Simon Bowers' 2013 Halloween Costume Contest Entry

[Simon Bowers]

Ok, I'm new to this so hopefully I don't embarrass myself to much.
I've decided to do Halloween as Jor-El, from Man of Steel in Kryptonian Battle Armour.

I've used craft foam (unfortunately the only foam I could find was multicoloured child fun foam) to build up layers of the costume and to create depth, previous costumes I have made I've usually got the old faithful sewing machine out and done it that way so this is a completely new experience to me. I've only ever made costumes for Halloween.

Everything is done freehand, ie. I've worked from the best photo I could fine and drawn directly onto the craft foam and cut out. Some times it works sometimes it doesn't, but I do enjoy the challenge. Plus at the end I get a greater sense of achievement knowing everything was hand done. I should note that I wasn't going for the perfect replica of the battle armour due to the time constraints (this is for a Halloween Party I found out about 3 weeks ago) and I am under, more a facsimile that is in the general region of where I want to be.

So far I've managed to spend approx. 26hrs and the main build is done, I just have the boot covers to build and the cape harness and cape to sew (I'm attaching the cape to me via a harness that will go around my chest and over my shoulders so not to put to much weight onto the costume) I have started to paint the main costume with a PVA and Acrylic paint mix to both harden and prime the costume before I give it a final paint and finish coats.

Feedback is welcomed.



A little about my background, I'm 35years old, I work as a Graphic Designer in Essex UK. I have for as long as I can remember been into Sci-Fi and comics. I enjoy being creative which I guess is why in enjoy making costumes and such like. I'm totally self taught, with sewing and sculpting etc..

Other costumes I have made in the past, which I will as soon as I find the pictures upload to my profile are, Alex Ross' Batman, Wolverine from Origins, Gene Simmons (Kiss), Gambit all for myself. Hawk Girl, Harley Quinn, Etzio Alditor'e (Assasins Creed (Female Alter Ego)) for my Girlfriend.

Thanks Guys I look forward to your comments.

 

[Simon Bowers]

Re: Simon-Bowers' 2013 Halloween Costume Contest Entry

Ok, so after a busy weekend, I'm nearing completion of the costume (which is just as well as the party is Saturday!), most of the costume is now Painted, the cape has been hemmed and pleated and Velcro'd directly to the armour. Rather than using a harness system that seemed over complicated and un-necessary.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Love it. Good luck!

 

[Simon Bowers]

Love it. Good luck!

Thanks!!

 

[bhodie]

Looks Awesome! Keep it up!

 

[Simon Bowers]

Looks Awesome! Keep it up!

Cheers Mate.

 

[Guri]

What an awesome costume to recreate!! I can't wait to see it all come together.


ANd I love all the in progress photos, seeing how you put the layers on and slowly built it up.

Craft foam is one of my favorite mediums so it's great to see how others use it. I checked out your glue - does that dry pretty fast? Is it expensive?

And what is this PVA paint that hardens it?

 

[TheRambler]

Very cool.

 

[Simon Bowers]

PVA Is basically a white wood glue (water based), I mixed it with a water-based emulsion paint It does harden but is still flexible so was ideal for the costume, and can be painted onto. The glue I used was basically a contact adhesive and dried very quickly. I applied the glue to just one piece of foam allowed it about 20 secs to go off a little then attached it to the next piece of foam, held it for about 10 secs and job done. pretty much holds straight away but you do still have a small amount of time to mess about with it.

What an awesome costume to recreate!! I can't wait to see it all come together.


ANd I love all the in progress photos, seeing how you put the layers on and slowly built it up.

Craft foam is one of my favorite mediums so it's great to see how others use it. I checked out your glue - does that dry pretty fast? Is it expensive?

And what is this PVA paint that hardens it?

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks! =o)

Very cool.

 

[Guri]

That sounds like an awesome solution! Thanks so much for sharing it.

 

[Simon Bowers]

Final pics. After weeks of work the actual party felt a little anti climactic, but hey the fun was in the build! The party was good as well, but as designated driver I felt a little too sober. oh well! Enjoy!! And thanks for all the feed back! =o)

 

[Michael Bergeron]

This entry is complete. :thumbsup

Good luck!