ACCESSORIES
This is my process for making straps, buckles or whatever when i use SSFirm. I usually prefer to use milliputty for the detail stuff, but i'm trying to primarily use SuperSculpy for this project. I find it easier to work in stages "layers" when i start the refining process. After the secondary bake, i add clay to the areas where i want the shoulder pads to be, and use an exacto knife to cut the shape i want. I then smooth with turpenoid and bake the shoulder pads with my heat gun. After it has cooled, i draw in with pencil where i want the straps to go. I apply vaseline and clay to that area, then use the exacto knife to cut the shape of the straps. the process then repeats as i add in buckles and other little details. I started adding in the straps to the front of the vest and tried to capture the process. (see below)
1. in this first picture i've added a thin layer of vaseline and roughly blocked in the area where i want a strap to go.
2. When i'm making multiples of the same thing, i like to fully complete one to make sure i like the look before proceeding with the rest. This is ultimately how i want all the straps to look
3. Same as step 1. Add vaseline and roughly block in the shape of the strap with clay.
4. I use exacto knife to cut a nice clean line for one side of the strap.
5. I remove the excess clay from the line i just cut.
6. I use exacto knife to cut a parallel line.
7. i remove the excess clay and use my measuring calipers to double check that the width is the same throughout the strap. I've also finished "cutting" the other strap
8. I've smoothed and baked the straps i made in step 7 and started sculpting the buckles separately. I find it easier to cut away nice clean lines when the straps are already baked. I've also resculpted the flaps to the pouches on the belt. I've quickly blocked in a musette bag that will wrap around the left side.
9. I then take a quick pic of the work i've done to make sure everything still looks good.
If there is anything that i dont like, i'll go back and redo (i.e. i didn't like the original look of the flaps I made for the pouches so carved away the old ones and sculpted new ones)
Hope that all made sense. I also hope the pic is large enough.
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