MCR-ESB "Half-helmet" Paint Job

[superjedi]

Hi everybody!
What in the wide, wide world of primer is going on here?!
I'm starting on helmet number 59 this weekend. This one is gonna be pretty unusual!
Back in April 2019, I had a "half and half" helmet on display at The Dented Helmet booth at Celebration Chicago. The idea was to show people what a raw helmet kit could become. It was a lot of fun to do!
My current customer liked that concept enough that he asked me to do his MCR-ESB helmet the same way.
I'll be painting the left side of this one in the SE style, while leaving the right side untouched. This will allow all that excellent surface detail to remain visible. Very cool!

 

[superjedi]

Got the base color down on the rear panel. This is Archive-X acrylic Dark Grime.

 

[BudaFett]

Will you be breaking down the range finder this time as well?

 

[superjedi]

No, not on this one. He just requested that I leave the RF ear and stalk/topper raw.
He's going to install lights once he receives it.

 

[BudaFett]

Cool! Really looking forward to how this turns out!

 

[terminal fettler]

Great idea!

 

[superjedi]

Something something mask... something airbrush...
I stenciled and liquid masked the damage on the rear panel then airbrushed the dark green. I went back and added the smaller details and did some mechanical weathering on the green. Now the panel is ready for gray and silver.

 

[superjedi]

We now have a complete rear panel! It's got all those nice SE scratches and scuffs.
Next up will be getting some green on (half) the dome and the left cheek.

 

[superjedi]

Got the green airbrushed on late yesterday!
This thing is beginning to look like it's Photoshopped.

 

[BudaFett]

Should be done in 1/2 the time!

 

[RamSkirata]

superjedi
Thats such a cool project! Really, whoever comissioned this had a great idea! Great way to showcase the helmet painted as well as with the cast in surface detail!
I wonder who it is for
Following this one!

 

[superjedi]

I don't think the owner is on TDH. He contacted me through Instagram.

 

[e3kehoe]

I don't think the owner is on TDH. He contacted me through Instagram.

it’s me!! Super excited for this!!

 

[superjedi]

it’s me!! Super excited for this!!

Oh! My bad, lol. I didn't realize that was you.

 

[e3kehoe]

superjedi
Thats such a cool project! Really, whoever comissioned this had a great idea! Great way to showcase the helmet painted as well as with the cast in surface detail!
I wonder who it is for
Following this one!

Also it’s one of the first ones cast with the plaque.
I have a full ESB kit so the special edition doesn’t work with that. It was always going to be a display piece.

 

[superjedi]

I did the damage on the rear of the dome. So strange looking! Lol
Now I'll move on to the area behind the RF ear... no, wait, skip that.
Oh I'll move on to the cat scratch. Um, nope, skipping that too. Where do I go next?! Aaaahh!! It's messing with my mind!

 

[superjedi]

So we're up to the dent already!
I also started on some of the SE muck.

 

[RamSkirata]

Getting ahead I see!
e3kehoe What was your thought process behind deciding which side to paint and which to leave?

 

[e3kehoe]

Getting ahead I see!
e3kehoe What was your thought process behind deciding which side to paint and which to leave?

It was all about the dent and the kill Stripes!! I love the cat scratch and the rangefinder but the dent and stripes are iconic

 

[e3kehoe]

Also there’s something about the “fix” on the left side that I love!