This looks really cool. I have always like HR Gigers style. Never seen this star wars rendition though. Pretty cool twist.
Good evening,
Yes, Michael is correct. The pink material is standard building insulation, lamented with Gorilla Glue.
I have spent quite a few days carving an sanding that initial block down to size;
I have cut a fairly expensive collectible to shreds. This is not something I do lightly. Over half of my production tyme on this project has gone into planning. I do believe that effort is paying off.
I like to take a page from my native brother's philosophy of using every part of the kill. I am using as much of the original helmet as possible in this design. The viewer of the final piece may not immediately know this for fact, but it is my hope that they feel it.
Layers; Grey lacquer based primer, microfil bondo, and resin jacket over a shaped foam core. The developement of the full-sized helmet follows the maquette in a manner satisfying to me. Very much a "I love it when a plan comes together" moment.
Today, I am making a pattern in preparation for reproducing the horn for the spine on the top of the skull.
Be well,
Thomas
HRG Photo Set on Flickr
Progress from last week;
Here I use tape and a circle template to layout hours more work for myself. I had too because the Voice told me so. (There are tymes that I question the nature of the Voice's intent.)
Round two. My first attempt to rout out the Death Star lighting was unsatisfactory. For this attempt I filled in the previous attempt, and prepared the area a new with the elipses in 1/16" of craft foam.
Here I have added a new layer of Microlite filler and sanded it smooth to the same thickness as the elipses.
Death Star hallway lighting" patterning solved and clone trooper "horn" reproduced to mimic spine. I have learned much by arriving at this point.
Be well,
Thomas
HRG Photo Set on Flickr
Progress from third week June 2012;
I had wanted to use a fan-made kit for the thermal detonators on the full-sized helmet to reference the 501st costuming community. However, as tyme wore on without response from various boards I realized I would simply need to make them myself. They were fun to make after all.
Despite having to fabricate the majority of this helmet, I am striving to use as much of the original clone trooper lid as possible. Here I used a heat gun to reshape the vent on the back of the original helmet and affix it to the original helmet's forehead. Together these become the bottom of the back of the HRG Trooper helmet.
If it is not apparent already, I have purposely been shooting the same side and angle of the piece so as to best demonstrate progress.
It is moments like this that I can envision having my weekends back. I do love the process.
Be well,
Thomas
HRG Photo Set on Flickr
are you going to be doing a dome over the whole thing or just keeping it more along the "warrior" lines with the spine exposed?
thats looking gorgeous! i wish i wouldve saw that you were looking for thermal detonators. I did a run of them on the mandalorian mercs boards and i wouldve gladly donated some to you!
Progress from first week of July 2012;
This weekend I began to shape the torso display piece. Combined, the piece's final presence can be visualized.
I think it prudent to mention at this stage that I still have all ten fingers.
IronFett, this piece was always envisioned without the dome;
This decision was based on the beauty of the original Alien construction, which was picked up in the sequel. The Warrior Alien, as it is called now.
Sleeping Lionheart, thank you for the consideration. I still could use the upper chest armour front and back--but I only need from the breast line up. Shoulder strap piece would also be of help. PM me soon if you have a lead. Otherwise, I will simply make these from scratch too.
Be well,
Thomas
HRG Photo Set on Flickr
A few update images as I wait for morning to resume sanding;
This is the backpack for the HRG Trooper, during construction. Based on the standard issue for an AT-RT driver pack, this component was used part of the HRG Trooper macquette as an anchor point for the jaw cables.
Undercarriage
I painstakingly built panels in sheet styrene in to block off the "exhaust tubes" and fitted foam shims around the same to account for gaps that were created earlier. Then I began to cover my handy work with autobody filler. And I did not quite finish sanding the area.
I am reminded that this effort will likely be the least seen projection of the project. None-the-less it is important to do right.
This is a copy of the model I made to help visualize my full-sized contribution to the As You Wish Helmet Project. I have been experimenting with different treatments for the final piece. Though I do not intend to use this finish I feel Chinese red lacquer carving effect works very well on the intimate scale of the maquette.
My friend spoke it best when he commented that project was more than just a helmet.
It is a life style.
Be well,
Thomas
Now that I am back from my Star Wars Celebration VI/Dragon*con Odyssey, I can share what the completed project looked like;
Through out the project's construction, the fins of the Spinal Ridge were left unattached until the very end to avoid wear. As the fins were individually sloped, they were numbered to mark position.
Assembled.
Painted.
Be well,
Thomas
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