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[Dun'merkin]

Well it's about time I made an actual WIP thread seeing as the kit is about 80% finished....I think. 

I've made up a set of plates which were painted and weathered...just needed the belly and back plate...but since then have been offered a set of Boba plates press-studded to a flak vest - by a guy with a similar build to me- for a half decent price. He's also thrown in a kidney plate and cod piece made to fit a gnome and a back-plate that seems pretty tiny and made from some oddly shaped shoulders.

So now I've got 2 sets of plates...which means I can make 2 kits 

So the boba plates when I got them weren't in great condition...they'd been repainted and had vinyls slapped on badly.  The paint work was very cracked and had a layer of lacquer over both the paint and the vinyls.
So vinyls ripped off and a quick sand down let me basecoat them with silver.  I've only gone for a very light sanding so the cracks in the paint beneath leave a bit of texture behind as I want this to be picked up on when dry-brushed.

Today all the plates have been given a dose of latex and top coat then dry-brushed in aluminium and given a black wash.
The vest has been given a bit of dirt as has the collar and the whole lot has been put on the vest for a trial run.

The chest diamond looks too small for my liking so that will be replaced completely and the plates might need a few bits of velcro to help them sit better(especially the neck plate)....or I need to lose my growing belly.



Not the best pic in the world I admit...I've lost a tripod in the mess of my room somewhere lol

Comments and critique please.

[Echo Darklighter]

Well it's about time I made an actual WIP thread seeing as the kit is about 80% finished....I think. 

I've made up a set of plates which were painted and weathered...just needed the belly and back plate...but since then have been offered a set of Boba plates press-studded to a flak vest - by a guy with a similar build to me- for a half decent price. He's also thrown in a kidney plate and cod piece made to fit a gnome and a back-plate that seems pretty tiny and made from some oddly shaped shoulders.

So now I've got 2 sets of plates...which means I can make 2 kits 

So the boba plates when I got them weren't in great condition...they'd been repainted and had vinyls slapped on badly.  The paint work was very cracked and had a layer of lacquer over both the paint and the vinyls.
So vinyls ripped off and a quick sand down let me basecoat them with silver.  I've only gone for a very light sanding so the cracks in the paint beneath leave a bit of texture behind as I want this to be picked up on when dry-brushed.

Today all the plates have been given a dose of latex and top coat then dry-brushed in aluminium and given a black wash.
The vest has been given a bit of dirt as has the collar and the whole lot has been put on the vest for a trial run.

The chest diamond looks too small for my liking so that will be replaced completely and the plates might need a few bits of velcro to help them sit better(especially the neck plate)....or I need to lose my growing belly.



Not the best pic in the world I admit...I've lost a tripod in the mess of my room somewhere lol

Comments and critique please.

Chest plates and diamond need to come up and in half a hair or so.  Maybe a nice black wash?  Looks like a good start, otherwise.

[Dun'merkin]

It defo needs another black wash...Used up the last of my black on it already but barely got a covering so more is on the cards 

I'm giving serious thought to scrapping that diamond and replacing it completely....I'm not keen on it's size and it's about double the thickness of the rest of the plates.

[Echo Darklighter]

It defo needs another black wash...Used up the last of my black on it already but barely got a covering so more is on the cards 

I'm giving serious thought to scrapping that diamond and replacing it completely....I'm not keen on it's size and it's about double the thickness of the rest of the plates.

Yeah, it could use to be a tiny bit bigger.  A thick diamond does add some depth, though...

[Ref Al'drann]

What are those plates made out of?

[Dun'merkin]

What are those plates made out of?

Plastic.
Best guess is ABS. They are too 'rigid' to be PVC.
Wht was being flagged up in your mind?

[Ronin Tavic]

chest plates need to be brought closer to the center as well. Which will most likely cause a need in trimming the lower vertical piece of them, the "tooth" of it. might need to curve them all a bit more too.

[Ref Al'drann]

Plastic.
Best guess is ABS. They are too 'rigid' to be PVC.
Wht was being flagged up in your mind?

They look flat and might need to be shaped more. Sometimes when plates are flat it's indicative of not approved materials being used. I just wanted to be sure 

[Dun'merkin]

Ok not a prob....I'll work a solution 

[Niabi]

yuuup they are looking very flat vod you really want them shaped a bit to you body shape

[Ashen Kelborn]

Have you got any concept pictures/colour scheme, trying to visualise beyond just the plates?

[Dun'merkin]

Have you got any concept pictures/colour scheme, trying to visualise beyond just the plates?

Hows this for a visual aid



Really needed this shot so I can see it all together myself.
Ok...now what I'm not happy with...

A couple of press studs on the plates gave way...need stronger glue on them to hold them in place...hence the belly plate not sitting well at all. Standing straighter to the camera might help a bit too 

Neck plate needs velcro on the vest at the top. The plate has velcro on but not had a chance to get some on the vest yet.

Boots look too new.

Gloves I'm just not happy with...the yellow leather needs to come off and be replaced...probably with cotton twill same as the boiler suit.

Bucket needs finishing...only had a coat of primer from Saz, a rub down, one layer of white and another rub down so far...I need some calmer weather as I'm spraying outside. (visor isn't fixed yet...just slots in nicely atm)

Back plate is going to be replaced by a cloak...I DO own a backplate but it's so damn uncomfortable to wear.  I've got fabric samples on their way.

Knees are on order from K'raam Xrati.
Gauntlets are coming from Talos Kot.

One last major point that bugs me. Belly. I need a sash or girth of something...oh and to lose some flab. 

Over to you folks...What obvious glaring error have I missed?

[Niabi]

Here we go bud

Shoulders could do with moving up a bit

your plates are still looking a bit flat and are sticking out from your body a bit.

[Ref Al'drann]

Try wearing your belt higher. It will help you look taller and thinner.

[Dun'merkin]

Try wearing your belt higher. It will help you look taller and thinner.

Lol..I'm 6'2  I'll give it a go though 

Here we go bud

Shoulders could do with moving up a bit

your plates are still looking a bit flat and are sticking out from your body a bit.

Not a problem with the shoulder...I can reposition the studs on the back of the plate.

The plate studs are currently mounted on card that is mounted to the plate...I can lose that to pull them in a couple of mm.
Think more studs might help as well...the studs on the outside edges of the plates are miles away from the edge itself...I think that's why they are standing so far out...the centres are close in to the vest.