First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP (PIC HEAVY)

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 11, 2013

• #1

Hey guys!! I've been lurking around here for a while, and not posted anything or made any threads.. and I think it's time to! So I've made a few costumes for cosplay events before, but never really recorded my progress. So here it is.. I started designing my Witch King costume last week and already made a quick start to the gauntlets. (A thing you should know about me is that I try to recycle and be cost-effective with the materials I use.. I often go down to my local thrift store (op shop) and buy materials like leather skirts etc.)

Ok so here's how I started it

The Gauntlets​

To save money and time going to the hardware to buy sheet metal, I decided to use some tin from a milk chocolate can.

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I then cut it out to make it a sheet and hammered out the bumps to make it completely flat! Next was to make the card board templates. Before I start something on metal (or leather, or material (some of my other hobbies) I ALWAYS cut out a template on card board or paper.

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Once all my templates were done, it was time to stick them to the metal and cut it out!

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Next I went to a op shop in my area and bought a leather skirt ($2.00) and a pair of leather gloves ($5.00).. Quite a bargain! And i can still use the left over skirt material for another project.

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I then measured about 5 1/2 inches up my forearm and cut two lengths of it from the skirt. This would be added to the glove as an extension.

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Next it was time to dremel the outside of the metal cut outs and make holes where I would soon put leather rivets in (this would keep the metal to the gloves).

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But before I did that I had to paint it. I used a palet of different silvers and shades of black, brown, red. etc. This gave it a kind of battle-worn, rusted, and bloody look. I've never had to paint metal before so I guess it went pretty well.. Especially when done at 4am!

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So that's as far as I've gotten in the past few days. It's going quite well. All that is left for the gauntlets is to add the arm and finger pieces.

To be continued...


Thornekey

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 11, 2013

• #2

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Bumpp


As I've not painted on metal before, I'm not quite sure on most techniques.. Does anyone have an idea on how i can stop the paint pealing? Its a mixture of oil and acrylic paint. Perhaps some clear primer? Idk. Hopefully someone has a clue..


Thornekey

 

James Kenobi 1138

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 11, 2013

• #3

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

A good paint job is the same no matter what material: make sure the surface is clean, use a primer, apply thin even coats (never a thick coat), allow proper dry time between coats, and use a clear sealer when your finished.

Is this a LOTR build?

 

James Kenobi 1138

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 11, 2013

• #4

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

If the paint is peeling either the paint was too thick or the surface had oil/dirt and the paint did not adhere to the metal.

I usually wash parts with a little soap and lots of water, then I wipe the parts with rubbing alcohol just before painting.

 

TazVader

Sr Member

• Aug 11, 2013

• #5

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Super nifty work mate. Welcome.

Taz

 

Grey Pilgrim

Well-Known Member

• Aug 11, 2013

• #6

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Looking great so far! Love the re-use of materials.

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 11, 2013

• #7

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

James Kenobi 1138 said:

A good paint job is the same no matter what material: make sure the surface is clean, use a primer, apply thin even coats (never a thick coat), allow proper dry time between coats, and use a clear sealer when your finished.

Is this a LOTR build?

Click to expand...

TazVader said:

Super nifty work mate. Welcome.

Taz

Click to expand...

Grey Pilgrim said:

Looking great so far! Love the re-use of materials.

Click to expand...

James Kenobi 1138, i hand actually washed it.. Damn! I probably should have.. I will do it on the next pieces. Its not peeling yet, i just fear it will if it rubs against something like the other pieces. Thanks for the advice! I'll buy some form of sealer from the hardware or art store. Is there a certain type for metal?

And yes it's a Lotr build; Witch King of Angmar.. Gonna wear it to Supanova (local event)

Taz Vader, Grey Pilgrim: thanks heaps! :3

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 12, 2013

• #8

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Hey all ! Small update..

So last night I decided to sit around and start planning and cutting the finger pieces. I only got a few pieces done as I was quite busy with other stuff.



I started with these two card board templates. The one with the three points is the most common one. It goes down each finger. The other is one of two end pieces. I still need to make the second, which is slightly longer.

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Next I cut the amount I needed out for one finger.

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I decided to paint a few of the pieces that were done. This didnt take too long. I think it needs one more coat. to make it just a tad more brighter. Once the whole set of fingers is done, I'll hot glue them to the glove (unlike the other pieces which are constricted by rivets).

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Lastly I worked on painting one out of three pieces of the arm. This came up quite well.

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Well, that's all so far!

To be continued...

Thornekey

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2013

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 14, 2013

• #9

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Hey guys - so i finished cutting the arm pieces. Just have to paint and rivet them in.

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Just have to go over it all and fix up the scratched off bits, I still need to put a sealer on..


Thornekey

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 14, 2013

• #10

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

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Just needs one more coat to make it a bit shinier I also have to hammer the rivets down.

 

James Kenobi 1138

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 14, 2013

• #11

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Looking good so far.

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #12

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Okay just bought two part body filler for the helmet, as I've had enough of the gauntlets for the rest of the week, from miter 10 (hardware store in Aus) it's 1k and it was $26, is that a good price or could I have gone cheaper somewhere else?

 

Last edited: Aug 15, 2013

ShaunDark80

Well-Known Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #13

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Hi Thornekey

I ran out of time to do my gauntlets properly, but I was planning to blacken them initially using white vinegar, and if that didn't have the desired effect, quenching then in used motor oil. If you're looking for something that's hard wearing, it's really the only way to go.

Love your work so far!

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #14

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

The Helmet
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Ok, so I just put the body filler on the resined card board helmet.

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So I started with this paper template.

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Once I was happy with the design I made it on card board for a sturdier surface. I then resined it.

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Lastly I put the first coat of bondo on it. Very excited for it to dry so I can start sanding!



Thornekey

To be continued...

- - - Updated - - -

ShaunDark80 said:

Hi Thornekey

I ran out of time to do my gauntlets properly, but I was planning to blacken them initially using white vinegar, and if that didn't have the desired effect, quenching then in used motor oil. If you're looking for something that's hard wearing, it's really the only way to go.

Love your work so far!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input! I actually saw your build before I started mine - awesome job!

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2013

ShaunDark80

Well-Known Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #15

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Make sure you do regular test fittings of the helm. Mine got pretty tight by the time all the fibre glassing an bondo was done.

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #16

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

ShaunDark80 said:

Make sure you do regular test fittings of the helm. Mine got pretty tight by the time all the fibre glassing an bondo was done.

Click to expand...

Yeah, good point. As initial card board it was a bit bigger and could slide off my head at times. So perhaps once its all bondo'd it will fit snug.

Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated! )

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #17

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Hey guys! I've just been sanding (by hand uhhhh) for the past two hours and its going really well. Ready to put another coat on it (really thin), as the indented parts will be too low if i keep sanding..

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Last edited: Aug 15, 2013

M

Maxsr25

New Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #18

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Very nice. I like what you did with the weathering on the gauntlets and fingers.

 

Thornekey

Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #19

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

So today at school I had a teacher come up to me in the yard and tell me to put the helmet away and stop sanding.. I asked why and their response was that it looked offensive.. wow!.. just wow. Ok..

 

brandomack

Sr Member

• Aug 15, 2013

• #20

Re: First thread on TheRPF - Witch King WIP

Tell the teacher that they actually had the audacity to stop someone from expressing their creativity, making armour from a literary character from a much loved novel written by an OXFORD PROFESSOR!!! You can follow up by telling him it is the second highest grossing novel next to the bible, and earned 2.91 BILLION at the box office.

Then hand him the phone number for WETA and tell him to go complain to them.

Sand on, young man....Sand on.