Superjedi's MCR-ESB for D. Smith

[superjedi]

Let's get back to a helmet commission!
I'm starting number 61 this weekend. The kit is an MCR-ESB that the owner has cleaned up and prepped. He requested this be done as a screen used ESB version. I'm not sure if he's a TDH member or not. If you're here, say hi!
There are some great accessories with this one, too. It arrived with MCR metal ears and Borden piece, a Terminalfettler RF topper, a Bobamaker visor and MQ-1 insert, and a JC27 light kit. Wow!
Much more to come.

 

[KaanE]

So if I say Hi! It's mine? Hi!

 

[BudaFett]

 

[superjedi]

Today's work includes giving the helmet an overall coat of Tamiya fine surface primer, and then adding the first color on the back panels.
I'm using Archive-X acrylic Dark Grime.
This is the cleanest the helmet will look from here on out!

 

[superjedi]

I stenciled and masked the back panels, then airbrushed the dark green.
These are the basic shapes. I'll refine things and add smaller details using a fine liner brush.

 

[superjedi]

I have refined the shapes on the back panels and next I'll start adding the gray and silver damage.

 

[BudaFett]

Watching how easy the back panels are for you is maddening!

 

[superjedi]

Well then you'll like this!
Here's the finished left panel.

 

[BudaFett]

That was fast…like always!

 

[superjedi]

The Big Scrape!
There's a ton of detail packed into this area. It's an eye crosser to paint, but it's really satisfying to see it when it's done.

 

[Short4ATrooper]

Lovely stuff. Will be getting on to this stage myself soon. On my first paint job, I tried to get every little scrape on the base grey and dark grey layers and it just didn't work so this time I'll be following your lead, getting the basic shapes down and then doing the detail topically. I know your jobs are all topical and although it's a difficult area, I imagine it's a lot easier to do that detail with a fine brush than it is to try to mark out with masking fluid.

 

[superjedi]

Thanks! Just as you're describing, the main reason I work topically is that I can get much finer control over those really small shapes with a brush than by trying to mask it off.

 

[superjedi]

I finished the right panel.
Next I'll be laying the main green down on the dome and cheeks.

 

[Short4ATrooper]

How do you not get brush strokes show up when you're working topically?? (Apologies, I'm sure you've been asked that question thousands of times before!) Also, do you thin your paint as you would with an airbrush, if so do you use the same ratio? (2:1 paint to thinner)

 

[BudaFett]

I’ve always wondered that too Short4ATrooper. I’ve tried finding those strokes on my superjedi helmets and can’t!

 

[Short4ATrooper]

I’ve always wondered that too Short4ATrooper. I’ve tried finding those strokes on my superjedi helmets and can’t!

I went topical to get the fine detail in the base grey layer on my paint up earlier and I found it tough to get the balance right as I assume it's all in the paint to thinner ratio but go too thin and its just watery and requires several coats, making it too thick and 'raised.' Don't thin it or don't thin it enough and you get brush strokes. What's the answer superjedi ?!?!?

 

[superjedi]

The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural...



It's partly what you mentioned-- paint consistency. You do have to find a good mix ratio so the paint goes on well but isn't so thin that you need to do multiple coats.
Another factor is brushing technique. When I paint topically I tend to use short choppy strokes rather than long strokes. This helps to blend away any unevenness.

 

[Short4ATrooper]

The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural...



It's partly what you mentioned-- paint consistency. You do have to find a good mix ratio so the paint goes on well but isn't so thin that you need to do multiple coats.
Another factor is brushing technique. When I paint topically I tend to use short choppy strokes rather than long strokes. This helps to blend away any unevenness.

Interesting. I plan to continue what I’ve done with getting the fine detail down topically so I’ll keep this in mind, nice one.

Helmet looking superb as usual by the way!

 

[AlphaCloneFett]

choppy strokes, that is a good technique to get that smoothness!

 

[Mojo Fett]