My ESB Boba Fett helmet paint job

[JoeVader]

I've been doing some tests on scrap plastic, to practice the liquid masking process, and determine the road that suits me better for the paint job.
I'll take a mostly layered approach, and then paint the fine details afterwards.
I also decided to go with a colder color scheme for my ESB Fett.

 

[BudaFett]

Color test looks pretty good!

 

[JoeVader]

I finally managed to work on the top dome! I tackled this part first, because it seemed like one of the hardest.
I first applied the liquid frisket by Windsor & Newton with a silicone brush.
At the time of masking, I relied too much on the stencils and did not have a pic of the finished helmet. But no worries, I'll detail the scratches a little more and cover the extra ones on the next layer.

After spraying the second coat of paint, I removed the mask while the paint was still a little wet. To avoid a crackled look.

And voilá ! Here is the result of the second coat on the dome.
I'm very pleased with the result. I'll detail the paint work at the end of the process by hand.

Next up: the matte greenish-gray coat.
Cheers!

ç

 

[JoeVader]

I now applied the 3rd layer and fixed most of the mistakes I made on the last coat.
Of course, I'll put the fine details in by hand, but I'm quite happy with the result, so far.

One other thing I did was that I sanded the scratches in the direction they were "made" from Boba´s wear and tear.

Now, on to the cheeks.

 

[Frogfreak]

I now applied the 3rd layer and fixed most of the mistakes I made on the last coat.
Of course, I'll put the fine details in by hand, but I'm quite happy with the result, so far.

One other thing I did was that I sanded the scratches in the direction they were "made" from Boba´s wear and tear.

Now, on to the cheeks.

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View attachment 217254

Dude, that's looking great!

 

[JoeVader]

Worked on the T visor, the dome and cheeks. It took me a while to get the shade of green I aimed for.

 

[JoeVader]

Almost there, just need to paint the back, the decals are on their way and work some fine details.

 

[jhfagan]

Almost there, just need to paint the back, the decals are on their way and work some fine details.
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Awesome!
Love the green color!
What approximation color green did you arrive at?
Or, what was your base and started from there?

 

[JoeVader]

Awesome!
Love the green color!
What approximation color green did you arrive at?
Or, what was your base and started from there?

Glad you like it! I used a combination of various colors... I first started with Tamiya AS 32, then misted some Rustoleum Spruce Green and finished by misting Tamiya AS 25. But, I have the feeling that it was the Tamiya AS 25 that really drove home the whole look.

I had to let each coat cure for a couple of days, in order to avoid any unwanted, weird effects.

 

[jhfagan]

Glad you like it! I used a combination of various colors... I first started with Tamiya AS 32, then misted some Rustoleum Spruce Green and finished by misting Tamiya AS 25. But, I have the feeling that it was the Tamiya AS 25 that really drove home the whole look.

I had to let each coat cure for a couple of days, in order to avoid any unwanted, weird effects.

Interesting choice of the AS32 to start with. I'd have never thought of that. Going from Spruce and lightening it up a bit with the 25 totally makes sense to me though.
I learned about "color distancing" in art college, and it really had an impact on how I view or decide what colors to use when I paint, well, anything.
Master Replicas' scaled Fett helmet had this same kind of alternate green, that looked like it was purposefully made to look like the actual helm would look from a distance.
I just love that shade, and yours is very similar.
It's almost like, how we see the helmet on screen, is the result of cameras being potentially 20-30ft away, under various lighting, etc., and can make it look like that sometimes.
I can't wait to see this complete with any further weathering, or anything you're planning on?
My Don Post Deluxe is looking rather "stock" now. lol : )

 

[JoeVader]

Interesting choice of the AS32 to start with. I'd have never thought of that. Going from Spruce and lightening it up a bit with the 25 totally makes sense to me though.
I learned about "color distancing" in art college, and it really had an impact on how I view or decide what colors to use when I paint, well, anything.
Master Replicas' scaled Fett helmet had this same kind of alternate green, that looked like it was purposefully made to look like the actual helm would look from a distance.
I just love that shade, and yours is very similar.
It's almost like, how we see the helmet on screen, is the result of cameras being potentially 20-30ft away, under various lighting, etc., and can make it look like that sometimes.
I can't wait to see this complete with any further weathering, or anything you're planning on?
My Don Post Deluxe is looking rather "stock" now. lol : )

I looked at tons of references, in search of the tone that made more sense to my eye. Had to eyeball it in the end, since I could not find a paint that matched the green I was looking for. Hope this thread is insightful in that regard.

 

[JoeVader]

Just finished the main paint on the neck and reinstalled the visor.
Here are some pics of the overall main paint.

I like that the weathering looks very mean and vicious on close up.

 

[JoeVader]

The original kit, next to the paint job in its current state.

 

[imapseudonym]

Looks really great so far!