It makes sense to me, but I can picture it in my head...
Am I under the impression that this hasn't been done before?
Just out o curiosity, why does your ab plate have allmost like a woodgrain on it?
Other than that I like your concept
I'm thinking that's from the wood mold used in the vac process. You really don't see it under regular light and once I paint the final colors over the silver, there won't be enough shine left to reflect it like that, so I'm not going to bother trying to sand it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by zombierepellent
Im not an expert, but thats a little unusual if thats from vacu-formed. Yea, the molds could have been wood, but at the same time, they should be smooth enough to not show features like that. Thats my thought
-tubachris
I dunno. Could be old molds. Could be the plastic wasn't soft enough. It won't matter in the final equation as it's really not that visible in regular light.
I was gonna get started on adding color on top of the chrome, but my latex rubber is all dried out so it will have to wait a day or so.
Your Armour is looking great, even if it has that type of woodgrain effect, it just adds to the look. I too have been cutting lines into Armour, but thats in my Imperial Knight outfit that i'm working on along with my Mando.. Keep up the good work it looks great..... :albino
Well, I went out and got a new Black & Decker 'dremel' tool. Much nicer than my old 5-speed. And tons of cutting wheels. I've got the armor pin-striped off and ready to make the final trim. That's my weekend project. Then I'll get the airbrush out of mothball and get new masking material and start adding color.
Got the armor trimmed today. Just need to take the sander to the edges to get everything smoothed out. This armor just gets better and better the more I work on it!
Let's see some pics then.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Asylum
Here's the latest. Not a lot to look at right now, but I did want to show off the one-piece knee armor and the chest armor's paint job. The armor was primed 2 coats and then painted with Krylon Chrome paint for an additional two coats. Then it was allowed to dry for three days and I'm buffing it out with a cotton ball until I can see myself in it. It won't be a mirror finish, but it doesn't have to be as I'm going to paint a number of coats of paint over top of it very soon.
Oh yeah. Please excuse my dirty pink shop towel. Shop towels don't stay clean very long and pink was CHEAP.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/4...77edeb7d_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/4...68ee3f4a_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/4...9ddf7080ec.jpg
Received a Stormtrooper shoulder bell and right thigh from MonCal today. Exceptional quality stuff and it's already been trimmed, primed and is waiting for chrome paint. I can't wait to get some pics up.
Gonna have to figure out how to wear a shoulder bell like this with the collarbone armor. I'm thinking of cutting it like a pauldron to make room.
Seriously, I can't wait to see this in it's final stages. I might have to make a trip back to New England to get some pics with the Mando's out there.
It's been a while since I've had time to play in the basement with my armor.
I've finally got everything shaped so I can put away the sandpaper. And I think I'm done with chrome spraypaint now. Next up will be the masking of what will STAY chrome.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/4...48061307a2.jpg
And my rifle.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/4...d7920e15c7.jpg
Looking really good.
I like the infusion of tk armor.
Thanks! I'm looking at using a 'cereal killer' helmet as the base for my Mando's bucket, too.
like it
Oh! That TK thigh armor? I had to trim 4" off of the top because it's designed for STORMIE-sized human and I'm 5'6" on a good day. I think I'm going to bolt it together with 1" jacket spikes for a little flair.
First image of actual color! I think I may have accidentally stumbled into the easiest weathering trick EVER!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/4...4837311550.jpg
Anyone? Opinions? I'm not sure I'm sold on how this looks right now and I'd like to hear some opinions before I change it or move forward with the same weathering style on the rest of the suit.
Looks great, I like it a lot, I have found that if you do too much, it looks over done.......... thats looks great.... :albino
I agree with Darth Valcar. Looks great so far. :thumbsup
Thanks guys. I was concerned that I might have crossed into 'overdone'. One more coat of color and this bell is DONE.
Latest pics of my (Left) shoulder bell. The TK one. I really like how this looks right now and I don't plan to mess with it more except for a few coats of clearcote.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/4...4131b12ad9.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/4...3ada147744.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/4...fb00413a33.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/4...188910fbe2.jpg
Hey bro, that looks REALLY nice! Just the right amount of weathering, and it looks very realistic! :thumbsup I'm watching this buildup with great enthusiasm, as I really like the style you're going for. Can't find the words exactly, but the line patterns and color choices almost reminds me of a "retro sci-fi" look. Very nice. 8)
Any plans to share this accidental discovery of easy weathering technique? ;)
Sure. I wasn't sure if anyone would ask.
Coat 1. Krylon Primer. The red-brown 'heavy rust' stuff.
Coat 2-4. Krylon Chrome
--Let dry 3 days then buff to a shine with a paper towel
Coat 5-6. Chosen top coat color
--Let dry 2 days
Here's the fun part.
Using cotton balls and Q-tips and a VERY small amount of lighter fluid rub where you want the chrome paint to show through. When you hit the rust-colored paint, you know it's time to stop. The COOL part of this trick is that where the rust color shows through, it actually looks like RUST.
I used this technique on the grey shoulder bell. I used a TOTALLY different weathering technique on the TK bell. On that one, I used a dark grey primer and instead of rubbing with lighter fluid I sanded it with 400, 800 and 1000 grit sandpaper.
That TK shoulder turned out great!!
:cheers
Are you weathering your chest armor anymore? I think that would give it some continuity and carry your scheme all the way through.
What are you plans for your helmet?
Oh absolutely. I haven't even STARTED on the chest armor weathering. I wanted to try techniques out on the parts that aren't quite so noticeable.
My helmet? I just bought a 'cereal killer' clone helmet today and I'll be modding that into a Mando helmet.
http://cargobay.starwars.com/misc/fo...roopermask.jpg
That blue shoulder bell looks so great!! You must be very pleased with it!!! But all of it looks great!!
My latest progress and proof that I've decided on what colors I'm going to use.
For the record, Testors Blue Angel Blue and Flat Gull Grey are what my main colors are.
Here's the main armor all together with fresh coats of paint.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/4...5ae61938_b.jpg
Here's just the codpiece with weathering on the blue. None on the grey yet.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/4...decd042adb.jpg
Here's my yet unseen back piece. It's only green for now. I'll weather it and then paint it the same blue as the rest of the uniform and weather it again to give it a 'second-hand' look.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/4...f6d8835dc9.jpg
And my TK thigh armor. This is going to get some red highlights, weathering, and then another color over top of it. I haven't decided if I want to match the rest of the armor or make it look like it truly doesn't belong.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/4...5c02648e91.jpg
DOUBLE TROUBLE! My Cereal Killer helmet just arrived!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Asylum
Wow............:suprise
That looks like it has seen a few days on the front lines, AWESOME :drool
-Tim-
Excellent paint job so far! Did you use your lighter fluid technique for the dent on the codpiece?
Yes I did. I actually went too far and into the grey primer. I'll tune it up with the airbrush later.
And some belly armor...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/4...0cf8efbaee.jpg
Chest armor with blood stripes. This piece is still a work in progress.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/4...6e529339a5.jpg
And the TK shoulder bell. With the addition of the blood stripe, this piece is DONE. Now for a few coats of clear.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/4...73048cc908.jpg
didnt know if anyone else used lighter fluid as paint thinner... stuff works great and cleans white armor to a high polish... and did you use duct tape to weather your chest pieces.. cuz the pattern reminds me of old dried tape adhesive. looks great man!:thumbsup
That's actually where my blue masking tape tore off a hunk of paint while I was masking off to paint the red. Once I get done with weathering that piece, you won't notice that.
Before and after. I still have to paint some red squares but it's mostly done.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/4...6e529339a5.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/4...be0bef437a.jpg
Woa! Nice weathering! :thumbsup
I love the color scheme!
wow! that looks great!! :thumbsup:thumbsup
:thumbup WOW, man!!! That weathering looks awesome!!! Canīt wait to see more... :thumbsupQuote:
Originally Posted by The Asylum
Thanks for the compliments gang. I gotta tell you though. ANYBODY can weather like this. It's the absolute easiest way to do weathering on a piece like this. Since I've joined this hobby the one thing I've been shocked by is how overly complicated you guys make weathering by doing everything BACKWARDS. When you do it right, you can't help but get results like this.
My yet-untouched bucket
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/4...889f29d000.jpg
The back armor
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/4...bff473196b.jpg
Everything together
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/4...510fd035_b.jpg
Just the chest armor
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/173/4...e057cbb2_b.jpg
I've been talking with TK1223 and it looks like I might start painting armor for his customers. I don't know what pricing will be if you buy armor from him and have me paint it, but I'm willing to entertain requests for armor painting OUTSIDE of his customer base as well. My only condition is that you send me armor in 'ready to paint' condition. I hate trimming and shaping armor. :D
that look a- frigin- mazing dude nice work!
Thanks younginfett! I've still got a long way to go on it but I'm pretty pleased. The belly armor still needs a little more of a beating along with the mando shoulder armor piece. But I have a vacation coming up and I'm going to spend a couple of days FINISHING the hard armor, putting a grimy wash on everything and airbrushing some carbon scoring where appropriate.
Then on to the hard part for me. The soft bits. Jumpsuits and vests, etc...
Oh, and I still need a set of gauntlets...
I'm interested in seeing what you are going to do with the clone helmet. Got any plans?
I'm not entirely sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Uther
I want to change it up enough so it doesn't SCREAM clonetrooper. I like the T-visor the way it is. I'm thinking of going with chopping the part below the visor out, replacing it with a flat plate, and mounting a hose there that will run back to my backpack. I also would like to build in a new-style rangefinder. Not something on a stalk like the standard Fett but more of a flip down or slide over type thing.
No truer statement has ever been spoken! I did all my weathering topically and without using the silver base + tracing fluid + top coat and it came out beautiful. You just have to be patient, steady, and not go to overboard with it. But yeah it is made to seem really complicated when it isn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Asylum
I hope you don't mind If I post some pictures, but here's a few rough sketches I just whipped up.
This is sorta what I see you meaning for the visor:
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/543/pictureea4.jpg
Also, I personally never really liked the cylindrical shape of the clone helmet, and maybe slapping some custom ears on the side might help it gain a unique shape, and maybe look a bit more mandolorian:
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9...ture001qd6.jpg
More like this.
Can't wait to this when its done! It's looking awsome so far!
I have the ****** 2-piece Rubies helmet as well as my new cereal killer and since the nice helmet showed up I've been obsessing about using this Rubies for SOMETHING. I think I may have come up with something.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/4...2810d5e211.jpg
I'll cut out the chin and install a respirator unit.
Thoughts?
Hmm. I'm as surprised as anyone that this lousy helmet might actually turn into something very cool...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/4...9905ddc929.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/4...2cc453d2f8.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/4...ed2274f34e.jpg
:O no way... that will be SO kool! I want it! or design atrooper with that type of helmet!
The latest updates on the helmet. It'll be 80 pounds by the time I get enough bondo on it to clean up these huge seams and my surgery to the chin but I love the way it looks so far.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/4...c2be9a603d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/4...532cc8d5e7.jpg
Looks good man, and it'll certainly be unique - can't waint to see where you end up.
Phil
Let me just reinforce for anyone that's thinking about doing the same thing that THIS HELMET SUCKS! I think I'm going to end up taking some unusual tactics to hide this giant seam running down the middle of the helmet.
That being said, it is going to look incredible.
Shots with primer just to get some perspective on where I need to focus my efforts. Besides the seam, I think it's coming along nicely.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/4...2ffaca0262.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/4...6ac6942d73.jpg
The latest progress pics.
The helmet has been sanded down using 120 grit to reshape the seam and flatten it.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/4...385eba52f4.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/249/4...fb916b4f03.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/4...949a70f2a2.jpg
The armor has two coats of gloss clear and two coats of 'Lusterless'. I think that ought to protect it from most everything.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/4...4c0f770220.jpg
And my TK leg armor. You can just see the red stripe down the center denoting some long forgotten Stormtrooper regiment that this Mando would probably have removed from a downed foe to possibly protect a wound during a protracted battle or while awaiting extraction. It was eventually painted, along with the shoulder bell, to match the rest of the armor.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/4...d25791f533.jpg
It definately breaks away from the typical mando, I can't wait to see the finished product!
Good Job so far man!
very nice conversion, I have some left over stormtrooper parts I have been thinking of converting.
I'm not usually into custom stuff :o
This one definitely caught my attention ...
Excellent job you're doing there ! Unique concept, but what's more ..
you're weathering looks fantastic ! Subtle enough not to look "forced", yet believably worn and used! VERY NICE !
Great job bro,
FP
Gotta love people with ingenuity! :cheering \
Best of luck!
I suppose it's only fair to share the ideas that gave me ideas.
These were the images I kept returning to while designing and painting.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/4...3bdb3bb62e.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/4...8bb2aa2233.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/4...0a11d7f9_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/4...ef00ca97ae.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/4...955ec282_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/4...a5a7e2d886.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/4...c573973048.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/4...b07a74077f.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/4...f3cd7fa580.jpg
Making its first appearance in a while... My rifle complete with "Drybrush-Free" weathering.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/4...2a28ab909c.jpg
I finally have the chin on my bucket finished. And I'm making great strides toward cleaning up that seam along the side.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/4...38927ccc_o.jpg
that bucket is kick ***, I would love to see a Clone Trooper with one of them
I'm starting to love this helmet...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/4...9de9ba25_b.jpg
I should mention that the respirator isn't bonded, just set behind the hole. I'm temporarily out of epoxy.
Dude, that is awesome. Looking forward to see it finished!
this really have the SW look.........yes SR., this is a good looking prop...
congrats..............
Your doing an excellent job on this!
~~~~~~~~
:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup Great work on the bucket! That's awesome!
Thanks for the kind words gang. I hope to finish it sometime before the turn of the next century!
bucket reminds me of the composite helmet from swg, o and sry for the crappiness of the pic, couldnt find anything better
A quick update and a bit of a radical left turn.
I was REALLY unhappy with the seam around the respirator and I'm seriously considering covering it up with something that I think may be equally cool. I scratched together an external rebreather. You'll still be able to see the details inside though as I'll be putting an LED in there that will shine out of the vents. My own little attention getting, I guess.
And the 'skull' I've sketched in around the T-visor. What do you think of that? Possibly in a 'bone' paint with a LOT of detail or a single 'stencil' paint job? I don't know yet.
Anyways. Here are pics. Looking for opinions.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/4...9b1fc385_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/241/4...00edb50f06.jpg
I actually kinda thought you were originally going to cover it with something. =P I think that if you want to see the inner respirator, you should make some more/larger slots. I think that a skull would fit the helmet perfectly, actually. Perhaps Make it a Mythosaur-looking skull with long teeth, and make it all wavy and the like. Maybe even paint horns on the side, and the top of the skull with the crack on the dome of the helmet.
But it's all up to you. Looking great! Are you still keeping the greeblie on the side?
This is one of the most incredible custom Mandos I have ever seen! I am
jaw-dropping impressed by your work. At first, I didn't like the lines on the chest armor, but now they look awesome! I really like your weathering techniques, choices of colors, the addition of TK armor, you're not just making a suit of armor, you're making a character!!
Well done!!
I like what you've got going with the helmet! Myohmy, who would have thought it possible w/ that "cereal killer" helmet, that it could turn out so darn cool?!
I like the idea of a "skull front" as well. Coming down the visor "mandibles" it's a very striking and ominous look.Nice idea also of the hose coming out too!
Extremely looking forward to more! I imagine you've got some "aggressive" boots planned for this badmofo mando?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bountys Hunted
Thanks! That means a lot. I really am sculpting a persona just as much as building a suit. This character bears very little resemblance to the Fett family of armor-clad individuals and I think he'll continue to evolve away from 'standard' armor as his character evolves and I get bored with the 'ordinary'
Boots? Well, I already own these and I wear them regularly so they already look broken in. Just cover up the laces and my work is done!
http://www.camo-store.com/images/Cor...800%20Boot.jpg
Asylum- looks great. I agree that the rebreather should maybe have slightly larger vents so you can see the innards better... But then maybe not, maybe that inner deatil will be there for the people who look really closely to find it.
As for the skull... I say no. It's too cliche, too punisher/ghost rider/chapel/chaos marine and definitly not rebellion in my mind...
But this is your baby and you've been making all the right choices so far, so I say keep going with what feels right. =)
Phil
See, that's EXACTLY what I keep thinking. That I can't do the skull without running headlong into those exactly cliches.Quote:
Originally Posted by hellopike
i'm wondering how you got rid a that big clone fin on the top of the helmet
On the 2-piece Rubies, the fin is a separate piece that snaps on. All I had to do was remove the guides and the snap and it was done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Izim
Very cool choice of boots! In fact, where'd you get them? I might want to use them for my Republic Commando Omega Squad!
I got the boots from Brigade Quartermaster a couple of years ago.
And here's what that respirator looks like without all that extra bondo on it.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/4...d5353d46fa.jpg
Scratchbuilding it really was a piece of cake once I figured out the shape. For that I went through a fair bit of cardstock. The final piece is made from .060" styrene sheet and an HO scale ladder.
Very nice choice of boots...if I may make a suggestion, I would say take some sandpaper to your boots and an acrylic/alcohol wash to them and weather your flightsuit as well, two very overlooked things that make the uncohesive if you know what I mean?
Nice work so far :thumbsup
Oh trust me. My boots look WAY worse than that factory fresh picture. I'll probably airbrush some extra grime onto them though.
The latest images of my bucket:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/4...9be5060778.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/4...7bbdd4bdc0.jpg
Lookin real good man!