Sculpting 2 Predator Bio Helmets

[PredatrHuntr]

I've had clay sitting here for the past year, but due to other projects I put it on hold till everything else was done. I like to concentrate on one thing at a time and then move onto the next project. I will try to make this as in depth as I can so that other people can learn from this - just as I am. I will show lots of pics since I am also very much a visual learner.

There are two Bios that I want to sculpt. The first is a drawing that was done by Rob and is blend of a P1 and P2 Bio. The thing that captured me was how the dome is pronounced and curves inward as it goes down and meets with the nose/eyes. This angle makes it difficult for me to determine how much that area curves in, but I'll do my best to interpret a 2D drawing into 3D.

Starting off with the armature. Nothing special, just a wire frame with a bunch of burlap and plaster on it. I wrapped it in tinfoil after that.

I've been buying tools here and there over the past year to get ready:

I don't have any rakes, so I used my dremel to cut teeth into one side of the sculpting tool:

I'm using Chavant medium and soft. I wish I had gotten all soft clay, but oh well. To cut the clay, I used fishing line attached to some Testors paints, which worked perfectly:

Just starting to slap on the clay after warming chunks in a crock pot:

 

[PredatrHuntr]

The second Bio is based on the P1 Stunt that I got from ptgreek (George). The P1 Stunt is an actual mold of the screen used P1 Bio from the very first Predator movie. After 25+ years, the mold is still producing this amazing Bio. Here it is in raw form:

This is one that I painted for Art Andrews:

Considering the history of this Bio, it's one of my holy grail props. I have a finished P1 Stunt beside me while I sculpt, so here it goes...starting off with a lump of clay on the second armature:

And this is where I'm at right now:

I'm using a few tools to scrape chunks of clay off, but I've been smoothing it with my fingers for the most part so far since I don't like using my homemade rakes. My fingers do a much quicker job and I can totally feel all the imperfections and bumps and quickly correct them with my thumbs. My thumbs have blisters on them but DAMN it feels good to sculpt! I highly encourage anyone who is even remotely thinking about sculpting to buy some clay and give it a shot. Especially if you can draw or paint. Its frustrating at times, but its so cool to be able to create something with just your bare hands...

More to come...

 

[guilty gear]

i agree, its fun to create something unique, i love it.

nice P1

 

[gyoung2993]

I love your work ,looking fantastic ,I am a major fan of the first Predator Bio helmet, awesome work , amazing ability you have indeed....

 

[GroundBeef]

WOW! Killer Predator sculpts man! I especially like your display room! Jealous I am...
Can't wait to see updates!thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[gyoung2993]

He does nice work,one of these days ,I am going to get me one of those .........

 

[cavx]

Awesome work Predatrhuntr and love your 'trophy' room.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

Thanks for all the comments...I don't get much time to work on these, but I'll update with more pics when it happens!

 

[PredatrHuntr]

The more I work on this, the more I realize that my lines need a lot of work to get to where I want them.

The red lines indicate all the areas that still need work done:

 

[gyoung2993]

That does look absolutely fantastic..... on your abilities.....on this unique Bio helmet

 

[g_sculpt]

nice work with the bio helmets

 

[PredatrHuntr]

It may not look it, but I've been adjusting and re-adjusting the lines on the Bio.

I still haven't used the 99% alcohol for smoothing - I want to see how smooth I can get it with just my fingers. I also realize that my sculpt will be very different in the eyes and where the dome ridges meet both upper cheekbones. I've revised the eyes about 10 times and I am finally happy with them as they are.

 

[Aeronnz]

Looking fantastic! Haha, that work room is like an Alien Hive! I love the Facehugger...

 

[cavx]

WOW that is looking sensational.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

Thanks! I'm trying to get the laser shroud the right shape. I don't get nearly enough time to sculpt, so being that I don't get to work on it much, this is all the progress I've made:

 

[Ray22]

Looks sweet.

 

[chuckyAPP]

Fine grit sand paper dipped in alcohol will do great for smoothing that bad boy out. Looks fantastic so far.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

Almost ready to mold it. I changed the shroud slightly:

Added the tri-laser (the three holes were drilled in after I took the pics):

Ready to mold the small parts and then hopefully this weekend, I can mold the Bio!

 

[gyoung2993]

Fantastic work , I love it ,you ever decide ,you dont want that .....remember ME....lol....

 

[MrBarlow]

Nice job so far!

Just curious what your reference was for the jaw tube connectors?