Custom Firefly WIP-would like suggestions

[Dropshipbob]

I've been meaning to do a custom Firefly. This started out as the neon colored Doc and I think I've managed to do a somewhat decent job of muting those bright colors.

On this custom, I really want to do a good job. My customs tend to be a bit rough, and that's fine as I'm building them for myself, but after seeing the customs from people like Cloud Strife, Rick and others, I want to see where I can take this with your help, pull out all of the stops. I also don't know much about military in general, BDU's, weapons so I'd like this to be slightly more accurate than what I usually do, so tips in that area would be welcomed as well.

I'd pretty much like to stick with this body as I really like it.
Recolored neon Doc body
Stormshadow head

I found a camo pattern that I like, I think it's called Urban South African. It also seems pretty simple that even I can't screw it up. I have the main body done, but the arms were giving me trouble in the joints so it's been at this point for awhile.

I dry brushed the colors over a black base, should I make the colors solid and give them a wash instead? The camo pattern gets a little confusing when it goes over the dry brushed spots.

So please, let me know ANYTHING that I can do to make this the best it can be.

 

[fogger1138]

No recommendations since I'm still learning, but I'm intensely curious to see what others post.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

it may block the face a bit, but that head desperately needs to be lowered...and you did a great job of covering up the orange, but man, one move and that sh!t is gonna shine thru like the sun...any reason why you didn't use a snow serpent or arctic SE as a base?

 

[K-Tiger]

I always lay a solid or near-solid base when I do camo. Washes and dry brushing should be one of your final steps.


After you base coat you want to lay your remaining colors from lightest to darkest.

 

[Dropshipbob]

it may block the face a bit, but that head desperately needs to be lowered...and you did a great job of covering up the orange, but man, one move and that sh!t is gonna shine thru like the sun...any reason why you didn't use a snow serpent or arctic SE as a base?

I used this one because I had it on hand, and I wanted to see If I could make it useable, otherwise it was going to languish in my fodder box for who knew how long. I used Krylon black fusion as the base, but with the acrylic on top of it it has flaked off in a few spots (which I have repaired).

I always lay a solid or near-solid base when I do camo. Washes and dry brushing should be one of your final steps.


After you base coat you want to lay your remaining colors from lightest to darkest.

So....are you suggesting I repaint the grey more solid? I'd really like to avoid that as I have the camo done on the main body.

 

[K-Tiger]

Naw, at this point it's too far along. Just gotta keep on truckin'.

 

[Cloud Strife]

He's looking good, man! Like Eddie said, I think lowering the head would be a good idea, as it's sitting a bit high right now. If you're not wanting the head to be covered by the collar, you could trim the collar.

As far as the paint apps go, they look fine, regardless of the darker areas left by dry-brushing. Keep us updated!

 

[Dropshipbob]

O.k., I'll lower the head.

How about colors for the gloves and boots? I was thinking of making them just black, but that seems a bit lazy...but I can't think of any colors that would go well with the grey coat and green of the pants.

 

[K-Tiger]

Um, maybe two-tone like the flight gloves.

 

[Meddatron]

Looking really good so far.
I would Make the gloves a really dark grey, close to black, than like KT said, two tone them with a true black or a lighter grey.

 

[Rick]

When I have an idea of the type of figure I want I'll go to militaryphotos.com or just google something like Modern SEAL Arctic uniform images and save the ones I like and take ideas from them on load outs.

Then build him.

painting, I've taken K-Tigers advice for cammo.

For weathering though I go in layers in the order they would happen:
1. apply wear on edges of pockets, folds, clothing etc with a slightly lighter color than the main color of the piece of clothing.

2. Then a wash for the built on over time dirt and grime.

3. Then a dry brush of either the dust or mud for the enviroment the figure is in.

Hope this helped, works for me.

 

[Dropshipbob]

I've decided to stop work on this. Not that I think anyone was checking back on this thread, I just felt the need to say this. And if anyone does happen across this thread in the future, they won't be wondering.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Why'd ya can him?

 

[K-Tiger]

Aww.




This just means you'll have more time to devote to the OH-58D-to-JetRanger retrofit, right?