Haso
Active Member
Hi everyone,
I thought I'd post here a project I'm working on...a Darth Vader helmet. A helmet that isn't full sized to the screen used ones, but one that should look more proportional if you aren't built like Dave Prowse...hence the Fun Sized Vader Helmet!
This is the first time I have ever sculpted anything in clay, and certainly the first time that I will be making a mould from which I can cast helmets.
So here's a quick rundown of the Fun Sized Vader Helmet:
This now brings me to today...the upgraded, Fun Sized Vader helmet as the sculpt currently stands. It is next to a modded Rubies Supreme so that you get an idea of scale:
The neck flare on the mask's left will be reduced...it's just that way because I packed more clay underneath to reinforce it better, but it's been pushed out further as a result. No biggie, I'll cut that down.
I have added the base of the tusks, with the hope that I can interchange the rest of the tusks depending on film version...
The C-scar...
The mask is currently being smoothed out, hence the cross hatching everywhere, but I may keep the brush strokes from the mineral turps I've applied, to help with the hand-painted look of the ANH version:
I have attempted to capture all the assymetry of the OT masks, the cheeks, droopy mouth, neck etc, to the best of my abilities:
For reference, I've been using Shadow FX, Bookface and SL ANH helmets, and studying all the photos I can get good references from.
Anyhow, I have ordered the silicone and other pieces I need in order to start the mould, they should arrive next week sometime. In the meantime, it's down to finishing off the mask details, fixing errors and smoothing!
I thought I'd post here a project I'm working on...a Darth Vader helmet. A helmet that isn't full sized to the screen used ones, but one that should look more proportional if you aren't built like Dave Prowse...hence the Fun Sized Vader Helmet!
This is the first time I have ever sculpted anything in clay, and certainly the first time that I will be making a mould from which I can cast helmets.
So here's a quick rundown of the Fun Sized Vader Helmet:
- It is a smaller size, suitable for both kids and adults
- It is sculpted from scratch, there is no helmet or form underneath the clay - this is just built from a lump of clay stuck to a piece of foil and gaffer-taped wrapped, PVC pipe
- It will firstly become an ANH mask/helmet, then I will modify the sculpts to ESB and then ROTJ (hopefully a reveal version using magnets to connect the parts)
- The clay is Chavant NSP Medium; you'll see green throughout the sculpt, that's because my very first clay on this project was the Chavant NSP Hard, which I quickly swapped out.
- The helmet will be sculpted directly over a cast of the mask, when the mask is done.
- I made a Kid Vader costume last year, pics below, for my son (and occassionally daughter) to wear with me on 501st Troops (they are in the Galactic Academy)
- I had never used a sewing machine before, made a pepakura helmet, made EVA foam parts etc. I have only ever made my 501st TK suit. So the Kid Vader was completely unknown territory, I had to design my own parts from my templates, used a couple of pieces from a 48" Battle Buddy Vader, and learn the techniques I'd need as the costume came together. Eventually, all pieces of the costume are scratch-built (apart from the gloves, I don't need to replace the bought ones...yet!).
- As part of the Kid Vader costume, I need to upgrade pieces over time as the kids outgrow them. The helmet upgrade inspired this helmet project now.
- I wanted to make the helmet upgrade one that will last a while, so I decided to make the mask bigger than what the kids could wear, and then I decided to make it wearable by adults too! And THEN I decided to make it a cast helmet, from which I could make all three OT film versions.
This now brings me to today...the upgraded, Fun Sized Vader helmet as the sculpt currently stands. It is next to a modded Rubies Supreme so that you get an idea of scale:
The neck flare on the mask's left will be reduced...it's just that way because I packed more clay underneath to reinforce it better, but it's been pushed out further as a result. No biggie, I'll cut that down.
I have added the base of the tusks, with the hope that I can interchange the rest of the tusks depending on film version...
The C-scar...
The mask is currently being smoothed out, hence the cross hatching everywhere, but I may keep the brush strokes from the mineral turps I've applied, to help with the hand-painted look of the ANH version:
I have attempted to capture all the assymetry of the OT masks, the cheeks, droopy mouth, neck etc, to the best of my abilities:
For reference, I've been using Shadow FX, Bookface and SL ANH helmets, and studying all the photos I can get good references from.
Anyhow, I have ordered the silicone and other pieces I need in order to start the mould, they should arrive next week sometime. In the meantime, it's down to finishing off the mask details, fixing errors and smoothing!