Earliest Darth Vader concept helmet scratch build (McQuarrie)

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Jun 5, 2014

• #1

Hey all, some of you might recall my build reports of the McQuarrie concept Boba Fett and Vader helmets. This time I’m going to build another McQuarrie concept helmet. I was so intrigued by the samurai influences McQuarrie put in his early concepts I had to explore it even further and focus on his very first sketches.
I don’t want to put in too much time, so I’m not going to build it 1:1 but in scale. The sketches are very rough on the details so a mockup in scale style seems fitting.

I’ll start with the helmet and drawn this side view, getting that samurai shaped design. I figured it would be best to start with a paper cone to drawn on and cut into the best shape, later I can use this as an outline mold.

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Jun 5, 2014

• #2

cardboard mockup in progress

 

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redkraytdragon

Active Hunter

• Jun 5, 2014

• #3

No way dude, awesome! I'll be watching while clutching my large container of popcorn opcorn

 

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jun 5, 2014

• #4

This looks like its going to be awesome. Wish I had the chops to be able to look at something and then just "build" it.

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Jun 6, 2014

• #5

I used the cardboard model as a reference and I have built the helmet parts out of styrene. I roughly closed the dome with enough space to fill it in with polyester putty. When the dome is finished I will install the rim of the helmet.

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Jun 8, 2014

• #6

The doom has been filled with putty and sanded.

 

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redkraytdragon

Active Hunter

• Jun 9, 2014

• #7

I love the fact that you're making this in a smaller scale. Love your approach to tackling the dome too, very effective!

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Jun 9, 2014

• #8

The scale is also practical, 1:1 this helmet would have been huge. For the dome I basically used the same technique as my earlier Vader helmet, it worked well then and now.

Today I attached the rim to the dome and added the details as seen in the sketch. Next I will start sculpting the face. It’s going to need a lot of improvising. Only thing visible are the nose and the grill, the rest is a dark blur. I don’t want to mimic the look of the famous McQuarrie Vader from my previous project. This early sketch has a unique design, not really belonging in the line of the other concepts. (and yet it does…)

 

Necronaut

Hunter

• Jun 10, 2014

• #9

This is so cool! Keep it up!

 

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xanthis02

Jr Hunter

• Jun 11, 2014

• #10

your skills and builds are just awesome always a treat reading your posts

 

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WolfeMan

New Hunter

• Jun 14, 2014

• #11

Sweet build. Can't wait to see more.

 

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DarthPainter

New Hunter

• Sep 20, 2014

• #12

That's awesome. Can't wait to see how you achieve the finished product

 

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GhostDarAvode

New Hunter

• Oct 21, 2014

• #13

niice! i'm so excited for the next update!
quick question: where can I buy styrene in large portions? i've been buying styrene from Evergreen or whatever they're called on amazon, but they come in really small portions and cost an arm and a leg.
thanks!
-Ghost

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Nov 23, 2014

• #14

Hey all, it has been a while…busy busy busy. But I revisited the model again.

For now I have been drawing the mask, this being so roughly sketched it needs guessing and improvising.
I have been drawing over the original sketch to get the elements in the right place.

Still keeping the samurai look but also that robotic/in human look which could be a McQuarrie design.

In this sketch I gave the eye lenses a more mean shape, like the stormtrooper helmets.

Here is some of the inspiration sources, the start of Vader sketch with the braze like mask piece.
It has some specific curves on the cheekbones which is vaguely visible in version I’m building.
For the eyes I looked at the Joe Johnson Halloween costume.

Feel free to comment.

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Nov 24, 2014

• #15

Made a first 3D cardboard mockup of the mask. Overall not bad and definitely the look I’m going for.
The next mockup will be shrunk to 95% of what it is now. The helmet looks too small compared to the mask now.
Also the nose part will be more narrow.

 

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redkraytdragon

Active Hunter

• Nov 24, 2014

• #16

opcorn

 

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Stinkape fett

Active Hunter

• Nov 25, 2014

• #17

Awesome ! Cant wait to see more !!!!

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Nov 25, 2014

• #18

finished mask mockup No2, it's getting there, still some minor points of improvement though. I also noticed that the pointy part of the helmet rim (at the nose) is too "pointy" compared to the sketch. So I will even it out a little.
I'm pleased with the way I made the eye pieces, not visible in the sketch I had to wing it, but I think it has that McQuarrie look.

 

Bounty1138

Active Hunter

• Nov 25, 2014

• #19

Subscribed and looking forward to this build. Great start.

 

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OnnoHeesbeen

New Hunter

• Nov 28, 2014

• #20

Started making the mask from polystyrene.