The Role Playing Public Radio Forums
General Category => General Chaos => : Graywalker September 17, 2013, 04:33:39 PM
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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?
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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 (http://www.therpf.com/). 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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Host images on http://imgur.com/ - it's a lot better than the SMF file attachment system.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Okay, I'm a little over-enthusiastic with this posting seeing as it isn't the full costume but it's coming.
Body: http://i.imgur.com/aj8V9NH.jpg
Nothing to crazy right now. That will be coming in the next few days once I have all the remaining metal work finished and attached to the inside of the costume. For right now however, when I'm in that costume, I feel on top of the world.
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I was dead set on having this much done by the end of February at least. I've fallen behind on my schedule for this costume so I am working like mad to get caught up.
Luckily I've managed to get it to this point. Only a few more details left to go with the mechanics of the suit before I can start painting. Until then, here's what I have and I hope you enjoy it.
Cosplay: http://i.imgur.com/VFi630z.jpg
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damn that's looking good!
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Quick showing of the shoulder symbols. Put off them for a long time but finally got them done.
Shoulders: http://i.imgur.com/LfLWmTk.jpg
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Was sidetracked in making this post but now I can and it's finally done!
Showed it off at Emerald City Comic Con on March 29th and my friends with me at the time will testify that when I walked into the convention center, all heads turned to me.
Suit with Helmet (sorry for the blur):http://i.imgur.com/OhFCXjH.jpg
Without helmet 1: http://www.hieroglyphphotography.com/Events/Conventions/ECCC-2014-Costumes-Saturday/i-979C77H/A (http://www.hieroglyphphotography.com/Events/Conventions/ECCC-2014-Costumes-Saturday/i-979C77H/A)
Without helmet 2: http://www.hieroglyphphotography.com/Events/Conventions/ECCC-2014-Costumes-Saturday/i-8jFHWPJ/A (http://www.hieroglyphphotography.com/Events/Conventions/ECCC-2014-Costumes-Saturday/i-8jFHWPJ/A)
Took over 6 months make, worn for 2 hours and was it worth it? YES!
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That looks incredibly awesome. :D
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The costume came out great! Awesome job!
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Fantastic! Well done!
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Wow. O_O
Excellent work! You must have felt like a boss in it. :D
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Hello everyone!
With the passing of GenCon and the year coming to a close in a couple of months, it's time to sit down and take some time to reflect. Namely about what costumes are in the works for 2015!
Seriously this thread is called "Costumes and Cosplaying" what else did you think I would talk about here? I am at it again; working hard on the next costume. Which I plan to take to Emerald City Comic-Con and GenCon 2015. Like the previous costume; this one is again Warhammer 40k inspired. However there is more to the costume this time.
Costume ref: http://i.imgur.com/9OlXEJF.jpg
WIP: http://i.imgur.com/148L5C4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/D7x74eL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8LsLn4p.jpg
Grey Knights!
Not long after returning from GenCon I meet a gentleman who works at my local DIY store, Lowe's, named Jason. He is a costume maker who has been making costumes for the past few years. I encounter him at last years Emerald City Comic-Con. I didn't recognize him but he remembered me. Since then he has helped me further my costume making skills, helping me work outside the box and introducing me to alternate methods of costume work.
It's been a trip and no mistake. Is anyone planning to go in a costume for next years GenCon, or perhaps a Con before then?
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Did you actually manage to get the eyes glowing? Good god man, you cannot be stopped!
I'm starting out with some costuming myself; probably won't have anything for GenCon 2015 but planning for the future. I'm learning to sew and work with fabrics so I can do clothing sets, capes, maybe even hats eventually.
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It may be a "cheap" idea but you should work on making yourself a Final Fantasy Black Mage costume Tad.
Conventions have a lot of Role-playing casters but I've hardy seen any of the Conventions I've gone too. While the majority of the images of them are of a blue robe and hat, you could go further with the design work and make something cool.
Just my idea on something to start out on. Glad you've decided to try your hand at costume making brother.
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You never know what people will latch onto and love. Sometimes it can be a simple as a black mage (and frankly if you could keep that one totally simple but somehow manage to hide your face and make your eyes glow, ALL the cool cosplay points!) Sometimes it's the ridiculously complex where you've researched every detail; the true fans will know you did your homework, and the somewhat fans will still appreciate it even if they can't quote the chapter-and-verse of why it's awesome.
*Slight* tangent, but follow me on this one. ;) With today being Pirate Day, I broke out my trusty purple pirate outfit. Now, I've worn this one before and some of the parts get swapped out here and there; vest or no-vest depends on the heat of the day and "Will I be comfortable for a given value of comfort in the man-corset today?" sword belt or no-swords allowed, etc. The parts I always wear, though, are the shirt, the bandana, the sash, and my outrageously flamboyant hat. I had to take photos with over a dozen people today, because the outfit is more well-known than I am.
"David? Who's David?"
"I dunno, but there's Cap'n Purplescarf."
I took off my hat for fifteen minutes and I might as well have turned invisible.
On the other hand, my neighbor's kid just joined the armed forces, and his mom saw me get home and *really* wanted a picture because "He's feeling homesick, and he LOVES your pirate outfit! This one photo'll put in in good spirits for weeks."
Rambly tangent, but here's my point: if you make it, someone somewhere will love it. If you wear it (and just OWN the look) you WILL get photographed and make someone's day.
Start your sewin' simple, slowly sew your seams, and someday you'll stitch stupendous stylish suits! ^_^
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Worbla is expensive as all hell but it is FANTASTIC for what you want to do. I like using it more than foam because if you really need to you can reheat it and use it again. I've helped my wife and friends with some of their cosplay stuff and holy crap that stuff is amazing.
Your progress pictures look great. Definitely layer paint and seal it up because it's going to look awesome.
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I've seen what Worbla can do and like would use some of it later on. But you're right, it is expensive as hell.
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I haven't done a whole lot since my last image post except this stuff right here.
Arm cannon: http://i.imgur.com/hSjJqel.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/hSjJqel.jpg)
Helmet and chest preview: http://i.imgur.com/t2he3C8.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/t2he3C8.jpg)
Waist and legs: http://i.imgur.com/BEPrC1M.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/BEPrC1M.jpg)
I've got everything cut out from the foam, now I'm just working on some detail work so I have less to do after the new year rolls around.
Anyone working or planning a costume for GenCon this year?
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Arm bolter is lookin' good.
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I plan on going as a horrible monster
also will that arm bolter fire nerf darts? Those look like nerf darts.
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Anyone working or planning a costume for GenCon this year?
Depending how my sewing progresses I will be "guy with no costume", "guy in homemade hood", or "hey, that kinda looks like a character I remember".
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also will that arm bolter fire nerf darts? Those look like nerf darts.
Not yet. Right now its just a prop mounted to the arm piece. I used Nerf darts from the lastest Sniper rifle for the ammo clip, after carefully removing the rubber head from them. Sometime down the road after the costumes done I'll work getting it to fire darts out of there. That would be sweet.
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also will that arm bolter fire nerf darts? Those look like nerf darts.
Not yet. Right now its just a prop mounted to the arm piece. I used Nerf darts from the lastest Sniper rifle for the ammo clip, after carefully removing the rubber head from them. Sometime down the road after the costumes done I'll work getting it to fire darts out of there. That would be sweet.
Water balloon launcher or GTFO.
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Water balloon launcher or GTFO.
I would love to see one of those in action at GenCon but I'm busy right now, maybe later.
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https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=635835666562817&set=vb.100004091692815&type=2&theater¬if_t=like (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=635835666562817&set=vb.100004091692815&type=2&theater¬if_t=like)
A good long while since I posted anything but I was busy making this.
Test fitting and walking for any errors and problems that needed to be addressed, found one at the end of the video to my surprise.
With any luck I'll have this ready for the Comic-Con near me in March, if not, GenCon gets a very polished version of this right here.
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Hello everyone.
Wanted to show you the work station I have thanks to my father and the painting progression.
Workstation: http://i.imgur.com/mdUyjvh.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/mdUyjvh.jpg)
All The Silver: http://i.imgur.com/vd6Q4a5.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/vd6Q4a5.jpg)
Once I have it assembled and walking around in it again I'll show off more.
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Looking good!
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Okay, I love my Dad and all he's done to help me with this costume. But he really needs to learn how to work the camera on a smart phone, lighting issues aside.
Man underneath with weapon: http://i.imgur.com/hbVPv3a.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/hbVPv3a.jpg)
As of this posting I have 4 days to get that hammer finished, paint and water-proofing, and water-proof the costume itself before Emerald city Comic-Con. Gonna try and win the $1000 dollars prize.
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Good Luck, it's looking great! It also looks like you managed a good bit of articulation in the gloves.
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Emerald-City Comic-Con has come and gone, along with my chance to win the costume contest.
Sadly my costume did not place 1st, 2nd or 3rd. However, I was mobbed most of the time I was out on the show floor by people wanting my photo and I was awarded with an award that makes me fired up for next year and another chance to win.
Were we have me posing for my friends, who were kind enough to help me from per-judging through the contest itself.
http://i.imgur.com/ZbRzf03.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/ZbRzf03.jpg)
On the show floor with a bunch of umbrellas
http://i.imgur.com/jH94jdR.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/jH94jdR.jpg)
Professional bust shot.
http://i.imgur.com/lx7GC9B.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/lx7GC9B.jpg)
Just after meeting with the contest judges...
http://i.imgur.com/8i7mfMR.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/8i7mfMR.jpg)
Physically worn out but inspecting for additional problems
http://i.imgur.com/tDdfw7g.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/tDdfw7g.jpg)
The costume was destroying itself.
http://i.imgur.com/lJU0SeH.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/lJU0SeH.jpg)
Fuel for the fire. Bright shall this new light burn.
http://i.imgur.com/djJ1I4c.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/djJ1I4c.jpg)
Hope you all enjoy the pictures and can't wait to see you all at GenCon.
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That is awesome! Sorry you did not place in the main contest, but you deserved to.
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What's with all these spiders and cobwebs?
(dust dust)
AND WE'RE BACK!
Taking some ques from GenCon and a sharp dressed Kamen fellow, Payday time is now.
Start with the mask and the suit will follow. Most like from Goodwill or JCPenny and a kickass prop gun.
http://imgur.com/VTe4mKn (http://imgur.com/VTe4mKn)
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Lookin' good Graywalker!
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Whoa. That's a cool mask.
With Halloween just a couple weeks away, does anyone have costume plans?
My wife and I are going to a party where the theme is corrupted Disney, or corrupted things in general. We couldn't think of anything to really go with it (that wasn't too much work) but this morning I was enthusing about the vaporwave recommendations from the latest RPPR episode. My wife jokes, "You could go as vaporwave for Halloween."
I want to try this. (No one will get it but I don't really care.)
Elements I'm thinking about:
- Dated late 80s/90s clothes, mismatched
- a few Japanese characters painted in random spots
- Possibly two cheap Halloween masks melted together
- Sony Walkman and other outdated technology
- hidden portable speakers to actually play vaporwave tracks
Any other thoughts? What would vaporwave look like to you?
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It's been a while. I got burned out working on costumes but I've got the fire back and I'm hot at work on my next big costume.
Here's the sword! http://i.imgur.com/Su3aTrP.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/Su3aTrP.jpg)
It's just the frame work, the long PVC pipes are each 5ft long but will be cut down. its being designed for a costume standing 7ft tall. Specifically for a custom made Warhammer Fantasy/Age Of Sigmar Archaon.
Not going to be bringing this costume to GenCon 2016. It will make an appearance in 2017 though.
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I mentioned what I was working on in the last post but this is what I am working towards right now.
http://imgur.com/xAB0cTs (http://imgur.com/xAB0cTs)
After about an hour of measuring and cutting PVC the framing is done.
http://i.imgur.com/lKb84AU.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/lKb84AU.jpg)
Now all I need to do is bind it all together with either hot glue or Barge and then work on the foam blade/covering.
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So I'm getting an easy costume ready for GenCon which I hope others will join in with as well.
The RPPR Payday crew!
Those of you might recall I have this http://imgur.com/VTe4mKn (http://imgur.com/VTe4mKn) mask already and I just got my 2nd one! http://imgur.com/VJR8AEx (http://imgur.com/VJR8AEx)
I'm working on getting the 3rd in soon, so I've you'd be up to dress up like a character from Payday but need a mask I intend to bring all 3 with me while at GenCon.
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I've figured out how to justify a purple Jedi, so that's what I'm shooting for this year for GenCon. Already have tunic, mantle, obi, cloak, and belt. Now all I need is to finish the bits to put on said belt, find purple pants that work, and (hopefully) get the rest of the parts I need for my saber and put it together in time.
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on the notes of building a lightsaber i have found a Fantastic LED light kit at Lowes (where i work) that allows you to adjust the color of the led's via remote control. only downside i can see is that it's AC current as is, not sure how hard that would be to convert to DC.
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I know that my dream costume right now is to go as Wilbur Whateley with a stolen Necronomicon from "The Dunwich Horror." Seems particularly do-able by changing up a satyr costume to add more tentacles, a long tail, and a pair of squid eyes. Then you just need to not shave and/or not get a hair cut for a while to look particularly ratty and you're all set to go. Plus I found this nice tutorial on how to make your own Necronomicon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmIHPRXNYA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmIHPRXNYA)