Then, I started building the upper frame area. Now, the Rancor is supposed to be quite massive, so I will be adding a lot of weight, so I started with an Alice Pack and started adding PVC pipe to it for the main structure:
IMG_20200621_142514122 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
The two steel loops around the midsection velcro together when I have it on, so the hope is that they will just sort of sit on each other and keep each other in place.
IMG_20200621_160650704_HDR by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200621_160700593_HDR by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
And, then I added some steel to round off the top of the back and make the shoulders and upper biceps huge:
IMG_20200628_165331536 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200701_173107415 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
That also allowed me to make a rounded back, which will help create a spine area with spikes later, I hope.
Then, I made hands and since weight will be an issue, so I used pool noodles, aluminum, and digger claws from garden gloves:
IMG_20200630_102324519 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200630_195930446 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200701_125205379 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200701_154156595 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
I had to build a shoulder and a forearm to mount those, so I'm not gonna lie, I just started taking liberties at this point and winging it:
IMG_20200704_150017472 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200704_150041840 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
The initial shoulder I built was so large that I couldn't fit my own shoulders in the backpack any more, so I had to go back to the drawing board and cut it down a bit. I ended up with this. This pic starts to show how truly massive this project is and the "costume" will be:
IMG_20200705_130709281 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200705_130713988 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
Kinda works, but leans forward pretty far. I haz a sad:
IMG_20200705_130732194 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
But, I powered on, figuring I can dial things in and fix them later. So, I built the rough structure for the head:
IMG_20200705_135913108 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200705_135923292 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
Then, I added a third strap that will go from the bottom of the Alice pack across my hips and will keep the whole thing from leaning forward too far. Since it's a lumbering beast, some forward lean is fine, I just don't want the fingers scraping the road.
IMG_20200718_125404021 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
IMG_20200718_125409725 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
Gonna be a bit rough on the back, but should be wearable!
So, now I'm at a point where I'm adding the inner layer of skin to the upper body. I have the forearms skinned and will be working on the biceps and shoulders next.
IMG_20200906_133129087 by
Michael Halstead, on Flickr
After that, I'll need to add some musculature so it's not just perfect tubes for forearms.
I'm real hopeful that I can maintain some motivation and keep plugging away. There are still several areas that I need to brainstorm and figure out and I'll need to figure out how I'm going to sculpt the face. So, lots more to do but it would sure be fun if I can keep this one going.