Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 9th) Home Stretch!

[hlo]

Hello Everybody
First time posting with a real project
The costume is a "Combine Elite" from the video game Half-life 2.
I'm trying to complete this in spare time from my full time job to be ready for a convention on June 12-14 in Vancouver so I am sculpting/sewing my ass off.
This is sculpting session number two. Just getting a feel for water-based clay (only worked in sculpey and plastiline). I will do a two part hydrocal/plaster mold then do a white gel-coat and cast it in fiberglass. Now for some low res pictures

This clay is wonderful to work with, smooths like butter and chocolate icing.

I admit its still very rough state.

edit:
Heres the character rendered

 

[TKDUEUNO]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Awesome!

I'm doing a Metrocop costume, used pepakura for the helmet.
I wanted to do the Elite too, but gave up because with the right proportions and dimensions the wearer's eyes fall under the big red eye of the helmet so you can't see a thing, I'm curious to see how you address that
I thought about putting a small cam and screen glasses, it can be done.

I'll follow your progress!!!

 

[Ghost Host]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Pretty cool. I was thinking of doing a standard Combine soldier at some point. Can't wait to see your costume progress!

 

[Chronos]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

The Combine soldiers have such a great look. :thumbsup

Awesome, man! Can't wait to see your progress.

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Thanks guys for the compliments. For seeing with this helmet I'll try doing some pinholes for seeing through. Either that or work off this technique for hiding cameras (replace the camera with my eye).

 

[Amish Trooper]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Look forward to this build especially being a half-life fan

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Update:

Just started sewing the flack-jacket/ ballistic vest. I never knew sewing took so long. Oh the humanity! Well I went out and bought some white nylon fabric and some one inch foam for the padding. Here's the result so-far.

The dark marks are charcoal I used. From the material file I extracted from the game, the character is quite dirty. So no worries about keeping any of the fabric clean (well as long as I don't spill bright fluorescent pink all over everything) and I'll be good.

 

[Kwally89]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Man, this is going to be cool! HL2 is one of my all time favorite pc games!! Keep it up!

 

[EyeintheSky]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Cool project, can't wait to see the final result!

 

[boodha]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Looks good so far. looking forward to updates

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite

Well I've started on the armor plating parts (the codpiece is shown here in particular). I sculpted on a slab of melanite (sometimes you see cabinets made of this stuff) and then I molded it in some DAP plaster of paris. To release it from the board I just ran the hose on it for a few seconds allowing the water to work its way between the mold and the board.

I'll be reusing the clay (hey who isn't cheap?). Now to just let the plaster set up overnight then I can do some touchups, sand it smooth, add a coat of sealer, then get onto gelcoating and fiber glassing this baby right up.
edit: Forgot to add that I'll be adding the ridges shown in the character photo after by gluing on some strips of styrene.

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated May 26th)

I've decided to add the ear and gas mask pieces separately because its easier. This is adding some flashing to split the mold in half.

And here is the mold completed (patching up some holes with wood-filler).

Now onto clearcoating !

 

[Kwally89]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated May 26th)

You're doing some interesting things as far as molding and casting goes. I'm excited to see the first pull. Keep it coming buddy!

 

[MisriahArmory]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated May 26th)

Damn, I dig this project! Did you use any release agent on the master?

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated May 27th)

LastSpartan: Nope, no release agent. It came out nice and fine though.

Haven't been on for a few days, hurt myself at work and I am waiting for workers comp to accept my claim. I've been scrounging together money to try and finish this project. I've decided to switch from fiberglass to styrene for the leg and arm armor because it requires less time and is cheaper. Still need to fill a few holes on the helmet. Please ignore the rough part in the front. I need to sculpt the gas-mask part and ear thingies on still. I'll be molding them with some polyurethane rubber I have kicking around. I'll try to make that piece detachable with some magnets if I have the time.
Now for pictures!

Any tips on cutting / shaping styrene would be appreciated. Though I'll use the search feature first.

 

[Kadajiroth]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 2nd))

Awesome work so far, bud. I love the Half-Life 2 Combine soldiers, I've always wanted to make their armor. Keep it up.

 

[Yodajammies]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 2nd))

What kind of plaster/molding material are you using there? Every past usage of plaster as a mold has ended in tears. I assume this is not your everyday "plaster of paris" ?

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 2nd))

Almost at the homestretch!
I will be repainting the lines on the helmet, they seem too thick to me. I also need to use some cheesecloth to stencil some black paint on the grey parts, and I need to attach the neodymium magnets so the gas mask stays on/ detaches. The eye I am going found item shopping tomorrow for parts.

Also did some work on the armor.

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 2nd))

Yodajammies: The plaster I used that came in contact with the plug is called "hydrocal" its a harder, concrete-like plaster. Then I put regular plaster of paris reinforced with cheesecloth and burlap.

 

[hlo]

Re: Half-life 2 Combine Elite (Updated June 8th))

Well I'm done all the physical fabricating now just onto sewing.

Here's a macro shot of the result of using cheesecloth as a stencil with (and without) flash.

The eye is wired up with two red LED's.