BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Gotcha, if I were to use the template, you think that there would be a way to get the sides to open to store things like mini batarangs and such?
My Batman The Animated Series WIP
- Thread starter BatTexMidland
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BatTexMidland
Jr Member
So, new approach to the mask, going to work on specific areas of the face. Beginning with the forehead, down to the temples, then the sides covering the ears all the way back, in the front, the temples to the eyes and nose bridge, and so on. What do you think?
There is a way I'm sure. There are 3 other belt templates on there that DO have pouches. Maybe combine two of them.
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Hmm, never considered that, sounds like a plan! Hopefully I can get to work on that soon, school is starting to get hectic!
Flash Dixon
Active Member
If I could offer some unsolicited help, check out my old thread here: http://www.therpf.com/f77/batman-co...her-cowl-finished-page-3-a-169356/index3.html
I've tackled a soft cowl, and it is tricky. I did mine out of leather, so the same principals should apply. Take a look over my stuff. It may not suit your needs 100%, but it may help you avoid some difficulties in the design work.
Here's a quick photo of the finished product.
I've tackled a soft cowl, and it is tricky. I did mine out of leather, so the same principals should apply. Take a look over my stuff. It may not suit your needs 100%, but it may help you avoid some difficulties in the design work.
Here's a quick photo of the finished product.
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
I dig it! Absolutely awesome! I'll look into the leather cowl, and may even switch my roll, who knows? Great idea! Thank you!
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in a while, school has been killin me, but I am visioning the costume, I'll try to draw up some plans for it and post them, still, any ideas, links, anything can help! Thank yall for talks input so far! It means the world!
Barbecuecitron
New Member
It looks very good so far, keep going like that, we'll be happy to see the result ! 
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
These babies right here are part of the research I have been kinda keeping my eye on, my mask is the main concern and I really wanna get this right. Cloth so it folds over, it's so classic to have a loose material mask if you know what I'm saying, therefore, I wanna take that Nike mask as the rest of my base is Nike, and cut it to form the underlying hood. With that type of plastic mask idea in the second picture, I wanna define the front so it holds facial features. Perfection isn't nesccisarily possible, but I want it close, what do yall think?
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Your mask insight is ingenious! I just want to take everything, however, could you further explain your steps to molding the face and such?
Flash Dixon
Active Member
Thanks for the compliment! In order to get the undershell to fit good, I found it to be absolutely necessary to do a lifecast of myself so that the fit is perfect. Once I had that, I took a piece of styrene plastic and, using a heat gun, pushed it down tightly onto the lifecast. Let it set on the lifecast to cool once the shape is achieved. Then I cut it into a rough face shape. After that, I used a two-part epoxy putty to make the cheek, brow and nose features. Finally, in my case, I stretched and glued the leather over the undershell, leaving about two extra inches of leather along the sides and top. The bottom, as well as the eyeholes have the leather rolled over and behind the undershell. This is where the lifecast comes in handy again. With the good of the cowl already finished and awaiting the mask, place and position the mask onto the lifecast. It will find an easy resting place as it will fit exactly over the face, since that's what it was formed over. Once the mask shell is in place, make any final adjustments and pin it together to keep it in place before final sewing.
The ears are a pain too. I had a set of masters 3d printed and cast two or three sets in resin. One set I permenantly glued to the lifecast. These serve as guides when stitching the good together. Once you get the good sewn around and over them, they will serve as pockets that you will place and glue a set of resin ears into. The ears on the lifecast must be glued down perfectly! Height along the head, position forward and back, and the pitch of the tops of the ear, forward/back as well as in/out simply has to be dead on, or you will end up with poorly positioned ears that will through off all of the other work. You've seen goofy pointing ears, you know what I'm talking about.
Now keep in mind, this is all coming from a rugged leather mask. Not quite as thick as biker jacket leather, but more rigid than cloth, so I can't guarantee results with the ears. The leather holds it's own shape somewhat. My mask does collapse and lay flat when thrown back hanging, but cloth will not support itself as well. You may need to make plates for the ears to attach to out of styrene using the same method as the face shell.
I hope that helps explain it a bit.
The ears are a pain too. I had a set of masters 3d printed and cast two or three sets in resin. One set I permenantly glued to the lifecast. These serve as guides when stitching the good together. Once you get the good sewn around and over them, they will serve as pockets that you will place and glue a set of resin ears into. The ears on the lifecast must be glued down perfectly! Height along the head, position forward and back, and the pitch of the tops of the ear, forward/back as well as in/out simply has to be dead on, or you will end up with poorly positioned ears that will through off all of the other work. You've seen goofy pointing ears, you know what I'm talking about.
Now keep in mind, this is all coming from a rugged leather mask. Not quite as thick as biker jacket leather, but more rigid than cloth, so I can't guarantee results with the ears. The leather holds it's own shape somewhat. My mask does collapse and lay flat when thrown back hanging, but cloth will not support itself as well. You may need to make plates for the ears to attach to out of styrene using the same method as the face shell.
I hope that helps explain it a bit.
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Thanks!
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Thanks a lot Flash! You're incredibly helpful!!
Flash Dixon
Active Member
No problem. If you have any more questions, let me know and I'll help as best as I can. Just make sure when you get it all done and people are going nuts over it that you mention me, lol!
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
No doubt about it! I'll give you full credit for mask help!!!
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
It's definitely a tough planning sequence, and even harder to place into action and plan at the same time! I'm just kinda playing This by ear, with some good tuning and a few prayers, I bet it'll turn out pretty good!! Thanks for the compliment and good luck on your Begins Costume!
BatTexMidland
Jr Member
Gotta be the TAS from the new adventures. The black on the dark gray is too awesome! But then again, I love the new 52 suit, it's flawless! In live action, gotta love Adam West, or the 2nd christian bale!
