Red Hood

Ah, Jason Todd. You lovable anti-hero. My goal for this project was to bring Batman’s ex-bird boy to life. He needed to look worn, beaten and conflicted with his actions. He’s not perfect. I wanted him to look as if he existed in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy crossed with Dexter Soy’s artwork from Red Hood and the Outlaws.

EVA FOAM

I spent the first few months teaching myself how to work with EVA foam. I wanted the chest armor to resemble that of Dexter Soy’s original design but with added realism and grit. This was my first project working with EVA foam. The helmet was originally purchased off of an Etsy seller, who’s shop is no longer open. I upgraded it, adding rivets and bolts to areas I felt needed to look as if it was a separate piece. As well as adding some grime and scratches with acrylics and washes. The more damaged and gritty, the better. I also did a dry brush technique with Testers Model Masters silver paint to make the helmet look as if it was made of metal and chipped and damaged.

WEATHERING FABRIC

The 2nd half of the project I focused on acquiring the rest of the outfit. The pants are tactical with built in knee pads. Weathered with Fuller’s Earth Clay. I felt like the leather jacket needed to almost be it’s own character. It’s weathered using acrylic paint. I really focus on where grime and dirt would collect on fabric. Usually around the seams of clothes or on high use areas.

He’s not as calculated as Batman with his actions and often lets his emotions get in the way. I hope that this comes out in his jacket.

Overall, I wanted him to look dirty, a weathered street vigilante that wasn’t in control of his actions. Hopefully that’s what you see too!

PROJECT DETAILS

Jason deLeeuwComment