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Collecting => Customs => Star Wars Action Figures => Topic started by: Straxus on July 30, 2006, 02:29 AM

Title: Straxus Customs 6-8-08 Cobra Sand Viper Re-envisioned
Post by: Straxus on July 30, 2006, 02:29 AM
I normally post primarily over at The Jawa, but I need to branch out a bit more. I started customizing arround the end of may this year and just started sculpting about a month ago.

Well today I wanted to give a fourth attempt at this helmet...
I used a cast AT-RT driver helmet with some dremel sanding down on some areas as a base to sculpt on. Partly cause I wanted the front "mouth" area to have some detail in it, and the AT-RT driver helmet had the middle/back detail I wanted included on the helmet (that I did not feel I was ready to sculpt with appropriate detail yet.)
Well here we go with the pics (sorry about all the fingers in pics, needed to hold sculpt support in place.)

(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6335/parjai001rj6.jpg)
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/451/parjai002sa5.jpg)
(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9094/parjai003um3.jpg)
(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6633/parjai004nk6.jpg)
next to the one that ended up too big, as comparison...
(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6062/parjai005qz1.jpg)

After I mold and cast this, I am going to modify a cast one so that I can have a Commander Keller helmet as well. (Sadly I have never read the comic he was in, much less know the name of it, but I see pics from it all over the place.)

I will post a few other things I have done so far in near future...
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Parjai Squad Airborne helmet
Post by: BrentS on July 30, 2006, 10:25 AM
I posted comments over at YakFace.  However, in short, I think you are off to a tremendous start!
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-30 BF2 Clone Engineer Helmet
Post by: Straxus on July 30, 2006, 08:05 PM
Thanks BrentS!
I am now starting on a Clone Engineer helmet, from Star Wars Battlefront2. I will try to post some pics later on this evening (well, evening Pacific time that is...) on that project.
What follows is some of my previous stuff. (The playdoe sculpting attempts have been removed... a bit ashamed of them now, but it was only sculpting media I had to work with up until couple weeks ago...)

What follows is a cut and paste of some of what I posted over at YakFace recently. This is my older stuff, but since I dont have alot of finished (or started enough to take pics of...) I figured I would show these. I eventually plan on redoing the "Bakara" style Utapau troopers with fully articulated body and possibly some armor changes and slight helmet alterations as well.
My Galactic Marine peices I have been working on...
Helmet and pauldron. I am reworking the pauldron soon. I used a cast and sanded down Commander Bakara helmet as a base for this helmet.
(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8484/gmnew001mv6.jpg)

(http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6794/gmnew002yq1.jpg)

(http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/5760/gmnew003fb6.jpg)

(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2553/gmnew004sg8.jpg)

The boots for the Galactic Marine... (used sanded down snowtrooper leg casts as the bast. This is still a work in progress)
I figured my old snowtrooper repaint could help display the sculpted legs.

(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/882/newshoes1ct7.jpg)

(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2926/newshoes2zi3.jpg)

(http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/7266/newshoes3oz6.jpg)

(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9797/newshoes4is0.jpg)

(http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9210/newshoes5sh4.jpg)

(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9986/newshoes6lf7.jpg)

My first custom attempts! Simple repaints.
(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4802/keep15nb.jpg)

(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3771/keep22rv.jpg)

(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/5554/keep31bu.jpg)

(http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3791/keep40yx.jpg)

(http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/6504/keep58we.jpg)

(http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/8909/keep62df.jpg)

UPDATE!!!
Well, wanted to give the Clone Engineer a shot for some time. I finaly felt up to it today. Did alot of game pausing with my Xbox today to try to get some different angles. I pretty much just need to add some detail to the back sides of the helmet.
Let me know what you think.
(http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4592/cloneeng01gl1.jpg)
(http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6170/cloneeng02jk2.jpg)
(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/599/cloneeng03kf6.jpg)
(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1085/cloneeng04yu5.jpg)
(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/7549/cloneeng05kf3.jpg)
(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4733/cloneeng06ps1.jpg)
(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6691/cloneeng07hb1.jpg)
(http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3925/cloneeng08fl1.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-30 BF2 Clone Engineer Helmet
Post by: CloneCommander1 on July 31, 2006, 12:25 PM
That looks amazing!  I really like how much detail there is around the eyes.  Have you considered painting it like commander faie?  Again, great work.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-30 BF2 Clone Engineer Helmet
Post by: CommanderKorbra on July 31, 2006, 02:20 PM
Wow all of these are great sculpts. You've done superb. I also like the Bacara repaints.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-30 BF2 Clone Engineer Helmet
Post by: Straxus on July 31, 2006, 02:27 PM
Thanks Guys!
I probably will eventually. I am going to mold and cast all the helmets I have been working on.
There is a new helmet I have been working on that I just pulled out of the oven (baking the sculpy).
This new (pics soon) is what I had envisioned as the eventual upgrade to my simple Bakara repaints.
It uses a cast Cody helmet as the base (because I wanted the face details and some of the odds and ends) but I sculpted it to have a Bakara like shell arround it as well as a few new details. This will be for my Demolitions/Artillery Clone specialists. Will try to post pics once I get my camera working again. Software issues with camera. (Eventually I will need to get an actual decent digital camera...)

I noticed as I was sculpting the face details on the Clone Engineer, in applying sculpey and flattening it, it looked like a Galactic Marine varient at first. So taking note of that, I will probably make a varient with face covering to supplement future Galactic Marine figures.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-30 BF2 Clone Engineer Helmet
Post by: Glassman6 on July 31, 2006, 05:04 PM
This is really great work Staxus.  Really great!
I really like your clone engeneer.  Cool colors on the bacaras also.
You should give wax sculpting a shot. You get alot of finer details with wax and you look like
you have the tallent.  Kepp up the good work.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-31 Artillery/Demolitions Clone Helmet
Post by: Straxus on July 31, 2006, 06:03 PM
Thank you!
I seriously never thought I would be sculpting like this within a little over a month of starting. I did make the occasional thing out of clay back in high school ceramics, but that was 14 years ago and nothing as small or detailed as what I am currently working with. However the ability to sculpt little bits here and there with sculpy and then bake it and add on more really helps me avoid ruining the project. (As opposed to working all details into sculpt all at once.) I figured I would still be trying how to make a helmet that did not look like a box...

I have heard of wax sculpting, but dont know alot about it. Do you know of any good links for a beginner to get started?
I dont know if I really have talent, but more like benefitial OCD and I am a stubborn workaholic...LOL

Glassman6, when I first started looking into the whole customizing scene, your name seemed to pop up everywhere I looked. To be honest, I have kinda regarded you as one of the great customizing legends out here. To get a compliment from you just made my day even better!  ;D

EDIT- Quick Update before rushing off to work.
Artillery/Demolitions Clone Specialist Helmet
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4045/artclone01km6.jpg)
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5627/artclone02bb5.jpg)
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/736/artclone03uf6.jpg)
(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7483/artclone04on0.jpg)
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9276/artclone05xq1.jpg)
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2489/artclone06jg4.jpg)
Let me know what you think.
Later
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-31 Artillery/Demolitions Clone Helmet
Post by: Phalanxx on August 1, 2006, 10:33 AM
I have to say, your sculpting skills are very impressive.  Its hard to believe you just started customizing.  All the helmets looks great and I'm really liking your Clone Engineer helment.  It looks awesome. 
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-31 Artillery/Demolitions Clone Helmet
Post by: Straxus on August 1, 2006, 11:18 AM
EDIT - Just to make sure, you guys know that I am sculpting on a cast helmet with new details and not 100% from scratch? Just want to make sure everyone knew that. I use the base cast (though usually highly sanded down with a dremel) The Galactic Marine uses a sanded down Bakara head as the base frame work, the Clone Engineer uses a sanded  down stormtrooper cast as a base, the Parjai Airborne helmet uses an AT-RT driver helmet (mainly for "mouth" details) and the Artillery/Demolitions Clone uses a Cody helmet cast. (Though far more of the Cody cast is visible with that sculpt as I wanted those details to show with my sculpts as add ons.) In most cases that base cast as framework is there for something non-mushy for the sculpy to stick to and to help keep my sculpt to scale with other existing clone/stormtrooper helmets.

I did 3d modeling for a game (star trek armada modding) for six years prior to starting this hobby. Though working with clay and 3d modeling on a computer are two different worlds, I know 3d modeling helped me actually think in 3d terms. In reflection of my art from prior to 3d modeling was pretty much limited to a 2d perspective. Meaning I was ok at drawing, but suffered where shading and lighting was concerned. Now I can in my minds eye, see an object rotating at various angles with detail but six years ago my ability to envision such thing was very limited.

I kinda scorched my Clone Engineer helmet in the oven. It looks darker but should still come out just fine once I get it molded and cast. I am waiting till I have about six  helmets sculpted before I start making molds. So about two more to go.

By the way! Cool trick I found for those who do custom Casting. If you get parts that have small bubble holes in the cast part, there is hope! If you have some Sculpey, take a peice of it and lightly rub it over the areas with bubble holes lightly at different angles. This will help fill in the holes. I have to really look hard to find the areas that had bubble holes now! Next step, boil the cast peice to make sure the sculpy hardens.

The last helmet is still being worked on. I need to fix a few things and sand down some of the uneven parts of the "antenna". I used part of a paperclip inside the sculpy to give support for the antenna.
Ugh... just woke up and need coffee desperately.. I appologize if this last post did not make too much sense...
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-31 Artillery/Demolitions Clone Helmet
Post by: Fritzkrieg on August 1, 2006, 03:42 PM
Wow!

Amazing stuff! I can't believe you've only been sculpting for a month. Weather the sculpts are 100% or not Talent like that in undeniable. I am always amazed buy customizers whom can sculpt in this scale with such detail.

Your Praja Trooper's helmet is deffinatly in the Top 3 of all the hand Sculpted Samples I have seen.

The Clone Engineer's Helmet is in the Top 2 of the samples I've seen made.

I like the fact that you've taken the Extra steps on your Galactic Marine to make it more screen accurate. Most of us just repaint a Snowtrooper and call it good enough But , You've gone the extra mile.

Now, your Demolitions/Artilliary  Trooper is the Real Gem of the lot. Not only does your talent for detail Show in this amazing Sculpt, But the Originality of the design makes this one of the Best fan Fic Clones I've seen to date. Any chance of seeing some cast of this helmet being made available to the Customizing Community. I'm sure Glassman could help you with some cating advice.

Impressive Work, I can't wait to see more.

Fritzkrieg
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 7-31 Artillery/Demolitions Clone Helmet
Post by: Straxus on August 1, 2006, 04:38 PM
Sure! I would be glad to get these out for others to use!  ;D
I still need to get my customizing area sorted out more, get more molding/casting supplies and few other things taken care of first before I can do any of that, but it will be in the works.
Glassman's tutorial over at IronCow forums (Thanks go to master_phruby for posting link for me over at The Jawa) has helped me alot! I just wish I had been directed to that link before I screwed up tons of molds...LOL
@Glassman: Thank you!
The Galatic Marine just started out (over at The Jawa forums) as an attempt to make a movie accurate helmet for IncomT65, I just started working on some of the other parts to see if I could do it. (Incom, if your reading this, I am shooting for middle of this month to mail the Galactic Marine parts to you.)

I actually got a few other side projects I am working on, asside from the helmet sculpts.
One project that if successful, will drasticaly assist those who sculpt their own figures and the other one is my AT-TE project. I saw Coeli's AT-TE over at Rebelscum today and about weeped, for it was a thing of absolute beauty! It was the AT-TE I was dreaming of eventually making. (On that note, I just got back from the dollar store looking for parts for my AT-TE, asside from the current box of parts I have been scavenging over the last month for this project.) While I am working out the details for that, I might try working on a "little brother" four legged version of it.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-2 Commander Neyo helmet WIP
Post by: Straxus on August 2, 2006, 07:48 PM
Quick update before I rush off to work.
commander neyo helmet work in progress
(http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/7710/neyo05in6.jpg)
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5417/neyo04di6.jpg)
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6233/neyo03xh0.jpg)
(http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/6416/neyo02ue4.jpg)
(http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/4920/neyo01mu1.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-2 Cmdr Neyo helmet WIP
Post by: Darth_Ennis on August 2, 2006, 09:47 PM
Excellent stuff here. The artillery clone helmet is completely Badass. Id love to have a copy of that. 

Is that out of your head or do you ahve a reference pic for it?

I look forward to seeing more from you.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-3-06: My first head sculpt!!!
Post by: Straxus on August 3, 2006, 01:36 AM
Alot of it is based on sketches I had made as reference images for my GURPS players for some battle armor in an RPG story arc I was running. (For those that dont know, GURPS means Generic Universal Role-Playing System)
If I had a scanner that worked, I would post the image. I might have one somewhere I drew in windows paint, I will have to look and see.

In a month or two I might be set up enough to take orders for some casts. I am just really low on molding/casting supplies right now and I am still rearranging my limited work area. (I sculpt and paint sitting at my computer desk...actually I do most all my work, except molding/casting at my computer desk...)

EDIT - Update 8-3-06: My first head sculpt!!!

I decided tonight would be the night to start my first actual action figure head sculpt. I have done plenty of helmets, but wanted to try to make the heads that would be wearing the helmets.
I started with a baked sculpey neck peg that was a duplicate of the one on an evolutions clone trooper. This will be my standard format peg size for all my future head sculpts to ensure compatibility between all my (eventual I hope) 100% from scratch action figures. 

This sculpt was suppost to be of Temeura Morrison (Jango Fett, Clones)... Cant say that it turned out necessarily looking like him but it did at least turn out looking human! (That was a releif...)
Let me know what you think!
(http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/2453/morrison07hx3.jpg)
(http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2493/morrison08pl8.jpg)
(http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/2615/morrison06yz9.jpg)
(http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/462/morrison05at9.jpg)
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5017/morrison04so2.jpg)
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3835/morrison03kl4.jpg)
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1719/morrison02fz6.jpg)
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4576/morrison01kl7.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-3-06: My first action-figure head sculpt!!!
Post by: CommanderKorbra on August 3, 2006, 03:52 PM
I knew who is was supossed to be as soon as I saw the pics, before I even read the words that were in the post. That's saying something right there.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-3-06: My first action-figure head sculpt!!!
Post by: Straxus on August 3, 2006, 06:02 PM
Really?! I had my doubts as to if it looked much like him. Thanks!
When I mold/cast this, I have some brown pigment to add to the casting resin. If I add just a little bit, it should make the cast look close to Temeura Morrison's skin tone.
After my next head sculpt (It will be a suprise!) I will probably attempt a few female head sculpts, then maybe some aliens.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-3-06: My first action-figure head sculpt!!!
Post by: CommanderKorbra on August 4, 2006, 08:31 AM
Yep :)

Sounds good. I want to see what kind of female heads you can make and what kind of weird aliens you can sculpt heads of. Looks forward to it.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who?
Post by: Straxus on August 7, 2006, 04:21 PM
Update -

Can anyone guess who I am working on? If you cant figure out the face, the accessory (still WIP) should
be a big clue!
(http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7369/icmg01de9.jpg)
(http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/6411/icmg02ih5.jpg)
(http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/9371/icmg03iq2.jpg)
(http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8410/icmg04pe5.jpg)
(http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4738/icmg05co5.jpg)
(http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/15/icmg06uc2.jpg)

I have come to realize...ears are one of the most difficult things to sculpt to look right...
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: starkid500 on August 7, 2006, 04:32 PM
wuher
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: CaptainYoda on August 7, 2006, 04:39 PM
Hey! I figured out who it is! But I dont want to spoil other people's fun in guessing.  At least not until Sundae.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: starkid500 on August 7, 2006, 04:53 PM
Hey! I figured out who it is! But I dont want to spoil other people's fun in guessing.  At least not until Sundae.
pm it to me i wanna know
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: starkid500 on August 7, 2006, 04:54 PM
jango???
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: In Rem on August 7, 2006, 10:19 PM
Biggs
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: Ryan on August 7, 2006, 10:21 PM
Appears to be everyone's favorite frozen treat supplier to me. :)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who?
Post by: Roton7 on August 7, 2006, 10:33 PM
If you cant figure out the face, the accessory (still WIP) should be a big clue!

Taking this into consideration, I believe that Ryan is right!
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: Straxus on August 7, 2006, 11:19 PM
Yeppers! ICMG Willrow Hood. I plan on doing a complete figure as soon as my prototype framework is built (for sculpting body parts).
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: Brisk Arper on August 8, 2006, 04:03 PM
anyone notcied the clue in a post up here^^^^^.....so im going to strawberry split...see you guys!
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: Straxus on August 8, 2006, 04:11 PM
hehe. I did... I just wanted to see if anyone else did as well...
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-7-06: Guess who!
Post by: Straxus on August 16, 2006, 06:29 AM
Time for an update:
A few people on various forums have asked me to show pics when I finaly got arround to molding/casting the helmets... Well here are some! Problem is that I used the last of my supply of mold making stuff (until my smooth-on products arrive later this week) and due to a possible varience in temperature while the mold was curing, I ended up with a few unexpected bubbles. I decided to use the molds anyway to also use up my old supply of TAP casting resin. The Airborne helmets had the most air bubble problems, with the Clone Engineer having the second most. (Though oddly those were the majority of the helmets that turned out well...) The Demolitions Clone helmet prototype sculpt was partially destroyed while attempting to remove from the mold, unfortunate as the mold for it was less than desireable (spelling?). I got a few to (kind of) turn out well, including the antenna. The Galactic Marine had the problem of rarely getting resin into the part of the lower face mask. (I was using one part molds for all these.) I attempted Glassman's process of "cast a removable helmet without dremelling it to death" and had a few successes, but all the failures were to blame on me for getting to rushed trying to do too many things at once.

Ahhh...A trip to the severed head market! Yay!
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3936/helmetcast01rz9.jpg)
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5631/helmetcast02un1.jpg)
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1660/helmetcast03bz3.jpg)

Watcha mean my helmet is too big?!?!!
(http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5357/helmetcast04wa1.jpg)

Cody and friends strut across the catwalk with the newest in clone accessories!
(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/170/helmetcast09af6.jpg)
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7403/helmetcast08ev1.jpg)
(http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6654/helmetcast07pu4.jpg)
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9620/helmetcast06bz1.jpg)
(http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5266/helmetcast05nj0.jpg)

Well I found these casts did not turn out so great, but there is hope that the Smooth-on stuff I am getting will help me make some better casts.
I am also in hopes that since I will be trying out Fixit Sculpt, that I wont lose anymore sculpts to crumbling apart in the mold...That really sucked...
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-16-06: Cast Helmets
Post by: Fritzkrieg on August 16, 2006, 10:20 PM
Looks like your well on your way to producing some amazing original cast. Your sculpts are amazing and the customizing community would benifit much if you made the cast available.

Keep up the great work,
Fritzkrieg
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 8-16-06: Cast Helmets
Post by: Straxus on August 17, 2006, 02:05 AM
I will! I have just wanted to perfect my work a bit before I do... I just did not want anyone getting bubble filled helmets with chunks missing...LOL
The other thing is wanted to do my research and find what would be a reasonable price to charge for the helmets that would cover my cost of supplies but be somewhat consistent with the range of what others charge out there for cast helmets... (That and I need to validate my Paypal for those that prefer that payment method...I would also have to get used to it too...)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 9-16-06: Revised GM helmet
Post by: Straxus on September 16, 2006, 04:16 AM
Here is a copy and paste of an update I gave on another forum. I have not had much opportunity to work on
customs as much as I like, however a small update is better than none I guess...
(I cant beleive its been a month since I did an update...)
Well here are some pics of my re-re-re-reworked Galactic Marine helmet...heheh. (I think its my fifth one...the last one was way too big...)
I have my new Microman Batman posing with it. Figured it was suitable as alot of the microman framework will be used for the Marine's articulation. I dremeled the heck out of a snowtrooper helmet cast to make it hollow. I then filled it with some sculpey to make a smooth layer. I baked the parts till sculpey was solid. Then I sculpted some more over the smooth face area and started carving in to the soft sculpey and then started smoothing it out. I then used an engraving tool attachement for my dremel to carve in the half ring ridge in the back of the helmet section.
pic added as reference to explain what part I am talking about...
(http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3707/gmring1rh6.jpg)
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/185/gmupdt03hy9.jpg)
I have intentionaly left the lower section of the mask thicker and rough as that area may need editing depending on the size of the sculpted torso combined with shoulder pauldron and detachable armor. (The plan is to make the Galactic Marine "cold environment" torso armor fit over a generic type torso like the DS gunner...not sure if I wrote that in an ealier post or not...)
(http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6330/gmupdt01ea1.jpg)
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9687/gmupdt02un0.jpg)
(http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4793/gmupdt04at3.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 9-16-06: Revised GM helmet
Post by: Dressel Rebel on September 16, 2006, 05:56 PM

(http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4793/gmupdt04at3.jpg)

Very nice.  Plan on mass producing these?
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 9-16-06: GM Helmet Reworked
Post by: Straxus on September 19, 2006, 03:32 AM
Most definitely! Though it will be after I have made the entire Galactic Marine sculpt and mass produce it, helmets, equipment, etc... (as in duplicate as well as I can with the limited molding/casting techniques I currently have at my disposal...an injection molding machine would be nice...LOL)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 9-16-06: GM Helmet Reworked
Post by: CloneCommander1 on September 19, 2006, 05:55 PM
Very cool, I sure wish I could do that.  I espically like your work on the mask, just the right amount of folds without making it look wierd.
Nice work!
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 9-16-06: GM Helmet Reworked
Post by: Straxus on November 30, 2006, 08:03 PM
Update 11-30-06
After much much delay I finaly have an update!
I finaly opened up my FIXIT Sculpt and decided to attempt to sculpt the helmet for a new type of clone trooper that I have made a few sketches of... The Fallout Trooper. This trooper is trained and equiped to deal with areas of high radiation fallout and other toxic biohazards. They have a secondary duty of assisting in the reactor cores of capital ships and stations.
The body will be sculpted eventually (hopefully very soon if all goes well)
I still have more I want to do with this helmet. It will have a cowl similar to that of snowtroopers and galactic marines, as it would be part of their Radiation Battlesuit. The gas filter areas on the mask will also have air tubes attached to them. I am waiting to add the tubes and cowl after I have sculpted the body to make sure all fits well.

EDIT- 12-01-06
hmmm the more I look at it I keep thinking maybe I should remove the "mouth" peice and details below it and resculpt something else over that area, kinda like a detailed cover that would look like the cowl meeting the rest of the mask. I am keeping the eye details and the air filter attachements though.

(http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3240/fallout3wv5.jpg)
(http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3971/fallout5ww8.jpg)
(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/8588/fallout4ly4.jpg)
(http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7118/fallout2nm9.jpg)
(http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5701/fallout1mt4.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 11-30-06 Fallout Trooper
Post by: Brisk Arper on December 12, 2006, 07:44 AM
wow that is really good i only just saw this...i dont know how i managed to miss this helmet for so long but hey ive seen it now....any news on our favorite ice cream man?
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 11-30-06 Fallout Trooper
Post by: Darth_Anton on December 12, 2006, 09:44 AM
Impressive stuff Straxus! Great work.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - Update 11-30-06 Fallout Trooper
Post by: Straxus on December 12, 2006, 03:10 PM
Thanks guys!
Well, I have made some slight improvements on scupting faces. I just need a bit more practice then I will give ICMG another shot. The problem right now is that I have for some unknown reason turned into a morning person about a month ago. This is a problem because this sleep schedule does not give me much time to work on anything before I have to go to work, then after work I just fall asleep again. Cant seem to shake this messed up sleep schedule. I hate it, I have been a nightowl for the last 12 years...that is when I get the best work done...
So as soon as my schedule is back on track I will try to finish this project and eventually get back to ICMG.
Title: Straxus' Customs: Update 1-23-07 Helmet Sculpt Updates
Post by: Straxus on January 23, 2007, 05:43 AM
Here are a few pics (sorry still cannot afford a decent digital camera right now)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4756/su12307122mk.jpg)
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6484/su1230711lq.jpg)
(http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2770/su1230727ib.jpg)
(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6725/su1230733hy.jpg)
(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3659/su1230743gn.jpg)
(http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1381/su1230756db.jpg)
(http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/267/su1230767vp.jpg)
(http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9961/su1230770on.jpg)
(http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/3792/su1230783or.jpg)
(http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4408/su1230791ec.jpg)
(http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1143/su12307102yl.jpg)
(http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5848/su12307118wg.jpg)

Due to all the comments for me to keep the face details the same on the fallout trooper the same, I will do so, but that version will become the Fallout Trooper Commander helmet. I sculpted a helmet that more fit my origional sketches for the fallout trooper over one of my Galactic Marine helmet casts.
I am also fixing my old Airborne helmet to start making it more accurate. So far I have started fixing the areas arround the  "mouth" areas to extend out further like they should and I have added the ridge above the visor. I plan on evening out the details on the sides and smoothing out things alot more.
As for the other helmets, one is a work in progress for a Combine Soldier from Half-Life 2 (I may start from scratch as I think I could do alot better on it) and the other one will probably become a Zero-G clone trooper helmet. I actually sculpted it months ago over a Robotech Bioroid helmet. I dont beleive I ever showed pics as I was not that thrilled with it after I was finished, but the other day I molded and cast it and I think I have changed my mind about it.
Let me know what you think.

By the way still working on sculpting frame work but having problems with my hand molds not working right... so its slowing me down.
Title: Re: Straxus' Customs: Update 2-23-07 Updated pics
Post by: Straxus on February 23, 2007, 02:22 PM
OK, that was a long delay getting to posting the updated pics...
I just recovered from being sick...bleh...
So here is what I have at the moment...
Fallout Trooper Commander (left) Fallout Trooper Grunt (right)
(http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8606/upd2230706hu4.jpg)
(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7228/upd2230705zh5.jpg)
(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/8904/upd2230704ts4.jpg)
Imperial Recon Trooper (probably post-Battle of Endor or between ep 3 and 4)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8467/upd2230703jq6.jpg)
(http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3554/upd2230702se6.jpg)
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3139/upd2230701su5.jpg)

Good news is I finaly found a technique to mold/cast tiny articulation parts without distrotion...bad news is my latest molds got warped by a severe temperature change during the curing process and were warped... fortunately the slightly warped molds still give me torso fodder to modify for other projects (with some dremeling of the cast project that is...)

Any suggestions on these?
Title: Re: Straxus' Customs: Update 2-23-07 Updated pics
Post by: Deanna Rash on February 23, 2007, 09:52 PM
 ;D ;D Looks Great to me!!!
Title: Re: Straxus' Customs: Update 2-23-07 Updated pics
Post by: Straxus on April 17, 2007, 05:44 AM
Here are two (of about five or six) helmets I have been working on. These two are pretty much done at the moment other that some very fine detailing and then mold/cast.
The one on the right is a revised Fallout Trooper grunt helmet based on the hasbro galactic marine helmet cast. (My previous Fallout trooper was based on my galactic marine scult...too big...)
The one on the left is going to be for a Medic Clone. I have been sketching up ideas for the armor and accessories. This is one I am really focused on right now. I chose the Airborne helmet as a base for this sculpt mainly as the first time I saw ROTS, I thought the airborne trooper was a medic clone. (I realized later they were not.)
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2281/apr1705wo2.jpg)
(http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9438/apr1706si0.jpg)
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6003/apr1707fh4.jpg)
(http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6771/apr1708tw3.jpg)
(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9481/apr1709cc5.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus' Customs: Update 4-17-06 two more helmets
Post by: Glassman6 on April 17, 2007, 10:28 AM
Said the same thing on scum but These are amazing Straxus, simply amazing. The concept is cool , the sculpting is very detailed and they just look cool.

Amazing! 
Title: Re: Straxus' Customs: Update 4-17-06 two more helmets
Post by: Straxus on April 17, 2007, 06:51 PM
Thanks!!!
I got big plans for the medic. Still sketching up some of the details, however I plan on a totaly new body armor (a bit lighter than standard clones, thinking more like Biker Scout armor in coverage) I am also going to be making some medical accessories as well.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 4-19-07 Imperial Field Medic Helmet
Post by: Straxus on April 19, 2007, 09:40 AM
I was working on a few things tonight and decided to try making an Imperial Field Medic Helmet.
Not sure if I went overboard on the helmet gadgets and all...
(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7898/impmediciv4.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 4-19-07 Imperial Field Medic Helmet
Post by: Darth_Ennis on April 20, 2007, 03:47 PM
Looking good so far Straxus. Medics are and essiential element to any army, and sadly missed in the SW universe.

I really like what you have done so far, and I look forward to seeing him finished.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 4-29-07 IG-42 "The Cleaner" Droid
Post by: Straxus on April 29, 2007, 07:12 PM
This figure is my entery into the Yakfinities "Star Wars Janitors" Contest this month.
I borrowed a digital camera from a friend, however it still does not take the best up close pictures...

IG-42 "Cleaner" Droid "X1 Prototype"
(http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7646/ig42bigby3.jpg)

The IG-42 model was initially designed to act as General Grevious's personal guards. Similar features were incorporated into the design as in the General's mechanical body. The CIS, composed of corporate alliances, are all about saving a few credits, so the idea was design a droid incorporating existing parts, making it more cost effective in the long run of mass producing an entire series as opposed to just being tooled up for one customer (Grevious). In the test run of IG-42-X1, it was determined it was designed too well... It proved to be too intelligent and adaptive to be suitable as a body guard. Not to waste a droid the CIS assigned it to clean up duty. General Grevious seeing the full potential of this droid personaly over saw an upgrade of its programming to incorporate assassination and cover up protocals. Its cover is a clean up droid, however it was cleaning up more than just the streets. The General himself did not have enough time to deal with all of his "annoyances" within the CIS beuracracy as he was in the field of battle alot. IG-42 was his hand to eliminate threats quickly and quietly. In time the droid started to become more sadistic. During the Clone Wars, IG-42's favorite past time when not on an assassination mission was to go onto a recent battlefield looking for Clone Troopers who were barely left alive and use his specially designed corrosive to melt them alive. The special blend of toxins it carries not only dissolves flesh but is also designed to melt down most the parts of the clone trooper armor as well. IG-42, due to its assasination protocals and adaptive programming was able to ignore the droid shut down commands at the end of the Clone Wars.
It continues its sadistic glee of melting bodies on battlefields, pretending to be part of the local clean up crew. IG-42 takes out contracts to clean up messes.
Rumors on outerrim imperial bases whisper of lone patrols of stormtroopers who occasionaly disappear. The stories speak of the sadistic droid who missed the days of "cleaning up" Clone Troopers and relives those moments by melting down stormtroopers.

(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/491/ig42d7zh4.jpg)
(http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8026/ig42d6nc0.jpg)
(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8868/ig42d5tz8.jpg)
(http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3585/ig42d3wf8.jpg)
(http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8125/ig42d2an4.jpg)
(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2747/ig42d1ym4.jpg)


Yes "Talk Droid", take me to your friends...the flesh creatures I am so fond of...liquidating...
(http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8555/ig42talkdroidne4.jpg)
IG-41"X1" eager for fresh victims, decides to save his corrosive cleaning chemicals and forces the protocal droid to lead it to a new chorus of screams to please his audio receptors. The corpse is left laying arround for him to clean up a little later...
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2703/victim1ch5.jpg)
(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2006/vicitm4bm3.jpg)
(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9135/vicitm3nz6.jpg)
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5839/victim2uo5.jpg)


The parts are as follows:
Body - General Grevious
Dome Head - Cast of a roller from an Epson printer
Skull Face - Cast of a skull ring I had kicking arround
Dome and Face eyes and sensors - articulation points from a battle droid, some parts are from a microman hand.
Horn on Skull - thumb from a battle droid.
Trenchcoat is from a 21C  action figure
Tubing and Springs were from a necklass kit from Wal-Mart
Backpack dispenser - Battledroid torso
Backpack Canister - Two different super glue caps glued together
The skull face is attached to the dome head via a cast of a microman shoulder socket, allowing the face to move left and right as well as up and down independent of the dome head it is attached to.
The dome head is attached to the body via a microman "karate chop" hand that was cut down.
The neck area was dremmeled down and resculpted up to allow for the micro man hand socket to interface in giving the dome head the option of turning left and right as well as looking up and down.
Its sad, but collectively the Head of this action figure has alot of articulation points.
The feet are from a battle droid and the back fin parts of the feet/legs are from battledroid limbs.
The elbow points are from a "devil man" microman figure. The elbow spikes are from a battledroid's limbs.
I used the round areas were the articulation pegs went on the battle droid to act as connector points for the tubes on this figure.
The "Liquidator" gun is made from a Leonard Corps gun, a 80s GI. Joe shotgun and two cast copies of canisters from 21C action figure accessories.
Some of the round parts on arms and legs to hold the tubing in place are nylon spacers from ACE Hardware.

The victim is as follows:
Clone Tank Gunner body including arms and upper legs.
Lower Legs are from Commander Cody
Helmet is a cast of an Airborne Trooper helmet that did not turn out right, so I painted it up as battle damaged.
The head is a cast clone head that I dremeld away one side and sculpted in skull features and tried to give it the effect of flesh and armor being bubbled and melted away from the head and body.
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 6-20-07 Alot of helmets, most WIP...
Post by: Straxus on June 20, 2007, 03:37 AM
Well after much delay here is an update.
Here is alot of stuff in the works. I have had a few delays getting stuff done, but hopefully it will be finished soon.

Kitbash Blaster
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5540/jun1935zn6.jpg)
(http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/995/jun1936ta6.jpg)

Engineer (left) 41st Elite (right)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3418/jun1931oa3.jpg)
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3736/jun1932hd1.jpg)
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5523/jun1933cv9.jpg)
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7671/jun1934ji9.jpg)

Two helmets based off AT-RT Driver Helmets
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8122/jun1927zb2.jpg)
(http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/518/jun1928sw2.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3524/jun1929tj5.jpg)
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7138/jun1930id8.jpg)

Cold Environment Engineer, Strogg head, revised Artillery/Demo expert
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5549/jun1924qg0.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2949/jun1925fa5.jpg)
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8750/jun1926er0.jpg)

Heavy Vehicle Driver Helmet and Helmet in the works for Hawkeye
The helmet on the right will have flip up visor and the gas mask section is designed
too kind droop over the torso but due to helmet design the helmet can still be posed and be on the action figure head. I still got alot of fine tuning to do on this helmet.
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3167/jun1921aq2.jpg)
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5779/jun1922im5.jpg)
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3301/jun1923hf2.jpg)

Demolition helmet (left) and Imperial HALO/Airborne trooper helmet (right)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4053/jun1917cp7.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8051/jun1918dn0.jpg)
(http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3759/jun1919ag9.jpg)
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/786/jun1920wq3.jpg)

Occupation Police Clone Helmet (left) and (purpose to be determined) (right)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1191/jun1915kq1.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7310/jun1916tn8.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 6-20-07 Alot of helmets, most WIP...
Post by: Glassman6 on June 20, 2007, 10:54 AM
Excelllent work straxus. I love all the detail you put into your sculpts.
I would love a cast of your clone engineer helmet if you make them available to the public.
I have been putting off sculpting my own for over a year.

All of them are great!
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 6-20-07 Alot of helmets, most WIP...
Post by: David on June 20, 2007, 11:01 AM
I think you may have overdone couple of those helmets but the rest are amazing, great work! I especially like the accurate Elite Corps helmet.  8)
Title: Re: Straxus's Customs - 6-20-07 Alot of helmets, most WIP...
Post by: Straxus on June 20, 2007, 11:56 PM
Thanks guys!

Glassman, I sent a IM to you regarding this over at RS. I will check back there next after this reply here.
 
Robo-Quack, which ones look over-done? (Other than the Imp HALO, I intended that to be over the top...)
 I did a little more work on the Elite last night, but its still missing the little "button" shapes at the bottom front of the helmet. I had almost forgotten them...
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-18-07 41st Airborne Trooper
Post by: Straxus on September 18, 2007, 08:42 AM
First off, I was inspired by the art in this link:
http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4183/41st1bl.jpg (http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4183/41st1bl.jpg)
This is a simple repaint, but one I wanted to do for some time.
I think I either used too much Dull Cote or I have way too many lights in my room.

(http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5892/41stairborne1bt7.jpg)

(http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9757/41stairborne2hl7.jpg)

(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1159/41stairborne3dp3.jpg)

(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8426/41stairborne4fp6.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Ahntek the Gand Mandalorian
Post by: Straxus on September 30, 2007, 03:14 PM
My entry for The Sith Empire website's "Mandalorian" Contest this month...

Ahntek the Gand Mandalorian

(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3653/gmando1aq8.jpg)

(http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4910/gmando2bg5.jpg)

(http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3836/gmando3rz3.jpg)

(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6615/gmando4gi1.jpg)

(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2464/gmando5wq3.jpg)


The CIS "Cleaner" IG-42 has underestimated this Mandalorian...
(http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3806/gmando6fj9.jpg)

Recipe:
Head: Custom sculpt over a cast of a Zuckuss head.
Neck Brace: TAC Darth Vader
Tubes: From Wal-Mart Neckless kit
Shoulder Armor/Braids/Cloth: POTF Boba Fett (I think...)
Upper Torso: TAC McFett
Arms: TAC McFett
Hands: POTF Zuckuss, glued to the ball of a push pin to allow more movement.
Flame Burst: TAC McFett
Upper Belt: TAC Vader Belt
Loincloth/Harness/Pouches: Cut from POTF Zuckuss robe
Lower Torso: Combination of the Following:
   *TAC Vader mid torso connection peg
   *Cast of a Microman Devil Man Hip Section
   *Cast of some transformer connector pegs (that also fit microman leg connectors.)
Upper Legs: Saga Boba Fett modifed to have microman hip socket connectors for more
   leg articulation.
Knees: Articulation point from one of the Saga Darth Vaders (cant remember which)
Lower Legs: Cast of POTF Zuckuss legs with the feet resculpted.
Backpack: Cast of TAC McFett backpack with AT-AT Driver breathing apparatus attached
   with some sculpted details.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: Straxus on October 1, 2007, 01:21 AM
This is my entry for this months Yakfinities contest, Crime Bosses:

Xhan the Golden, Gand Crimelord

A crimelord in the outer rim territories, Xhan became known as the "Golden" after
years of abusing his body with Kessel Spice and some other exotic drugs (known
mainly to remote Gand colonies..) began to turn his eyes golden. He began adding
golden accents to his clothing to make his cloths match his eye color.

(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2719/xhanthegolden2bk6.jpg)
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/876/xhanthegolden1po9.jpg)
(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1125/xhanthegolden3la0.jpg)
(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2974/xhanthegolden4nz9.jpg)

Xhan discusses business with Ahntek, gand to gand...
(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4918/xhanthegolden5ud5.jpg)

Xhan personaly tortures one of his minions for being late with a spice shipment.
(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4717/xhanthegolden6wr1.jpg)

Recepe:
Head: POTF Zuckuss
Neckless Bling: Waist Bling from Saga Sun Fac
Upper Torso: Modified cast of POTF Zuckuss with new attachement sockets and
   Galactic Marine neck peg.
Belt, Lower Torso, Upper Legs: Death Star Gunner
Lower Legs: Comic Pack Obi-Wan Lower Arms.
Feet: Sandtrooper
Coat: POTC swan coat
Drug/Amonia rebreather pack: SAGA Firespeeder Pilot
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: Phrubruh on October 1, 2007, 01:20 PM
Very cool looking figure. I like all of the accessories. I've been trying to figure out what to do with Swan's coat for a while now. Beware of clicking on the pictures though. It brings up a popup for a porn site. It's amazing that popup got thru my company's filters.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: Straxus on October 1, 2007, 05:30 PM
My picture link brought up a porn site?!?!?!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: patreektherodian on October 1, 2007, 08:15 PM
click on any of the pics and you get a weird pop up
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: DSJ™ on October 1, 2007, 08:56 PM
The Imageshack Pop Ups were blocked on my PC, I'm using IE & have a Pop-Up Stopper. If I allow the Pop Ups which I did, I get Party Poker but no prOn pops but no doubt they are out there. Beware as these Pop Ups may download Spyware.

Might be best to host the pics on Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/), just a thought. Better safe than sorry.  :)

BTW, nice customs.  8)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: Darth_Anton on October 2, 2007, 12:11 PM
I've commented on your latest figs over at RS, but this is the first time I've seen your helmet sculpts and I have to say that they are simply stunning. Kudos.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 9-30-07 Gand Mandalorian and Gand Crimelord
Post by: Straxus on October 3, 2007, 02:34 AM
I dont use the thumbnail option that often. I think I will just go to standard pics from now on.
I am so so sorry for any pop ups and stuff anyone got. I want you all to know I dont know how this is happening and I will kill the current links and change them to standard pics.

Thanks Darth_Anton!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 11-16-07 Mandalorian: Pink the Fabulous!
Post by: Straxus on November 16, 2007, 09:30 AM
Introducing possibly the most terrifying Mandalorian ever!!!

PINK THE FABULOUS!!!

(http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1381/pinkfabulousrg2.jpg)

So titled the "Fabulous" due to the unholy redecorating this Mandalorian warlord unleashes upon conqured worlds!!!

After trying three different cameras I realized that the true brilliance of the pink of this figure could not be captured, only emulated with the help of paint shop pro. To truly comprehend how pink this figure is in person, image the sun as the color pink and stare into it until you are blind!!! (I have been seeing pink for the last two days everytime I close my eyes after painting. No joke!)

(http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8863/purplerocketuh2.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 11-16-07 Mandalorian: Pink the Fabulous!!!
Post by: Phrubruh on November 16, 2007, 12:31 PM
Now I'm scared. You don't see alot of pink in the Star Wars universe. He needs a feather boa to accent the color scheme. I think this color scheme would look interesting on the EE female Mandalorians whenever they come out.

When the heck is someone around here going to make Pink Five?!!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 11-16-07 Mandalorian: Pink the Fabulous!!!
Post by: jedipurge on November 19, 2007, 12:39 PM
 :'( My eyes they burn with PINK!!!!  This actaully looks really great Straxus, and would look better with R2-KT droid next to him/her/whichever.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 11-16-07 Mandalorian: Pink the Fabulous!!!
Post by: patreektherodian on November 19, 2007, 02:25 PM
I believe Aerosmith has a song called Pink. This would be a good theme song for your Bunty Hunter.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: Straxus on December 12, 2007, 11:00 AM
Well dont have access to the digital camera I was borrowing so I am back to the creative webcam...  :P

This is my 212th Combat Medic
(http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/503/strax19qx9.jpg)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1015/strax18di5.jpg)
(http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6694/strax17ct5.jpg)
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1750/strax16rg5.jpg)
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5915/strax15xg0.jpg)
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7032/strax14jm1.jpg)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/2818/strax13oq3.jpg)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7397/strax12cx7.jpg)
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8854/strax11nq6.jpg)
(http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/2992/strax1pn3.jpg)

Sorry about the crappy pics. Its the best I can do, my webcam takes better pics than my digital camera...


Parts:
Body - Saga Legends Biker Scout
Lower Arms - Clone Trooper
Lower Legs - Concept McFett
Paldron (or whatever its called) - Galactic Marine
Pouches - 21C figure accessories
Saw - Mediviper
Head - Heavily Modified AlyoshaSurgeon (http://www.alyoshascorner.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=121)
Helmet -  Strax-Helm 02 (http://goodtogocustoms.com/depot/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=693)
Paint used - Citadel/Games Workshop
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: Phrubruh on December 12, 2007, 12:20 PM
Now that is cool! I love the color scheme and the head. I wonder if there are any more of those Strax-Helm 02 left at G2G. You've outdone yourself with this one.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: jedipurge on December 12, 2007, 12:32 PM
Wow that awesome Straxus, as if the fig itself isn't bada$$ it takes the cake with your custom helmet.  The only thing I'd add is maybe a holster for a blaster pistol, though I'm sure he spend most of his time saving his fellow brothers I can't imagine going into a battlefield unarmed or carrying something as big as a carbine.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: Straxus on December 12, 2007, 10:48 PM
I have a holster I cut off a stormtrooper a while back, I might add that (with a few mods) to carry a pistol.
Master_Phruby, gtg does casting by request now, so it will be available! (if the link disappears it means they are making a new mold of the origional sculpt cause the old mold gave out.)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: Straxus on December 13, 2007, 08:40 AM
Since I was asked on another forum about the paint colors I used to make the 212th "Utapau" trooper color, here goes:

I painted the first layer of orange with games workshop "Blazing Orange" first, then final layer with "Fiery Orange". The pouldron was just painted with "Fiery Orange" alone to give it a slightly brighter look and not blend too much with the armor. (Wanted it to still look like the pouldron was over armor not part of it.)

Here are some closeups of the face.
(http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4122/strax1ci6.jpg)

(http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4508/strax11uj9.jpg)

(http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4713/strax12np4.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 12-12-07: 212th Combat Medic
Post by: Straxus on February 13, 2008, 11:58 PM
Just got the pics sent to me this evening! My girlfriend's mother's boyfriend is big into photo stuff and took these pics for me!
IG-42 "Cleaner" Droid
(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6797/dscf6753snj5.jpg)
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6485/dscf6754sfu8.jpg)
41st Elite Combat Medic
(http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2300/dscf6757sft7.jpg)
(http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9775/dscf6763sza6.jpg)
212th (Utapau) Combat Medic
(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3862/dscf6759sqe4.jpg)
(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3756/dscf6760sss6.jpg)
Pink the Fabulous
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3058/dscf6761sdp0.jpg)
(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/991/dscf6762sze1.jpg)
41st Elite Airborne Trooper
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1958/dscf6765sie4.jpg)
(http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7397/dscf6766sub9.jpg)
Shaak Ti "The Force Unleashed"
(http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8222/dscf6768spj8.jpg)
(http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4237/dscf6769svm7.jpg)
(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1517/dscf6770six9.jpg)
(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/479/dscf6773onsor3.jpg)

Here is a new helmet I have been working on.
Imperial Airborne Trooper Helmet Sculpt
(with Republic Airborne Trooper for comparison.)

(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8262/02080sa6.jpg)
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5738/02081jn9.jpg)
(http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7574/02082ti0.jpg)
(http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2774/02084kf2.jpg)
(http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7332/02085bg6.jpg)
(http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4763/02086ij2.jpg)
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1665/02087zt5.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-13-08 High Quality Pics and new helmet
Post by: Dressel Rebel on February 14, 2008, 05:48 AM

Whooo.  I love me some of that 41st Elite medic, Utapau as well.  Breathtaking!

(http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4237/dscf6769svm7.jpg)

I'll be right back.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-13-08 High Quality Pics and new helmet
Post by: Brisk Arper on February 17, 2008, 10:14 AM
anyone else get as scared as i am right now?......wierd comment LOL


seriously thoguth dude those are some VERY sweet customs the imperial airborne is a great idea...may take a look at that idea myself! well done!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-13-08 High Quality Pics and new helmet
Post by: Straxus on February 25, 2008, 11:42 PM
...and some more!
The Abomination of Raxus Prime
(My entry for this months Yakfinities Cross Breeds contest)
Just prior to the Clone Wars, Count Dooku, experimented with his new sith talents taught to him by Palpatine. He collected specimens for a dark hybrid program. After a number of experiments, one succeeded. The Abomination was a created by the merging of Gand, Quarren, Aqualish, Tweilek and Geonosian physiology. The creature at first was very primal. As it turned out, due to some odd chance the creature developed a way of absorbing knowledge and memories from victims it consumed. By the time of the Clone Wars it had developed a suprisingly impressive intellect and shown force sensitivity. Keeping to the code of the Bane, the creature was not taught in the ways of the Sith and its secrets, but however given a twisted and limited knowledge of jedi techniques. The Abomination was locked away in stasis hidden somewhere on Raxus Prime. It was to be released if anything ever happened to Dooku. When word eventualy made it back to CIS agents still on Raxus Prime the creature was unleashed. It slayed and consumed most the organic CIS agents and destroyed the Droids. Upon the deactivation of the droid armies, The Abomination went about reactivating a number of them to serve him and with the resources of a world of junk, built his own double bladed light saber.
Many beleive the creature to just be a legend. The sentients of Raxus Prime know better...
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2162/abominationpq1.jpg)
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7647/dscf6781sql6.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4831/dscf6782sbo8.jpg)
Ahntek the Gand Mandalorian
This was my entry for the Sith Empire.net Mandalorian Contest
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8983/dscf6783szk3.jpg)
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3237/dscf6784shp5.jpg)
Xhan the Golden
This was my entry for the Yakfinities Crime Bosses Contest
I forgot a couple accessories when I grabbed him for taking over to get pictures taken. So minus the Spice inhaler and coat.
(http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/3257/dscf6791cropshs6.jpg)
SOK-118
This droid was being worked on as an additional entry in the Yakfinities Force Unleashed but didnt make it in time. It was a security droid on Raxus Prime. I tried to show the damage, rust and weathering it suffered in the toxic environment.
The head is a custom sculpt and the torso is modified.
Base figure was a 4-LOM
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7275/dscf6789cropsov6.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/490/dscf6790cropsep4.jpg)
Styshia Rathus
A character I plan on making a few variations of in the future.
Cover story is former Imperial Officer who resigned and formed a mercenary group. In truth was recruited by the ISB (Imperial Security Bureau)
Still working on this figure
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7141/dscf6785cropsmd7.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8901/dscf6786cropsir9.jpg)
This is Styshia's droid a heavily modified RA and CZ hybrid.
RAZ-1X
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5892/dscf6787cropsuk6.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5646/dscf6788cropsop2.jpg)
Battle Droid Warlord (name yet to be determined)
...and Raxus Prime Junk Golem Steed
This droid was rebuilt by The Abomination on Raxus Prime. It serves as one of his main warlords.
Still working on the droid. The backpack is from a Armored Core kit, the flame is from a Marvel Legends Figure and the Robotic Bird thing is a Techno-Spawn figure that I found at a toy store on clearance. I figured it would serve as a good steed in the toxic junk wastelands.
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/950/dscf6792handcropsdj8.jpg)
the photographer did a good job editing my hand out of the pic!
(http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6419/dscf6792nohandcropsma5.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-25-08 High Quality Pics (more added)
Post by: Darth_Anton on February 26, 2008, 09:16 AM
Every one of those is just amazing!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-25-08 High Quality Pics (more added)
Post by: MetalJedi on February 26, 2008, 09:30 AM
The Gand Mando is awesome! I want one.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-25-08 High Quality Pics (more added)
Post by: jedi_master_sal on February 28, 2008, 02:31 PM
The Gand Mando is awesome! I want one.

Yeah, that's TOP NOTCH.

I like the battle droid too. I'd like to see that one by itself standing in a pic.


You got skills man!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 2-25-08 High Quality Pics (more added)
Post by: Straxus on February 29, 2008, 03:11 PM
Thanks guys!
I will try finishing that battle droid this weekend and drop it off on sunday with the photographer. Will arrange some standing pics!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 3-2-08 Playing with new Camera!
Post by: Straxus on May 3, 2008, 04:31 AM
Curses, I forgot to take picture of battle droid standing by itself, will try to do that soon.

Well got my new camera today and decided to take some pics for fun and of some of the customs I have done that no one has seen yet.

Some of my favorites customs taking a ride on my new AAT.
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4127/tankfun2ei0.jpg)
(http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2968/tankfun1tu8.jpg)

Some new droids. Two just simple CZ repaints and another modified.
(http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/813/newdroids01ls1.jpg)
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7249/newdroids02mb0.jpg)

212th Utapau Speeder Bike Patrol Trooper
(sadly I lack a speeder bike for him...)
(http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8185/212thbarc01sl3.jpg)
(http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8241/212thbarc02vi0.jpg)
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5776/212thbarc03lj3.jpg)

Hopefully in a little while I will have had enough experience with the camera to take even better pictures.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 3-2-08 Playing with new Camera!
Post by: jedipurge on May 6, 2008, 12:01 PM
WHOA Strax those are truley awesome.  Definately need a solo pic of the battle droid.  Biker looks great I think he needs some dirtying though, but that's just my taste for troops.

Finally a better/clearer pic of your medic he looks even more fantstic then previously thought.  Now the challenge will be to go back and retake pics of your customs, because this new camera really does them justice.

The CZ repaints are really great as well.  What type of paint are you using on them?  And do you have a problem with the paint chipping on joints?

On a side note have you heard anything for GTG.com?  I know that you had a couple helmets up over there just wondering if they were still going to be back in business.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 3-2-08 Playing with new Camera!
Post by: Phrubruh on May 6, 2008, 01:18 PM
Cool set of customs there. I like the CZs the best. What camera did you buy? Have you been playing with some of the more manual settings of the camera?
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 3-2-08 Playing with new Camera!
Post by: Straxus on May 6, 2008, 11:46 PM
@jedipurge: I have not moved the CZs arround much after painting/sealing them yet so dont have much to report yet on the chipping.
I do need to dirty up the biker. Fortunately I have not sealed him yet, so I can add some Utapau dirt to him! Got a special brew already mixed up for the style of dirt/weathering for these guys! (just need to apply it.)
As far as goodtogo, they are now  trigatecreations  (http://www.trigatecreations.com)
Their store for the new site is up though they will no longer be doing repos or my helmets. They are doing mainly "3060" as far as I know.

@Master_Phruby: The camerais a Kodak EasyShare C813, 8.1 MP. I have not had much chance to do much more with it lately though I didnt have to do to much with it to take decent pictures. The pics I took in the post above was done without doing much with the settings. I can only imagine how well the pics will look when done with the right settings and proper lighting!
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 3-2-08 Playing with new Camera!
Post by: Darth Depressis on May 12, 2008, 10:45 AM
i'am personally amazed by your troops, i haven't seen a pair of clone/stromies customs that i like, in well ever.  congrats on that front.

i'm also in awe of your aliens and droids. great paint apps all around.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 5-15-08 Imperial Cold Environment Special Ops
Post by: Straxus on May 16, 2008, 12:07 AM
Thanks!

Well here is my lastest:
Imperial Cold Environment Special Ops
(name to be determined)

(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9821/snocom1tw0.jpg)
(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5633/snocom2wn9.jpg)
(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6813/snocom3ap9.jpg)

These were the "before kama" pics.
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5240/snowcom5dg7.jpg)
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3103/snowcom4of7.jpg)
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8619/snowcom3ah7.jpg)
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3418/snowcom1tk4.jpg)

I was suprised to see that camera could zoom in this close and reveal the eye details that I need to fix!
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4158/snowcom2wp9.jpg)

Recipe:
Head - DS Gunner
Helmet - Jin Roh Helmet (Thanks John!)
Upper Torso, Upper Arms, Kama - VTAC Snowtrooper
Lower Arms/Hands - McQuarrie Concept Snowtrooper
Lower Torso, Upper Legs - TAC Kashyyk Trooper
Lower Legs - Galactic Marine
Backpack - Galactic Marine
Rifle - GTG Blasterman rifle
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 5-15-08 Imperial Cold Environment Special Ops
Post by: Darth_Anton on May 16, 2008, 09:12 AM
Incredibly unique! Excellent work.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 5-15-08 Imperial Cold Environment Special Ops
Post by: jedipurge on May 16, 2008, 11:26 AM
That's one hell of a recipe Stax, and it looks great.  The helmet though not heard of that what is it?  Rifle looks like it could go the distance, new I should've gotten stuff from GTG before they went out of the SW business.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 5-15-08 Imperial Cold Environment Special Ops
Post by: Straxus on June 8, 2008, 05:53 AM
Ok its not star wars but uses a few star wars parts!
This has been a nice branch out from just doing star wars customs all the time.

25th Anv. Sand Viper Re-envisioned
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/38/sandviper01ym6.jpg)(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9544/sandviper02ux6.jpg)
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7348/sandviper03qn1.jpg)(http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7421/sandviper04rr3.jpg)
(http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5016/sandviper05oc5.jpg)(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6153/sandviper06nz2.jpg)

Recipe:
*Upper/Lower Torso and Legs - 25th Buzzer
*Upper Arms - Saga Sandtrooper
*Lower Arms - Legends Biker Scout
*Head - Modified Alyosha head sculpt (sculpted cobra mask)
*Accessory Pack - Combination of 21 Century accessory, Scorch     accessory incorporated into a sculpt.
*Rifle - from a BBI figure.
*Helmet - sculpted from scratch save for the paperclip antenna and the gasmask which was part of a Saga Boush Force Pike.
*Belt - Cast from a Darth Vader belt (cant remember version.)
*Everything Else - Sculpted.

About the design:
I liked the standard viper faceplate and wanted something like that in this design. Added the goggles in the same theme.
The cloth sculpting on the back of helmet is just more decorative than anything.
The gas mask was incorporated since I figured these guys would be using various biological and chemical weapons on enemies.
Torso Armor, tried to keep some of the design of the origional Sand Viper but wanted to incorporate a series of heatsink/air vents for a integrated cooling system built into the suit.
Alot of the over-all design was inspired by various art from some Heavy Gear role playing game books.

Other stuff I have been working on...
(http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5619/stuffyv0.jpg)
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 6-8-08 Cobra Sand Viper Re-envisioned
Post by: Darth_Anton on June 8, 2008, 09:50 AM
More awesome sculpting work! Can't wait to see the new Zuckuss.
Title: Re: Straxus Customs 6-8-08 Cobra Sand Viper Re-envisioned
Post by: manglord on June 8, 2008, 10:09 PM
Killer! Love the paint ap. Like to see more of the finished sculpts too...Great work!