Agonistes' Star Wars customs

[Scout Trooper]

When you're finished, would be nice to see a Before and After comparison

 

[agonistes86]

When you're finished, would be nice to see a Before and After comparison

Luckily I remembered to take proper before pictures from various angles (with and without dome) with my DSLR this time, exactly for this purpose.

 

[Felinx]

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.

View attachment 723038

View attachment 723039

Dude, wtf... seriously that looks awesome.

 

[agonistes86]

Dude, wtf... seriously that looks awesome.

Haha, thanks man.


I just did another round of sculpting on the chin. The super sculpey I originally used to resculpt the chin vent, before deciding to go all out, was too brittle and hadn't cured fully, so I carved it out and used milliput now.

Once it's dry and I've sanded it, I'm actually ready for the first layer of priming! That will be a milestone, and it will reveal any remaining inaccuracies.

 

[agonistes86]

First layer of primer done.
There's still some roughness around the left side and the bottom lip that I need to sand, and it's time to cut out the chin vent properly.

 

[agonistes86]

I'm currently in a loop of priming, dremeling, sanding and using Mr. Surfacer. I'm getting close, but I don't want to half-*** it now, so I'm taking my time.

 

[agonistes86]

Since I had to reinforce the inside of the neck with some more milliput on one side, I took the opportunity to start reworking one of the hands.

I love the hands on belt pose for Vader. And while HT kinda includes hands for that pose, both in 1:6 and 1:4 they made them way too closed/clamped up. This makes it really hard for him to grab the belt, and it doesn't look natural. So I decided to open them up some more. I did something similar to my 1:6 custom a while back.

I cut open the fingers halfway at each joint, inserted a small piece of styrene to keep the fingers splayed open, and then sculpted inside to make it permanent.
Once it dries I can sand and paint over it.

Here some comparisons with the old and new shape, and a movie (BTS) reference.

 

[agonistes86]

Now that it's getting darker earlier, I decided I need some more light at my workbench to be able to do some work in the evening. I'm also somebody who appreciates a clean work space, so I cleaned up after installing some LED strips.

 

[agonistes86]

I was hoping to be done after today's priming session so that I could move on to sculpting the tusk tubes, but there are still some small irregularities here and there that I'll have to sand.

But I was looking forward to taking a video of this, so I'll go ahead and post this anyway.

The teeth are still loose in there, the seam will be sculpted over once I glue it in.

 

[agonistes86]

Today I started one of the most daunting tasks: sculpting the tusk tubes.

Getting the right thickness and asymmetrical angles is a challenge. I decided to do the bottom tubes first, and after they have dried, add the top ones. That should make it easier to sculpt the transition between them.

This shot is right after sculpting them. They still need to be sanded and smoothed out.

For those of you interested, also attached my reference compilations. I always try to get as many ESB references possible, but for these ANH (and a prop) had to help out.

 

[agonistes86]

I had a very productive sculpting session yesterday. Sculpting the tusk tubes was a big mental block, and I'm glad I'm over it. I also felt my confidence and skills in sculpting with milliput increasing. The silicone brushes were a game changer for, it allows me to do super fine work.

I haven't sanded the upper tusk tubes yet, this is right after sculpting, so they are still a bit uneven here and there.

I also finished resculpting the belt hands. They can now rest on the belt in a relaxed position, instead of the awkward pinch they had before.

 

[ZE_501]

I had a very productive sculpting session yesterday. Sculpting the tusk tubes was a big mental block, and I'm glad I'm over it. I also felt my confidence and skills in sculpting with milliput increasing. The silicone brushes were a game changer for, it allows me to do super fine work.

What are those exactly and where were they sourced, if you don't mind? Always looking for tips and I'm about to commence work that I put off for YEARS on some custom stormtrooper helmets.

 

[Scout Trooper]

What are those exactly and where were they sourced, if you don't mind?

I also wanted to ask about those

 

[agonistes86]

What are those exactly and where were they sourced, if you don't mind? Always looking for tips and I'm about to commence work that I put off for YEARS on some custom stormtrooper helmets.

Ooh, what stormtrooper helmets are those? Solo_bones? Nice to see you more active in the collecting game again.

I also wanted to ask about those

I bought them from a Dutch webshop, but these are the exact same ones:
https://www.amazon.com/Clatoon-Sili...142&sprefix=silicone+brish+set,aps,200&sr=8-9

The tips are made from silicone. Unlike your hands or metal tools, they don't stick to the milliput, allowing you to shape things more easily. You can also dip them in water to smooth out your sculpt.

 

[ZE_501]

Ooh, what stormtrooper helmets are those? Solo_bones?

The very ones from that first (and only?) run. I've been putting them off forever.

Nice to see you more active in the collecting game again.

Only just barely lol ... but you know ... no one's ever really gone.

 

[agonistes86]

The very ones from that first (and only?) run. I've been putting them off forever.


Only just barely lol ... but you know ... no one's ever really gone.

Yeah I think here in the forum he only did one run back then, and then disappeared. I wasn't in that run unfortunately, but I tracked him down on Facebook a few years ago and he sent me my (already paid for) helmets! So it all worked out in the end and we now keep in touch regularly.

The helmets need a lot of prep work, but the end result is definitely worth it. Do you already have a plan for the bodies? HT ANH stormtroopers, or something else?

 

[ZE_501]

The helmets need a lot of prep work, but the end result is definitely worth it. Do you already have a plan for the bodies? HT ANH stormtroopers, or something else?

I had started one and the massive amount of prep work, coupled with me winding down collecting, put them on hold for a very long time.

I think I'll do ANH stormtrooper bodies, although I do have one 'Move Along' helmet too. Still taking my time but I'm finally in the mood to do the project justice.