Hi folks, on a budget and not got the set up, space, budget or tools for a top-quality full box build. I'm just doing the front for now.
Got the face from eBay for £30 and really happy with it - very very good likeness and perfect scale.
9mm MDF backboard and sides all cut from one board and only cost £20, cutting was free (nice people)
Couple of 2.5m trusses for back support were £11 the pair.
About £50 spent so far on clamps, glues, saws etc (things most people may already have)
Scaled up and measured a full size tiled print of the front section - which fitted perfectly after building the panel (thank god! my inch to mm conversions were spot on!) Used the usual plan diagram that has been on these forums for ages as my base for the size of the parts and the printout.
Edges were glued with 'No More Nails' (not sure of the US equivalent) and there's a trussed frame behind in attached with NMNs and nails to give it strength.
So next will be to outline the form of Han, and build up a mass of expanding foam. Next, I'll carve the general shape into this, and then either carve the creases directly (depending on how workable I'm finding it) or approximate the form, then use something like paper mache on top to form the accurate shape of the creases and features.
The body of Han is recessed 9mm, so when I think about it, I'll need have 9mm of foam at the base BEFORE I start to carve the features - otherwise when I fill the recess with wood glue, it would sink some of the body edges thus losing correct outline.
Would anyone recommend what I cover the foam/paper mâché shape in to give it decent strength - some kind of fibreglass resin or just PVA glue?
Once the body is done, I'll go down the methane of soaking old trousers and shirt in wood glue and laying it over.
Hands will be alginate/plaster casts
Carbonite effect will be poured wood glue, probably, or some kind of filler. not sure yet.
Tips for what to use for the blended parts like behind the fingers would be appreciated (where Han is 'stretching' the carbonate as his hands reach forward). Obviously I read a lot about Bondo, I understand any kind of UK body-filler should be ok - as in it's accurate to work with and strong afterwards, plus easy to sand and paint.
Painting, will get to that when (if) I get to that stage!
Any tips, comments would be appreciated - or just encouragement - I think the tricky parts are yet to come!
Cheers
Got the face from eBay for £30 and really happy with it - very very good likeness and perfect scale.
9mm MDF backboard and sides all cut from one board and only cost £20, cutting was free (nice people)
Couple of 2.5m trusses for back support were £11 the pair.
About £50 spent so far on clamps, glues, saws etc (things most people may already have)
Scaled up and measured a full size tiled print of the front section - which fitted perfectly after building the panel (thank god! my inch to mm conversions were spot on!) Used the usual plan diagram that has been on these forums for ages as my base for the size of the parts and the printout.
Edges were glued with 'No More Nails' (not sure of the US equivalent) and there's a trussed frame behind in attached with NMNs and nails to give it strength.
So next will be to outline the form of Han, and build up a mass of expanding foam. Next, I'll carve the general shape into this, and then either carve the creases directly (depending on how workable I'm finding it) or approximate the form, then use something like paper mache on top to form the accurate shape of the creases and features.
The body of Han is recessed 9mm, so when I think about it, I'll need have 9mm of foam at the base BEFORE I start to carve the features - otherwise when I fill the recess with wood glue, it would sink some of the body edges thus losing correct outline.
Would anyone recommend what I cover the foam/paper mâché shape in to give it decent strength - some kind of fibreglass resin or just PVA glue?
Once the body is done, I'll go down the methane of soaking old trousers and shirt in wood glue and laying it over.
Hands will be alginate/plaster casts
Carbonite effect will be poured wood glue, probably, or some kind of filler. not sure yet.
Tips for what to use for the blended parts like behind the fingers would be appreciated (where Han is 'stretching' the carbonate as his hands reach forward). Obviously I read a lot about Bondo, I understand any kind of UK body-filler should be ok - as in it's accurate to work with and strong afterwards, plus easy to sand and paint.
Painting, will get to that when (if) I get to that stage!
Any tips, comments would be appreciated - or just encouragement - I think the tricky parts are yet to come!
Cheers