THE 3 BROTHERS TOGETHER AT LAST! Turning a KO Scar Predator into a Chopper Predator using random and HT parts.

BAMComix wrote:Your work is so inspiring!

Thank you BAM! Well if it encourages anyone to get creative with their spare parts and bits and bobs that must be a good thing for some unclear reason!

Been working on the mas/bio-helmet since I realised it wasn't fully sculpted! I'll need to file back the brow ridge now I can see it's too low (hard to tell until you get a contrasting colour to the visor on it). Not sure about armour finishes in general for this guy going back to the "rusty brown" quote from Xenopedia. The HT one had a rusty brown mask, another set of figures seem to have done it the other way round with Scar having the rusty brown armour which I know is wrong; then there's the classic/easy option of keeping them all 'pristine' silver as a cohesive unit but it's a bit boring. I'll try the rusty brown on all his armour and if it doesn't work for me I'll just change it back.





BEFORE





AFTER











JUST SILVER DRY BRUSHING









ARMOUR COLOUR REFERENCES...OR LACK OF TBH...





BUT DO THE BROWN ON THE CHOPPER PRED

Very cool! I like the diorama set up!

BAMComix wrote:Very cool! I like the diorama set up!

Er...those are reference pictures of a statue I believe, not sure who made it or what size it is.

shovelchop81 wrote:

BAMComix wrote:Very cool! I like the diorama set up!

Er...those are reference pictures of a statue I believe, not sure who made it or what size it is.

Either way, they do look cool! and should make brilliant reference pics for your project .

I'm always impressed seeing your ressearches, references, and parts sourcing, it always makes your projects fascinating to follow

Nice work on that helmet, Alex. The statue references look like a good source to get look and colors right.

BAMComix wrote:

shovelchop81 wrote:

BAMComix wrote:Very cool! I like the diorama set up!

Er...those are reference pictures of a statue I believe, not sure who made it or what size it is.

Either way, they do look cool! and should make brilliant reference pics for your project .

Well they're kind of a mixed up help as continuity and accuracy for this character seems to be all over the place unfortunately.

blackpool wrote:I'm always impressed seeing your ressearches, references, and parts sourcing, it always makes your projects fascinating to follow

Cheers blackpool!

Nice work on that helmet, Alex. The statue references look like a good source to get look and colors right. wrote:

Cheers Stryker! Yeah I'm mostly using the incorrect Scar (has the wrong hands too should have no gloves) armour colour as a guide for my Chopper Pred.

Popped the lens out of the helmet and went to work on it with a scalpel and files to increase the the visibility of the visor making it more movie accurate. Also started 'browning' the armour using rust paint then copper paint, both fine metallic airbrush paints but using a sponge. Next I'll add a sepia wash and see how that works out, probably some light silver dry brushing on edges too.

Very nice work on the helmet (both resculpting and painting) and armor.

GubernatorFan wrote:Very nice work on the helmet (both resculpting and painting) and armor.

Cheers GTF!

Continued painting throughout the night/morning, adding the sepia dark areas around all the ribbing of the armour then sanded back (carefully as the plastic is black) to the silver layers of paint on the high spots (I'd gotten bored of painting at this point which is why I chose this method as it's not any faster) to give a worn down look in these areas where any sort of 'space rust' will have been rubbed away. Overall I think it gives him a bit of a tiger stripe look which works with his biography and connection to Earth:

Chopper was the most careless of his three brothers, and was prone to risk-taking behavior.[7] Despite this trait, as well as being the lightest armored of the three, Chopper's mastery of his Scimitar weapons was supposedly unmatched,[8] unlike Celtic who preferred using his brute strength in combat, or Scar who used his cunning. Chopper constantly yearned for his older brother's approval,[9] and it was seemingly this desire to prove himself that resulted in his gruesome death. Chopper possessed a fascination with the self-destructive nature of Humans, wearing two skulls on his back as a tribute to this sentiment.[10] wrote:

Coincidentally Indian princes used to hunt tigers with just a katar blade in each hand which is reminiscent of Chopper's two 'scimitars' fixed to his wrists.



Antique curved Indian katars (bloody expensive!!)



Paint progress and pretty much finished, the clear coat cans literally arrived now that I'm writing this but I'm knackered and want my bed!

SEPIA











SANDING

The paint work on that armor is excellent. Looks great.

I'm also loving the armor. And interesting back stories. Hope you got some rest.

Stryker2011 wrote:The paint work on that armor is excellent. Looks great.

GubernatorFan wrote:I'm also loving the armor. And interesting back stories. Hope you got some rest.

Thanks guys! Yeah got some sleep. Well I thought it'd be nice for him to have some sort of backstory, most people who even recognise will just think " That Predator that arrived in the pyramid and was killed pretty much straight away..."

The armour was still bugging me, the sepia wasn't enough of a colour gradient for me, it needed a darker shadow to make it more 3D and at the same time blend in better as a shadow. Black paint was too harsh so I used black ink and I'm happier with the results so far, the armour will be clear coated in matte so it contrasts with the glossy body.
Coated the body in gloss as alluded to there just now, including the feet and hands; also got the inked body netting on. In comparison to the other bodies was all the work worth it? Well I think so as I enjoyed doing it But if I hadn't well it still would have been done anyway I just wouldn't do another in a hurry!



REACHED A WORKING COMPROMISE WITH PEPPER, MURPHY COULDN'T CARE LESS AND IS CRASHED OUT BESIDE ME AS USUAL!





GLOSS ON









YAY! PAINT ON JOINTS SURVIVED!









COMPARED TO KO'S WITH PAINTED ON NETTING

Nice to see him nearing completion. I like the body's look compared to the others. I guess there is not much more left other than kitting him up with the armor. Looks great, as does kitty.

GubernatorFan wrote:Nice to see him nearing completion. I like the body's look compared to the others. I guess there is not much more left other than kitting him up with the armor. Looks great, as does kitty.

Cheers GTF! Finished doing the black ink, repainted the helmet as I didn't like the weathering and it's probably something he'd take more care with looking after it. I decided to make him that missing sleeve of netting too. Just need to matte coat all the armour then do that Alien head on a spear if I can finally be bothered.

It's ironic that the body will be glossy but the armor matte, but I guess that's how they designed the look. I wonder if the netting has a practical explanation (in story) -- is it meant to explain how the armor stays on the body?

That is looking excellent. The new paint work is awesome.

Great progress so far and that armor is looking excellent too. It seems that Pepper works for Murphy, while Murphy relaxes Pepper supervises.

GubernatorFan wrote:It's ironic that the body will be glossy but the armor matte, but I guess that's how they designed the look. I wonder if the netting has a practical explanation (in story) -- is it meant to explain how the armor stays on the body?

It's probably more realistic tbh, think sweaty knights, man at arms etc.. in battle weathered armour, not the exact same situation when they start off 'pristine' but will spend 99% of screen time in 'battle mode' and slime covers a bucket full of sins in practical FX! The netting I believe is to do with their invisibility cloak, I guess there could be micro 'illusion emitters' all along the netting itself. The armour is fastened on with straps.

Stryker2011 wrote:That is looking excellent. The new paint work is awesome.

Thanks Stryker!

Theboo-bomb wrote:Great progress so far and that armor is looking excellent too. It seems that Pepper works for Murphy, while Murphy relaxes Pepper supervises.

Cheers TBB! LOL, Murphy would be a slave driver rather than a boss, he can be a real dick!

Fun part to do now the armour has been clear coated!

Cool, thanks for the explanation.

Some extra inspiration -- in general, for Predators.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/52448037_1138309139683742_4593695237943066624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=CamFnBAND3gAX_0JW1r&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0xLaN-qtB-3zSP9XqlNyeQtmL337T8Q5OpwaEjjsyxw&oe=6412C5C1

GubernatorFan wrote:Cool, thanks for the explanation.

Well that's my interpretation and shaky memories from reading the novels (that are adapted form the comics ironically! )

Ah as always the devil is in the details...making 1/6 'glass' red beads out of a clear rod of plastic, fiddly stuff! I could have gone a much easier route of using red plastic wire insulation but I decided to be a masochist and go for the glassy look! I still need to do a little more for the skulls as they are often depicted as being decorated with bits of string and a few beads. Made a connecting mount to display and attach them to the armour securely, I also painted them.



















CHOPPER'S NECKLACE



LEARNING AS I GO, FAR EASIER TO CUT THE BEADS TO SIZE WITH THE JEWELLER'S SAW WHILE THE ROD IS STILL ON THE DRILL BIT, STOPS THEM FLYING EVERYWHERE! ALSO CENTRED THE HOLE BETTER THIS TIME, NOT EASY AS I'M WORKING WITH 3MM OR SO.







TOP RIGHT FROM FIRST ATTEMPT



CELTIC'S DONE NOW TOO





REFERENCE PICS







REFERENCE PICS FOR SKULLS, THESE ALL SEEM TO BE DIFFERENT TAKES ON THEM BY DIFFERENT FIGURE COMPANIES, NO MOVIE STILLS OR PROP PICTURES AVAILABLE.





















WHAT I'M WORKING WITH (STUFF I MADE YEARS AGO)





THANKS...A FAT LOT OF USE YOU ARE MURPHY!

LOL at Murphy

But this thread gave me inspiration to work on my own predator. Already started the little project  

And its nice seeing your progress, even though I have a hard time sometimes to differenciate between promo pics and your pics   Your figure will have a great upgrade

GubernatorFan wrote:Some extra inspiration -- in general, for Predators.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/52448037_1138309139683742_4593695237943066624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=CamFnBAND3gAX_0JW1r&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0xLaN-qtB-3zSP9XqlNyeQtmL337T8Q5OpwaEjjsyxw&oe=6412C5C1

Also very itneresting, thank you!

You are a glutton for punishment indeed. But the "beads" turned out very nicely. Looking forward to the skulls, which are already pretty cool to begin with.

Jesus, Dude! All those tiny beads cut from that rod?! You are indeed a glutton for punishment. Murphy looks cute.

That is some precision work! Truly impressive!
isn't Murphy there for moral support? that what I always think about Oscar, my lab when he watches me work away .

GubernatorFan wrote:Some extra inspiration -- in general, for Predators.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/52448037_1138309139683742_4593695237943066624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=CamFnBAND3gAX_0JW1r&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0xLaN-qtB-3zSP9XqlNyeQtmL337T8Q5OpwaEjjsyxw&oe=6412C5C1

Cheers GTF!

Valiarde wrote:LOL at Murphy

But this thread gave me inspiration to work on my own predator. Already started the little project  

And its nice seeing your progress, even though I have a hard time sometimes to differenciate between promo pics and your pics    Your figure will have a great upgrade

GubernatorFan wrote:Some extra inspiration -- in general, for Predators.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/52448037_1138309139683742_4593695237943066624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=CamFnBAND3gAX_0JW1r&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0xLaN-qtB-3zSP9XqlNyeQtmL337T8Q5OpwaEjjsyxw&oe=6412C5C1

Also very itneresting, thank you!

Great to hear that! Which Predator are you doing? Easy to tell which are my pics, they're of the unfinished figures with loads of (expensive) junk in the background

GubernatorFan wrote:You are a glutton for punishment indeed. But the "beads" turned out very nicely. Looking forward to the skulls, which are already pretty cool to begin with.

Just finished those now.

Stryker2011 wrote:Jesus, Dude! All those tiny beads cut from that rod?! You are indeed a glutton for punishment. Murphy looks cute.

Yeah but it passes the time lol. Poor Murphy's not so good today, can't seem to go to the loo (either way) and refuses to drink water! Put it in with his wet food but he's got wise to that and won't touch it, I can't afford the vet right now either, still has his appetite though so I guess he'll just explode?!

BAMComix wrote:That is some precision work! Truly impressive!
isn't Murphy there for moral support? that what I always think about Oscar, my lab when he watches me work away .

LOL! Nah Murphy's there to sleep and take up room! Oh and usually to be grumpy! Although it's justified today..

Finished Celtic now his necklace and hoses are attached (had to drill a bunch of new holes for both ends of all four hoses for both figures). Chopper's nearly there now, added his necklace and hoses, tarted up his skulls with beads and string, then reattached them higher up on his back. Still needs his staff with or without the alien head though.

SOME CRUMMY QUICK PICS AS AN UPDATE

shovelchop81 wrote:

Valiarde wrote:LOL at Murphy

But this thread gave me inspiration to work on my own predator. Already started the little project  

And its nice seeing your progress, even though I have a hard time sometimes to differenciate between promo pics and your pics    Your figure will have a great upgrade

Great to hear that! Which Predator are you doing? Easy to tell which are my pics, they're of the unfinished figures with loads of (expensive) junk in the background  

I'm doing something else out of my predator entirely, I'm just using it as a base figure. New head, new colors. But far simpler than your works and details. 
Haha gotcha with the pics, I think it is clearer now.

And great update in your nearly finished Predator! 

[quote="Valiarde"]

shovelchop81 wrote:


I'm doing something else out of my predator entirely, I'm just using it as a base figure. New head, new colors. But far simpler than your works and details. 
Haha gotcha with the pics, I think it is clearer now.

And great update in your nearly finished Predator! 

I made Chakaa, the Unas (alien) from Stargate SG1 years ago using a predator body, hands and feet.



I'd show you a picture of the figure but I'm too lazy to get up right now lol.

Cool

Once you have the energy next few days you can show it if you want. no hurry lol