Mando Mercs Costume Club

Mandalorian Armor => Armor Concepts => Topic started by: Osprey on Jun 30, 2021, 01:08 PM

Title: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jun 30, 2021, 01:08 PM
Well, I figured it's time to properly do this. Mostly been doing posts on my IG, but I'm wrapping up printing for my custom kit that I'm currently referring to as "Mandalorian parade armor." Essentially the intent is to replicate the style seen in Almec's armor from Clone Wars S7 on a realistic Post-Imp design, with a fair few mods to fit my frame and hybridize some pieces from Din, Bo, and some fully custom pieces. I unfortunately am not the best artist so I'm using a base off the MandoCreator with some inferred designs put in later.

Rough Design:
(https://i.imgur.com/fCL4j9a.jpg)

Some Changed Pieces:
1) The Helmet: Since this is where most of the focus will be, it's also where the more complicated design-work will be. I always liked Fenn Rau's more ceremonial armor with the Iron heart on the forehead, so I went with a couple designs like that. 1 is more simple, the other more complex as a hybrid between Almec and Fenn's designs. Intent for the helmet is to keep the linework fairly thin so it's not overcrowded, and use as more of an accent piece. The chest and back will use thicker line work to stay proportional.

(https://i.imgur.com/eQzSoPr.png)

2) Shoulder Design TBD, so using the ones shown there as a stand-in. Debating between a slightly modified version of Bo's shoulders with more design work or creating a fully new plate style shoulder similar to Saxon's in the Son of Dathomir Comic. Mostly playing with a looser lower section with Kama and a more heavily armored top section.

3) Gauntlets: those will be Bo Katan style, mirrored with the birds on the right arm.

4) Belt will be (fingers crossed) one of the Bo style belts with potentially some thin armor plating over the top flaps. Had been considering the style done by  Sines Industries as their work is great and previous experiences have all been good.

5) Blasters will be the new live action style, though I am working on some potential changes for the aesthetic design of this suit (gold accents, a different magwell design, etc.)

6) On the thighs I'm planning to use Din's right thigh mirrored for both legs. The main addition here is a long kama whose design I'm still finalizing, but planning to have be full width and taper down to the ends, so that when I walk there's less in the way and the shin plates are more visible. Also working on a modified thicker fabric version of Din's leather ab guard that has a different bottom cut and extends a little farther under the belt.

(https://i.imgur.com/40Hsbsc.jpg)

7) Shins are going to be the new design put out by Ryley over at AlterEgoArmory. I am using Bo knees, and his version with the v-shaped cutout seem to visually fit well with this concept.

(https://i.imgur.com/5ssrgPe.jpg)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1025746394/mandalorian-inspired-shin-armor?ref=shop_home_active_3&crt=1

8) Still debating on jetpack, given that this is intended to be a ceremonial style design I figured I would do one and utilize either a Commando style jetpack like Sabine's or design one myself.

(https://i.imgur.com/lyTxyOU.jpg)

A lot of concepting has already been done, so my apologies if this is a big info dump. I would love any tips, tricks, or recommendations for this since it's predominantly finding the right balance between ornate and too busy. Thanks for your time!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Arco'thyel Wyshla on Jul 01, 2021, 11:52 PM
Oooh, I am very much looking forward to this kit! I’ve always liked the intricate patterns on Almec’s armor, it’s the sort of design that demands attention. It should be very flashy in person!

For the helmet, I personally prefer the hybrid design – naturally, it’s the one that’ll be a bit more of a pain to implement, isn’t that how it goes. :laugh:

Digging the kama! Have you considered embroidering designs on the soft parts? It’s something I’ve been considering for mine, and I think it’d suit a formal kit like this quite nicely.

As an aside, this link (http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=73613.msg1622030#msg1622030) should help with posting pictures on the forums!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Vercopaanir on Jul 02, 2021, 04:09 PM
At last!!!   :porg2: 

You already know my thoughts on the project.  :D

Keep it up!   ;D
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jul 04, 2021, 02:07 PM
Oooh, I am very much looking forward to this kit! I’ve always liked the intricate patterns on Almec’s armor, it’s the sort of design that demands attention. It should be very flashy in person!

For the helmet, I personally prefer the hybrid design – naturally, it’s the one that’ll be a bit more of a pain to implement, isn’t that how it goes. :laugh:

Digging the kama! Have you considered embroidering designs on the soft parts? It’s something I’ve been considering for mine, and I think it’d suit a formal kit like this quite nicely.

As an aside, this link (http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=73613.msg1622030#msg1622030) should help with posting pictures on the forums!

Glad you like the concept! This has gone through a couple different iterations but this more elaborate style was something I couldn't stop thinking about; and while I'm not considering doing Almec proper (at least yet) I figured it would be good to use this one to experiment and find a good system for colors, design tests, etc. (Also thank you for the link, been a while since I used forum tools).

Hybrid was the one I am leaning towards as well. I just did a couple mockups while priming the helmet and the hybrid seems to cover the forehead plate well without being too much.

As for kama, There are a couple things I'm looking at for embroidered designs. The big considerations are gold trim along the edge, some gold and silver linework like on the helmet/armor, and at the very bottom some gold stitching so that when I stand at attention the ends come together to look like split halves of an iron heart. Looking back through both Almec's armor and the New Mandalorian art concepts, their predominant traits were that art deco style linework as well as implementations of the iron heart throughout the body not just in the traditional spot between the chest plates. I'll be updating here with more tweaks to the design, thanks for the input!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jul 04, 2021, 02:08 PM
At last!!!   :porg2: 

You already know my thoughts on the project.  :D

Keep it up!   ;D

That I do  :laugh: As I get time I'll post some more photos here with line designs and color adjustments to the plates, so any further tips are always appreciated!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jul 12, 2021, 11:34 PM
Meant to drop this on the initial post, but I will also be using this rifle (sniper configuration) as the main blaster for this build.

(https://i.imgur.com/kaFeoVx.jpg)

 Most of this piece has already been printed, and other than some parts like the scope which needs a rework is currently in the process of being sanded and primed for paint. Debating a couple possibilities for final paint scheme and would like any considerations.

Option 1:
Similar to included photos scheme with gunmetal gray main body and wood stock, but with a brighter aluminum accent on handguard section and stock lining (the areas not covered by wood). [For reference, all lighted sections like the magazine box and the trapezoid box in the stock will likely be yellow for any variant I do.]

Option 2:
Main body is gloss black (area from barrel end to section before stock).
Barrel ring, stock greeblie, the "charging handle" section past the barrel ring, and under-barrel rod support section are all gold.
Scope, magazine, actual round barrel and forward grip (the section under the barrel) would all be aluminum, with small differences in paint to accent their different pieces.
Stock would either be a darker wood pattern like mahogany or be fully metallic, silver or gold.

Option 3: Match completely to my suit color scheme.
Main body becomes the same dark green I use as base, with a matte or gloss black barrel section.
End of barrel is either silver, black or gold (recs welcome here).
All the above gold greeblie sections remain the same, and the scope also becomes gold.
Forward grip becomes black.
 Stock matches Option 2, with darker wooden sections and aluminum accents.

Like the armor I'm trying to keep this with a more "ornate" profile so if any of these options listed below don't seem like a good option, please let me know your thoughts!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Arco'thyel Wyshla on Jul 12, 2021, 11:51 PM
That's a gnarly rifle design! :like:

The tricky thing about a matching color scheme means it runs the risk of blending in with the armor too much. However, I think it would suit your character to go with option 3! Having it match your armor gives the impression that even your weapons were custom-tailored to fit you, and given the ornate build, you'd probably have the resources to make that happen. Not sure if that's the vibe you're going for, but it's something to consider!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Vercopaanir on Jul 13, 2021, 07:45 AM
I like elements from 2 & 3. As previously stated option 3 feels more like the parade option.  I would however keep the forward grip wood.  Call it worshyr wood, it’s supper hard which makes it difficult to harvest and craft so it’s a luxury item.  It will also help keep the rifle from blending in to your kit too much.  I’d personally do the gloss black (shiny) on the barrel.

Not sure I’m sold on the gold scope and/or tip. While this is parade armor the way that would stand out and reflect light seems counter productive for a sniper rifle and I think your going for a more functional elegance right?
So maybe do some gold lines, like you will have on your armor, as accents on those pieces without going full shiny.

Going to do any lights/sounds?
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jul 13, 2021, 12:16 PM
Appreciate all the recs! For the barrel tip point, What I had been considering was something more like a black base with silver/gold accenting along the edges of the heat vents, similar to a lot of renders you see out there of Boba's updated EE-3 carbine from the Mandalorian. I'll try and keep the foregrip wood too, since I had been strongly considering that and Wroshyr wood definitely would fit the theme of high-end design. Scope is still debated, I might even have it be a gray like the visor or black, still not sure since it's the piece that needs a full reprint.

For lights/sounds, I will be doing lights and thinking about sounds. Both the magazine box and the stock midsection are hollow, and both have enough space for at least lights. I have some yellow acrylic being used for another project that I'll be inlaying into both, and then backlighting to give that ambient glow effect you see in Mando architecture and other blasters. Sounds might be happen, but focus is more on main structure for now. The actual trigger is solid on the print, so I'd likely have to rig a button switch in front of it to actually operate everything, but a good challenge every now and again never hurt anyone right?  ;D
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Bryn Cin'Prudii on Jul 13, 2021, 01:24 PM
Consider me following. I love the idea.
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Arkham on Jul 14, 2021, 10:22 AM
Here's my 2 credits on the weapon question:

I would just make the weapon be as it would have come from the manufacture (so option #1). The reason for this is two-fold:


Again, just my thoughts on the matter.
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Tramp Graphics on Jul 14, 2021, 12:19 PM
I agree with Arkham. Stick with option 1, but make sure the weapon is pristine. That means no dirt, no damage. As with parade/ceremonial grade armor, this weapon should be in tip top perfect condition without a single blemish.
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Vercopaanir on Jul 14, 2021, 04:18 PM
So I’m pretty sure Osprey is going for a Queen of England (Almec) vs a royal guard kinda build.  As such the weapon would be highly customized and designed for just that occasion.  That was my understanding of what this kit is to become.
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Jul 14, 2021, 04:40 PM
Again greatly appreciate the response! What you both described is actually the main reason why I was keeping the original design in mind anyway. Like you mentioned, weathering for a suit like this was either going to be very miniscule or non-existent; I had been leaning towards pristine myself and figured that a second opinion would help. This was also relevant for the Westars as I was intending to do some small changes on those as well (more elaborate magwell, accents in gold like on that pseudo selector lever) but will come back to that later.

(Edit: Vercopaanir touched on the other side of the coin, which is why I mentioned the lower two designs. Once I'm a little more certain of where I want to go, I'll definitely update here!)

Also a bit more brainstorming from an earlier idea. Pictured here is Almec's armor with a good shot of his shoulder plate, the thing I'm focusing on:

(https://i.imgur.com/EX0bcVe.jpg)

Like for the rest of this armor, the actual pattern work I'll be doing will likely be different from that but it's a good reference for general scheme and shape. I'm currently debating two potential routes for the shoulders:

1) Keep them similarly sized to the ones seen here, but with a realistic touch like the ones Bo/Koska have in the Mandalorian.

This has some pretty clear reasoning, given that it would make sense given what's currently out there in canon and would line up with a more "classic" style of plating. Also, less print time  :laugh:

2) Keep the same rough shape, but tweak them to be larger and more like Saxon's:

(https://i.imgur.com/eExjEUI.png)

There's a couple points behind upsizing it for me. For one, the Post-Imperial designs generally have larger plates anyway and this would help contribute to that look, especially with the Din style Beskar chestplate. They would also help delineate between the more heavily armored torso and  the more flowy look the lower body will have from the kama.

Again, appreciate any feedback and recommendations. This is where some of the concepts get a bit more out there, so any possible ideas I might not be considering would definitely help in my work. Thanks!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Cattriss Wren on Jul 21, 2021, 03:11 PM
Su'cuy osprey, you have some amazing concept going on here!!! I absolutely love it!!! :like: your going to have a very cool kit! ;)
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Jennari on Jul 21, 2021, 03:16 PM
This should help, ner vod. And there's more where that came from if you need references.

(https://i.imgur.com/0GG4zJV.jpg)

Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Aug 17, 2021, 07:03 PM
Ok, back to work on this. Thank you all for your input, definitely has helped with quite a few points I've been considering. One substantial question has just come up and it's a question that might cause a discussion not only for this but also generally for Post-Imp:

(https://i.imgur.com/qsXa9V5.jpg)

Pictured here is the newest iteration of armor  dubbed "Bro Katan" from Marko Makaj, one of the modelers very involved in the scene. Comparing it to the style of plates I'm going for, I'd say this lines up more with the overall look I'm trying to achieve with my armor as a more refined design. I am not entirely sure if this plate system has come up in discussion yet but if it has I'd love a point in the right direction to that thread. I know that custom versions of the existing plates are allowed on a case-by-case basis but figured I'd ask before I print anything. I AM strongly considering both the Bo-style shoulder straps as well as some enlarged and slightly modified versions of the Bo-style shoulders, mainly doing some light cuts to make it more angular like the Bro-Katan chestplate. Any comments, concerns, or suggestions are as always greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Oct 22, 2021, 12:53 PM
Been a bit hasn't it? Handling a couple other projects with this slowly but surely getting finished (I really need to make a WIP thread soon). Anyway, I've gone ahead and made a set of the "bro katan" chest plates as a planned final concept, but if all else fails I do have a set of Beskar style chest plates mostly ready. The thing that I'm currently considering is this:

(https://i.imgur.com/fK8jAXk.png)

Link for the original: https://www.etsy.com/listing/974935120/mandalorian-inspired-thigh-plates-by?ref=shop_home_active_4&crt=1

Another piece by Ryley Ameden at Alter Ego, I think this thigh design mirrored for both legs fits the more hard-edge geometry I'm going for better than the old Din thighs, and the cutouts up top fit with a detail on the helmet. My question right now is any recommendations for those details? I wasn't sure if I'd leave them as they are in the model, do small lights, or fill them in with strips of acrylic, similar to the spot on my rifle stock. Small thing but would appreciate any suggestions!

Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Vercopaanir on Oct 26, 2021, 06:38 PM
The idea of lights in those slots certainly has some appeal. It would really make the armor seem higher tech/cutting edge/ top of the line mando gear.  I also like the idea of acrylics as that would help tie the whole thing together.  I think I'm leaning more towards the second option for the overall look reason.   
Title: Re: Mandalorian "Parade Armor" Concept
Post by: Osprey on Nov 04, 2021, 11:20 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/tUYh928.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oaNQ64f.jpg)

Ignore some of the overspray, but this is one of the rough ideas I'm planning for the mockup and the general idea I'm doing for accent colors:

Basecoat of deep green (Here Montana Black Banknote, though that might change depending on consistency of finish)
recessed areas get a chromed silver to replicate Beskar
Raised accents get a gold finish

This was the general idea I was using to keep it from just being fully painted on and to give it its own flair as opposed to solely ripping the Almec designs. I do want to keep the main color green-so raised sections like on the thigh would remain green, with maybe a thin outline in gold. Other than inevitable better paint work, was wondering if there's anything else that could be considered in this design philosophy. Thanks!