Agonistes' Star Wars customs

One sixth kit
Advertise with us
Shop deals on ebay
Collector Freaks Forum

Help Support Collector Freaks Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Made some more good progress this week.

I felt that something was still off the whole time, and I narrowed it down to the size of the mouth. I then realized that making the inside more angled towards the center is what makes the mouth appear smaller, so I started sculpting on there.

I also dremeled the nose a bit deeper and sculpted the inside to be less flared out and more straight.

And finally I also sculpted some more on top of the chest armor. Now I feel I have the thickness down, which incidently also closes the gap towards the helmet.

I still need to sand and smooth out the new parts some more, but this gives an idea of the difference to before. Also included a test fit on the body. I'm really liking where this is going. :)

I'm going on vacation for two weeks this weekend, so I won't have any new updates for a while. But I'm happy with where I got now, so my obsession can rest for a bit. :lol


20240531_223102.jpg


20240531_223042.jpg


20240531_223541.jpg


20240531_224251.jpg
 
agonistes86 said:
Made some more good progress this week.

I felt that something was still off the whole time, and I narrowed it down to the size of the mouth. I then realized that making the inside more angled towards the center is what makes the mouth appear smaller, so I started sculpting on there.

I also dremeled the nose a bit deeper and sculpted the inside to be less flared out and more straight.

And finally I also sculpted some more on top of the chest armor. Now I feel I have the thickness down, which incidently also closes the gap towards the helmet.

I still need to sand and smooth out the new parts some more, but this gives an idea of the difference to before. Also included a test fit on the body. I'm really liking where this is going. :)

I'm going on vacation for two weeks this weekend, so I won't have any new updates for a while. But I'm happy with where I got now, so my obsession can rest for a bit. :lol


View attachment 705458

View attachment 705459

View attachment 705460

View attachment 705461
Click to expand...
Shaping up to be the best Vader EVER.
 
Scout Trooper said:
Shaping up to be the best Vader EVER.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

It might sound arrogant, but that is actually my goal whenever I work on a custom, at least within the scale I'm working on.
There are exceptions like Heath Ledger Joker, where there are just so many incredible works out there that I can't even imagine to compete with.

But for my 1:6 SW customs, and now my 1:4 Vader, I aim to make a version that reaches a level I've never seen anybody surpass before for that character in that scale.

After Vader and my Tatooine diorama, my next customs will be my Sandtroopers. That will be difficult, since there already incredible versions out there by Solo_Bones and TaliBane. Those are my personal benchmarks.
 
agonistes86 said:
Thanks!

It might sound arrogant, but that is actually my goal whenever I work on a custom, at least within the scale I'm working on.
There are exceptions like Heath Ledger Joker, where there are just so many incredible works out there that I can't even imagine to compete with.

But for my 1:6 SW customs, and now my 1:4 Vader, I aim to make a version that reaches a level I've never seen anybody surpass before for that character in that scale.

After Vader and my Tatooine diorama, my next customs will be my Sandtroopers. That will be difficult, since there already incredible versions out there by Solo_Bones and TaliBane. Those are my personal benchmarks.
Click to expand...
No need to be modest. That's not arragance. Your pride in your work is well at its place.

Besides, Hot Toys really set the bar low (in this particular scale) for Star Wars. And the property hasn't attracted the attention of individual artists as a character like Ledger's Joker has. Which is a shame really.

I'm confident this will surpass anything I've seen. Now, I'm not well versed with much work outside of this scale, but I do think 1/6 (and subsequently 1/4 in this case) brings out the highest level of attention from detail oriented collectors. The only thing I can equate to that is cosplay and prop making, but that's something else I guess.
 
Making some progress on Vader again.

I started working on the dome, which is nearly done now.
Most important was to arch his eyebrows a bit more, to get the remains of the widows peak from ANH in there, and to add a hint of the y-indent in between the brows.
The dome also has a rim/lip on the inside around the bottom edge in the movie, so I sculpted that in there.
And finally I applied some Mod Podge to the inside for some texture, to diffuse the light reflections and make it look less plasticky.

Below is the current state, and my compilation of dome references.

I've hit a bit of a mental roadblock for the mouth/teeth. I'm not if I should sculpt them directly inside of the mouth, or sculpt them outside first, and then install in the mouth. I'm also thinking of making a sort of wireframe first and sculpt over that, for added stability. I'm currently working through those options in my head, so I can continue it soon.

20240705_110507.jpg

20240705_110500.jpg

Vader_dome_1.png
 
agonistes86 said:
Making some progress on Vader again.

I started working on the dome, which is nearly done now.
Most important was to arch his eyebrows a bit more, to get the remains of the widows peak from ANH in there, and to add a hint of the y-indent in between the brows.
The dome also has a rim/lip on the inside around the bottom edge in the movie, so I sculpted that in there.
And finally I applied some Mod Podge to the inside for some texture, to diffuse the light reflections and make it look less plasticky.

Below is the current state, and my compilation of dome references.

I've hit a bit of a mental roadblock for the mouth/teeth. I'm not if I should sculpt them directly inside of the mouth, or sculpt them outside first, and then install in the mouth. I'm also thinking of making a sort of wireframe first and sculpt over that, for added stability. I'm currently working through those options in my head, so I can continue it soon.

View attachment 711713
View attachment 711714
View attachment 711715
Click to expand...
This is my favorite thread to get bumped.

How'd you go about arching the eyebrows?
 
Scout Trooper said:
This is my favorite thread to get bumped.

How'd you go about arching the eyebrows?
Click to expand...
Thanks!

The HT brow was very accurate to ROTJ, which means it was very flat, especially the left brow (our left). Initially I though that I needed to sculpt the "widow's peak" (for lack of a better term for the ESB look) onto it, but as I overlayed the dome onto movie shots, I realised it luckily didn't need to be extended. So I dremeled the arches of his eyebrows carefully, then sanded them off. A bit on the left (his right), more so on the right.
For the remnant of the y-indent on the end of the center ridge, I also dremeled the shape very very carefully, then sanded it. Took me about 5-6 rounds as I didn't want to remove too much. It's not perfect or super accurate to the movie/BTS reference shots, but I think it'll do. You only notice it when the light hits it in specific ways, and getting rid of the completely flat appearance was my main goal.
 
agonistes86 said:
Thanks!

The HT brow was very accurate to ROTJ, which means it was very flat, especially the left brow (our left). Initially I though that I needed to sculpt the "widow's peak" (for lack of a better term for the ESB look) onto it, but as I overlayed the dome onto movie shots, I realised it luckily didn't need to be extended. So I dremeled the arches of his eyebrows carefully, then sanded them off. A bit on the left (his right), more so on the right.
For the remnant of the y-indent on the end of the center ridge, I also dremeled the shape very very carefully, then sanded it. Took me about 5-6 rounds as I didn't want to remove too much. It's not perfect or super accurate to the movie/BTS reference shots, but I think it'll do. You only notice it when the light hits it in specific ways, and getting rid of the completely flat appearance was my main goal.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't using a dremmel on such a fragile piece cause it to crack? Hmm

Results are great man
 
Scout Trooper said:
Wouldn't using a dremmel on such a fragile piece cause it to crack? Hmm

Results are great man
Click to expand...
I use a relatively high speed and grab the dome firmly in my hand, so there's no unnecessary vibration outside of the area I'm working on. Even thin pieces can be worked on with relative ease that way.

I did some more googling yesterday and realized I need better tools for sculpting, so I ordered some silicone brushes. That should give me the needed push to continue the work on the teeth.
 
Making slow but steady progress.

I added the bottom lip/edge of the mouth triangle.
And I sculpted some teeth. Not sure I'll actually end up using them - zooming in you can see a lot of imperfections - but I was starting to get stuck in analysis paralysis in how to approach the mouth. So I wanted to break out of it and try this.
The idea is that I glue in the teeth first, and then sculpt the bottom ridge that connects the teeth with each other and smooth everything out. The last shot is a mock-up using blutac to keep them in place.

20240714_153201.jpg

20240714_151651.jpg

20240714_151020.jpg
 
agonistes86 said:
Making slow but steady progress.

I added the bottom lip/edge of the mouth triangle.
And I sculpted some teeth. Not sure I'll actually end up using them - zooming in you can see a lot of imperfections - but I was starting to get stuck in analysis paralysis in how to approach the mouth. So I wanted to break out of it and try this.
The idea is that I glue in the teeth first, and then sculpt the bottom ridge that connects the teeth with each other and smooth everything out. The last shot is a mock-up using blutac to keep them in place.

View attachment 713198
View attachment 713199
View attachment 713200
Click to expand...
It works. But maybe there's a better way to go about doing the teeth. 3d printing. Laser cutting. I'm not sure.
 
Not much new to report in terms of output, but after about a month of inactivity I finally continued today.

I discarded my last attempt at the teeth.
Now I'm trying to use plasticard, as it's easier to get it to the right size, and if I glue two layers on top of each other it has the right thickness.

I started cutting a lot of teeth for now. Then I can mix and match to get exactly the right width for each. I need to plan in a session to work through this. Just got my new magnifying glasses in as well, after the battery leaked on my last pair and ruined it, so I'm all set.

20240810_152527.jpg



Scout Trooper said:
It works. But maybe there's a better way to go about doing the teeth. 3d printing. Laser cutting. I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
3D printed would be best yeah, but then I would need external help. Knowing myself, that would delay the whole project by at least another 6 months. :lol
 
I made a first test version yesterday, and I'm about 90% sure now that this is the way to go for me. :lol

This test version shows me things I need to improve in the build. The spacing between the teeth is a bit off, the teeth need to be a tad thinner and the bottom lip is too thick.
But I like where this is going, and it's immediately increased my motivation again.

20240814_153430.jpg
 
Still love coming back here to see new updates. This Vader stuff is mindblowing.

You need to make molds of your Stormie helmets, cause, you know, I want them.

What did you use for the Sandie pauldrons? None of the companies have ever been able to get them right. The old Marmit kit was the closest a hundred years ago.
 
LoveMinusZero said:
Still love coming back here to see new updates. This Vader stuff is mindblowing.

You need to make molds of your Stormie helmets, cause, you know, I want them.

What did you use for the Sandie pauldrons? None of the companies have ever been able to get them right. The old Marmit kit was the closest a hundred years ago.
Click to expand...
Thanks, man!

I got both my Sandtrooper buckets and pauldrons from Kash (@Son Of Dengar). Maybe he can do stormtrooper buckets as well?


I got my full motivation back for Vader! I'm going on a 2 week vacation in a week, and I want to get some things done before then.

I glued the 2 mask halves together now. The next step is sculpting over the gaps with milliput and smoothing it out.

I used Mr. Surfacer to smoothen out the gaps on my trial teeth, it's working really well.
So I'm now underway building the final teeth. I made the lip and outer teeth already. Next step is gluing the teeth. The distance between teeth is 4mm.
20240823_205528.jpg


In loving how this looks (with the test teeth here). :)

20240818_162801.jpg


20240818_162758.jpg
 
Senfi83 said:
Wow! This is very impressive. Already my favorite Vader. 👍
Click to expand...

Scout Trooper said:
One of the coolest things I've seen in the hobby.
Click to expand...
Thanks, guys!

Made the new teeth today.
There are two layers to get the right thickness. That worked out well, as it allowed me to make the bottom layer longer, so I can glue it to the inside of the mouth from the back, for added stability. The top layer sits within the mouth.

20240824_160833.jpg


And here's a quick test fit. I layered it over a BTS shot, and the teeth thickness and spacing align now. :)

20240824_160024.jpg
 
I sculpted over the seems and did the first round of sanding. So now it's officially one helmet instead of two parts.

I overlayed it over a couple of screenshots again from dofferent angles and identified some more areas here and there to fix (the neck mostly, and the inside of the mouth), but I'm really happy where I'm at now. :)

20240828_224921.jpg


IMG-20240828-WA0005.jpg
 

Similar threads

jaztermareal
(Snowtrooper kits uploaded) Constant updates! Jaztermareals custom Star Wars (+more)1:6 3D printable files library / archive
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
jaztermareal
jaztermareal
Indyfan1234
For Sale Hot toys pirates jack sparrow, Spider-Man comic, Loki, ghost rider, evil dead ash and Star Wars figures! Usa Only
Replies
1
Views
530
Indyfan1234
Indyfan1234
KADIROV
STAR WARS | Custom Rebel trooper clothes | first participation in the creation
Replies
2
Views
717
prvtnoclass
prvtnoclass
Rorywan
For Sale Rorywan's Collection Sale 2024 - Hot Toys, Star Wars, Collectibles - NEW ITEMS!
2
Replies
21
Views
4K
chaes1126
C
nexus
For Sale Selling A Whole Bunch of 1:6 Figures
Replies
2
Views
1K
nexus
nexus

Latest posts

Back
Top