MF-ESB Boba Fett helmet paint-up

Said it before Eric, but I'll say it again, you are a true artist with the patience of a saint, always look forward to your updates on this thread, fantastic work so far and I can't believe how much you have done in such a short time .
 
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Thanks, Al! Here's some more progress.

This covers a few days' worth of work. First, I finished the right rear section of the red band.
Not a lot of silver in this area, but lots of nice detail all the same.



Next, I moved onto the front half and did the area around the left corner of the visor opening.



From here, I'll continue along the brow above the visor opening toward the right side.
 
Back on the weekend schedule now. :)
I got the brow finished a little while ago. Here are 3 views.







Now it's mandible time!
 
Thanks, mugatu.

We'll close out the weekend with the left mandible. Not as much happening in this area as on the right mandible,
but there's a good amount of detail.



The crazy right mandible is next. Since it's Monday tomorrow, it may be a few days till that area is completed.
 
Thanks, Al! Your opinion is the most important for this commission. :)

Been sneaking in painting sessions when I can. I got the upper/horizontal part of the mandible done.
Whew! This is an eye-crosser for sure. So many tiny chips and scratches, in multiple passes with
the detail colors. You might be able to barely see the stencil lines for the lower/vertical portion in
the picture.



I'll work on the remainder of the mandible as I have time over the next few days. It's getting close now!
 
Thanks, Markus! I always enjoy your blaster threads. :)

Been rolling along with the helmet the past few days. There are several steps that I'll show in this update.
First, I completed the lower part of the right mandible. Not quite as much to do as the top half.



That pretty much completed the "basic" painting, so I began on some of the effects. I did the pale contrasting
gray that's scattered over several areas. They include the dent (it's tricky to photograph).



There's also some of the gray that extends down the color separation between the right mandible and the cheek. There's some above the
visor cutout, and even a few specks in the cat scratch.



And of course on the right rear panel and a few smaller areas on the rear of the helmet.



I added the dark vertical stain above the RF ear. This is mostly dry-brushed on, with a couple of heavier spots.



Next I did the fade below the killstripes. This is evidence of a repair on the original helmet, but it's a feature
that's visible in ESB screen caps. I blended some of the dome weathering shade with an acrylic silver to do this.
The white thumbprints are also visible in this shot. I'll have better pics of everything once the helmet is done.



The ear parts have been base coated for weeks now. I began the detailing on the left ear by masking and
airbrushing the white U-shape. Here it is temporarily installed for a portrait. :)



I'll end this update with the resin MQ-1 circuit board. I attached the cast to a flat styrene platform which will
be epoxied into the helmet at the end of the project.



Still remaining: left ear detailing, RF ear detailing, the RF topper and stalk, and final weathering.
 
Here's the latest.
I've been working on the ears the past couple of days. Al sent me a real microswitch to install in the RF ear.
His lights will be self-contained, so the switch is for show. Here's the upper ear cap base in position.



I just finished airbrushing the black arch on the RF ear cap. This will dry overnight, then I'll mask for the
white half-arch. The damage detailing will come after that.



Except for some pastel weathering and the addition of the small black markings, the lower RF ear part
is finished. Since these are metal ears, all of the silver chips and scratches are physically scratched
through the paint with a sharp pick. Gotta show off that beautiful machined metal finish! :)



I finished the detailing on the left ear as well. The small "E" markings are done, and the splotchy tan
weathering at the ear base has been applied. This ear is finished except for the final clear coat.



If you notice the contrast between the ear and the dome/cheeks, that's the result of weathering down the
dome/cheeks with a slightly lightened, grayer tone. The ear was base coated with the same color, it was
just left "pure."

Still to do: white arch/damage on RF ear cap; final weathering passes (airbrush and pastels); clear coat;
visor installation; and RF topper and stalk.
 
Thanks, Al. It's actually not the same lid. I replaced it with an exact duplicate made from macaroni. ;)

Happy TFA weekend! Hope everyone will get the chance to see the movie sometime soon. I saw it yesterday
afternoon and loved it. I'll be going back sometime to see it again, in 3D this time.

The helmet is really close to being done. I've been working on completing the RF ear cap, and doing the final
weathering stages. I'll get better pics once everything's done, as some of the weathering is kind of subtle.
I also finished the RF and stalk, although there are no LEDs installed right now. Al has a light kit that he's going
to put in once he receives the bucket. The Borden is installed as well. It was given a wash, and some silver
detailing.





The "spatter" is done as well. You can see some of it in these closer shots. Also the small black markings
on the RF ear parts. Love that bare metal!





The final steps will be to install the visor using 2 custom aluminum brackets, and to install the MQ-1 board
behind the keyslots. I need to run to the hardware store to get some more epoxy. I thought I still had some,
but I guess I drank it all. Delicious! The next update will feature completed pics.
 
Thanks! The helmet is complete now, so this will be the final progress update. :)

I finished the remaining assembly by epoxying in the circuit board, and the visor tabs. I trimmed the visor
to fit and got it in place. The RF is very simple to install, just a small machine screw and nut, so here is a
selection of final pics.

IMG_3739_zpslifnjvpq.jpg


IMG_3741_zpsj70j7stv.jpg


IMG_3743_zpsn44fmn7k.jpg


IMG_3745_zpsv813hber.jpg


Hope the weathering and staining on the dome comes through in these pics. The color variations are subtle.

IMG_3747_zpskg3e3wyi.jpg


IMG_3749_zpsfyuushvo.jpg


With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, I probably won't get to send this out until early next week.
Thanks to everyone who followed along--and especially to Al for trusting me with his MF cast. This was a rare
treat for a Fett fan to get to see one of these up close.
There are a few more pics on my Fett Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CounterFett-Creations-1454779188105078/?ref=hl
 
Well Eric, I just collected him from the post office today and all I can say is the photos don't do it justice, I could not be happier with the work you have carried out on this commission as he looks fantastic, can I thank you for an outstanding commission on this in not only your skill but your Comunication and conduct, anyone looking for a great guy to paint up you boba bucket then look no further, out of this world !
 
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