So I've had this idea kicking around in my head for a while about an arctic-drop ODST. It has to happen at some point, right? Regardless of active camo technology and all the highfalutin special scanner tech that would completely nullify the need for camo, there's still always a need for anything and everything that might give the troopers the upper hand in a heated engagement. I thought it'd be interesting to really delve into the visual options a trooper might have in such a scenario, and I've really been itching to try some snake skin camo.
I'm currently only in the concept stage of the entire costume, but having my old molds from my 2010 "We Are ODST" costumes available, I went ahead and cast up a few helmets to work with. Studying up on various "arctic soldier" google search images, I've decided that an off-white scheme is best for the ODST costume, as opposed to all-white. The photo here makes it look a tad more tan than it actually is, but it's definitely more of a cream color than it is white. I've also added a darker section around the visor to mimic the look of the game helmets.
DSCN5462 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
Next up, I wanted to do a quick test to be sure my mesh material works. Here I'm using a mesh laundry bag as opposed to the more common fish net panty hose.
DSCN5463 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
I only want the snake skin camo to be on the top of the helmet, so I masked everything off below it. Wrangling the mesh laundry bag onto it and minimizing bunching was a feat. It wasn't perfect, and fish net pantyhose would have probably been a lot easier to manage (though in my opinion, you get a lot more adverse stretching patterns in it if you're not careful).
DSCN5465 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
Three different colors were misted onto the mesh. After a few moments I removed the mesh to find that I misted a little more paint than necessary. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful in preventing some bunching, but not to worry! With a little selective sanding with a sanding sponge, I was able to dull down the look a bit while also starting the weathering process at the same time. You typically see the snake skin camo very selectively sprayed onto actual military-use ballistic helmets, so I needed to remove some of it anyways. I also wanted to accentuate some of the lines and details on the dome of the helmet, so a bit of sanding on the lines helped bring them back into view. I'm very, very pleased with the result.
DSCN5467 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
All photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2storyprops/sets/72157629184015672/with/6967616107/
I'm currently only in the concept stage of the entire costume, but having my old molds from my 2010 "We Are ODST" costumes available, I went ahead and cast up a few helmets to work with. Studying up on various "arctic soldier" google search images, I've decided that an off-white scheme is best for the ODST costume, as opposed to all-white. The photo here makes it look a tad more tan than it actually is, but it's definitely more of a cream color than it is white. I've also added a darker section around the visor to mimic the look of the game helmets.
DSCN5462 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
Next up, I wanted to do a quick test to be sure my mesh material works. Here I'm using a mesh laundry bag as opposed to the more common fish net panty hose.
DSCN5463 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
I only want the snake skin camo to be on the top of the helmet, so I masked everything off below it. Wrangling the mesh laundry bag onto it and minimizing bunching was a feat. It wasn't perfect, and fish net pantyhose would have probably been a lot easier to manage (though in my opinion, you get a lot more adverse stretching patterns in it if you're not careful).
DSCN5465 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
Three different colors were misted onto the mesh. After a few moments I removed the mesh to find that I misted a little more paint than necessary. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful in preventing some bunching, but not to worry! With a little selective sanding with a sanding sponge, I was able to dull down the look a bit while also starting the weathering process at the same time. You typically see the snake skin camo very selectively sprayed onto actual military-use ballistic helmets, so I needed to remove some of it anyways. I also wanted to accentuate some of the lines and details on the dome of the helmet, so a bit of sanding on the lines helped bring them back into view. I'm very, very pleased with the result.
DSCN5467 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
All photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2storyprops/sets/72157629184015672/with/6967616107/
