K-T project advice.

[K-Tiger]

Okay, we have some tier-1 customizers on this board, and I figure they can render some advice on a couple of projects.

1: So I'm thinking of taking my Hercules old school, so that means sword (maybe I'll do the club), shield (because I said so) and lion pelt.

I'm gonna make the sword myself (Obi be all inspiring and shit), but the shield I'm on the fence. Anyone got Hercules and some options? I'm looking into a Papo or Schleich Greek with an aspis, but I was wondering if anyone had a MU Capt. A shield, or if possible one of the round shields from the Toy Biz Lord of the Rings line to take pics with Herc? I'd do the LotR one myself, but the shield I had has apparently parted company with me.

The lion pelt is also an issue. Traditionally Herc was depicted wearing the lion as a cape, with the head as a helmet. I was leaning more towards having him wear it as a baldric, with the head on the shoulder. How the hell do I pull it off and retain the articulation?


2: I want a "real world" Omega Red. Telnyashka, bdu trousers, combat boots, probably bandaged forearms. The problem is I can't thinking of ANY Joe legs that will look right with Red's torso.

Are there ANY big Joes, preferably with a wife beater on, but any shirt that could work sleeveless that could pass as Red? I was thinking the wave 1 Retaliation Rockblock with some new lower legs, but I'm not sure his build is jacked enough.


Hit me with ideas, because I'm drawing a blank.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I'll see if I can find my round Cap shield...no promises though, my nephew played with my MU figs...

The lion pelt...I really have no suggestions, but I recall what you did with your old school RB, so I have faith that you'll come up with an awesome solution...maybe a lion head from some static toy with some kind of fabric pelt?

Omega Red...really big torso?...I don't think Joe parts are the way to go...the largest figure in the line is Road Pig I think, and he's not that huge, especially if you place him next to Hercules...

 

[MMorelock66]

I might have a shield for you... give me a little while and I'll get some photos.

 

[XOC2008]

Omega Red shares the Hercules torso, doesn't it? I'm not sure you're going to find any Joe legs that would work. As for Wave 1 Rockblock might be your best bet for the look.

Lion pelt: What about Kraven's?

 

[K-Tiger]

Kraven has that lion pelt vest, which isn't where I want to take it. Ya know, even if I could find a Kraven. May have to forego the lion skin, as it may be out of my skill set to execute.


I was afraid of that on the OR project. I may just have to back-burner it until parts are created. I was thinking concept vault Gung Ho would be a good candidate, were it to be released.

 

[MMorelock66]

If you need a shield... I got this extra. You'd have to mod the straps for the arm.

 

[Vortious]

Hey for Omega Red why not use Wrecker's legs? He's of a similar size class with Herc, and I bigger than the Luke Cage figure's musculature, and people have been putting Luke's legs on Herc figs for a while, and they look just fine.

Here are 3 examples of MU legs that fit the Herc Buck framed by the full Herc figure, and my custom Ares using Colossus' knee pads in Herc's legs. Armored (Colossus), military (Wrecker), and casual (Luke Cage)



You can even put Cable's lower legs on Herc's, but you need something to hide the slight size difference at the top of the calve.

 

[K-Tiger]

If you need a shield... I got this extra. You'd have to mod the straps for the arm.

That's actually spot on to what I want stylistically, if not size wise. Thanks, M!

Hey for Omega Red why not use Wrecker's legs? He's of a similar size class with Herc, and I bigger than the Luke Cage figure's musculature, and people have been putting Luke's legs on Herc figs for a while, and they look just fine.

Here are 3 examples of MU legs that fit the Herc Buck framed by the full Herc figure, and my custom Ares using Colossus' knee pads in Herc's legs. Armored (Colossus), military (Wrecker), and casual (Luke Cage)



You can even put Cable's lower legs on Herc's, but you need something to hide the slight size difference at the top of the calve.

They aren't perfect (thunder thighs like mad), but I think I can manage sculpting some pockets on there to make them look like BDUs. Now to go find one that's not on eBay. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Cloud Strife]

I've thought about making a Hercules with the Nemean Lion attire. The thought occurred to me to look and see if Schleich has a lion whose head I could use (dremel and carve it out). Then, there's the possibility of using the Kraven or Gnawgahyde vests. Just throwing ideas out there.

 

[K-Tiger]

Schleich's current lion has his mouth slightly ajar, but I certainly thought of going that route. That still leaves the considerable task of doing the cape...hmmm, maybe use chamois cloth? The reason I wanted to move the head to the shoulder is because I wanted to use the legs of the cape as a baldric for his sword (or club), then the head could be kind of like a pauldron, and it would free me to use the Spartan helmet that comes with the Chief Temple Guard figure, but then I finally found a pic of it with a figure and it's definitely too large for Herc's noggin.

I'm also thinking maybe it would be worthwhile to butcher a Bbi Roman signifier for his helmet/pelt combo. Expensive proposition.

 

[Giga Bread]

How they would do it in the Pop Sculpture book is probably use a wax sheet for the cape and sculpt details over it.

How I might do it is paint with cheapo acrylic over printer paper, layering it up. The final few layers, use a brush to texturize it. Maybe use green stuff where I want defined anatomical details of the Lion like end of the tail, joints, or the mane. Then cut out the pattern and remove the paper with water and a brush. Fold it and wrap it around the figure and paint. After I got the head done, I'd connect the cape using green stuff and texturing it.

 

[K-Tiger]

Yup, waaaaaay out of my wheelhouse.

 

[Giga Bread]

Yup, waaaaaay out of my wheelhouse.

I figured. I just don't know how you can make a decent attempt at what you want without getting out of the comfort zone.

 

[Joerhyno]

I can't find my pics, but I made a Tiger Force Snake Eyes, and took one of this Schlitz Tigers, I cut the head off and dremeled it out and then attached it to a Chap Mei winter cape looking thing and then sculpted it to match up. Looked pretty cook, but it was pretty restrictive, if I was to do it again, I would try it with some type soft goods.. but not sure how the match-up would look with part plastic/part soft goods.

EDIT:
Found a pic...

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

That's really cool looking Joe...obviously would be better contoured to the figure, but that's a cool custom regardless...

 

[K-Tiger]

I figured. I just don't know how you can make a decent attempt at what you want without getting out of the comfort zone.

I went and reread your original post carefully and I think I'm gonna give it a try. I got to thinking about all the old, cheap acrylic paint I've cleaned up and I think you're on to the right solution. Not sure how it will drape and lay, but it should be flexible and durable enough.

 

[Giga Bread]

I would do several coats to make sure it was thick.

 

[K-Tiger]

I've got a half dozen down, think I should do more?

 

[Giga Bread]

My Chuckles coat had about 6. It was really flexible but still a little on the fragile side though durable enough to cut into shapes and form a coat.

 

[Vortious]

Found something that might work for your lion shoulder armor. The Imaginext knight that comes w/ the lion has this lion helmet that could be modded to fit as a shoulder pad.