Completed Pepakura Hau

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

I've finally completed the Hau I started last summer! It started as a Pepakura model thanks to CrunchBiteNuva, then I Modge Podged it and poured casting resin on the inside to strengthen it. I then spray-painted it and it kinda sat around forever looking a bit sloppy... it didn't have a way to stay on my head, the paint job was messy, and the lines from the base model still showed. So, the other night I took it and sanded the Karzahni out of it until it was smoother.

From there, though, I kept going: I've always liked the feel of the original comics, where the Toa were scratched and scuffed, and did my best to translate that into this mask. I scarred it a bit with a Dremel drill and knife to simulate damage, and to break up some of the remaining lines, then added primer:

Once I was satisfied with the "damage" I moved on the the actual paint. I gave it a nice shiny red coat... then sanded and scratched it up, using the Exacto knife to expose some of the primer layer while the sanding dulled the finish. Overall, it worked well. The damage looks fairly natural, and the scuffing and less shiny paint job makes the lines less noticeable. The whole thing looks more like an actual, used mask now like I always imagined. I couldn't get a good picture of the whole mask, but here's a part:

 

EDIT: I added some more weathering to the mask and now I'm completely done messing with it. I took a black oil pastel (for lack of better materials), put a bit on all the scuffed areas, then rubbed it around really well and wiped it off. This left "dirt" in the scratches in a fairly organic way, making the damage seem a bit smoother and more realistic.

My sole dissatisfaction in the weathering came when I tried to fill some of the deeper marks with a small amount of borrowed black nail polish. It didn't wipe off quite like I'd hoped, and stayed darker than I wanted. However, it covered over the areas where paper was showing so I can live with it. I'll say they're scorch marks. I'll put up more pictures soon.

 

The button there is part of how it's held on my head: I drilled two holes in the mask, painted some buttons, and used them to secure a ring and part of a hunting rifle strap I got for $1 at Goodwill like thus:

The adjustable strap keeps it on, the foam keeps it in the right place and keeps my chin comfy, and the mesh keeps my face partially obscured while allowing me to see. I've also since added some foam in the forehead for comfort and position.

Final note: it's pretty tough. I accidentally hit my head pretty hard on a table corner while wearing it, and the blow just bounced off the mask and didn't leave a mark.

So there it is, my finished Hau! It's not perfect, but for a first completed Pepakura project I'm pretty pleased.

Edited July 19, 2013 by Pleurodeles Waltl

[Chro]

Compare and contrast with Bfa's Kumo mask?

Got any front shots of the finished Hau?

[Crunchyn]

Saw this on your other thing, but man it's really nice to see people making and finishing them now (So far it's been mostly Haus and Mirus being finished, but I know you got other Kanohi )

[Disciple]

Wow!

 

This is absolutely beautiful. Sounds pretty durable too, based on your anecdote. I guess your Hau "shielded" you from the table.

 

Kudos to you for seeing this project through to the end. Well done!

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Compared to the DJ Kumo mask, it's mainly not quite as smooth. If I remember correctly he used resin on the outside, which meant he had a thicker layer to work with: If I sanded too far down, I went through my Modge Podge and got to paper, which would make it fairly ugly and then require a looot more effort to fix. So, I had to live with a slightly lumpier overall, mostly thanks to the fact that it was pretty much my first Pep so the shape is a little distorted. It is, however, more detailed than the Kumo mask. His was what I went for at first, the very polished and shiny look of the set masks, but it just didn't work. So, mine now has a more "realistic" feel to it with the weathering. Overall, DJ Kumo's has the much better structure (and DAT CIRCUITRY it makes me jealous!), but I'm still happy with mine.

I'll try to get a good shot of the front, and of me wearing it just to show how it sits. It's actually really comfy with all the padding I've put in.

 

And Crunchy, you can (with any luck) expect a Pakari in the near future! I'd actually have it Pep'd already, but my ancient hellspawn of a printer finally died. Even the trouble-shooting software doesn't work. But, I'll get it printed soon then get some resin and get to work! I even have the other half of that strap and some more buttons to use, so it should come together fairly quickly.

[Art Vandelay]

This looks really fantastic! I have been toying around with the idea of creating life sized Kanohi for some time now, but I don't know how to do Pepakura, and making it out of metal is of course an unrealistic dream. I look forward to seeing any future work from you.

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Got some more pictures of the final mask, with the additional weathering.

Just hanging out.

Front shot because someone asked, also you can sorta see the relative size of it better.

Tahu quit hiding in bushes. (Pointless)

Finally just another look at the weathering detail.

I'm really glad to have this done, it's not perfect but it's cool to have around. I can't wait till I get to wear it somewhere. Speaking of: thanks to the padding it's actually quite comfy to wear around and doesn't shift much on my head. It gets a little warm after a while but it would be well worth it to wear with a costume, which I plan on pulling together at some point.

[Art Vandelay]

Are you going to make the rest of the costume out of Pepakura sections?

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Oh haha wow that'd be awesome, but no. I don't have the know-how to make the files, and I doubt there's enough general interest for Crunchy to want to make them. The costume I have in mind is more like what a human Toa would wear, not quite a tribal look but a low-tech sort of general-use outfit, loose cloth with wrapping and belts. The color scheme would be based on the set, but at this point the costume's just a rough idea.

Oh also a big part would be finishing up my fire sword. I'd use magnets to make it stick to my back, or a sword belt across my back.

[Art Vandelay]

Oh haha wow that'd be awesome, but no. I don't have the know-how to make the files, and I doubt there's enough general interest for Crunchy to want to make them. The costume I have in mind is more like what a human Toa would wear, not quite a tribal look but a low-tech sort of general-use outfit, loose cloth with wrapping and belts. The color scheme would be based on the set, but at this point the costume's just a rough idea.

Oh also a big part would be finishing up my fire sword. I'd use magnets to make it stick to my back, or a sword belt across my back.

Oh ok, I thought you were planning on making something like this:

 

 

lol

 

I didn't know you were making a flame sword. I can't wait to see it! What is it made out of?'

Edited July 21, 2013 by Trydeltix

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

I actually have the full files for several different suits of armor (Halo, Iron Man, etc) but the time and expertise (and money) involved aren't really things I've got. The fire sword is a layered cutout, at the moment it's just some cardboard slices but I'll complete the other half at some point and make it presentable. Maybe I'll cut it out of wood eventually.

[Art Vandelay]

I'd love to see a wooden fire sword. Heck, I might make one myself. It'd make a nice piece to display on a mantel or something.

[dcresistance]

That looks amazing for a first try! I have absolutely no skill with pepakura, so I have no intention to try it at all. The weathered, worn-down look you have on your Hau looks a lot better than a polished, shiny finish.

 

If you're planning to build the flame sword soon, you should have a nozzle in the centre that shoots out fire.

 

Everybody loves fire, right?

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Assuming I managed to construct such a thing without exploding my face off, I'd give it... oh, three minutes before I caught something, or someone, on fire.

"With all due respect, great Toa, you might want to watch where you point that thing" -Jala, Tale of the Toa

[Art Vandelay]

Assuming I managed to construct such a thing without exploding my face off, I'd give it... oh, three minutes before I caught something, or someone, on fire.

"With all due respect, great Toa, you might want to watch where you point that thing" -Jala, Tale of the Toa

Haha, I loved that quote from Tale of the Toa.

Edited July 22, 2013 by Trydeltix

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

What have we here...

[Art Vandelay]

You made another one already? Nice! it looks just like the "real" Pakari, except for two things. The eye holes are slightly too large, and the mask is overall just a bit too small. Other than that, its really awesome.

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Ok, I got some materials to fiberglass and Bondo a couple older projects so the Pakari's going on hold for a bit. It's currently sealed with Modge Podge and ready for strengthening, so I'll get back to it eventually.

[bristolianharpie]

Now that is some quality crafting right there!

[Kanakalackin]

Awesome! The coloring on this makes it look incredibly realistic!

 

I need to start working on my noble Huna....

[Sumiki]

I love these - they look pretty realistic. I'd love to see you take on something a bit more complicated, like the Ignika or something. I'd pay for that.

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

Quick-made another mask last night, finished it this morning. Been sidetracked with an Iron Man helmet for a friend, first time with resin and Bondo and it came out ok, will probably use the same technique to complete the Pakari and Miru.

Reason why I'm not done yet

More mask!

Edit: Added the first coat of resin to the outside of my Miru. I”ll fiberglass it tomorrow as I have things to do tonight. I’ll finish it off at some point with Bondo, not sure if that’ll be before or after I resin the Pakari. Don’t think I’ll coat the outside of that one since I already added so much Modge Podge.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Pleurodeles Waltl

[Maphrox: Toa of Polygons]

Looking at this really makes me wish I'd placed the edge loops on those models better. Could have avoided some of the less curved bits.

[Pleurodeles Waltl]

The models aren't perfect, but most of the errors come out in the process. Overall, serious props to you and Crunchy, these masks are great. I'm really enjoying working with them. Thanks to the both of you!Double-post, don't know if anyone cares or is even looking at this anymore, but I should have my Miru done soon (been busy, gotta finish it before school gets going) and there's actually a possibility that my friend has the proper equipment to help me make a metal firesword. Yeah, that's right. It'd be thin, but it would be a metal Tahu sword to go with my mask. So... that'd be cool once I figured out the hilt. Anyway, I'll probably just make a separate topic for the Miru once it's Bondo'd up.