Costumes Tips and Tricks?

[Webhead26]

Hey guys! I'm new to the RPF and I hope I'm posting this in the right place. I will be attending DragonCon this coming year and I would really like to create a replica of the Spider-Man armor from the Ends of the Earth story arc. For those of you not familiar with the armor I have included a picture. Now here's the thing. I have never created a costume before. I may be getting into something a little more advanced than I'm ready for at this point, but I would really like to try and hey, you have to start somewhere, right? I am a graphic designer and animator and have a natural artistic ability, but I really don't even know where to start. I have no idea what kind of materials to use and I don't know of any techniques to achieve certain looks. I'm going for a metal look for the armor that is light weight and comfortable to wear. Any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. I don't have a lot money to put into this project either, so please let me know if any of you know of any techniques and/or materials that I can use that are affordable. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Joy]

Well, for the base suit, I'd use Spandex. The colorblocking on the spidey symbol will be the hardest, but there are a few tutorials out here. There's a good tutorial for that over at Crash Culture: crash culture: Costuming: Stretch Applique Tutorial

For places like his collar where it should still be spandex but need to have strong structure, you can use EVA foam as a support core inside the spandex as a sort of super interfacing.

For the armor, wonderflex or worbla will be your friend. Lightweight and easily formed with a simple heat gun. I have a step by step for some automail I created in it: http://joysutton.com/2012/09/18/eds-automail-arm-step-by-step/ And Kamui cosplay has some wonderful video tutorials: Kamui Cosplay - YouTube

Finally, this is a great resource for tutorials for the beginner, many are more focused towards anime, but there are still some great general purpose resources here: Cosplay Tutorial - Tutorial List

Hope it helps!

 

[Webhead26]

Thank you for all the advice Joy! I was thinking spandex would be a good place to start with the base of the suit and you confirmed it. I will definitely check out the tutorials and links that you posted. Thanks again!

 

[Durkness]

I would check her website http://joysutton.com. Unless there is cheap wonderflex and worbla laying around I would do foam. She has some nice examples of using 3mm foam instead. A lot cheaper going the EVA route. You can make an entire foam Iron Man costume for the price of one 55" sheet of Worbla for armor.

There's a Deadpool on here that used a black sharpie on his costume..... buy one of those $24 body suits and stencil your design on the there that you want.

But I would just look at a lot of different posts on here....People have made costumes from cereal boxes on here so It's completely up to you on how you want to start. Everyone has their own techniques, you just have to find out what you are more comfortable with and how much you want to spend.

 

[StaggzCosplay]

EVA foam also work's really well... Wonderflex and EVA foam are both great suggestions for the armor! The mask on the other hand.... use this pepakura file and modify it!
Pepakura Designer
Go to the page on the link called "Gallery" and type in "Stand". The file is called "Helmet Stand"

 

[Webhead26]

Thanks Durkness! It's good to know that I have different options available based on my budget for this project.

 

[Webhead26]

Joy does have a lot of great techniques on her website that I'm pretty sure I will be able to use. Thanks to both of you for the input and direction.

 

[Webhead26]

AWESOME!! Thanks RINZLERTRON!!

 

[Neoproks]

Hmm, personally I'd go with EVA foam, it's lightweight, affordable, and there are plenty of fantastic resources on this forum for this sort of thing. Foam is also a good Place to start for beginners. Actually, that helmet looks similar to Red Hood to me, search for a pepakura of that up on here, I've seen plenty.

 

[Webhead26]

Well, it sounds like EVA foam is the way to go. Haha! Thanks Neoproks!

 

[Webhead26]

Thanks for the tip on the Red Hood helmet by the way (I never realized how similar they are until you said that). I have searched for Red Hood helmets that have been made and have found some great techniques for what I'm looking to do.

 

[GreenLightning]

Hmm, personally I'd go with EVA foam, it's lightweight, affordable, and there are plenty of fantastic resources on this forum for this sort of thing. Foam is also a good Place to start for beginners. Actually, that helmet looks similar to Red Hood to me, search for a pepakura of that up on here, I've seen plenty.

I was thinking the same thing. Get a Red hood helmet and try to edit it some what. Best to wear a black spandex or a blacava underneath it.

Good luck with this :cool

 

[Joy]

Glad to be of help! Looking forward to seeing what you do! And I hope to see it at the big Marvel shoots at DragonCon!

 

[Webhead26]

Haha! Hopefully, it will be Marvel shoot worthy. I'll keep you guys updated on the process once I am able to get started and thank you again for all the help.

 

[daninboo]

Go to youtube and look up eva foam armors, how to's. thats one way to go about it and a cheap of way too. I have worked with alot of different materials foam is pretty easy to work with. you will need a dremel, hot glue gun, lots of razor blades to start, look it up and see if its for you. Good luck

 

[SampleName]

That's a cool design. The helmet looks like it could be done by modifying a Red Hood helmet.

 

[Webhead26]

Well, it sounds like EVA foam is the way to go. You guys have been a huge help! I had no idea where to even start and now I'm finally able to get a game plan together. Thanks!

 

[The14thDr]

Two years later, but hey, better late than never. For the materials I would suggest a black spandex body suit for the the underlayer with cardboard armor on top. That's what I would, considering I have no budget whatsoever. You could also look for a pepakura file online. I believe IMIM2 made a brilliant model, but I can't find the link.