LucaLouise
New Member
This is my first enormous build, featuring large shoulders and a first-time prop. It took a total of four months until completion, and before I enter a contest with it in August I'll go back and do some touch-ups.
The original design was made for Jessica Nigri by Zach Fischer Illustrations. I took some artistic liberties (with permission from the artist) and changed a few things, such as the leg armor and gauntlets. This was done for several reasons; comfort and complexity. I would've loved to make an exact replica but I don't have the skills for that yet. And I needed to move fluently. I also made the shoulder armor much smaller, because I have a weak back and putting all the weight on my shoulders would mean a sore neck, shoulders and back at the end of the day.
I started with drawing scales on scrap pieces of foam I had. This is either 6 or 3 mm foam.
Head horn progress. Basic shape is made out of aluminium foil, tape and paper-mache.
This was before highlights and the stupid decision to add a chain.
Building the mace. I took a round dowel the size of the shaft, and cut out shapes to form the middle. This was later glued on and sprayed with insulation foam, then carved down and paper-machéd. (is that a word?)
The blades are carved out of Styrofoam, covered in paper mache.
Early paint stages with minor details. I used faux leather to wrap the shaft with.
By the way, the staff splits up in three parts for easier transportation.
Patterning the leg armor and adding details. There is elastic hidden in the lower band to keep them up my leg.
Breastplate and attachments. The base of the breastplate is made out of Worbla. I added shoulders pads for the larger shoulder pieces. To keep them straight, a band goes behind my neck across my shoulders and clips in the back.
Shoulder armor. The base is 6 mm foam and the horns are made the same way as my head-horns. I added some foam padding to the underside to keep them up.
The cape is made out of faux leather with a velvet inside. It took a little over four hours to sew this by hand, and when I cut the holes and tears in it I cut my thumb. Yay.
I also made boot armor and a pointed spike for the heels, but I don't have progress pictures of that. Well then, here's the final product!
I have a photoshoot planned next week, so more pictures should show up soon
https://www.facebook.com/LucaLouiseCosplay/
The original design was made for Jessica Nigri by Zach Fischer Illustrations. I took some artistic liberties (with permission from the artist) and changed a few things, such as the leg armor and gauntlets. This was done for several reasons; comfort and complexity. I would've loved to make an exact replica but I don't have the skills for that yet. And I needed to move fluently. I also made the shoulder armor much smaller, because I have a weak back and putting all the weight on my shoulders would mean a sore neck, shoulders and back at the end of the day.
I started with drawing scales on scrap pieces of foam I had. This is either 6 or 3 mm foam.
Head horn progress. Basic shape is made out of aluminium foil, tape and paper-mache.
Building the mace. I took a round dowel the size of the shaft, and cut out shapes to form the middle. This was later glued on and sprayed with insulation foam, then carved down and paper-machéd. (is that a word?)
By the way, the staff splits up in three parts for easier transportation.
Patterning the leg armor and adding details. There is elastic hidden in the lower band to keep them up my leg.
Breastplate and attachments. The base of the breastplate is made out of Worbla. I added shoulders pads for the larger shoulder pieces. To keep them straight, a band goes behind my neck across my shoulders and clips in the back.
Shoulder armor. The base is 6 mm foam and the horns are made the same way as my head-horns. I added some foam padding to the underside to keep them up.
The cape is made out of faux leather with a velvet inside. It took a little over four hours to sew this by hand, and when I cut the holes and tears in it I cut my thumb. Yay.
I also made boot armor and a pointed spike for the heels, but I don't have progress pictures of that. Well then, here's the final product!
I have a photoshoot planned next week, so more pictures should show up soon
https://www.facebook.com/LucaLouiseCosplay/
