tgreco
Sr Member
could also be that they used variable lead hardnesses
some soft leads are pitch black, and the harder ones look a bit more silvery
Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION
- Thread starter PHArchivist
- Start date
could also be that they used variable lead hardnesses
some soft leads are pitch black, and the harder ones look a bit more silvery
PHArchivist
Master Member
This is crazy - take a close look at this shot.
Realize how large that screw is (easily two times life size). Then look at those fine strips of speckle-pattern. And now imagine you're masking off that thin of a strip, and painting it with what is possibly a multistage paint job. Anything is possible, but man, I wonder how they did this...
Realize how large that screw is (easily two times life size). Then look at those fine strips of speckle-pattern. And now imagine you're masking off that thin of a strip, and painting it with what is possibly a multistage paint job. Anything is possible, but man, I wonder how they did this...
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Here's my take on it:
wooten
Member
Clowns!
Sorry you couldn't get better access. As I PM'ed you, I had higher hopes. Still, you're doing such an amazing job with what you have already, this project is already one of the best I've ever witnessed.
Can't wait to catch up and see where you are today :^)
Rob, did you notice the scribed longitudinal lines in that pic too? 2 of them go under the screw, and there's one on the right side. That'd drive me nuts trying to scribe those...
Doh! I meant to point those out too.
PHArchivist
Master Member
I'm not entirely sure they are scribed, at least how we're using the term.
See the similar line in this pic? If you follow this line all the way to the left where the painted surface ends, there is solid light coming out of this seam in a thin horizantal line; extends for four or five inches from the unfinished clear acrylic into the painted area.
I refer to it back here:
I suppose it is possible they scored the painted surface, and scored too deeply in that area, but my gut feeling is that it is a seam where two layers of ??? were applied, and the line of light on the far left is where the layers do not meet perfectly.
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vistaVision
Sr Member
Say Rob...
Any chance you're thinking about this backwards? If the speckle-pattern was put down first, then thin chartpack tape could easily be used to mask these thin strips before over spraying the grey.
Does the speckle actually have much of a physical texture? Any evidence of it under the solid grey area(s)?
Just a thought!
Marcus
PHArchivist
Master Member
I have actually considered that. Truth be told, in person there is really no clear indication one way or the other. I looked, but couldn't see anything. In other words, there is no physical relief between the speckled areas and the soid grey areas.
The only relief noticeable is what I've mentioned a few times as we've come along - above and below the blank equatorial band, the scoring pictured, and at the vertical edge of the painted portion.
The only relief noticeable is what I've mentioned a few times as we've come along - above and below the blank equatorial band, the scoring pictured, and at the vertical edge of the painted portion.
PHArchivist
Master Member
This pic sort of exemplifies that - you can see the edge on the blank band, and the scoring depression along the latitude, but there is no real sign of physical relief between the grey and the speckle.
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PHArchivist
Master Member
Well perhaps someday the original will "change venue", if you catch my drift, and we can make some form of a connection.
Not too much progress so far this weekend - still working on shortening the trench. If I complete that early enough tomorrow, I hope to do some more detail painting.
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PHArchivist
Master Member
Dunno... Hadn't heard of the book. May be worth checking out.
Kuhn Global
Sr Member
Holy smokes Rob! eek:eek This thread has literally everything one needs to know about the ANH Death Star! And how to build it!
Nicely done my friend!cool:cool
I can't wait to view this beastie finished!love:thumbsup
eek:eek This thread has literally everything one needs to know about the ANH Death Star! And how to build it! Nicely done my friend!
cool:coolI can't wait to view this beastie finished!
love:thumbsup
PHArchivist
Master Member
Same pic we've been looking at (by the way, I'm just musing out loud here - I could analyze every square inch of the model like this)...
Look at that small sliver of speckle pattern in the circle. Keep in mind that is thinner than the marker lines adjacent to it.
How and why...!?
Good lord...
Look at that small sliver of speckle pattern in the circle. Keep in mind that is thinner than the marker lines adjacent to it.
How and why...!?
Good lord...
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vistaVision
Sr Member
How? There are two related questions here, both important but maybe very different answers: "How was this done originally?" (A matter of asking the right people and hoping for accurate memories) and "How can you do today this to look like the original results?" Maybe you can do it just like they did it, maybe not.
Why? I used to spend a lot of time watching (okay, pestering) the matte painters at Dream Quest (back in the days that they actually painted with paint!) and it was obvious that they did not plan, in detail, every brush stroke. What looked like meticulous detail on-screen (or even standing a few feet away from the painting) was often a serendipitous smudge or spatter. These guys just had the talent for that. I don't think there is going to be a "Why" answer for a lot of the "detail" that you are studying. Maybe the edge of a strip of masking tape lifts a bit and paint goes where it wasn't intended and there you go, instant detail!? A marking pen runs low on ink and an intended solid line is broken up randomly. Again, instant detail.
This is the point in the project that you have to shift your thinking. You're an artist now, not a craftsman making a mechanical reproduction. And Rob, having seen a lot of your work here on the RPF, I know you are an artist. Don't over think it, just create!!
And have fun!
Marcus
If I had to guess, I would say simple overspray. i.e. the masking for that area, whether intentionally or not, was incomplete in that one spot.
If you are convinced that it was a manufactured item used to create the pattern, I would do some research into granite patterned shelf paper from the era. You might find something, or a complete lack, that way.
-Adam
If you are convinced that it was a manufactured item used to create the pattern, I would do some research into granite patterned shelf paper from the era. You might find something, or a complete lack, that way.
-Adam
PHArchivist
Master Member
Excellent response, Marcus - thanks!
Yes, as I slip deeper into studying and analyzing, I forget the points you bring out. Fine elements like this mostlikely not conscious decisions of the artists. Everything you stated make perfect sense, and I have adhered to that understanding principle in past projects.
Adam, good point. May be worth exploring, even if just to satisfy my curiosity.
Yes, as I slip deeper into studying and analyzing, I forget the points you bring out. Fine elements like this mostlikely not conscious decisions of the artists. Everything you stated make perfect sense, and I have adhered to that understanding principle in past projects.
Adam, good point. May be worth exploring, even if just to satisfy my curiosity.
PHArchivist
Master Member
Couple more tests:
The two on the right you've seen already. The one on the far left is Rust-o-leum grey primer with the same black and white speckling the second in from the left is the same combo but with some silver added.
This one is just black and white only
The two on the right you've seen already. The one on the far left is Rust-o-leum grey primer with the same black and white speckling the second in from the left is the same combo but with some silver added.
This one is just black and white only
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