castpixel
New Member
So I decided to add a prop to my Alphonse Elric cosplay.
I chose Ed Elric's suitcase. Here's the finished prop.
Big thanks to ATL Kenobi for his suitcase build!
So, Alphonse is an empty suit of armor, so he doesn’t need luggage, but he often carries his brother’s suitcase. Arakawa draws it very plainly, but the characteristic black leather straps are always present.
I kept the dimensions and the straps, and sought some realistic reference. The setting of the story is an alternate universe World War I. Wading through reference, I fell in love with this well-made utilitarian WW1 suitcase, so I decided to clone it, but make it look brand new.
I chose to make it smaller than real life, to aid in the perception of how huge Alphonse is. A little forced perspective trick that works in photos and on stage. It also works to emphasize the comical aspect of Al’s giant, clumsy baby-like silhouette.
For the build I used cream-colored synthetic leather, which I tanned with acrylics over multiple passes, to give the “leather” some depth. I made a very precise cardboard box (using Jude Pullen's techniques) and covered it in the leather.
I chose Ed Elric's suitcase. Here's the finished prop.
Big thanks to ATL Kenobi for his suitcase build!
So, Alphonse is an empty suit of armor, so he doesn’t need luggage, but he often carries his brother’s suitcase. Arakawa draws it very plainly, but the characteristic black leather straps are always present.
I kept the dimensions and the straps, and sought some realistic reference. The setting of the story is an alternate universe World War I. Wading through reference, I fell in love with this well-made utilitarian WW1 suitcase, so I decided to clone it, but make it look brand new.
I chose to make it smaller than real life, to aid in the perception of how huge Alphonse is. A little forced perspective trick that works in photos and on stage. It also works to emphasize the comical aspect of Al’s giant, clumsy baby-like silhouette.
For the build I used cream-colored synthetic leather, which I tanned with acrylics over multiple passes, to give the “leather” some depth. I made a very precise cardboard box (using Jude Pullen's techniques) and covered it in the leather.
