Alphonse Elric armor (FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST -manga) build by castpixel - New Photos

[castpixel]

Hi again, lovely people!

After last year's female space marine which got me 2nd place, I decided to use all the things I learnt from the huge build to work on an Alphonse Elric armor.

Female Space Marine by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• space marine warhammer warhammer 40k wh40k

I've been working on it for 5 months, and I just won 1st place and will be competing in Eurocosplay for Greece on October.

Here's some photos, and then I'll break down some of the construction.

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

Alphonse Elric by castpixel

• castpixel
• Apr 23, 2019
• alphonse elric anime armour fullmetal alchemist fullmetal-alchemist hiromi arakawa japanese medieval

 

[castpixel]

[ Black 3.0 ]

Stuart Semple's black 3.0 is the blackest acrylic paint around, absorbing 99% of light. It really is super matte, and looks like a void. As luck would have it, the kickstarter ended right on time for me to get my hands on it, and I painted the inside of the collar. The effect is stunning, the helmet really looks like it's floating on an empty suit of armor!

[ Stomping fx ]
I attach the source code for the software I wrote for stomping sfx on a regular smartphone.
How to use: open the project using Construct 3 and run it. Feel free to change the sound files and reference those instead.

When you run the tool, shake the device vigorously to calibrate it to max acceleration in all three axes.
Dragging the indicators changes horizontal and vertical sensitivity. That's it. Strap it to your upper torso and walk.

 

[The Searcher]

In all my time browsing the RPF, I never thought I’d see someone tackle this. Excellent work!

 

[castpixel]

Thanks so much The Searcher

In my research I found several fantastic costumes!

Me, I was inspired by the live action film tbh. Even though the character was purely CGI and took liberties with the design, it made the build look attainable! It also confirmed for me that a dull metal finish was the way to go...

The thing I'm most proud of is transforming myself, a 1.72 tall woman, into a 2 meter tall empty suit of armour

 

[gedmac66]

Fantastic looking build, congrats on your 1st place win & good luck with the following comp.
Thanks for the detailed insight into the ‘how to’ as well.

 

[Uridium]

Wonderful. And a great step by step progress pictures!

 

[Potroclo]

This is stunning, the amount of detail, the eyes, the sound effects, the texture, even the black paint in the neck... I love it! No videos? I want to see it in motion! Good luck in the contest!

 

[castpixel]

Thanks everyone!

Potroclo absolutely! Here's my stage performance (please go to 29:11) :

At that point I was 6 hours on my feet, and pretty much dying. Two straps failed and Al's left leg is sagging a bit. Also my lovely assistant was too tall and undercut the height of the suit a bit.

Re: the neck: even with flash photography, it's still a black void

And here's the little kitten I used in the performance. I sculpted it out of foam so that I can crumple it and make it tiny

 

[PlanetAlexander]

Oh man, oh man... I love Fullmetal Alchemist so damn much. You have done such an amazing job with Al, and to add sound effects as well... not too many great words to describe your work! I wish you could have seen my reaction when I watched the video.

 

[TheCostumeGeek]

This built is incredible and I love the result.

I was doing research myself on this armor and you are indeed a motivation for me to do it myself even though I am a female as well Now I just need to find some files ^^

 

[The Searcher]

I’m loving that squishy cat!

 

[asavage]

Amazing stuff. Really inspiring. Thanks for sharing so much of your process. I'm going to borrow a few things from you for me next spacesuit build...

 

[Blaxmyth]

Stunning, astounding work. And with a step-by-step tutorial as well! Very inspiring. Thanks for taking the time to post all of this information.

 

[Takanuva]

Holy crap, this build is stunning and there's some amazing ideas. I never would have thought of using aluminum foal to texture EVA foam to look like leather. I'll have to steal that for one of my future projects.

 

[castpixel]

Thanks so much for all the kind responses. I'm over the moon

PlanetAlexander I wish I could have seen your reaction too! Thanks so much for the kind words <3

TheCostumeGeek thank you! I'm attaching my pepakura file in case it helps! After printing and cutting those parts, I assembled with painter's tape and then divided them anew, into as uniform and large pieces as I could.

The Searcher thank you! It got a big reaction too!

asavage thanks so much! Your King Arthur build was on *constantly* while I was building this. Also you're the first person I ever saw to use Rub'n Buff. Sharing only makes everyone's work better!!

Blaxmyth you're very welcome! Sharing is caring!

Takanuva Using an clothes iron to press the aluminum foil into the foam makes the texture permanent, so long as you don't heat up the foam again. Best used as a last step before sealing and painting.

 

[ataru72ita]

This build is simply phenomenally exceptional!

Congratulations!

Regards,

Alberto

 

[brimst0ne13]

This is an amazing build, holy crap!

Armor builds have always been kinda iffy for me because I wanted it to SOUND like armor, but your android program is KILLER!

I wonder if one can be written to be used on a certain robotic left arm that makes cool sounds... XD

You do excellent work!!!

 

[castpixel]

Thank you everyone! Here's some photos from MCM London, where I competed in Eurocosplay as the Greek Champion. I didn't win, but I'm so proud of my Alphonse.

 

[castpixel]

Also this fabulous Ed cosplayer next to my Al. Elric Brothers reunite

 

[PlanetAlexander]

Aaahhh so amazing! I LOVE that second photo with Al looking to the distance, holding his suitcase. So much emotion right there.