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BadLukArt β Steampunk Samurai
Published: 2012-12-21 03:00:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 1761; Favourites: 18; Downloads: 87
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Steampunk Samurai 40% complete. Complete bio coming soon.The Japanese Samurai, as I am sure you all know by now, are a people and a culture in which I respect greatly. Then we have a new phenomenon, a phenomenon that is taking over a large section of the cosplay and art community, we all know this phenomenon as Steampunk. We see it everywhere, but in the art community it is but a genre. A genre that not every artist respects, although they accept its essence none the less. I wanted to show others by the construction of this armor that I was trying to achieve something very specific by the creation of it. I want to display to other artists what each piece represents and why I chose to carve the details that I did. I believe that there are certain criteria that give something direction. Art needs boundaries and rules so that it may achieve a certain feel. "Steampunk" in many cases, can be abused. What I am trying to say is that I have seen many suits of Steampunk armor which lose certain qualities along the way, what many of them lack is a solid and sound direction. Art is like poetry, there are many forms of poetry. Each form follows a list of rules. Steampunk is like the "free verse" poetry of the art world, there is no rules and there is no specific guidelines. Without direction and boundaries, without rules and guidelines, there is only chaos. Therefore, many artists have difficulty creating direction in the piece itself. It ends up becoming a smorgasbord of trinkets, gears, and fittings. It is suppose to accentuate the "Victorian" element. To me, Victorian stands for classy along with elegant, the curves are both smooth and sleek. It is difficult to grasp that effect when there is so much going on in some cases. I chose my genre (Steampunk). I chose my direction and spin (Japanese Samurai) Now I will follow traditional guidelines so that I may stay true to myself and stay true to my direction. This way my Artwork can have the ability to follow a genre βandβ branch off with in a certain set of perimeters to then become truly unique. I am to follow three types of guidelines in order to reach my overall goal. Use but not abuse the Steampunk genre, stay classy and elegant, stay traditional Japanese. As long as I follow the path that I have created in my mind. It will be another inspirational piece of Artwork.
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Comments: 27
I understand that this armor has not been completed yet. This is by far some of the most detailed leather work that I have ever seen. Your use of copper over brass was a very wise choice. It has created an elegantly darker tone. I find that brass is very beautiful but as soon as I say the copper, I thought to my self, perfect. I totally agree that many artists miss what steampunk is all about. It has nothing to do with how much junk you can fit on your artwork. It must have every element required to truly become a well rounded an amazing piece of craftsmanship. So far my friend you have given this piece of art everything it needs and then some. Your work is truly that of a master craftsmen.
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I appreciate the critique very much, and it was very kind of you. You were more than generous with your evaluation. Sometimes it is hard for people to grasp the possible outcome of something not quite complete. Or at least have some type of idea of the direction that the art it is headed in. Not many people noticed the use of copper over brass. The fact that you did allows me to value your opinion over that of one whom I believe may not be versed in such things.
Again I appreciate the opinion of all and negate the critique of none. Please feel free to check in from time to time as I progress further into this unique genre.
Thank you.
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Your work looks incredible, and I can't even begin to imagine how long this must be taking, with the colors and the tooling...But whatever you have going on with your camera is awful. I don't know if you're putting a filter on, or if it's just a bad camera, but it's so distracting and makes it that much harder to admire your work.
I love how you've combined the rustic Steampunk feel with Japanese motifs - it's truly a beautiful piece, but I'm not sure it can be regarded as truly Steampunk just yet. I am aware that you said it's not complete, but consider the rest of the outfit you'll need to make / acquire, and the extra attention you could give this.
The staple of Steampunk couture is the motif of the Gear, and I don't see any gears here (I see a shape that *might* be, but it's really difficult to tell with this particular photo because of the quality. Then again, it could just be a flower).
As for Samurai, these aren't traditional Samurai spaulders. Was that the intention?
So, all together, I love the idea and I love the look of this piece (your detail is beyond incredible), but I don't think it quite constitutes the title of "Steampunk Samurai" just yet.
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And just to add my 2cents to that:
I know, most people associate gears with steampunk.
But in my understanding gears should be associated with steampunk as the driving force of its technology (what is nowadays electronics), not as a mere deko element.
I can't stand the stuff, where someone just throws in a couple of gears onto a regular item and then says: "now it's steampunk".
No, Steampunk is much more than that!
Steampunk is victorian aestetics and that means thoughtful and artful design of everything in its own theme, not necessarily gears.
This may sound a bit harshly put and I don't intend to offend someone by that, but that's my view of it, although knowing Steampunk hasn't a universal definition, that's what I stand by.
In that respect, this steampunk samurai, accounting for the mentioned technical gadgets to come, is the best someone could hope for a masterful interpretation of a samurai in a steampunk world!
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Thank you again for your wonderful input. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability of showing others how it is completed in my mind. Up there it is already completed and assembled and it looks beautiful. Until I have that ability people will make their assessments and just have to take my word for it. Steampunk is a thin line, stray but a little and you have a walking junkyard. You on the other hand my friend, I believe have a grasp of what it is I am trying to accomplish. I actually enjoy the fact that there was a comment on the amount of gears and dudads so far. This isn't the steampunk of the masses. This is what "I" feel steampunk represents. It has the genre, direction, boundries, classy design, and Japanese artwork. So far so good. lol
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You can't imagine (or most probably you can very well 
Since I discovered the original design of Kevin Mowrers Aether Rifle [link] (not his newer 3D design of it) I always felt, this is what steampunk should represent. And in my mind and among friends I called this "Steampunk deluxe".
And yeah, I still wait for something like mind-printer plugin too, would make things sooo much easier..
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That invention would make things so much easier. That rifle is absolutely fantastic. It looks as though it was created by an actual gun smith that chose to use an actual musket for his base. Truly an item that would exist in a steampunk future. Also an item in which the owner holds dear. That is more than just a firearm, it is his companion that stays by his side when all else flees and fades away.
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Exactly. There's nothing more to add to it.
I simply love that rifle. It still represents to me the pinnacle of what steampunk can be.
One day I hope to build this one faithfully, but I won't try it without the proper skills to do so. So until then I will try to realize my Medusa Rifle as one of the many steping stones towards that goal.
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What better way to hone those "proper skills" and help them achieve new heights than to throw yourself into creation. The best way to learn how to swim is to jump in. The best way for a creature to adapt to its environment is for it to encounter challenge and hardship. Through the encounter of that experience an adaptation is formed. (Experience becomes Skill) "Your adaptation, making beautiful rifles" Why delay learning by teaching yourself? If it's any bit of inspiration. I have never taken a class or had anyone to show me how to do anything. All I possessed was the drive and desire to make the things I saw in my head a reality. If I hadn't just jumped headfirst into leather-work by going and buying two cowhides the very next day I never would have learned. The information available, there is always a reason to procrastinate. Never a reason to start. That's my motivational speech for the day. lol
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You are a wise man.
Thanks for the speech.
Funnily most of my skills I learned exactly that way.
handsewing leather: first attempt -> Mauser double shoulder holster (done in one night) [link]
modeling/punching leather: first attempt -> aztec head (done without any "normal" tool one usually use for that) [link]
sculpting: first attempt -> the anatomically accurate Dr. Nano Brain [link]
Whitemetall casting and enameling: first attempt -> the Gruenwald logo [link]
and so on...
But, although taking those skills headon, my work is always planned very carefully and thoroughly before I start something. Usually the planning and developing phase takes much longer than the actual realization part, after I have every detail in mind and a solution for how to achieve it (theoretically). It limits the errors in the trials and is in the end as such the quicker way to the result I want to achieve.
That's one of the reasons, why I take a deviation on the way to the Aether rifle, as I haven't solved all problems yet. And by now the Medusa is so detailed worked out, that I would boldly say, she won't stay much behind the Aether Rifle.
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I was mistaken for a moment yesterday when I first looked at the Aether rifle. At first I was captivated by its beauty and craftsmanship. So then I figured that I would return to it and mentally examine it. Then visualize how it could be disassembled in the manner that I believe it was smithed and assembled in the first place. It was at that moment when I realized that it was a computer generated image and is still in the(conceptual phase) considering its actual creation I believe is not intended. I do not think you should compare your work to that of a computer generated image. If you can create anything that comes close to that rifle, you have already one, for it does not truly exist. Just Sayen. lol
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The beauty of it is, that Mowrer does his designs such a way, that one really can dissect it mentally and find many pieces of details, that where lent from existing stuff. I always suspected, that he really does develope his designs like he would actually build them.
As for the realization, as he's quite a craftsman himself, judging from his custommade workshop tools, he mentioned, that he's thinking of building the new version (totally 3D rendering, which I don't like as much as the original concept art, I have to say) as a scale model.
I simply adore the original concept and admire every detail of it, what's the reason, that I want to do it as close as I can.
Anyway, this is not realizing soon, as I've got my scedule of projects full till mid 2014 at least...
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I did not linger on his page long enough to get an idea of what type of craftsman that he is, but long enough to see that his designs are very possible and done in a way that they could be made by the right set of hands. I did gun smithing for a small period of time and I have an idea of how such a piece could meet reality. When you are ready to tackle such an endeavor, I would be happy to give advise along the way. That is if you needed it. I, like you would love to see something that was so meticulously designed, have the chance to blossom into our world.
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Thank you very much for your kind offer!
One can never be accomplished enough to ignore a masters insight.
So I certainly will do as one of the main obstacles I see for me is anyway the barrel.
Of course one can do that with plastic, glassfibre or something similarly easy to work with, but if possible, I would go for "all-metal" with all those fine etchings etc. Also other parts like the skull gunsight would be lovely if really done as a cast brass piece and so on.
But as I said, at the moment I'm already quite busy with my other projects (which are challenging enough). So it will have to wait a bit longer before it might materialize in our world.
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(Until then) I agree, only a real steel barrel and receiver will do. If you have any technical schools near you, you may sign up for a night class in a machine shop in which they will teach you how to use and operate the equipment. The only way to truly achieve flawlessness is by learning how to operate a lathe and other milling machines. It will train you in all of the primary machines a gunsmith operates to help achieve perfection. There are also many machine shops that will mill to spec any type of blueprint that you give them. Also many machine shops will allow you to rent the use of their machines and equipment at an hourly rate. Maybe look into it on your not busy time. It's a start.
(P.S) If you want to do this in the future and plan on possibly making it a business, (If you haven't already)I could also recommend going on ebay or any other auction web-sight and trying to find a used lathe. I have seen them go for as little as 800 if your lucky. Not a high price to pay to gain the ability to create beautiful rifles. Not to mention the fact that since you do not plan to do this project until 2014, you have time to slowly set money aside in a separate account to buy such a piece of equipment, that would allow you to do anything that you can envision or imagine. That's another start.
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Yes, there are some rental machine shops around.
I even have a minituare Minicraft lathe (basically only a clever mounting for their minidrill), for small stuff.
The barrels edgy instead of round shape makes it difficult anyway.
No, although I just opened an Etsy shop today, to be able to offer the 228 Steampistol and my Froggy (see Journal entry [link] ), I don't plan on going into big business with my work.
This is still only a spare time leisure and is just meant as a small token of appreciation for all the positive feedback I got and maybe a bit of a budgetery support for my future projects, if anyone does indeed obtain anything.
Well setting aside money till 2014 would be nice idea, if there weren't going on all these costly projects till then eating exactly that money.
But as I say, one step after another. Next toolpurchase on my list will be a small motorized fretsaw, so that I can cut metal, wood and plastic far easier, faster and precise than I do now with the old handfretsaw.
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Sorry, I don't want you to think that I wasn't responding anymore. My wife has become very ill. So I am going to have to put off all of my projects. I will try to keep up with all of my messages, just wanted to put that out there in case I miss any of your messages. I don't know for how long as I think that it may be serious. It was nice to meet you and I thank you for the conversations. If you are religious, please pray for her, still trying to grasp everything that's happening. It's a reality check when someones health gets taken away out of know where. In this case it is my wife. I hope you understand. Thank you.
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Absolutly no apologiez needed!
I wish your wife and you all the best and hope you both will quickly pass through this dark valley.
And please remember, as deep and endless the darkest night may seem, you're pushed into, the sun as always risen again the next morning. Always.
My sincerest sympathies.
Be strong.
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I understand where you are coming from. It is 40% complete. I have a large gear box with brass and copper fittings and other such steampunk gigets and dudads. I just wanted to show the leather carving up to this point before I cover some of it up with brass and copper fittings. There are actually quite a few gears on it but again my camera isn't that great. As for the layout of the armor There is much left to do. I wanted to veer away from the traditional Samurai look and put a little bit more of that Victorian element. I have done many samurai and I will make sure as I make it toward completion that I fulfill the little details that bring the outfit to life. Thank you again for taking the time to comment.
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Absolutely incredible. I love your use of copper rather than the typical brass look. It makes the armor far more elegant. I don't know where to start. It truly is some of the best leather work that I have ever seen. I can not wait to see it finished. Bravo my friend.
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Thank you very much. My health was the one that suffered for this piece. 4 days and no sleep. Needless to say, the body stops when the body wants to stop. Then sick for 2 whole weeks.
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