Creating bone-like plates/armour?

[Nostrum]

Looking for some opinions on how to make a set of armour/bone plates for a full-sized/wearable piece.

A close up of what I'm talking about.

A bare render:

I've looked at a couple of options, but I'm interested in other ideas, whether you think one suggestion is better than the other, or whether there's another option that I haven't considered yet.
Bearing in mind too, that I'd like to pick a cheaper option if it will render a similar result.


The plates run from the neck, across the shoulders, and down the back. I want them to have an appearance (and similarly, would love the feel) of bone or tusk.

The three leading ideas:
1- Sculpt and cast in resin, building the base of the plates with EVA foam and using the resin cast to make the detailed overlay.
2- Shape from blue/insulation foam, sealed with resin or epoxy or fibreglass.
3- Shape from EVA foam mats, and seal similarly.



Any thoughts are welcome, including what's best for sealing both blue foam and EVA.

Cheers,
Rah.

 

[Nostrum]

*****. Sorry about the image size.

 

[Nostrum]

Nobody?

 

[xdmray]

i would go with the EVA foam. it will be lighter. especially since this is such a big piece.
you can always coat it with resin to make it feel harder like a carapace.

 

[Alpha Proto]

I would also suggest EVA foam.
It is what I used to make the fin on the costume in my avatar. You would just need to carve it up a bit, and add some paint.

 

[IMIM2]

Foam as a base, then add latex sealant for the texture. Look at what error and princess Zelda did. Silicone sealant can also be used, but it need to be painted before it dries, otherwise the paint won't stick.

BTW, how do we carve foam?

 

[Alpha Proto]

BTW, how do we carve foam?

I use a hot knife/ wood buring tool to ingrave into the foam or slice it.(Gives off fumes so you have to be careful.) For finer lines you can just use a nail and draw into the foam.
I made this fin out of foam.

I also made this lower jaw from foam. I just added some some paint and bam.

I have also glued two sheets of EVA together, then used a drimel to shape an axe blade, and a spike hook.
I am not trying to hijack the thread. Just trying to show what you can do with EVA.

 

[IMIM2]

Oops, my jaw just dropped.
I didn't know this. Thank you for sharing

 

[Alpha Proto]

Its all about layering, gluing, sanding, and a paint job. It is also light weight. Saves you time, and money on the resources you would use for sculpting, molding, and casting.

For a one off EVA is a good choice.

 

[Nostrum]

Beautiful. Thanks Alpha. I don't see that as thread-jacking because it's shown me just what I want to see.
My partner has suggested going the sculpt-mould-cast option a couple of times, but I think it's more his desire to use a method we haven't tried before. The more I look at that option the more I see how much it'll cost, and how much time and failure I'll probably see out of it too.

We're well stocked with EVA mats, so I'll have a play around with one and see what comes up.

I appreciate all the input!

 

[Balmung]

you can pick up some ideas in this topic

http://www.therpf.com/f24/monster-hunter-barioth-127614/

is exactly the type of armor you want to do(bone-like)

 

[katanashi]

I'll go with EVA foam.
Since it'll gonna be a massive project for my moñster hunter cosply.
We're going to make Rathalos. Yes. Rathalos, not Rathalos armor

Wish me a good luck