Darkseid - first time

[LordShan]

Hi guys,

I've been a long-time lurker and have loved all the creative work on display here. It's amazing what so many have been able to accomplish, and you've inspired me to try my own hand.

For my first build I'm going to try a character who hasn't yet made the leap to the big screen, but probably will in a Justice League movie: Darkseid. (He's been used in DC cartoons and in the last season of Smallville.)

I'll be aiming to recreate his classic appearance, with some textured updating to the costume itself. The mask will be a latex sculpt, the helmet I think will be a resin cast, and the costume will incorporate some armor and whatever else I can put my hands on that seems fitting.

My first attempt didn't work out too well, but it was good to learn from. Here's how that turned out.

Here's my current version. I'm about to start texturing, but I thought I'd bring it here first. Any and all feedback would be welcome!

Another angle:

 

[Powerhouse70]

I think its awsome that youre taking Darkseid on! Id recommend going over the whole mask with black first.This helps outline and shade all the details before going over with a medium gray.

 

[LordShan]

Thanks! That's a good idea.

 

[aeonpulse]

Nice work! I remember reading a while ago that Michael Clarke Duncan had been cast as Darkseid in the upcoming "Man of Steel" film. I guess that turned out to be just a rumor.

 

[Powerhouse70]

For Darkseids face, there are a lot of tutorials out there on how to paint faux stone.Id google one or two and see if they would help you achieve the look youre going for.

 

[GammaGreen]

Great start! Don't give up.

 

[LordShan]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'll look for some faux stone tips - that's a great idea.

 

[LordShan]

I decided I wasn't happy with the sculpt - it was too big for my head and would've looked bizarre. The newer sculpt was much more appealing.

I scored some Ultracal 30 and found the instructions baffling. I ended up using a 3:1 ratio and I'm happy with the result. I coloured the first layer of latex with a bit of black and alternated the second and third coats with grey and beige. Because there were some quite deep sections (the brow mainly) I packed the latex with some stretched out cotton wool balls. This will make the mask lighter and helped speed up the setting time. After pasting an elastic strap on to the mask I reached the best stage, removing it from the mold.

Is there a better feeling? lol

Here's the mask, unpainted, with very basic eyeholes cut into it. Obviously I need to clean it and paint it, but so far so good!