Jark'osa's WIP - Current Stage:: Finished

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Lol so far the only feedback I've gotten on this from 6 or so people has said "leave off the scratches on the visor".  I agree with Byrek that it looks cool everytime... but it is used a lot (even in video games).

I'll do FOUR scratches... lol j/k.  I am thinking about doing a large slash, as if from a glancing blow of a lightsaber or a harder hitting blow from a vibro weapon... and extend it down to my collar piece.  One of the other guys suggested that & it was a really good idea IMO.

[Byrek Avery]

Lol so far the only feedback I've gotten on this from 6 or so people has said "leave off the scratches on the visor".  I agree with Byrek that it looks cool everytime... but it is used a lot (even in video games).

I'll do FOUR scratches... lol j/k.  I am thinking about doing a large slash, as if from a glancing blow of a lightsaber or a harder hitting blow from a vibro weapon... and extend it down to my collar piece.  One of the other guys suggested that & it was a really good idea IMO.

I think a slash would be cool. Just make sure you have a plan before you do it.

[Jark'osa Hauza]

I did a little slash on the cheek, which connects down to the collar.  I don't think I'll do anymore 3-D slashes on the helmet, as it's too distracting from the rest of the picture.  Thanks everyone for the advice!!  It's really appreciated.

Implemented all the 3-D damage I suggested previously, and it turned out really good IMO.  I'll post pictures after it's all painted.

I also cut out the jetpack holes and straps into the backplate, using a traditional Jansport backpack as a guide for where the straps should sit on my shoulders for the most comfortable fit.  I measure 20" at the shoulders and had to bring both jetpack straps inward (towards the spine) by 1" for it to fit closer.  I also cut the tabs out and heatmolded them, so the straps can fit through the holes easier without rubbing the edges too much.  I wasn't originally going to raise the tabs, but it seems like it'd help with minimizing paint stripping.  Used epoxy to make a smooth surface between the tab and the backplate surface, of course.

Anyhow, I am currently smoothing out epoxy ridges on all my gear with 180 grit sandpaper.  This works a lot faster than 220 for blending, but is still smooth enough for priming.  I'm using 60 and then 180 to remove old primer... but it's a lot slower than I'd like.  I found that using denatured alcohol with a rag helps wipe up a lot of the primer residue/dust after sanding it.  Going to try using a course steel wool & alcohol together, wiping with a rag afterward.  This should remove residue/dust as I scrub (and should scrub off faster).  Be careful of using a stronger solvent, as it may weaken any adhesives you've applied.

After I do the sanding, I'll lightly clean the armor & allow to air dry before priming (with Rustoleum plastic primer, available at Autozone and before last week - at Home Depot too).  Then I'll be applying Metallic Nickel, masking the weathering.. then some Hammered Brown around the weathering for a rusty/oxidized look on the larger areas... then the base colors.  I'll post pictures as I peel off masking, but before I weather & clear coat.

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Just finished painting my armor plates. Peeled masking off, scraped it up with xacto knife, and wet sanded 1000. In middle of stencilling shoulder and chest sigil.







Plan on marking up with chalk and chalk dust next, then sealing with matte coat.  Does anyone have a suggestion before continuing, such as more weathering on edges of armor?  or is it good?

Btw, im going for a beat up look. Cod is overworn at belt but hidden by girth anyway.

Edit:  I'm now painting my helmet, gauntlets, blasters, and greeblies.  I took pictures of my painting environment (aka open garage lol):

http://mercs.firespray.net/forum/index.php?topic=49837.msg701363#msg701363

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Just finished painting all my armor, gauntlets, guns, and helmet.  Still have to brown wash, add chalk smears/streaks, and some flat spray misting for weathering.

Still have to peel the masking & scrape up the helmet real good...  which is kind of disappointing because I'm REALLY happy with how the paint job came out!!









I figured everyone would want to see the "pretty" helmet first, especially the girls lol.  The end product is going to be really scratched up... possibly a little more than Boba's... but it goes with my character story (spends a LOT of time on Tattooine).

BTW, the RUSTOLEUM spray paints I used were:
Plastic Primer, Metallic Matte Nickel, Brilliant Metallic Gold
Used Rustoleum Gloss Enamel paints:  Black, Orange, Charcoal Gray, Burgandy and Leather Brown

[Kel T Skirata]

pushes LIKE button

[Kebii'tra Verda]

pushes LIKE button

x2!

dAVid.

[D'Larian Ferrel Verda]

I actually like seeing the scratches and damage, it shows that it has been well used.

Great work on the paint job, can't wait to see it in person.

[Niabi]

Looks Nice Vod Now get it dirty   

[Calo Ordoa]

Everything's looking good, Jark! 



(P.S. You are now officially called Jark, and you shan't be called anything else. (By me, at least. Lol.))

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Well I finished removing the masking from my helmet, and then I realized that I weathered it WAY WAY too much (it looked polka-dotted).  I thought "Flat Black" will tone it down... so I sprayed and sprayed... but it still looked way too heavy... so I went through misting all of it with the original colors... and rubbing it down with Denatured alcohol & a microfiber cloth (for car drying).  Then I spray misted it with Flat black again, but it was TOO black... so I had to wipe it all down again with alcohol wipes.  What a pain...

So finally, I spray misted more evenly and lightly with flat black... and I'm happy with the result!  I sprayed flat black over all my armor lightly, heavier in some spots for excessive carbon/exhaust "stains".  I'm very pleased with the results.

BTW, Jark'osa is kind of like a cowboy gunslinger on Tattooine.. except he rides a lot of speeders/swoops instead of horses.    He's had a few scraps with rakghouls, tuskens, and been in some of the weaker sandstorms.. so he's been through a lot   Here's where I am now:


Picture's color shades are fairly accurate


Picture's color shades are fairly accurate


Color shades are saturated & inaccurate, but it shows the whole armor set.

I'm thinking about doing these two things:

1) Use Black, brown, & orange chalk to make little wear marks & smears.
2) Make a Sand colored brown-wash (I tested it on scrap already) - this would make the colors look dusty & lighter, plus make it look sandy in the cracks.

What do you think, should I use the chalk and/or the sand wash?  I want to appear like I've been living in the sands, kind of like tuskens & jawas.  At the same time, I don't want to over-do it.  Yes, I know some of you already think that i've overdone it.. but I like the very worn, used look.  My dirt bike kit looks like this after 1 or two outings, so I can only imagine what years of trekking the deserts would do to your kit.

Here are some Jawa & Tusken pics for reference:

[Kel T Skirata]

My kind of weathering ner'vod, nice work 

[Kebii'tra Verda]

Nice!

dAVid.

[Drak Fiurr Verda]

Great job. Side note my guy hates tatooine. see

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Thanks guys, i was a little worried itd be overkill, because its more than i had planned but im very happy with the result!!  what are your thoughts on the sandwash and chalk?