Kingdom Come Wonder Woman Helmet

[CGClone]

Update 7/21/07:

Here is the current state of the Kingdom Come Wonder Woman helmet, with the reference images first. I took a few liberties not only in attempt to make this wearable for the fiancee, but a few of her preferences in the curves. Only the first set of "feathers" are sculpted into the helmet, the rest will be added as add-ons after the casting. As always, feedback is welcome!

 

[KnightAsylum]

That is looking good. I love all things Kingdom Come so I am happy to see this project in the works. I don't have any real skills in the molding of something like this, so I am afraid my feedback will not help much, but so far so good!
When you finish I hope you decide to sell a few copies, not only do I need one for myself, but I know Alex would like one, he always seems to get a kick out of seeing his work converted into the real world, heck Mark would probably like to see at least see it as well, he is such a geek overall. Plus I owe Alex a cool gift, and this would make a great present.
Looking forward to seeing more as it develops.

 

[CGClone]

That is looking good. I love all things Kingdom Come so I am happy to see this project in the works. I don't have any real skills in the molding of something like this, so I am afraid my feedback will not help much, but so far so good!
When you finish I hope you decide to sell a few copies, not only do I need one for myself, but I know Alex would like one, he always seems to get a kick out of seeing his work converted into the real world, heck Mark would probably like to see at least see it as well, he is such a geek overall. Plus I owe Alex a cool gift, and this would make a great present.
Looking forward to seeing more as it develops.

I am hoping to offer a limited run on his helmet. I will definitely help you out.

 

[CGClone]

Ok, I am nearing the end, but I need some help from the pro's please. What is the best way to totally smooth everything out? I have used alcohol in the past, but I am more referring to getting the finger lines, etc out of the clay. Anyone have suggestions to offer? I would greatly appreciate it.

Critiques and suggestions welcome!

Latest pics:

 

[KnightAsylum]

Well, I don't have smoothing advice but I will say it is looking good.
One of these days I need to give sculpting a try. It's one of those things that seems so beyond my skills, but I suppose you never know until you try it - so I need to stop being a wuss, and give it a shot.
Until then I will keep depending on the talents of others..like this.

 

[blufive]

That's looking nice! I look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[FXGuy]

Ok, I am nearing the end, but I need some help from the pro's please. What is the best way to totally smooth everything out? I have used alcohol in the past, but I am more referring to getting the finger lines, etc out of the clay. Anyone have suggestions to offer? I would greatly appreciate it.

Critiques and suggestions welcome!

Very Nice! :cool

What I've used in the past has been alcohol for the very fine stuff and either facial cream or mineral oil with wide paintbrushes to get a smooth finish... As long as what you're using is Roma-Plastina or some other petroleum based clay, that should work.

And when it comes to any/either of the items used try to work with it slowly- not so much from an 'experience" standpoint but because you'll never be quite so sure what grade the clay will be [especially if you went with a generic type of grey clay] and I'd hate to see some great work wind up looking "melted" or not bending to your will! :lol

Speaking of clay grades, something that's worked for me in the past has been spending the $$$ for different grades of Roma Plastina [specific brand name] the harder stuff goes on first for a nice strong underlayment or "base" and then you'd simply use the softer stuff as a relatively thinner coat f clay that'll be used to "shine up" or add dimples, pimples, scales, etc. to...

Just some suggestions- I'm sure the gang here has even better tips than that! :thumbsup

 

[CGClone]

FXGuy, thats what I need to hear. I am using Roma Plastina medium grade.

I can see mineral oil, but when you say facial cream, what are you referring to, a particular brand or?

Thanks for the info. Keep it coming guys! :thumbsup

 

[FXGuy]

FXGuy, thats what I need to hear. I am using Roma Plastina medium grade.

I can see mineral oil, but when you say facial cream, what are you referring to, a particular brand or?

Thanks for the info. Keep it coming guys! :thumbsup

In many cases "cold cream", "facial cream", "skin cream" and some other name that escapes me; are the generic terms for a type of facial moisturizer/cleanser that comes in small tubs often purchased at any place that sels cosmetics and cosmetic removers.

Now, the good news is; even though the product sounds really expensive or 'exotic" it's in fact nothing more than "Noxema" [and other names depending on the store] and can be bought at Walmart, Sav-Rite, many grocery stores- just about anywhere!

There's plenty of generics out there and since it'll be for clay work the less perfume the better [never could understand how people could stand to use the stuff with added 'stink' to it...] look especially for brands related to the store that's selling the cream!

If nothing else, I use facial cream for really stuborn prosthetic appliances that just won't come off an actor any other way- the problem is it's almost the equivilant of whipped mineral oil and many/most actors wind up breaking out wherever it's applied- not that noxious but it isn't nearly as mild as some products that are out today!

Just remember this stuff was used back in a day and time when you would have a girl removing the make-up equivelant of "spackle" back then! :lol

As a daily use product, you could say that it's a grooming item that's just about met its "Elvis Year"! :confused but as an industrial product for clay work- it has worked fairly well for me!

 

[KnightAsylum]

Wow...never expected the answer to be, Noxema.
I would not have even considered that.:rolleyes
Thanks for the info!

 

[CGClone]

Really? Noxema? Hmmm, interesting. Do I use it with a brush, a cloth...care to share your secrets? PM if need be.

I am finishing this upin the next few days, then the mold box, sealer, silicone and resin and fiberglass....

 

[FXGuy]

Yup- isn't that just about a gas?

Noxema!

Read that in two FX journals and an issue of Cinefex from back in the 1980s!

Like I said- I'd certainly find a tub of the stuff that's generic and preferably labled "unscented" [though generics tend to be anyway] Noxema is waaay overpriced for what it is- you're mostly paying for name and fansy-shmansy chemicals...

The reason for use is that you can be a little bit heavy handed with it and it's a little more forgiving if you had to scoop a little too much off of some peice of finer detail- later on the alcohol will make any 'shiny' spots a little less shiny and get rid of any stray pockets of the stuff hiding any reeeeally fine detailing- eventually allowing you to put a sealant or mold release [if so desired] on your finished project!

If there's a better utilization, I hope someone steps up tot he plate- a lot of what I do is old school when it comes to this kind of nuts-n-bolts, so if there's something better, I'm certainly all ears too! :lol

I'm sneaking this note at work, so let me collect my thoughts and jot something later to help put you ont he course I took!

 

[CGClone]

Thank you sir, I await the goodness of education! :thumbsup

 

[CGClone]

Updated pics in the first post, 7/17/07.

 

[CGClone]

Here is the master mold, removed it from the sculpt last night. Giving it a dya to breathe and a cleaning pull tonight. Then casting the master.

I will post pics soon of the master pull.

 

[CGClone]

Here is the first pull (in primer) from the mold...almost done cleaning it up...then it goes gold!

Thanks to all who contributed here and in pm's on how to deal with the clay. Big kudos go out to SkyGunBro who always answered the phone and helped! LOL

thanks all :thumbsup the fiancee is happy!

 

[CGClone]

Ok, here are the finals of what I will call the stunt helmet. This version has some very flexible plastic feathers to permet her to wear it over a wig and give slightly when she turns her head as the wig will flow. The helmet will also come close or actually touch her wings from time to time and we wanted to avoid the "crunch" of a stiffer or solid feather.

I blurred out the background of my messy shop to maintain the focus on the helmet LOL.

I will pulling a master cast from this helmet and casting a "hero" version of this helmet for display with the static solid feathers in a limited run after DragonCon if anyone is interested.

 

[KnightAsylum]

It is looking great.
I am looking foward to seeing the display helmet with the static solid feathers.:thumbsup

 

[CGClone]

It is looking great.
I am looking foward to seeing the display helmet with the static solid feathers.:thumbsup

Thank you for the kind words. After DragonCon and the dust settles I hope to get to some more sculpting and this badboy. I learned a ton, thanks to all who offered help! I needed it, greatly appreciated.

 

[kelldar]

love it and can't wait to wear it!
best hat ever!