As some of you may know, I recently finished an original concept Captain America project. I've decided that Cap needed a companion piece so that my buddy and I can sport them both at DragonCon this year. So, who better to go with Cap than Red Skull?
For this version of the classic Cap nemesis, I wanted to go with a brand new concept and modern update to counter and complement the design of the Cap costume.
The first thing to tackle was how to address the skull itself. I didn't want it to be prosthetic and applied as make up to the face/neck/head and I wanted to make sure it didn't look like a Halloween mask. So, I decided to go in a new direction. This version of Red Skull is meant to be a high-tech costume villain. Perhaps not Johan himself, but carrying on the mantle. A cross between Darth Vader and Red Hood with some of the tech style of Starlord.
I reached out to one of my most frequent collaborators, @Graphic Jordan, and got him on board. He then put his 3D skills to work on drafting the base helmet. I took his initial shapes and marked up some decorative seam lines and details.
He then went back to the model and began interpreting my ideas.
While we were discussing the helmet, I began working on the neck piece that will go with it. I created a template by making a tape mock up on my trusty Ed Head and drew out some preliminary details.
This tape was cut apart and I made a base pattern for the piece out of Swedish tracing paper. I built up the base in red cordura and then made a working mock up in the tracing paper to design the details.
I decided I wanted the neck to have a somewhat organic feel but also look mechanical. So, I began to work up a design that would incorporate some very structured elements that followed the anatomy of the neck. I then began playing with creating these elements in my usual style of covering 2mm craft foam with materials and layering them onto the base.
Overall, I'm pleased with the direction, but there are design elements that need to be edited and cleaned up to create the effect I really want. More to come...
For this version of the classic Cap nemesis, I wanted to go with a brand new concept and modern update to counter and complement the design of the Cap costume.
The first thing to tackle was how to address the skull itself. I didn't want it to be prosthetic and applied as make up to the face/neck/head and I wanted to make sure it didn't look like a Halloween mask. So, I decided to go in a new direction. This version of Red Skull is meant to be a high-tech costume villain. Perhaps not Johan himself, but carrying on the mantle. A cross between Darth Vader and Red Hood with some of the tech style of Starlord.
I reached out to one of my most frequent collaborators, @Graphic Jordan, and got him on board. He then put his 3D skills to work on drafting the base helmet. I took his initial shapes and marked up some decorative seam lines and details.
He then went back to the model and began interpreting my ideas.
While we were discussing the helmet, I began working on the neck piece that will go with it. I created a template by making a tape mock up on my trusty Ed Head and drew out some preliminary details.
This tape was cut apart and I made a base pattern for the piece out of Swedish tracing paper. I built up the base in red cordura and then made a working mock up in the tracing paper to design the details.
I decided I wanted the neck to have a somewhat organic feel but also look mechanical. So, I began to work up a design that would incorporate some very structured elements that followed the anatomy of the neck. I then began playing with creating these elements in my usual style of covering 2mm craft foam with materials and layering them onto the base.
Overall, I'm pleased with the direction, but there are design elements that need to be edited and cleaned up to create the effect I really want. More to come...