niart17 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 This is something I've wanted to try for a long time but never got around to it. I've always wanted to build a large scale astronaut figure but was never able to find the Revell kit. So I thought about sculpting my own. For an "armature" I used a Diamond Select Star Trek figure (it was on clearance for $3 at local hobby shop) I superglued the figure in a pose I was happy with and then starting building up the space suit using Milliput. I still have some detail work to go plus all the fittings and such. I also haven't started on the helmet yet, but it's coming along I think. Blank Figure Wearing his big boy pants Starting leg panels. Roughed torso and arms to be continued... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 First primer check. Need some clean up in a few area. Test with pack More to come soon I hope. Critiques, comments and REALLY suggestions wanted and needed. Thanks, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 I've made a mock-up of the LEVA to test for size. This is just formed up simply with an oil based clay to see if I can get the size and shape right. Not sure how I want to tackle the actual item. I may make a master out of milliput off the figure and then vacuum form a shell. Then once it's on the figure I can add some texture details for the beta cloth cover with Milliput. That would lesson the risk of ruining the head trying to model it on the figure. Not Sure about the size yet. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 WOW Bill, That's really amazing! :thumbsup: The space suit already looks real. Please keep the pictures coming. Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 (edited) Thanks Mike. I am pleased with it so far. I still have to tackle the LEVA assembly and that's probably the biggest hurdle. If all else fails I can just do it solid and paint the face plate instead of having any clear section. Ideally I want gold visor down about 3/4 of the way and side visors about 1/4 down. But in the end it'll be whatever I can pull off. Last night I played with the mock-up a bit more and I think I have the size and shape down. Unfortunately it's only in soft clay so it's of little use other than visualization. For the fitting details and such I'm refering to K2Pete's build of the Revell astronaut he did a while back. His was beautifully done with some great ideas on how to tackle the details. I hope I can get close to that. Bill BTW, I noticed I didn't mention scale. The figure is listed as a 7 1/2" figure so I guess it's somewhere between 1/9 and 1/10 (Bean was 5'10"). I'm going with 1/9.3 for my back pack scaling. Edited January 22, 2013 by niart17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ralf Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Great work so far... The suits looks already great. By the way the Revell Astronaut is readily available here in Germany. I picked up one for 10€s. But with the work that will be needed to make something decent out of it it is probably better to build the way you do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Hey all, I wanted to turn my attention back to this build a little so I don't lose sight of it. I ran into a bit of a roadblock with the LEVA. I can't seem to figure out the best way to build this thing without getting rid of the idea of having the face a little visable. So my question is, does anyone have pics or really good diagrams (not the simple isometric views shown in the handbooks) of the LEVA assembly without the covering on it? It's hard to tell what the actual shell looks like from all the pics I can find. And all of them have the material covering on it, I don't think I've ever seen a pic of what the shell looks like uncovered. So how bout it? Anyone? anyone? Bueller? Thanks in advance, BIll Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) It's just a sphere Bill. Those visors were all 'spherical' ... (edit) just use a ping pong ball Here's a link to start ... http://www.myspacemuseum.com/leva.htm I'll see if I can dig up another one ... Nice progress by the way on this! Edited March 21, 2013 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) A ping pong ball, A freakin' ping pong ball! Why didn't I think of that?!?! :woot.gif:/> Seriously though, not quite the right diameter. I know they are spherical, the question is what the bottom part looks like and how it fit overs the pressure helmet. If I wanted it to be really accurate, I'd find the pressure helmet shape, put that on. Then put the Leva on top of that and build up the beta cloth cover. It's just I can't really tell how that all fits on top of the pressure helmet. I know, it seems simple and it probably is. I'm probably overthinking it, but it's really kicking my rearend right now. I'll just keep trying something. Thanks Pete, Bill Edited March 21, 2013 by niart17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) The LEVA just slips over the bubble helmet. And the lower covering is just velcro'd together. Here's a link, go to the 5th image, but the first 4 will do nicely too. http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/a17.html And I realize this is for Apollo 17 and you're looking for Apollo 12, but it'll give you a bit of an idea ... ( I just tried this link and I guess once you're on the page, go to the left side, scroll to the bottom, 2nd from the bottom is Jack Schmitt's flown suit ... some nice pix of the LEVA ... ) This one's for Pete Conrad (Apollo 12) and you can see that the hard semi-spherical top part is the visors and hinge and the lower part is just cloth ... http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a12/ConradsuitLEVAwrong.jpg That's all I got ... :crying2:/> Edited March 21, 2013 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 OFF WITH HIS HEAD! Oh sorry, had a Alice in Wonderland moment there. Anyway, I gave up on the clear visor for this one, perhaps I'll try it on the next one. (I plan on doing several of these as they are really fun) So here is the progress so far. Replaced his head with a wooden ball which makes it much easier to build up the Leva assembly. Still have some work to go and maybe add some seams to it but the shape I think is getting close. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 a couple of more after another coat of primer. In this shot you can see the beginnings of the hose connectors. I'm following K2Pete's build of the Revell Astronaut for his technique on making them. Thanks for checking it out. Critiques, comments and suggestions are welcome. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 (edited) Hi Bill, Wow, that was a brutal surgery, I hope you've previously sufficiently stunned the poor guy ... But the transplantation is managed excellently, that looks perfect from the shape. I would like to remind you only one small thing, but don't worry about! The proportion of the gloves may not yet agree me. You have the palms while slightly expanded, the fingers but probably not, I think? Perhaps you could model it still slightly thicker, only a proposal ... Keep up the great work, can't wait to see the full guy. Edited May 10, 2013 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 Thanks Manfred. Don't worry about ol Al, he was given a good local anesthetic and told to look the other way. He didn't see it coming and I don't think he felt a thing. You're absolutely correct about the fingers, great eye! I only slightly added thickness to the palms and back of the hands and have done nothing to the fingers yet. I'm still deciding on what tools or objects he'll be carrying, if any, and want to make sure I don't over sculpt the finger thickness and not leave room for them. I also want to find a good way of getting the smooth rounded finger tips as that is a promiment feature. I also need to refine the boot shapes and details. As it is now there is just the hint of the raised stripe pattern around the edge of one boot. That will have to be re-worked more accurately as well. But like all my builds, slowly but surely it's going. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 (edited) Hi Dr. Bill, you have succeeded in an outstanding operation, you must be a magician. I am deeply impressed by your skill!!! Keep up the great transformation, I'm still curious. Edited May 10, 2013 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 Awww geee.. :blush: thanks so much for that compliment. But with the skills and talent you have that's like Mozart telling Adam Ant that he's a great song writer. There is just no comparison. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 11, 2013 Author Share Posted May 11, 2013 (edited) Ok guys, I got an opinion question and a fact question for you all. First questions is about composition of the figure on a base. Please keep in mind this is still in the mock-up stage so a lot of the details are just soft clay to get shapes and sizes down...in other words please don't laugh. One thought for a composition is the moment of the mission when Alan Bean was "adjusting" the color TV camera. My opinion question is does this compositionally work on this size base and not distract too much from the figure? The camera and stand would be much more detailed but size-wise I think this is close. Or should it be just the figure on a base, perhaps a little smaller base? The other question is, did Alan actually bang on the camera with a hammer as is portrayed in the series "From Earth to the Moon" or was that something that was added for dramatic effect on the show? I tend to think it's probably accurate because I heard they went to great lengths to "get it right". I've gone through the mission transcripts some but haven't found anything one way or another yet. So doesn't anyone know for sure? edit: Nevermind, I found the answer and apparently yes he did really do that. Some sources indicate he was told to hit and others make it sound like he just decided that he had nothing to lose by trying to whack it a little bit. So, you guys think that's a good idea or anyone have a better idea of a good display?Thanks, Bill Edited May 11, 2013 by niart17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 (edited) Bill, I really like the idea of you showing him hitting the camera wit the hammer. It'll be a nice action pose and something that actually happened. The size of the base looks appropriate considering he was on the moon and you can have some fun with the surface texture on this size base. When the figure is painted it'll definitely be the eye catcher. Great job so far on the sculpting! Mike. Edited May 11, 2013 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Hi Bill, you're making awesome progress on this. It's amazing how you're able to make those realistic creases and folds on the spacesuit. The figure alone on a smaller base makes the figure the star. But Mike is right, too, about the hammer. It really adds interest to the model - like bringing an action photo to life. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark M. Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 That's some really amazing sculpting/putty work! Too bad the head idea didn't work for you, but your second head looks even better! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Looking good William. I can see a few little adjustments you should make to the figure, but I'll wait till you're almost done to mention them ... And the hammer idea is ... good ... I guess, but there was an interview with Bean, Conrad and Gordon where Al said he actually raised the @%#$& camera over his head and flung it to the surface ... now THAT would be a fun diorama! ... but seriously, (no-o-o, that didn't happen ) showing him tapping the camera is a good idea. But I think you're sense of humour should be reflected in the model too ... so if you show him with a 5 lb sledgehammer, that would be pretty good! Keep up the good work, it does look good! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 11, 2013 Author Share Posted May 11, 2013 I can see a few little adjustments you should make to the figure, but I'll wait till you're almost done to mention them ... :woot.gif:/> Pete You sir are an evil evil man! Seriously, thanks guys. I have a lot of time before I get to actually mounting the figure so I'll think some more about the composition. He will probably be carrying the hammer one way or another so either way I go will work. Thanks everyone, more to come soon I hope. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 (edited) Hi Bill, here is an interesting link with great shots of an astronaut model by Ricardo Salame, where you can find some cool inspirations for further detailing of Alans nice body. Edited May 12, 2013 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks Manfred, that does help quite a bit when it comes time to paint him. Even though it's a later suit than mine, it still has the same basic parts so it is a big help. He did a wonderful job on it. Speaking of painting. I've thought about an idea of painting it with a "forced lighting perspective" meaning that I would actually paint the figure as if there is a single source light showing the shadow variations. Even more than your typical figure painting technique of the creases as shadows and the high spots as light. Since the sun is so bright on the moon, all the photographs are very high in contrast between light and shadow and I think it would possibly add a bit more realism when viewing in person and not have to rely on the lighting to appear as though he is on the moon. I've seen a few figure painters painting light into their subjects but its not a technique I've seen much of. Has anyone seen anybody do this? (even better if it were an astronaut figure) If you know of any, I'd love to get a link to it so I can pick up some tips on how to accomplish this. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Gee-e-e ... I don't know about the hi-contrast technique, Bill. I have not seen one Astro model that looks good with the kind of weathering that figure painters put on their figures. Not one. To me, and it's my own humble opinion, when you have the hi-contrast paint, in an indoor lit situation ... it looks strange. The room lighting is casting shadows that don't match with the figure and it simply doesn't look right. ( I've heard comments at model shows, "what is that supposed to be?" when looking at all the dark paint ) Plus, the white suits accept a lot of reflected light off the surface, or their partners own white suits. Here's pic of Pete Conrad ... http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a12/AS12-47-6914.jpg However, if you were to just take photos of it with shadows consistent with the painted-on lighting, it would work better ... maybe. Certainly give it a try, I don't mind being proved wrong ... so consider this just a bug in your ear. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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