Gambit - 90s Jim lee version with sculpted cowl and body armor

[KJC]

I am working on a big upgrade for my Gambit costume. After brainstorming numerous ideas for the various parts, I just decided I'd get the best results by sculpting and casting everything. I have started on the cowl first.

I need to sculpt the neck detail then even out and smooth everything. I may need to use a junk mold to make a resin master to sand smooth. I'll eventually be molding this and casting in urethane.

Next I will do the body armor. I'm going to try sculpting over a duct tape dummy torso. I'm not sure if I should include the collar/gorget thing or make that separate. I think I'll leave it separate along with the bottom silver band detail. That way I can use casts of the muscle/armor suit for other characters. I might try this out in silicone foam because I want it to be flexible so I can move my waist.

Last will be the shin/knee armor. I think I will just make this from foam.

 

[fernierawrs]

Sweet!! Gambit has always been my favorite XMEN!

 

[KJC]

Finally something worth updating. I am nearly done with the cowl sculpt and have started on the chest armor sculpt.

Cowl sculpt


Chest sculpt

I started with a duct tape dummy torso. I put masking tape over this so I can just pull off the outer layer of tape to make it easier to clean up the clay from it after I mold the sculpt

Then I drew out the general muscle forms.


I roughed out the forms by placing each muscle down individually trying to stay within the guide lines.


Then I started refining and smoothing everything. I also realized I needed to cover the upper chest above the pectorals.

There are some symmetry issues to fix, but I'm not going for perfect because well, human anatomy isn't perfectly symmetrical anyways. Overall I am happy with it especially for my first chest sculpt. I need to get this and the cowl as smooth as possible before molding. I am still deciding if I want to go through the trouble of doing rigid masters and sanding then remolding.

I've got to do the collar part still and the boot armor. I am making the boots out of foam and I may make the collar from foam also instead of sculpting and casting that.

 

[KJC]

I forgot to post about my new jacket. I didn't originally plan to replace my original jacket, but I found this at a thrift store.

Despite being a thrift store item, this was relatively new feeling and looking. I started by removing the buttons as I would not be using them and didn't like they way they looked. Then i did some quick weathering with sandpaper.

 

[IronJoe]

Your work is excellent, can't wait to see more!

 

[KJC]

Thanks. I'm trying to have this done by Saturday for a photoshoot.

 

[KJC]

UPDATE:
I did not get this done in time. I didn't want to prematurely mold my sculpts so I went with what I had done. I made a rough version of the body armor from a partial sheet of Worbla I had around. I just heat molded it over the unfinished sculpt. I really wanted to redo the neck bit and make some boots/shin guards, but ran out of time. I still got some good pics. but I really wish I had the best version of the costume to present at the shoot. Here is so far the best pic I have gotten back.

Photo by SGH Photo Art

I will get this completely done some time, but now that the photo shoot has passed, I don't have as much urgency.

 

[Hazmat]

That cowl looks amazing! great job!