The Artmor Project - reference

I'm indebted to the Artmor Project for giving me the opportunity to finally get this magazine.
Long believed to be "the bible" for any fan of "John Carpenters The Thing" or the work of Rob Bottin, i've off and on tried to get myself a copy. But they've always gone for big bucks.
But, with me doing my build based on the film, i thought i'd try again.
And sure glad i did - just bagged me this mint edition copy off the 'Bay for only £6.00 :)
And, WOW!
FANTASTIC coverage - loads of pages of really indepth stuff, with excellent photos.
Sure, most are on the DVD extras or the Net, but nothing beats holding it in your hands - especially for reference sakes.
Sadly, nothing on "Split Face" but don't regret the buy for a second.

The Artmor Project comes round again.

You may remember last year how i took part in the excellent charity event, The Artmor Project. The brief was simple - folk were given a blank set of Mandolorian chest plate armour and given free reign to come up with anything they like, and the finished results would be auctioned off for the Toys For Tots cause.
A very noble cause and i was dead chuffed to take part. I knew though that i wouldn't be painting the plates as i get so darn frustrated by not being able to put whats up in my head onto a flat surface.
So instead i glued the pieces to a board and made a diorama of Jawas and Tusken Raiders fighting over a Droid that was stuck on an island in the middle of a Sarlacc nest:



Well, a years passed and folk have been asked again if they'd like to take part and, of course, i'd love to.
But, what to do?
Again, not confident to paint so it'd have to be another sculpt. But what?
I started thinking outside of Star Wars as i'd already done that and considered a whole bunch of films and TV shows. Wasn't long before "John Carpenters The Thing" sprang to mind as, not only is it one of my favourite SF/horror films, i actually think it may well be in my Top Ten Films Of All Time list.
So, i think of the film and almost straight away the idea pops in of a riff on the creature designs sculpted onto the plates. Each seperate unlike the last, so it could actually be worn if needed.
And almost straight after that, in pops the memory that i've got a pair of actual size, glass human eyes that someone gave me years back but i've never got round to using:



Mind made up then, and i knew that i wanted these eyes to be in the same sort of position as on "Split-Face" from the film, with its weirdly flowing skin connecting the two:



I also found this full size skull and i've thought about maybe cutting out the eye socket areas and have them incorperated into the build, but i'm now thinking no as i've a feeling anything jutting too far out from the surface may mess up the lines of the piece and distract from what it is.
Might use a bit of the mouth and teeth though.