Thanks everybody! Yeh this was a very interesting task to say the least. Its one thing to build a helm with a faceplate/nasals & cheekplates, its another to try and bring a non-human face to life in a 3D environment. But, it was a good learning experience for me in pattern making and design.
Serraphym-
Thanks! Yeh I like the wolf especially myself and was really pleased with how it turned out. And I also myself would probably prefer the headdress style, but I wanted to make sure there was the option for the wearer to choose from whichever he liked and back, even to the point of not wearing the mask at all and just wearing the base helm. And I agree about the lion style. It was by far the most difficult. I think if I make the face a little fuller and rounder, it will stand apart as a cat. As far as price goes, I'll close at the end of this post with that. Thanks again!
Lykos-
Thanks, bud, I knew you would be prone to the wolf style. As far as specifying any characteristics, anything at all is really possible. These are all very basic patterns, so any trimming or adding can easily be done. Hell, I could even add some braided chenille lace, like the type I used in the Samurai helm goatie, to add a real hairy look. And the same is for the upper edge of the facemask, any pattern particular is possible. As far as ears go, I purposefully didn't use ears on any of these helms. Not that they would not be possible, I just wanted to really express that these are human helms, with an animal mask or visage, as in a trophy from a hunt, ie: animal skin. But I could easily design some ears to lay on the helm. No problem. Thanks again, and let me know when you're ready to start talking commmission, I'm already pretty booked here for a while, I'm building a wolf helm for someone that I'll post one the boards, so you can see what the end product will look like. Thanks again!
Hanzo-
Yeh, I'm sure fur would not be a problem. I'm sure as I work with them they will evolve along a more gruff line, but these are the basic first steps of this line. Thanks! Yeh helms are definetly a field of their own, and can be tricky! Good luck on your projects, they are coming along nicely!
Mogcat-
Thanks guy! I'll close here with the rough price here.
Eilyd Febana-
Yeh I agree that the lion may need some tweaking, and I think you nailed the specific: softer curves and more plumper face. I'll work on refining that design once I get back around to them Thanks!
Bahli, Ryker-
Thanks! I'm sure they will definetly turn an eye and spark many a conversation around that after battle bonfire once these helms make the field. "Hey, who wa that guy with the wolf helm on? I've never seen anything like that before!" And, yeh, I definelty wanted to avoid the whole, "Furrie" connantation. That is why I didn't use ears on the helms. They are masks of a more tribal, barbaric warrior who wishes to frighten his opponent with the ferocious wolf, or channel his spirit through combat, not say, "Oh, wow, look how cute that guy is in the wolf helm!"
Sirilay-
Thanks. I'll have to see that design of yours, I love to see all types of armor. It's my obsession! And I hope beyond hope to make it to Rag this summer! (fingers crossed) Thanks again!
Rhia-
Thanks! I think you're my #1 fan!
And, yeh, greaves are all done, strapped, polished, ready to be shipped. I just need to photo them and post them on the boards. I'm real pleased with how they turned out. Look real big and oppresive, as I'm hoping we can keep that image going with his rig! I'm off work tomorrow, so I'll post them here on the boards and ge them ready. And the sippy cup? That's my daughter's. She's turning 10 months this month, she's already got her own place at the table sharing dinner with the rest of us! She is growing like a bean sprout fed by plutonium! Thanks again! Talk to ya soon!
Rozney-
Thanks! Yeh, I'm getting a lot of good feedback with these designs. I was hoping to do something nonconventional that would spark a lot of interest, and a few guys mentioned an interest in animal theme helms. Thanks again!
So, all in all, Thanks everyone for all the constant encouragement and support her in my growing endeavor. It is all with all your help that I find the fuel to keep this fire burning!
As far as prices go, I'm still in the very early stages of develoupment with this line, so i'm not really sure what kind of hourly charge is going to be on this helm. But, I charge $80 for my basic corinthians, and these are somewhat more detailed than them, so I'm looking at probably around $115- $125 for a basic design. But it is still early to say for certain what the final price will be, but I plan on putting them into the catalouge for the website, so they should be a regular feature.
Thanks again, all my friends! More exciting develoupments here in the very near future!
