Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club
Mandalorian Armor => Armor Construction => Topic started by: DirkSteele on Dec 20, 2020, 12:50 PM
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I have most of my soft parts now, flightsuit, gaiters, boots, gloves. Wife is helping (doing all the work) me with the flak vest over the holidays. Ready to start cutting sintra but wanted to check plate size before I did.
For purpose of the photo just used a t shirt so the plates would stand out.
(https://i.imgur.com/sbyxxJ9.jpg)
Insights appreciated!
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Sizing looks good to me, maybe slightly wide, but it may just be the patterns not lying perfectly flat.
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Sizing looks good to me, maybe slightly wide, but it may just be the patterns not lying perfectly flat.
Thanks, yeah the tape kept popping loose so they were not contouring the way the actual plates will. Going to get the flak vest finished before I cut the sintra to be sure.
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Looks Like it's time for an update methinks. There is more armor now, I believe. :8):
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Love the hat, lol. Following.
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Update - Been to a couple of armor parties with my clan and have made some progress.
Top of the cod plate will be covered by the Girth Belt and secured with velcro to prevent shifting while trooping.
(https://i.imgur.com/OXWljUx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6nDvFrD.jpeg)
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Armor primed, painted, & weathered
(https://i.imgur.com/n6OPTDh.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bSgEDMr.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7WNBmnk.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/R6qwA1W.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2UefP3I.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/74qTlsQ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/umZ8SI3.jpeg)
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Looking nice and dangerous vod.
I'm digging the more subtle weathering - it looks like a challenge to get a bare beskar kit to look properly lived in, but I think you've hit it.
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Thanks Vod, watched a LOT of Jango weathering tutorials :jango:
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I love the armor! Great paint job :like:
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Feel like I'm nearing the finish line. Couple of things I know still need doing:
1) neckseal needs snaps
2) knees need elastic bands
3) I need to re-attach the boot armor
4) Backplate in progress
5) Jetpack in progress
I need to get some pics in sunlight, the lighting in my garage does not show the weathering well.
(https://i.imgur.com/W4da4pD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6ivcCZ6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/K6cgqWd.jpg)
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Looking pretty great dude! Weathering is tricky to get right - it might look good and subtle in person but it won't show up in photos. You'll need to add more black wash and even do some black dry brushing to your plates if you want it to be visible in pictures - specially from a distance.
Personally - I think you should add more red! (just not to your shoulder bells, you don't want to be a Jaster copy cat) but perhaps to your knees and 1 gauntlet?
Or perhaps paint those "key slots" on your gauntlets red and add some red Mando symbols to your knees (if you want to keep the majority of your kit silver)
Some suggestions:
- your ab plate appears to be floating slightly on the bottom edge - might just need to add some more velcro there
- shift your shins down just a little bit so you have more of a gap between your knees and shins (this will also close a potentially awkward large gap from the boot armor to your shin plates)
- shoulder bells look like they may be unevenly spaced (right side appears to be lower and/or the left side is resting closer to your collar plate)
Overall, your kit is looking great. Keep it up :like:
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Thanks Fenn,
Looking at the picture, definitely need to shift some plates as you noted.
I'll make those adjustments, finish my punch list, then post some pics taken in better light (my garage at night is probably not the best lighting ;) )
Thanks!
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Something I've found that helps with weathering, especially on bare metal colors, is to create a texture on the material that can collect "dirt" as you blackwash it. If you take a file or Dremel lightly to the plates, you can create small imperfections that can collect dirt without ruining the impenetrable Beskar impression. Also, if you take a look at metal that comes in contact with clothing or is rubbed a lot, it will have a different hue than the metal that rarely gets rubbed on. Another point is that dirt often fades out, rather than being a completely distinct line or deposit, you'll end up having almost a shadow effect around the dirt, where finer/lighter amounts have ended up. The big thing I've seen is to get both the fine detail and a bit of broader weathering, because only doing one will either end up looking like it is pristine from a distance, or looking like a stage costume up close, rather than looking properly lived in. For an example, if you look at medieval knights armor, even the clean sets that are still used show signs of use. For example, this suit looks pretty nice, but if you look, you can see the texture of the metal, where dirt has deposited over time. This suit is a bit more used than you seem to be aiming your kit to be, but those little imperfections, all together, create an image of being used from a distance, while still looking realistic up close.
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5583d7ffe4b0db43b0a1118f/1499018349906-ASQ1MQZ8JNQLUWDYA3X9/Medieval-Armor-Fantasy-Knight.jpg)
And like was said before, a bit more color may help, as well as maybe a bit more parts around your upper body. Trophy braids, a cape, ammo, something, especially around the shoulders and upper arms to break up the straight silver armor, similar to how your holsters help break up the legs from plain silver to having some character. If you look below your waist, you have belts, your gauntlets sit below that line when your arms are down, your holsters, etc, while your upper half is just basic silver and red armor. If you are trying to avoid having just stuff/not really in for the trophy sort of idea, even something like the rebels mandos, where they have those armbands or pouches on their biceps, maybe in a color that complements your flightsuit without matching and thus getting drowned in it, maybe the red of your girth belt or the brown of your gun belt.
Sorry for the long winded post, hope something in it helps ;D
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Hi Odran, thanks for the feedback.
The three biggest influences on my kit were Jango, Jaster, and Kal Skirata. I wanted to capture that clean, utilitarian, bare metal look. Headcannon is that he was part of Jango's unit, but missed Galidran due to injury/family obligation. Afterwards he became one of the Cuy'val Dar training clone commandos on Kamino.
In his mind (not mine) trophies are for braggarts, a professional does not need to keep trinkets from jobs they completed.
So that being said, here are the concept pics I was primarily working from:
Jango
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rcKCbWbpYp36-PLkLOGnQGmnqKpanv8SFnfaVY0uaKzYo34-oveWlZVPozm_aUDZgJC5OX_97P1PdqosQS_h6UjqrZvHaayjsFEPNH2aeb-5D1rHO6dOoFEtmLKVo5JkoXEXq3Gr62nXomLxvqEMFMu3xoctnv_JTenNMIsSLRA_hcM1SQjtbFAcCfgy2oVEObP0zDHUVVGWMNAblHJf31h9xzGOavIgoCLw9-alK41nDOEBc3inU-COL2qQ2riAPRZwPXFTMLeAJC9vqKvTQGzGeFBjnx4u-JmcNNL-mmvmHKMl8zumZllcHDNU6HL_8H_woOYchBGVeBPj5KEzNEgEsw0VBMb3Y6F9yfcJv3Hq7sjpO_74H8EeuTey52hVZKcFwpc49k_0w96Lg-rdy947jSjR3uKR922Cc28BeUtpEUMkhvYEV9DeaMAQvypH30nIyDU30KrvoqRfW2kOaebiBxE9mGiuyK3By0ssbdxypFLQlIBtM5zuuYNps47pKD0W3fswhQSA45yvXPYZpG1S8Ct15vEexv_DLtGTHrsLaCB2-80kKZYXjpv9JS1R4owFBCQuqrESUGtJpRTWExYyq9hGUKrNNPJtloD5DmQSQF3GZiww30O2gTtw2swAdJusGCd09rO2HX-e_-dbXVmrOQJ6ryxU0fl4M6x1-bnBCN4A1cgjF2TGJ2mpxT9PbI4lQdsmQaAKU3C4lY5TsGA6=w650-h880-no?authuser=0)
Jaster
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WogRvitNoADXdL1taY5cHpRFcWegRLl8YoUGWJtSTqhhebc4fIspgkO5HdWVvufTC8RMNKyG0EcuyYPrqRZ4dH4CIHbb_prBW6X48DRl_uyCJuLJa3Z6CGtEBkpU2BvkJ760zAhmsmCtJBafPzj2I_KNN9A3QPTkSlimkAR8Ez2jE89t-Q4eKaB85xXyvWHUVVfXvXDB3xqLUk9lJjQVgtKm2XzCLDb_la3w7KM6OfdulD6miETBvV2G47PzSSgedJuUMy1uYjbPmAyT9yzDD_fvcw1w5AFZijkNb0PkNe7YspPJC3C83b0U5y-SZWUnwLLSYmdCR8wOopGy4JkSR8rhsCcgbXHnR7sLyMwCk4bXeuSXgg4wW1WaCz6_PrK4v8GB_rgQRTrQZL3dukDYWN2egliVisbQiiJ01SY1dfEofGgrBTumZ9jR8oPnxNtKEkTIfTq_gs8VgIEYCXRWRfKUiVC5SjOSoQlnrQ96Cqmu6BCzHR_W-qVow9sIqkQKsz4wzJrxZ4KA6GhO3N39mlDb8XivlM9Pzt2RyymkxZHAeLG1MvxBRvFUVUIYiRW196vEUO9IOm78zc8U4YCw8CFY0Bowy7PwQatT474A_dpa8t5x-2yV3_dwlzH09kXfJNSakznRppYxRzgUx9FOnOoGki7SBr0HH6_tl0isU4byyB9YWMUIlgKUZ5GG8U7SA-pKz2QbJcqJBwhqPEESEbj9=w707-h880-no?authuser=0)
Kal
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GqLZEofGXjx7Ssnz9Un6k_H2F_TtaBdYpMn5c6SLy5jnF095GaRvJVwP1U2KzOY2sSg3vrgvwZJV7EiNg-ApyOcaxqpMP5Q28-yQQtS8bxViQSx5bxiNmlfxzsr6ZjiSLWjlYAJRXCBuhTLLFk0mXYUX9PKzZlZIQH26-xHKy1Ov5jZeU4u3EH-KI8NlLObzBO5QrAHY7W-tLwcq8mlPcZqVm3c_uQu4Vj1YdFC-cn2s60QCk6y_n3Dgok9EMFEU02sBS33qbANdFYIsn0MWDduJA_ToV4E3KZlGABAz6UuDxCYxbCP0HANjTtiuhvO8u1jpx1AhiTYRhdDSfeoBnNJx_TBSALSSgaeIb49plxUMD4fmoLmfF2u0K0oyDZHQ7mE1a6QgfEy-t4oN9TR19AhUVsUulyS7AVVf09foLaxEGMClykoFhTynr-AO2JtBIL9QIG1REnn-aV2Nc_Q-uUcnVuIxDxIE4xATfHPpq2HBq6qkDXM5jmybEuy-_PfhVCWxHuKmh9oqBNc04mQZbMp8l2ZyZ6UHIEhrQ8UN7vDGqMyk16-6jZwGBP79oiXQPDy5Ahxj20VqhZafZONCThBdsFf6kDJzIzmcGFn8GkvhFUtiwQ6ChM73OseOrUOCo3ibUYjeVCyea9DplqGe3_GT9Zv2VAEHwf3m5A6J6o6Ocf29axFekv0DXLNSChHEDD33tmRgDpozh31dT3kI9wBZ=w660-h880-no?authuser=0)
I did hit all of the bare metal with steel wool to remove some of the shine to give it a brushed aluminum look. Could be I need to go back and make the high points more shiny, then hit everything with a black wash.
Sincerely happy to hear thoughts on how I can maintain the clean simplicity, while still adding some more depth to the armor plates.
Thanks in advance!
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Just one thing to keep in mind on Jango vs the others, as we see him in the films, he does live on a water planet, so the light dirt and all falls in that, while kal and Master, had they been in live action, may have ended up with a bit more dirt overall.
But in the end, it's your kit, and honestly, the weathering is a bit of a nitpick on my part, I think bigger is breaking up that shoulder area visually.
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Just one thing to keep in mind on Jango vs the others, as we see him in the films, he does live on a water planet, so the light dirt and all falls in that, while kal and Master, had they been in live action, may have ended up with a bit more dirt overall.
But in the end, it's your kit, and honestly, the weathering is a bit of a nitpick on my part, I think bigger is breaking up that shoulder area visually.
Really do appreciate the input, will ponder this on the tree of woe
Thanks!
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Great influences. I'm a huge Jango fan myself, and will always consider Open Seasons and the Republic Commando series to be the holy grail of Mando material.
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Great influences. I'm a huge Jango fan myself, and will always consider Open Seasons and the Republic Commando series to be the holy grail of Mando material.
Open Seasons is what really inspired me to pursue this project, only took about 10 years to go from planning to execution. Your Jango is looking spectacular Vod!
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Just one thing to keep in mind on Jango vs the others, as we see him in the films, he does live on a water planet, so the light dirt and all falls in that, while kal and Master, had they been in live action, may have ended up with a bit more dirt overall.
But in the end, it's your kit, and honestly, the weathering is a bit of a nitpick on my part, I think bigger is breaking up that shoulder area visually.
Wanted to thank you and Fenn Bevin again for the constructive criticism. I took one of the legs and repainted the armor, and this time I did not dull the shine with steel wool. A black wash and some more judicious weathering and the difference is noticeable (I'll share some pics tomorrow when I can get shots in daylight, my garage lighting washes everything out).
I'm warming up to the idea of adding the bicep ammo holders, would make them out of the same leather as my ammo belt and holsters. Ultimately I want to add a Verpine Rifle to the kit, so thinking of having some rounds for that weapon in the bicep holders.
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Happy to assist dude. It's the subtle details that will turn an already a great kit into something truly amazing.
Looking forward to seeing the new pictures :like:
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Open Seasons is what really inspired me to pursue this project, only took about 10 years to go from planning to execution. Your Jango is looking spectacular Vod!
Thank you! :jango: :<3:
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Got my approval, appreciate the support and feedback. Love this community!
(https://i.imgur.com/lAGIIGR.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uRHbon0.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JI0kfou.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XHfb7IR.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xkit1zu.jpeg)
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Got my approval, appreciate the support and feedback. Love this community!
Congratulations!
Clean lines, clear vision, skillfully executed.
Strong work vod.
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Congrats dude and welcome to the club! :like:
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Congrats and what an awesome kit! Good job! :jango:
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Congrats vod!
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Congrats on the approval vod, looking great!
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Thanks!
I know I got the bug, about halfway through I started saying things like "when I make my next kit..."
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Thanks!
I know I got the bug, about halfway through I started saying things like "when I make my next kit..."
I've been constantly upgraded my same kit over 8 years :laugh: adding small bits here and there over time as inspiration hits. It's a never ending process. Having started a new kit as I have no place to put anything else haha