TracynOrdo
New Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
This is an incredible build! A real inspiration for me
This is an incredible build! A real inspiration for me
FemShep N7 Armor, Valkyrie Rifle, + Omniblade (Mass Effect 3)
- Thread starter Freya Willia
- Start date
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Thanks, I hope people making other armor costumes will consider these techniques. This can be done with no spraypaint at all, which is useful for people in cold places - and acrylic dries super fast.
I have plans to work on it over my semester break! Stay tuned! Only three or so weeks left.
My favorite kind of feedback
Doing some weathering on the legs. The boot piece is not quite that dark.
Painting is definitely my favorite part. A bit of background story: I have a BFA in painting, which is totally useless to society. Unless you happen to want a portrait. I had a portrait business in my early 20s but quickly found out I'm not the kind of artist that can work through commissions. Some artists love knowing they have a wait-list when they go to sleep at night. For me it was daunting, and I was always aching for the point I could get back to working on what I felt like doing. So I just make what I want and sometimes sell it, sometimes not.
Usually not. I hate letting my favorite pieces go.
Thanks, I hope people making other armor costumes will consider these techniques. This can be done with no spraypaint at all, which is useful for people in cold places - and acrylic dries super fast.
I have plans to work on it over my semester break! Stay tuned! Only three or so weeks left.
This is an incredible build! A real inspiration for me
My favorite kind of feedback
Doing some weathering on the legs. The boot piece is not quite that dark.
Painting is definitely my favorite part. A bit of background story: I have a BFA in painting, which is totally useless to society. Unless you happen to want a portrait. I had a portrait business in my early 20s but quickly found out I'm not the kind of artist that can work through commissions. Some artists love knowing they have a wait-list when they go to sleep at night. For me it was daunting, and I was always aching for the point I could get back to working on what I felt like doing. So I just make what I want and sometimes sell it, sometimes not.
Usually not. I hate letting my favorite pieces go.
Ciano930
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Well sadly my next suit will only have sections i can paint without spray seeing as its aperture science and they tend to spray for effect, but i will be trying to paint the metal parts as realistic as possible so any advice or reference sites and threads would be awesome!!
Also i know that feel tried my hand at request art last year, having lists of names to draw for was mad daunting but it did inspire me to actually draw and not just sit there!!!
Well sadly my next suit will only have sections i can paint without spray seeing as its aperture science and they tend to spray for effect, but i will be trying to paint the metal parts as realistic as possible so any advice or reference sites and threads would be awesome!!
Also i know that feel tried my hand at request art last year, having lists of names to draw for was mad daunting but it did inspire me to actually draw and not just sit there!!!
CafeUlg
Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
That casual outfit if from the Casual Outfit Beyond Normandy Mod
Choose Language | BioWare Social Network
There's a pattern guide for the black dress here too
The Kasumi DLC Shep Dress (text, img heavy) by ~hmwsgx on deviantART
I really like the paintwork, your BFA can't be that useless to society if it makes great things like this If I painted armour half as well as this I'd be happy XD
That casual outfit if from the Casual Outfit Beyond Normandy Mod
Choose Language | BioWare Social Network
There's a pattern guide for the black dress here too
The Kasumi DLC Shep Dress (text, img heavy) by ~hmwsgx on deviantART
I really like the paintwork, your BFA can't be that useless to society if it makes great things like this
If I painted armour half as well as this I'd be happy XD
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
I don't know of any sources that explain glazing as it would be useful to costumers. I took a few pics of the process on paper, if that is useful to anyone.
Thanks, I bookmarked those links.
Ok, since it can be confusing when I'm working with metallics on 3-D forms, I've done the exact process I used on the chest armor here with (unprimed) paper. These were shot quickly with my iphone so I am sorry about the contrast variation in the photos but I think you get the idea.
LEFT CIRCLE - used silver and black acrylic combined with Liquitex acrylic glaze medium.
RIGHT CIRCLE - was just mixing black and silver acrylic paint.
Both circles had pretty much the same brush/roller treatment as you can tell by the outer edges.
Step one. You can see how transparent the first layer of glaze-shadow is compared to the other one.
Left Circle - gets a thin ratio of black to medium, brushed on top, then rolled for even texture before it gets too dry.
Right Circle - Trying to mix the black with the silver without too many brush strokes and failing. Used the roller extremely lightly
Step 2-3. The whole point of glazing is so that you can do it in layers and gradually build up a diffused shadow. It is actually much easier than trying to blend acrylic (ugh), and whats more, a metallic silver with a non-metallic black (ARRRGGGG!).
Left Circle - repeat step one, with higher ratio of black to medium. Roll lightly to even texture/get rid of brush strokes while still damp.
Right Circle - still swirling my brush around trying to get metallic luster to combine with the black in some sort of gradient. Gave up on the roller.
Some people without using mediums do a layer of silver and wait for it to dry, and drybrush black on top, which is ok for quick weathering or high contrast but it will not work for contouring. Don't use shoe-polish for this.
You can see how the glazed circle has even luster from multiple directions, even bent between my fingers.
And below is showing how difficult it is to get acrylic to behave on unprimed paper. You can see that the edge where the black is darkest has a very uneven reflection. This would look awful in a camera flash - something costumers particularly have to worry about.
I don't know of any sources that explain glazing as it would be useful to costumers. I took a few pics of the process on paper, if that is useful to anyone.
That casual outfit if from the Casual Outfit Beyond Normandy Mod
I really like the paintwork, your BFA can't be that useless to society if it makes great things like this
Thanks, I bookmarked those links.
Ok, since it can be confusing when I'm working with metallics on 3-D forms, I've done the exact process I used on the chest armor here with (unprimed) paper. These were shot quickly with my iphone so I am sorry about the contrast variation in the photos but I think you get the idea.
LEFT CIRCLE - used silver and black acrylic combined with Liquitex acrylic glaze medium.
RIGHT CIRCLE - was just mixing black and silver acrylic paint.
Both circles had pretty much the same brush/roller treatment as you can tell by the outer edges.
Step one. You can see how transparent the first layer of glaze-shadow is compared to the other one.
Left Circle - gets a thin ratio of black to medium, brushed on top, then rolled for even texture before it gets too dry.
Right Circle - Trying to mix the black with the silver without too many brush strokes and failing. Used the roller extremely lightly
Step 2-3. The whole point of glazing is so that you can do it in layers and gradually build up a diffused shadow. It is actually much easier than trying to blend acrylic (ugh), and whats more, a metallic silver with a non-metallic black (ARRRGGGG!).
Left Circle - repeat step one, with higher ratio of black to medium. Roll lightly to even texture/get rid of brush strokes while still damp.
Right Circle - still swirling my brush around trying to get metallic luster to combine with the black in some sort of gradient. Gave up on the roller.
Some people without using mediums do a layer of silver and wait for it to dry, and drybrush black on top, which is ok for quick weathering or high contrast but it will not work for contouring. Don't use shoe-polish for this.
You can see how the glazed circle has even luster from multiple directions, even bent between my fingers.
And below is showing how difficult it is to get acrylic to behave on unprimed paper. You can see that the edge where the black is darkest has a very uneven reflection. This would look awful in a camera flash - something costumers particularly have to worry about.
arkadia
New Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting your painting process. Often I feel like I leave too little time for painting properly and it's inspiring to see what can be done if given enough time. I haven't used the glaze medium before, but I'm eager to give it a shot!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting your painting process. Often I feel like I leave too little time for painting properly and it's inspiring to see what can be done if given enough time. I haven't used the glaze medium before, but I'm eager to give it a shot!
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Got some carbon fiber vinyl down on the leg details, and began weathering them once I had an idea of the overall effect.
I had some warping here on the leg, from the glue. Same thing that happened to my calf piece. I realized if the outside section of the glue dries before the middle (too big of a blob), the inside of the blob (containing acetone or solvents) warps the styrene.
So because it looked melted, I decided to make this area heavy damage that may have been caused by hot shrapnel.
I gouged it with a hot knife, and some wire cutters.
When I approach weathering I'm pretty deliberate. The overall effect should be balanced, but not the same everywhere - even though I have a surface hole in one leg, and the rest of the suit wont be so damaged - somehow the combination of all the other marks should balance that hole, or it will stand out too much. I think of "weathering" as abstract expressionism applied to costuming.
Trying to explain weathering to some people is difficult. I hear the argument all the time that "getting shot at/hit with a sword/slashed with a lightsaber is random" so it "shouldn't matter where the marks go," or "that's not how it would happen in real life." By all means, shoot your costume with a crossbow if you're going for process-authenticity. That would be cool, but when people combine process-authenticity with costume materials - usually foam and plastic - I don't think the results look legit. That's my humble opinion. I'm working with what I have to 1.) transform into something else, and usually that something in real life would be a LOT heavier and more dense than what I am wearing, and 2.) tell a story, not just beat it up.
So the story goes something like this: legs and arms will look more damaged than the rest of the suit. When I wear this costume I will be sitting, bumping into people, and if it gets scuffed from that activity, then it will be in mostly those areas anyway. I use a 300 or 800 grit sand paper to buff some of the shine off the vinyl without tearing it, and proceed to paint with acrylic very, very sparsely. My Shepard will have been through some battles, but not taken enough close-range damage to look like charred toast. She takes cover with her back against the wall quite often, so that area will get scuffed up too.
Got some carbon fiber vinyl down on the leg details, and began weathering them once I had an idea of the overall effect.
I had some warping here on the leg, from the glue. Same thing that happened to my calf piece. I realized if the outside section of the glue dries before the middle (too big of a blob), the inside of the blob (containing acetone or solvents) warps the styrene.
So because it looked melted, I decided to make this area heavy damage that may have been caused by hot shrapnel.
I gouged it with a hot knife, and some wire cutters.
When I approach weathering I'm pretty deliberate. The overall effect should be balanced, but not the same everywhere - even though I have a surface hole in one leg, and the rest of the suit wont be so damaged - somehow the combination of all the other marks should balance that hole, or it will stand out too much. I think of "weathering" as abstract expressionism applied to costuming.
Trying to explain weathering to some people is difficult. I hear the argument all the time that "getting shot at/hit with a sword/slashed with a lightsaber is random" so it "shouldn't matter where the marks go," or "that's not how it would happen in real life." By all means, shoot your costume with a crossbow if you're going for process-authenticity. That would be cool, but when people combine process-authenticity with costume materials - usually foam and plastic - I don't think the results look legit. That's my humble opinion. I'm working with what I have to 1.) transform into something else, and usually that something in real life would be a LOT heavier and more dense than what I am wearing, and 2.) tell a story, not just beat it up.
So the story goes something like this: legs and arms will look more damaged than the rest of the suit. When I wear this costume I will be sitting, bumping into people, and if it gets scuffed from that activity, then it will be in mostly those areas anyway. I use a 300 or 800 grit sand paper to buff some of the shine off the vinyl without tearing it, and proceed to paint with acrylic very, very sparsely. My Shepard will have been through some battles, but not taken enough close-range damage to look like charred toast. She takes cover with her back against the wall quite often, so that area will get scuffed up too.
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Building an under-armor lining pattern.
I want to move around in this costume without being hindered by the ab plates, so they may be cut separately (a lot of Shep costumers keep them as one unit, which is probably better if you are doing foam) and mounted onto the bodysuit in some way that I haven't determined yet. The fabric I am starting with is a synthetic woven suiting material with just a tiny bit of stretch.
This design has the benefit of revealing a somewhat accurate strap alignment between the shoulders, and keeping a good amount of tension in the torso lining.
View attachment 128644
View attachment 128645
Using the same material with smaller straps for the thigh armor. If you look closely at the references, they actually do give you an idea as to how this armor would probably be put on/taken off.
I want to avoid velcro. Ideally there will be none of it on the patterned suit. If this material behaves correctly I will probably secure the armor to the lining, and have the peace of mind that comes with not having things attached by velcro. You know - when you get knocked really hard by someone walking through a crowd, and your costume piece stays on, but looks crooked and you don't realize until you happen to walk by reflective windows or something. Drives me nuts.
Building an under-armor lining pattern.
I want to move around in this costume without being hindered by the ab plates, so they may be cut separately (a lot of Shep costumers keep them as one unit, which is probably better if you are doing foam) and mounted onto the bodysuit in some way that I haven't determined yet. The fabric I am starting with is a synthetic woven suiting material with just a tiny bit of stretch.
This design has the benefit of revealing a somewhat accurate strap alignment between the shoulders, and keeping a good amount of tension in the torso lining.
View attachment 128644
View attachment 128645
Using the same material with smaller straps for the thigh armor. If you look closely at the references, they actually do give you an idea as to how this armor would probably be put on/taken off.
I want to avoid velcro. Ideally there will be none of it on the patterned suit. If this material behaves correctly I will probably secure the armor to the lining, and have the peace of mind that comes with not having things attached by velcro. You know - when you get knocked really hard by someone walking through a crowd, and your costume piece stays on, but looks crooked and you don't realize until you happen to walk by reflective windows or something. Drives me nuts.
frakthisschist
New Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
I am so glad I came across this thread. I just started patterning my second set of ME armor and you have given me so many good tips already (boobplate!). My first set was completely out of foam and horribly unflattering. It was my first time making a costume that wasn't sewn together, and I had a major time crunch on top of that. I don't have access to a vac form machine, so I plan on using Wonderflex for most of it and foam for pieces that need depth.
I'm really interested to see how this under armor lining works for you! I like the idea of the ab plates actually being completely attached to the body (imagine that!), instead of being attached at the boob plate and sticking out, potentially creating a pregnant look (one of the things I hated about my costume..).
Looking forward to reading more!
I am so glad I came across this thread. I just started patterning my second set of ME armor and you have given me so many good tips already (boobplate!). My first set was completely out of foam and horribly unflattering. It was my first time making a costume that wasn't sewn together, and I had a major time crunch on top of that. I don't have access to a vac form machine, so I plan on using Wonderflex for most of it and foam for pieces that need depth.
I'm really interested to see how this under armor lining works for you! I like the idea of the ab plates actually being completely attached to the body (imagine that!), instead of being attached at the boob plate and sticking out, potentially creating a pregnant look (one of the things I hated about my costume..).
Looking forward to reading more!
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Yep. I know what you mean. That's what I'm trying to work around. Anyone attempting this costume with a short torso has a lot of potential for that to be an issue. If you have the ab plates as one unit, when they compress/you bend forward just slightly, they will always want to bow outward.
I'll also be battling the way my torso naturally folds into a crunch-position. In the concept art it looks as though each of those plates are designed to slide down, on top of the one below. I just don't think that will happen for me, because of the length of each template (however they may need to be resized anyway). That could work for some people.
The solution my stomach may require is for the center plate to be stationary, and the top/bottom plates overlap it when compressed. Bonus: if the center plate is always flush against you, you will never have the option of it making a pooch.
But this is entirely hypothetical at this point. I may yet find a way for those sliding groves to be functional and accurate.
View attachment 129062
Doing finals this week and next so I have no idea what kind of time will be available for costume stuff, but the first thing I tackle will be a test of this body suit.
Yep. I know what you mean. That's what I'm trying to work around. Anyone attempting this costume with a short torso has a lot of potential for that to be an issue. If you have the ab plates as one unit, when they compress/you bend forward just slightly, they will always want to bow outward.
I'll also be battling the way my torso naturally folds into a crunch-position. In the concept art it looks as though each of those plates are designed to slide down, on top of the one below. I just don't think that will happen for me, because of the length of each template (however they may need to be resized anyway). That could work for some people.
The solution my stomach may require is for the center plate to be stationary, and the top/bottom plates overlap it when compressed. Bonus: if the center plate is always flush against you, you will never have the option of it making a pooch.
But this is entirely hypothetical at this point. I may yet find a way for those sliding groves to be functional and accurate.
View attachment 129062
Doing finals this week and next so I have no idea what kind of time will be available for costume stuff, but the first thing I tackle will be a test of this body suit.
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Holiday break cannot get here fast enough.
Getting some presents in the mail, from my nemesis. Long story.
He was happy enough to lend his fancy, superior vac former for my pauldron pieces, because the one at my shop is huge, scary, grunty, inbred, temperamental, and couldn't seem to form that shape without webbing the plastic on at least one side. (Vac forming gets expensive with thicker styrene, so **** ups are not really an option for me after 3 tries).
Graciously he sent a video of the successful pull.
All it needed was a few tender hand gestures. That is how it's done.
Holiday break cannot get here fast enough.
Getting some presents in the mail, from my nemesis. Long story.
He was happy enough to lend his fancy, superior vac former for my pauldron pieces, because the one at my shop is huge, scary, grunty, inbred, temperamental, and couldn't seem to form that shape without webbing the plastic on at least one side. (Vac forming gets expensive with thicker styrene, so **** ups are not really an option for me after 3 tries).
Graciously he sent a video of the successful pull.
All it needed was a few tender hand gestures. That is how it's done.
Last edited:
heiro5
Active Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Checked out this thread in its entirety last night... Jaw-dropping display of skills, impressive level of aesthetic control.
Thanks for posting the breakdown of your glazing process. Looking forward to playing around with that... one day.
Checked out this thread in its entirety last night... Jaw-dropping display of skills, impressive level of aesthetic control.
Thanks for posting the breakdown of your glazing process. Looking forward to playing around with that... one day.
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
The hand gestures help, but it's really a matter or making proper drafts. In the video you can juuuust barely see what would have been a web forming on the side when the air is evacuated. Any hotter and it probably would have ruined that part. The drafts I made for the front and back, as well as the baseplate, really made sure that shape was as web free as possible.
Stupid thing was a major pain in the ass to demold though...
The hand gestures help, but it's really a matter or making proper drafts. In the video you can juuuust barely see what would have been a web forming on the side when the air is evacuated. Any hotter and it probably would have ruined that part. The drafts I made for the front and back, as well as the baseplate, really made sure that shape was as web free as possible.
Stupid thing was a major pain in the ass to demold though...
ZIGGYtheIRISH
Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Amazing build! I stoked to see what it looks like all done! keep up the great work!
May i ask where you got your "carbon fiber" from?
Amazing build! I stoked to see what it looks like all done! keep up the great work!
May i ask where you got your "carbon fiber" from?
Freya Willia
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
Every time I demold my newly vac formed stuff with an xacto and too much coffee, I always wonder if it's going to be the last time I have 10 fingers.
This week has been insane, not in a good way. I am still not done with exams, so there really weren't too many perks..
... except for
1.) getting the N7 Valkyrie rifle kit from Volpin Props
2.) getting a LOT of jumbo bubble wrap and an extra box to help me move, also from Volpin Props.
So, behold. This is the kit as is, I haven't done any sanding to it yet.
I'm not above publicly critiquing any of my artist friends' work, because that's the kind of b**** I am. But honestly, there's nothing to nitpick here. It's one of his best pieces.
The cast is an ideal weight - just light enough to be a costume accessory one can carry for long periods of time, but heavy enough to pose and move naturally with it. If you hold one of these, it wont bounce or twitch in your grasp like a nerf gun (or something else designed to break when one kid becomes inspired to bash another kid's skull with it). Each part is as solid as it looks.
It has testosterone.
I'm going to make it look pretty as a maiden.
Every time I demold my newly vac formed stuff with an xacto and too much coffee, I always wonder if it's going to be the last time I have 10 fingers.
This week has been insane, not in a good way. I am still not done with exams, so there really weren't too many perks..
... except for
1.) getting the N7 Valkyrie rifle kit from Volpin Props
2.) getting a LOT of jumbo bubble wrap and an extra box to help me move, also from Volpin Props.
So, behold. This is the kit as is, I haven't done any sanding to it yet.
I'm not above publicly critiquing any of my artist friends' work, because that's the kind of b**** I am. But honestly, there's nothing to nitpick here. It's one of his best pieces.
The cast is an ideal weight - just light enough to be a costume accessory one can carry for long periods of time, but heavy enough to pose and move naturally with it. If you hold one of these, it wont bounce or twitch in your grasp like a nerf gun (or something else designed to break when one kid becomes inspired to bash another kid's skull with it). Each part is as solid as it looks.
It has testosterone.
I'm going to make it look pretty as a maiden.
electraflier
Well-Known Member
Re: FemShep n7 Armor: SYNTHESIS (ME3)
That is a really sharp N7 kit! Can't wait to see it together and under color! I always watch for your updates I really learn alot! Looking forward to more!
That is a really sharp N7 kit! Can't wait to see it together and under color! I always watch for your updates I really learn alot! Looking forward to more!
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