Mario Kart 8 Baby Nursery with Mario & Kart model build thread

[Wes Swain]

Hello RPF!
I recently began work on a baby nursery in the theme of a Mario Kart 8 for our soon to be new addition. Not only am I painting the walls as environments from the game, I plan on building a scale model of Mario and his standard Kart with hover wheels as found in the latest game. He will be attached to the ceiling, inverted, as if he is popping out of the environment into the real world.

I hope to chronicle both the creation of the room and the model itself in this thread. The model will be my first real project in the realm of prop/model making, so I would appreciate any advice along the way. I am sure I will need it!

Now on to the pictures...

Current Pictures to save you the trouble of hunting for them:















Main Inspiration and primary wall:


Opposite wall mockup:












Lastly, if you would like to see my previous video game related nurseries, including a functional Lakitu mobile I made, check the link:
Wes Swain | Epic Games Community

I look forward to sharing more progress with you guys very soon.

 

[FakeBritishAccent]

Subscribed! This is already looking awesome. And congrats on the new addition!

 

[A Happy Pumpkin]

Looks good! I painted my Bathroom blue a few months ago, haven't gotten around to it yet but the plan is to paint the background of Bramble Blast from Donkey Kong Country 2 on it. Stickerbrush Symphony is just too nostalgic for me, I'm tempted to find a way to make the song play every time the lights are turned on!

Stickerbrush Symphony incase someone here hasn't heard it: Best VGM 71 - Donkey Kong Country 2 - Stickerbush Symphony - YouTube

Picture is from my phone, so it looks funny:


I'll be watching this!

 

[Wes Swain]

A DKC bathroom would be super unique!

As promised, a quick update.

 

[Phataz1]

Holy crap! Never mind a nursery, I want that to be MY room!

Great idea, your kid will absolutely love it!

I can't wait to see Mario and the kart built :cool

 

[Wes Swain]

Luigi is done!

 

[Jeyl]

Thank you for not doing the evil face.

 

[FirstPick]

Tremendous. I painted characters (Mickey & Minnie) in my mother's kids-room. This is hard work.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Jigglenomicon]

best nursery ever!

 

[Wes Swain]

Mario Kart 8 themed baby mobile finished, featuring Lakitu!
http://youtu.be/l-CBGPlkiow

 

[Wes Swain]

Hey guys! Long time, no update! I am just about finished with the painting and am currently working on the Kart itself!

Here is an updated image from the mural:


And here is the hood of the kart in it's roughed out form: (sculpted in DOW blue insulation foam)


And a quick shot of a work in progress Mario ( using Monster Clay)


I will be posting more updates as I get them!

Anyone have any tips on modeling with this foam material? Thanks!

 

[drjag]

This nursery is amazing! I've used blue insulation foam before and there's not many tips I can share, other than use various medium-high grits of sandpaper (like 100-300 grit) for finer shaping. I would recommend coating the shaped foam with epoxy resin when the shape is finished; it's one of the few chemicals you can use to harden it without it melting. (You may have to use a thickener for the resin so it doesn't drip everywhere.)

 

[Wes Swain]

drjag, thanks for the response! I was on the fence about using epoxy resin (such as EpoxAcoat Red from Smoothon http://www.smooth-on.com/Laminating-Epoxies/c1335_1366/index.html) or using Magic Sculpt on the surface.

I did end up buying some magic sculpt, but I would not be heartbroken if I don't end up using it if you guys think I am over-thinking things.

Here are another few pictures of progress:



Thanks again for your help!

 

[drjag]

looks like it's coming together well! I use Milliput (the UK equivalent of Magic Sculpt) on blue foam quite frequently, so if there are areas which you think needs sculpting on the foam, that's pretty much the best stuff you can use; it takes shape well, it sands beautifully and it's incredibly strong. I would recommend sealing the foam beforeand so the Magic Sculpt will stick better to the foam.

P.s. A simple good trick for Magic Sculpt is to manipulate it with water; sculpting is MUCH easier if water is used so have a pot of water on hand, and occasionally wet your finger and tools (if you are using sculpting tools.)

 

[Wes Swain]

So I have gotten the hang of Apoxy Putty and have begun coating the major foam forms with it. I have quite a bit of sanding left to go, but it is getting quite smooth after a few passes.

I recently got the blue led strips in and couldnt wait to test them out.

I had to hack open my newly dremel carved tread to allow for the led strip to be placed within. I plan on properly aligning the tread and obtaining some diffusing material to spread out the blue glowy goodness.

Comments or suggestions are welcomed!

 

[Wes Swain]

Cnc machine + 1/4" sintra board = Mario Kart 8 tread!

 

[Phataz1]

That kart is gonna look so good! :cool Great work

 

[Wes Swain]

Progress! I just have the tires, "M" Decal and steering wheel left to go!

 

[Wes R]

I'm jealous, I want one of those carts for my game room now lol

 

[Wes Swain]

I have updated the initial post to include more up to date pics.

I recently Slushcast (first time ever) Mario's face! I am pretty happy with the result! I used BITY Moldmaking materials to produce the mold and casting.
Currently, I am working on his hat and body.
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