Demonology 101: How to be a Succubus

aelynn000

Step 1: Gather resources.

Okay, so I'm starting one of my 2 Halloween costumes ( two because one to co-ordinate with my bf who is being Hook [ I have a weakness for wanting to co-ordinate costumes >_< ] and the other to make up for the complete and utter unsexiness of the first. ) and it's going to be a WoW style succubus.



I'm not going for complete screen accuracy since I'm a little too modest for that ( the corset is a little more closed in at the top...but that's mainly 'cause I can't find one with that cut...may alter it depending on my workload. And I'm getting flesh coloured tights so I can make the bottoms a bit thinner in the back without being in my underwear...and to skip the step of painting my legs and avoid the possibility of spilling my drink and ruining my painted legs...) but there are some parts that I'd love to be over the top accurate with...like the hooves for example. I've seen a girl who made hooves for a Drenaei (sp? I've been out of the game for a long time now ) and uploaded a more than helpful tutorial. Basically, work from this:





( These are her pics, not mine...I'll edit with credit when I look her up again )

So...easy enough. I get it. I actually plan on cutting some corners, however and buying some...ahem...exotic dancer shoes with a 4 inch platform and 8 inch heel and POSSIBLY hacking off the heel...

First area of needed advice, has anyone here actually ever tried that? How ridiculously hard is it to walk on the balls of your feet? Will this be a problem after some drinking? She said that the pair shown here give her about 7 inches of height and she had no problem wearing them. I'm ALWAYS in heels 3"+ so I'm not not used to it...but I just don't know about the balancing act. BUT it just looks SO cool...beauty takes pain, right?

So either hack off the heels and look awesome, or get clear ones ( which I was looking at anyways ) and work around the actual heel in tact?

Another thing I've been wondering is how to attach horns to a wig. I don't want to stick them on a headband...is it possible to stitch around the base of the horns through the wig net and have them stand upright neatly? I'm thinking of simply using model magic, painted up and with some fabric at the base in order to do that...

And can anyone recommend a great place for elf style ears? I'm looking at the Anime style ones from Aradani right now, just wondering if there are any other options I should consider by recommendation.

Any other suggestions or tips by observation or experience would be immensely appreciated!!

*sigh* Now if only he had agreed to just be a freakin' Warlock...

Rens

You are a very brave woman Even braver for drinking in those heels



This is a wig where I sewed the ears onto the base mesh. Also, within the "pigtails" are styrofoam supports which have been sewn into the wig. Both have stayed in position, even after hours of wearing. So I can vouch for sewing

Good luck on your hooves. Knowing your previous work, this is gonna be an awesome costume

robo3687

i think clear heels would be your best option....all i see are sprained or broken ankles looking at that current setup....

Hamsterstyle

I think those hooves might be best for a succubus, as their lower legs are pretty short.

But check out:
Coilhouse » Blog Archive » Inventor/Sculptor Kim Graham’s Weta Legs

The project by weta was cancelled, but It may give you some ideas.

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Edit: I agree with above about having issues with your legs with the heel ones. The WETA Leg style are built to be walked and run in and would 'probably' be more comfortable... although I haven't used either.

ManfromNaboo

Yeah, the boots give at least some kind of support to the ankles since they encompass the whole foot and the lower leg, the dancer shoes without a heel won´t work one bit, I´d bet, since without a heel the foot will go down in the back with all the pressure on the front of the foot.

But I´m pretty sure that in a bar a ton of guys will throw themselves under you to soften your fall

vkain

Here is another site I came across a while ago. It looks mainly like furry hooves but maybe the technique can be altered.

CostFootGear

dropshipbob

If you want to be safe, I'd say go with the clear shoes and maybe hide the heel with some long strands of hoof hair?

Or you can go with a pair of those 8" heels and not have to worry about hiding any of the structure...but you may still have trouble walking.

aelynn000

Thanks so far, everyone! I did think about the boots being better support than the heels, but I also plan on de-insoling them and attaching a boot to it. I mean, the ones she has definitely are not that supportive other than holding the heel against the foot instead of flip-flopping. Synthetic boots like that are so soft and bendy, so I could easily match it with a tough synthetic leather or vinyl.

If I keep the heel on I think I'll go clear...and it would be SO much less worrying all night, not having to concentrate on my balance...but...it just looks soooo much cooler without it! I may have to buy two pairs and try a method each way. I just really wanted to keep the budget as low as possible and not have to waste an extra $50. Yeesh...

And of course I could walk in the 8" heels! You see, the 4 inch platform takes off that much height of the heel so the arch is only like walking in a 4" heel...which I do on a day to day basis anyways. The only concern I have about the heels is having to look down at my bf. That will be incredibly strange. XD

There is a completely different method I considered as well, using foam attached to a pair of leggings to give my legs the back-knee and higher front knee...then I could wear a moderate heel and just cover it with a hoof and some scales. But this doesn't sound like it would look nearly as cool. However, it does sound more budget friendly... =\ Hm.

Rens, thanks for sharing that pic! What a great wig! And model magic is VERY light when it's dried so I think if i attach some fabric to the base of the horns it should balance well when sewed onto the wig.

Hamsterstyle, those legs are fantastic but I am NOT up to skill to make a pair of those. :|

Here's the corset I'm starting with...



I considered this one as well, which looks nice...



but the first seems to have more of a 'demonic' look to it with the sharp neckline, yes?

What does anyone think is the best way to put the patten on? I've seen girls who have painted it, but then you get the bumps of the boning and imo, it just looks kinda cheap... I was thinking of using bias tape, hand sewing it on either side from underneath and lightly stuffing it so it's more raised ridges ( for the gold and blue ). Is there any squeezable product I could use that would make this quicker? I don't want to use puffy paint because I can't fathom how anyone uses it. At the start or end of every squeeze, I ALWAYS find it has a puff of air that messes up the paint or splatters to the sides...either that, or every time I finish a line and squeeze again to continue it leaves a bulge at the joining point. >\

And onto the wings! One of my fave succubus girls made her wings almost in a backpack style. Attached in the center at the back and then just slung over her arms. This seems like the safest way to do it but I'd rather not have the clear straps digging into me all night...the other thing I considered was this backpack style but having the straps go up to the collar, halter style in the back. Of course, this would have to be decided later on because if the wings turn out a bit heavier, instead of having straps cut into my arms, I would have to worry about choking all night. Though I'm only using cardboard, model magic and foam to make them so they should be on the light side.

Any other wing attachment methods anyone can share?

Ghadrack

My advice would be worthless since you're trying to avoid spending a ton of money, but Pleaser shoes has a line, I don't think it's Demonia, I think it's one of thier other lines, anyhow they sell ballet shoes and boots as well as shoes and boots with a 8 inch wooden block heel that is suppsed to simulate a hoof. I've seen where another costumer modified them and since the heel is a solid block it was easy with a hack saw. I'll see if I can locate the tutorial, anyhow, the problem is that the base shoes run from like $90 to $300 depending on patent or real leather and ankle, knee or thigh.

Good luck, this will be a fun costume project to watch

WarPig

There is a whole Weta leg thread here in RPF: http://www.therpf.com/f24/whoa-weta-legs-84344/.

YouTube has a "cheap substitute" tutorial: YouTube - Werewolf digigrade stilts

As long as you build a solid "platform" and support your ankles, you should get some good results. IMHO, a well-built set of didigrade stilts should be more stable than a stiletto heel.

aelynn000

Thanks! Yeah I did look at those shoes...they do have a hoof type look to them but for the look I'm going for with the backward knee, they don't really achieve. Since they're more of a straight down shoe. The benefit of hacking of the heel is that you get to see a little more of the arch which extends the look of the 3rd part of the 'leg'.
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I had found these bad boys first, which are the original makers of the Pleaser version style, I believe. They're also WAY out of my budget. But are fun to look at. Those ones actually have a metal horseshoe on the bottom. LOL I hear they take a lot of practice to walk in though. Another benefit of the hacked-heel method, you can balance your weight as if you're walking on the balls of your feet as opposed to having your weight forced to your toes. It's hard to explain...but easier to do when your foot is more level than lifted straight up and down without an arch.

But overall, these ones are sexy, and would be hot without so much modding, but the home made ones still just have way more 'WOW' effect... ( no pun intended. hehehe )

I do like the strong effect of the digigrade stilts but I'm really not selling myself short when I say I'm nowhere near that skill level. I wouldn't even know where to start getting the hardware for that, can barely find what screwdrivers are for what screws, and have no woodworking skills, let alone tools, saws or anything needed to cut or shape wood. Except for sandpaper that I stole out of my Dads toolbox once...and it's not really paper it's some weird rough wirey stuff...But given the fact that the digigrade stilts have the perfect shape to them, I think that work alone ( especially with no experience ) and then finding a way to cover them smoothly is going to be a lot more hassle for a novice like me.

And really, stiletto heels are NOT hard to walk in. I'm one of those girls who's been in heels since I could walk and wear them to the movies or McDonalds ( I think the only place I don't wear them is camping...but even then, I bring wedges. Haha! ). Along with being on a budget, I'm embarrassed to say, but I'd like to find the easiest and quickest way to achieve a cool effect. I'm a HUGE procrastinator and again, just a novice, so getting three or four costumes done in 4 months is a pretty daunting task for me even without trying to create some mechanical legs with no experience. XD

I love all the reference though...I would like to try them one day when I'm more skilled and have more resources to use, so thanks for the links! Bookmarked!

Ghadrack

Yeah I didn't do a good job describing the modification, it's academic anyway because the cost is prohibitive, but the PunitiveShoes were discussed there too, both of them apparently are set at such a steep angle that they are nearly impossible to walk in because they put your foot in an over-verticle position, so the mod to the pleaser version required cutting not only the little heel, but also shaving the front of the block, this served to give the shoe a surface that you could mount the hoof (and horseshoe if desired) and it also fixes that angle/angle/straight down thing you were diagramming.

Anyhow, I'll see if I can find the link later on. Searching cosplay and sites with references too "pony boots" from the office is totally a no-no

WarPig

So that was YOU squontching around in the mud in that Maine campground! (Yep, once saw someone in heels at a walk-in campsite)...

What about your hubby? Couldn't he go to Home Depot, get some steel rails, a bit of cable and a 2x4 and make you a set of digigrades? After all, you are complementing his Hook...

MaulWalker

The "sharp necklice" comes from what the model is wearing under the corset. The corset itself is straight across the top. Do you get the undergarment when you purchase the corset?

Sakara

One thing you could google search is for 'pony girl' boots...theyre fetish boots for those who...like to pretend they are horses.
eg- http://www.mustanggirls.net/boot12.jpg
this might be useful too-
Hooves-R-Us

aelynn000

No, that is the cut of the top of it. There are photos of it not on models as well. It's all one piece for the top. I do think, though, that it may be a bit more rounded than pointed as it's shown so I may do some mods there...or not, considering the original art is quite rounded.

Also, WarPig, my boyfriend has no handy man skills whatsoever. I think I'd be better off trying to do it myself than have him try! LOL The biggest thing he's ever built are Warhammer models. XD And the Succubus isn't to compliment Hook!! There will be another thread on that costume later on...mainly about whether to deal with it and be a guy ( again ) for Halloween, or to make Rufio a little prettier... lol

aelynn000

Alright, with supplies for this costume mostly purchased ( wig, ears, corset, whip, leggings to paint the designs on...and not be near naked...for modesty reasons as well as LIVING IN CANADA...it usually snows on Halloween..., burgundy pleather for the wings and leg scales and 8 inch clear heel 3 inch platform shoes to make into the illusion of hoofs ) I am SO ready to finally get to work on it.

The biggest and most important thing is obviously a nice set of WINGS.

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for a sturdy frame for the 'bone' parts. I was thinking either bass wood ( which you can cut with a knife...its basically as light as cardboard but obviously a little tougher and smoother ) or cardboard with styrofoam piping to thicken it. Actually, I'm planning on the styrofoam piping on the wood if I use that too, which will then be covered with the red pleather to give the 'bones' a thick and rounded look that I'll paint the detail of the scaling on later. but then the wings themselves will actually all be connected in between and have a sturdy frame.

Does this make sense? Does this sound like a BAD idea? For an open space, I think it'll look great, but I'll be in a bar... mind you, I WON'T be in the middle of the dancefloor. There's usually open space at the front and back where you can still dance without being in a crowd, and I'd be there early enough to be in one of these spaces...

I could also do the styrofoam with wire in it but it'll be a lot softer... I'm worried that someone will bump into them and bend them out of shape. Though I guess that would be a concern with any medium I use... What would be the LEAST likely to get damaged? Anyone with wing making expertise, care to toss out some tips??

n0regret5

this looks like its gonna be cool. i always wanted to do a gargoyle costume with the feet kinda like that. subscribed!!

Warlord

I dont envy you for being able to wear shoes like that. But good luck on your build and hope it all goes to plan.

professor

I've made boots like what your trying to do for a production of Prometheus Bound (Io). I was lucky to find some platform boots and just cut the heel off and added the hood details. It looked really good and the actress really brought them to life.

I think you won't have much trouble in the exotic dancer shoes, even if you cut the heel off. It looks like the platform is one solid piece with the rest of the shoe. Assuming its made of some strong acrylic, your heel shoud be supported by that piece (shank?) that extends from heel to platform. All you have to do is worry about balance, which it sounds like you've got under control.

The pony-girl boot contruction looks cool, kinda like the boots Victoria Beckham famously wore a couple years ago adding more surface area to the back of the footpad.

aelynn000

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'm going to keep the heel on the shoe despite my original plans of hacking it off...simply because it'll be a bit safer. I'm still tempted to go heel-less though so...I think it'll be a last minute decision. Thankfully, the sold is hard acrylic so it is pretty solid and they're actually lace up boots above the ankle so there's some nice support in that way too.

Right now my horns are sculpted and drying... the only thing is that I made them from model magic ( since it dries SO lightweight ) and it tends to have lines in it where it's been squished or folded to roll out. I'm pretty much forbidden to work with fiberglass... are there any other recommendations for safe for a novice to use materials that I can coat them with to smooth them out before painting?

professor

Here we usually use model magic to get a basic shape, cover that in a thin layer of cellulose mash (I forget the brand its sold under at craft stores[celluclay?], but its just boiled newspaper and elmers glue) to give it strength, and then a thin layer of paper clay to add detail. The paper clay is not very strong at all and will crack if you head butt someone, which is why its on a hard layer of cellulose mash.

Another product that might be cool to work with is called "Sculpt or Coat" which smells just like elmers, is much thicker, can be smoothed on or dipped into, and dries pretty strong.

aelynn000

thank you so much!!! that's incredibly helpful! I'm going to go check those out today!

aelynn000

So after the Succubus was put on the back burner in favor of Rufio and Hook... and then Sam and Quorra from Tron... it's back in action. I feel that it's the one I can get done on time, done well and still stand out in a crowd.

I got RIDICULOUSLY high ankle boots ( 4.5 inch platform, 8 inch heel ) that make me want to cry when I wear them because it's a long way down if I trip ( I'm just over 6' in them...NOT including horns ... haha ). And I'm working on the bootcovers/hooves to put on top in a removable fashion in case I want to use the boots for something in the future. The heel/platform is clear so I opted to keep them in tact instead of hacking them apart. Even though I got'em for a steal at $15, I like to get as much use out of everything as possible!

Wig is in, contacts are in, ears are in, corset is in ( in the middle of decorating )... should make some decent progress by the end of the week!

Or even by tonight.

Wings are on the to do list too, of course. Realized that they're going to be INCREDIBLY impractical in a club but made from scrap vinyl, cardboard and styrofoam...I'm not too concerned about it. I can always make a bigger, larger, better-er pair later on since I'm going to at least have to downsize them from my original plan. =\

Contec

Good luck...brake a leg.. ...or lets hope you don't do that :P