Costumes and Cosplaying

[Graywalker]

Does anyone have any experience making costume and cosplaying that can help a fairly new cosplayer and costume maker?

I'm working on a costume currently made out of EVA foam, the kind of stuff that is used in foam mats for standing on, and I'm getting to the point where I have to start gluing and painting it. Has anyone done something like this before and if so do you have any tips that might help?

[BeyondSandrock]

Unfortunately I have yet to work with EVA foam, but I did get a lot of help from the Something Awful forums cosplay thread for my Protoman costume this year.  If you don't have an account (which does cost $10.00) another good resource is The Replica Prop Forums.  It's free and they have a ton of professional artists and costumers giving wonderful advice to people starting out.  Out of curiosity, what costume are you doing?

[Graywalker]

I am making a Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine cosplay. Specifically the Emperor's Champion of the Black Templars. I found myself being linked to a forum on "Obscurus_Crusade" where a gentleman in Sweden, I think; it's hard to tell, who had a semi-tutorial on how to build Marine armor.

After a long time of mulling over several choices for color schemes I decide to make my costume out of the first Marine model I ever bought.

[Wooberman]

I've had my hand in making larp weapons before and we used acrylic paint initially mixed with liquid latex, airbrushed with acrylic for details and then covered with isoflex afterwards for protection.
Hope this helps.

[Graywalker]

That does help quite a lot. I need to make the sword that goes with the character and I was going to start looking up larp methods for weapon making, for a cool look and for use if needed.

[Wooberman]

Also I recommend looking for the weapon checking rules in different boffer larp systems (especially Lorien Trust or Profound decisions) just in case you ever do feel the need to swing it at people. Even though we beat the crap out of each other we don't actually want to hurt each other. There aren't many larpers as it is.

[Graywalker]

The only time I would want to swing it at anyone is they and I are in armored foam suit like this costume will be. Most of the conventions I've been to have strict rules of carrying weapons around and what to do and not do with them.

Really the only time I'd ever point something at someone would be if I make the Megaman X or Zero blast.

[Graywalker]

After 1-1/2  months of work, I've assembled 5 of the 9 parts. Also managed to cut and burn myself while building these parts. The only tip I can think of at this moment for anyone wanting to undertake this kind of costume making project is this; Stock up on hot glue sticks, you'll be going through a lot of them.

I've tried to post up pictures to show my progress, but the images are apparently to large for the forum. 

[clockworkjoe]

Host images on http://imgur.com/ - it's a lot better than the SMF file attachment system.

[Graywalker]

Thank you sir, I didn't know about that site.

Chest piece: http://imgur.com/Y8Al6rE

Waist and Belt: http://imgur.com/z0egxgS

Shoulder Pauldrons and the Forearms. It's a little tricky to make out but the forearms in at the front and pauldrons in back. http://imgur.com/vQnQpby

Inside view of the Pauldrons: http://imgur.com/HFpGyVX

[Graywalker]

Wanted to show the work I've gotten done after taking a break from foam cutting and assembly. If you have a costume you want to show off do it here, or talk about costumes ideas you want to do. Enjoy, peace out.

The foot: http://imgur.com/WpNrgx7,gkS8i2s,T1oiatM#0
-> To note, underneath the foam foot is the number of inches that it is long.

Foot inside the foot: http://imgur.com/WpNrgx7,gkS8i2s,T1oiatM#1
->Ignore the beds' in the background and wonder instead how I'm going to move in a boot that big.

Power Pack: http://imgur.com/WpNrgx7,gkS8i2s,T1oiatM#2
-> The thing that gave me the greatest headache until I start working on attaching all these parts together.

[Graywalker]

I have never been so frustrated with a project like I have been with this. But it has been worth the work and I am really really happy with this.

Helmet, the mark 4: http://imgur.com/8gaoTKp

enjoy

[BeyondSandrock]

Looks like you're making some good progress! I'm looking forward to seeing the completed armor at Gencon.  Hopefully I'll either have the Protoman Mk. 2 up or my other yet-to-be-decided costume up and ready by then.

[Graywalker]

It's funny you mention Protoman. After last years Gencon I wanted to make a Megaman related costume, or at least the helmets for some of my favorite characters.

Most notably X and Zero. However I can't get out of my head the helmet of Protoman, so when I finish up with my current costume that's what I am planning on working on.

[Graywalker]

Nearly a month later since my last post and I can now walk around in my leggings.

Legs: http://i.imgur.com/pLHiiUH.jpg

The shins and thighs are connected via metal strips but they are not attached to the feet stilts that they are resting on. At least not yet.

Expect the next post to be me in the costume fully.