Time for another update!
So I have made a lot of progress, and didn't exactly take pictures of everything since I am trying to get this finished for an upcoming convention, but I will still try to describe what was done and how/why I did it.
Since was in the painting phase when I last left off I thought I would lay out how I do my painting. I try to do my painting in this order: Base colors, Any chipping/slight weathering effects, then some sort of wash and finish with highlights on any raised edges (this would include adding any silver weathering scratches). This isn't the only way to paint by any means, but I have always liked the way the end result comes out.
So now I was on to the washes. instead of doing a straight black wash, I try to make it a dark gray or brown instead. Unless you are going for an ashen or soot type of "dirty", this tends to give it a more realistic look since dirt itself isnt black haha. I will cover the entire piece and let it dry for just a little bit. Once it has some time to sit, I dab the excess paint off with a damp cloth.
Here is a side by side of what the wash application looks like before I wipe it off.
Here is the highlighting process. It is very subtle, but it really makes all of the raised edges stand out. The right half of the shoulder is highlighted and the left has nothing.
Another comparison shot of the shoulders, one with highlights (left) and one without (right)
The highlighting effect is just achieved by using a slightly lighter color of the same type of color you were previously painting with. It seems obvious when I type it, but a simple way to do that is to just mix white paint to whatever paint you are using (it took me a long time to learn that for some reason haha)
Once The shoulders were complete, I decided to do a fabric shoulder pad to go underneath to actually attach it to my arm. I cheated any bought some super cheap deltoid protector pouches in ACU pattern that would actually be used in conjunction with real body armor on a plate carrier (these are just the coverings, and not the actual body armor iteslf) This just seemed like an easier way to attach them to the plate carrier base that I am going with for the armor. I only did a slight modification by adding a secondary piece on top so the "pad" looked like it covered under the top of the shoulder armor as well.
And the final picture of the shoulder armor attached with the shoulder "pad"
After some chicago screws were added to actually attach them to the shoulder pad, the test fit was completed. I know the look of this isn't exactly "cannon" or go with game reference photos at all, this is more of an artistic liberty that I chose to take because I didn't believe I would have the skill set or time to make the appropriate shoulder pads. If I get a chance later, I will post my updates on the soft armor.
