Master Chief Paint Colors/texture?

[tubachris85x]

Im going to be getting armor soon and wanted to see what the general opinion is for the proper shade of Olive drab/green that matches closest to the game. The one feature about the surface I notice from HD images is that the surface texture of the armor is rough or bumpy looking. The closes thing I can relate it too, is if you have ever held an army Kevlar helmet, on the outside surface.

Here is a good pic to show what I mean

Another issue is the color. It has an uneven mix of what I feel is olive drab, brown or Gold. What I was thinking, was possibly using a "hammered" texture spray to get the surface texture and then do the layer of green over that.

How does that sound?

 

[Chuck]

i used krylons Italian olive for my green with a black acrylic wash to give it that weathered look, then some metallic silver for battle damage, then used a matte clear to finish it all off

i think it turn out kind close. as far as texture old ww2 helmets were made using a sand mold and im assuming that would be the same kind of texture your looking for , you could use a sand texture paint like this one http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/PaintStains/SpecialtyPaints/PRD~0481577P/Krylon%252BMake%252BIt%252BStone%252521%2525AE%252BTextured%252BPaint.jsp?locale=en

 

[Riceball]

Going by the screen cap provided I'd say that a sand texture is the wrong way to go, the texture on the Master Chief is too round and large for a sandy texture. I'd go with a hammered texture undercoat and color over that like you mentioned.

As for color, one possible choice is standard US military OD green, not the old shade of OD but the current shade which is less brown in color. You can buy cans of the stuff online or at some surplus stores. The only thing is that they come out matte, very matte, matte to the point that it has a slightly powedery texture to it. However, put enough coats on a little light sanding will fix that. Here's an example of the paint I'm talking about 16 Oz CAMOUFLAGE SPRAY PAINT: Out In Style, Inc

 

[tubachris85x]

That's something I figured. Not particular sure yet, but I'm thinking about using the krylon brands. They had a few shades of matt green I was thinking about using which appeared to match really well.

It's kinda weird. The color combination on the in game model will appear OD green almost all the time, but in certain lighting, it looks almost completly brown. Kinda weird but I'll figure something out.

Also, I need to see some examples of the hammered paint texture before I get it..Gonna search for some vids. Thanks!

 

[Sean Bradley]

Chris,

Be cautious of which images you use for your reference on the color and texture. The pic that you showed was for the Halo 3 announce trailer which used a very early build of The character model that features a heavy 'concrete' texture and a golden green that was later removed from the in-game character model . This was something that Bungie was trying out and later removed before the game was finalized. If you want your build to be consistent to the in-game characters, use a finalized screenshot from the game for your reference:

You can see that the color and texture of the in-game model (pictured here) is much different than the H3 trailer model shown above. The color of the armor is deeper and the texture is toned down significantly.

For more of these images, and to see more of the early concrete texture and lighter MC color look through the screenshots at Bungie.net here and look at the earliest images and work your way through to the more current:

Bungie.net : Halo 3

Many people use the Rustoleum hammered finish spraypaint for this texture.. a silver base coat and American Accents Oregano with a wiped down wash coat of dark grey primer overtop to pop the detail. Adam has a great video tutorial of his paint scheme which is phenomenal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYHA-VvBVY0

 

[tubachris85x]

I see what you are saying Sean. I've had that kind of detail "stuck" in my mind for awhile now. I notice how even on the very first trailer (the really cool one where it looks almost "real") that he's missing a helmet detail, and does not have any texture, other then smooth.

Hmm..I guess that'll make it easier for me. As for Adam's video, that actually is very good! I did use a similar technique for my snowtrooper, however, used acrylics instead. I like how it defines the detail lines and such, as well as the use of the hammered paint. Now, with the hammered paint, how much of the physical texture remains? I've seen adam's suit before, but never close enough to really "see" it.

I wanna make this look right! lol thanks!

 

[Riceball]

Going by the pic posted by Sean I'd say that a US military OD green is about the right color you'd want to use for your MC, just make sure it's the current shade of OD that's much greener than old (circa WW II) OD. The military type paint is great but as I said before you'd have to sand it down so you might not be that bad off using Rustoleum or Krylon.

 

[tubachris85x]

true. Yea, I'm going to be hitting up a home depot sometime this weekend and checking out paints. I need to get supplies to finish up my AR cast.

 

[Sean Bradley]

true. Yea, I'm going to be hitting up a home depot sometime this weekend and checking out paints. I need to get supplies to finish up my AR cast.

Krylon Italian Olive is a good base color too. I think whatever you use it needs a bit of alteration. The color found in the game is just more complex than anything found in a can.

In the end, the best colors I've seen used are custom mixed automotive mettalics that look much like the Legendary Edition Halo 3 Helmet.. it's a sort of light mettalic gold green.. I've never achieved this color myself.. I'd love to know how to mix/apply it.

I dug up some resource threads for you if you'd like to see some options:

Halo 2 / Halo 3 color comparisons w/ paint samples

Found Automotive Paint Code..

Custom Automotive Paint Mix

 

[tubachris85x]

Yea, I'm really digging the custom mix you did, which does appear more accurate then the rest. I'd say the only thing you'd need to do that custom mix is to apply a dull coat over it, and it'd just be about perfect. Need to make that trip to home depot and get some paints!

 

[MjolnirArmor]

If you wanna go with the top color pic, it's without a doubt OREGANO. (american accents from rustoleum)

If you want the color now, it's more italian olive (american accents from rustoleum).

 

[CMANavy]

I used the green/gold paint that I made for the BSG Flightsuit boots. I painted a BR and Legendary helmet this color. Pics are on this site somewhere.

 

[brimst0ne13]

I'd go with a stone texture coat, (if doing battle damage follow with silver and then dab toothpaste/rubber cement where you want silver showing, then...) use a coat of krylon camo green extra flat. (then remove the toothpaste/rubber cement).

 

[tubachris85x]

I'll test some pieces if I can with the stone texture as well, but if I do use it, I'll try to "dilute" it somehow. However, I do like how Adam used it for weathering his gear. I am planning on attempting to add accurate battle damage (the dents/gouges on his front right side breast) as so forth.

 

[CadetTK2386]

Here is my Mark VI painted with Krylon Italian Olive as the base.

Direct Sunlight, no flash:

Shade, no flash:

More images found here:
The TK-Bear Crew - ( Prop Details )