Done / Completed TEMPLE DART from Raiders, Chachapoya / Hovitos

[MandoJedi]

What Jamesfett said!

 

[281rm55]

Bill,
All in for at least one.
Thanks

 

[Astyanax]

All right, some updated pictures and thoughts on color...

Sanded...not too finely, as this is supposed to look hand-made. Just enough to get out the geometry and layer lines.



Glued together...



A wire wrap...actually using solder, because it holds in place better for gluing.



Primed in black...



As for colors, this is all I have to go on:



So these are my thoughts and my first test:

1. Arrowhead: Dark bronze with heavy patina
2. Wire wrap: Dark metal, rusted heavily
3. Shaft: Dark wood

I'm thinking I would then give the whole thing a black wash, only lightly removed. That way, the colors underneath would peek through but not cleanly. And then a heavy dusting of Fuller's Earth and a brushing off.

So that will be the first test. Appreciate any feedback!

Bill

 

[moviebuff5]

You said you used solder because it holds better, could the original just be a spring?

 

[Astyanax]

You said you used solder because it holds better, could the original just be a spring?

Great question, totally possible...It would have to be one of those springs that creates tension when you pull it apart.

 

[Jamesfett]

Would they use wire?

 

[Astyanax]

Would they use wire?

The Chachapoya? Probably not. Production? Sure, for a less-than-a-second shot.

What's really telling is that there is no sign of any fraying from the wrap. It looks pretty regular...too regular to be hand-made twine.

 

[Jamesfett]

The Chachapoya? Probably not. Production? Sure, for a less-than-a-second shot.

What's really telling is that there is no sign of any fraying from the wrap. It looks pretty regular...too regular to be hand-made twine.

Yeah, I see what your saying, but this would lead me to go for a kit so I can add something else. The wire just looks odd on such a weapon.

Beyond awesome work BTW

 

[Astyanax]

Thanks so much!

Yeah, I figured that since geographic and period accuracy are out the window anyway with the design of the arrowhead, it made more sense to try to match production.

We'll see how it looks after finishing. I'm pretty sure I will be offering unfinished kits too.

 

[Astyanax]

I'm interested in the string vs. wire debate. Please weigh in!

 

[Astyanax]

You got me thinking, so I put together a test dart with string too. Why not?

The color for that part will be dark dirty brown.

 

[MandoJedi]

I prefer the string. I'm not sure but, I don't think the Hovitos would have access to wire.

 

[Jamesfett]

Me too. I think you are right, on the prop it's wire, but I think a crisp string or very thin leather would look and feel better.

 

[Jamesfett]

Since we are on the subject, what about the shaft or stick? It would not be a perfect dowel. Is it possible to make one that looks like it would have, hand made like an arrow of the time?

 

[Astyanax]

Since we are on the subject, what about the shaft or stick? It would not be a perfect dowel. Is it possible to make one that looks like it would have, hand made like an arrow of the time?

I think the finish will help mitigate that. Just did some chip-brushing of brown over the black for the shafts:



The final black wash and powder will do more.

The dowel needs to be fairly straight looking...near perfect, as the dart is supposed to fly straight without any fletching. This means good balance.

Remember, these are the people who made countless booby traps and cast a smooth gold idol with detailed eyes. They can handle a smooth dowel.

Also, see how straight it looks in this cap:

 

[Astyanax]

First passes of color on the wraps...

The string wrap has two browns on it, to look extra dirty. I avoided black because that's coming later. The string wrap is done for now.



The wire wrap got a layer of Iron spray paint. Several layers of "rust" effect are coming next.



You're going to notice that the colors are going to appear far too bright in the photos. This is for two reasons: (1) my photo booth is extra bright, and (2) too bright is better than too dim, as I will have the freedom to "knock it back" as much as I want in the final black wash and Fuller's Earth powder. The finished dart should be nearly all black, but it will have lots of layers to it.

Observe in more normal light:

 

[Astyanax]

I think I've finished the rust work on the wire wrap:



Hard to see how it really looks from the photos, but I'm quite convinced:



I followed this really helpful technique (using similar acrylic colors instead of enamels):

Now just waiting for the bronze & patina kit to arrive later today!

 

[dirtyharriet]

please add me to the list...

 

[Jamesfett]

Looking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Astyanax]

The bronze worked out quite well!

Two coats of bronze paint, with light application of patina activator on the second wet coat:



Another coat of bronze and a heavier application of the activator...now we're talking!



Black wash is next!