To anyone who sculpts busts/helmets...

[xAngelx]

What kind of base do you use? (IE: What do you build onto?)

I've been toying with the idea of sculpting a couple of my own helmets, and want to know the best thing to build them onto. I've seen polystyrene heads flying about ebay etc. but I'm not sure how close they are to your average size head.

Thankyou for any help.

 

[KingNothing]

Well I know most guys who do bat cowls or whatnot use a lifecast usually of themselves, made of fiberglass. You can get generic ones or even ones from certain actors too. I think fiberglass is the norm because of the lightweight and soldity of the armature.

 

[patsmear]

The head form i use is from www.monstermakers.com

It is pretty average size and is made from a lightweight,dense foam.

Pat

 

[jedikanol]

The head form i use is from www.monstermakers.com

It is pretty average size and is made from a lightweight,dense foam.

Pat

same here

 

[ZOMBIEREPELLENT]

I use the one from monster makers aswell

 

[xAngelx]

Thanks for the help, guys. I may look into getting one of them, or at least something similar.

 

[HouseAtreides]

I have not done a head or helmet sculpt but friends who have have used one of those simple wig stands of styrofoam.
Super cheap and easy to find.

 

[Skaught]

To make sure the helmet I'm sculpting fits my OWN head, I made a quickie head cast. If I used one of those styrofoam heads, it would never fit me.

I made the cast by wrapping my head and neck in plastic wrap (without covering my nostrils), and then had my wife wrap my head and neck in duct tape. I made sure the eyes and nose would show up (didn't just tape straight across the eyes). Then she cut the tape up the back until I could remove it. Taped it back up, filled it full of plaster, and tada! A big honkin rock shaped like my head. It doesn't have the detail you'd get with a real cast, but it's enough to sculpt over.

Oh yeah -- while it was curing I stuck a PVC pipe down in it and built a base out of pipes. That's how it stands up.

Scott

 

[Skaught]

Here are some pics:

Scott

 

[xAngelx]

Thanks for the help Scott.

Are you going to have padding in the helmet, and how are you allowing for that with your sculpting?

 

[tk1780]

Hey Scott

I am betting telling your wife what you wanted to do must have been fun. :lol

My current wife would have had fun doing this, my exwife would have left me like that only after covering over the noles holes and then pouring the plaster on. Right before hitting me on the head with a hammer.
:wacko

Nice job though, cheap enough and it looks like it worked out for you, good luck with your project.

 

[decompthewhite]

Your method of lifecasting seems a bit dangerous I understand the need to not have so much detail but yikes .

 

[Fettster02]

i use my life cast, that way whatever im sculpting will fit

 

[zorg]

my exwife would have left me like that only after covering over the noles holes and then pouring the plaster on. Right before hitting me on the head with a hammer.
:wacko

good one :lol