The Winter Soldier - Costume Research Thread

Noob here to the RPF and a Bucky Barnes Fan Girl:

I made my arm from a duct tape/plastic bag "cast" of my arm to which I drew out the complete pattern in aluminum foil overlay. I cut out each piece of foil and then cut each part in craft foam. I even articulated the elbow creatively so I didn't have to use a silver sleeve. (darn those CGI effects). I glued to my arm and then *tried* (after researching) to seal the foam and paint with spray paint. Came out great, BUT the paint flaked. I repainted by hand with acrylic silver but I'm not getting the shine. Hopefully it won't flake again with a day of Con-ing.

I'd worbla the thing, if I had a clue how to work with that stuff. Please take a look and if you have any ideas for how to seal, yet keep craft foam FLEXIBLE I'd be happy to hear them.

The last pic was of my arm 1.0 and my current arm 2.0. I also made my own mask with craft foam and a neoprene ski mask. It's a work in progress.



IMG_1954.jpgIMG_1955.jpgIMG_1956.jpgIMG_1957.jpgIMG_1999.jpgirs

Kcail1IMG_1952.jpgIMG_1953.jpgIMG_1954.jpgIMG_1955.jpgIMG_2047.jpgIMG_1957.jpg
 
kcail1 said:
if you have any ideas for how to seal, yet keep craft foam FLEXIBLE I'd be happy to hear them.
Click to expand...

Run a heat gun lightly over the completed foam piece to collapse the cells on the surface and give you a smoother finish. Then ModPodge, Duraclear or just plain white glue over that for more smoothness. You can either apply 3-5 coats of whichever and call it a day or you can use PlastiDip to coat it for a more rubberized seal. Then prime and paint - I would recommend automotive paint such as Duplicolor for the best metallic look or, for the best flexibility, a spray that says it's good for use on silk flowers or NuLife which is paint that's made for shoes (vinyl and leather) and is therefore formulated to be flexed to extremes without cracking of flaking. All of those will have a silver version, but you'd have to test them on swatches of foam to see which one is the best. You may have to trade off flex for shine - so decide which is most important and go with that option.

For some great guides on foam, check out Bill Doran's books at Punished Props.

Cheers!
 
Thanks for those tips. When I built my arm 2.0 I researched the sealing technique you mentioned here and on other sites. I saw about using Modge Podge to seal the foam or white craft glue. I went with that method... 3 light coats, spray paint etc, and it still flaked like crazy. I also read that Modge Podge can yellow over time.

I recently bought some Modge Podge to "seal" my new hand paint job *hoping* to contain the damage and it crazes too. It's only in a few places that the foam flexes (elbow) and where I grasp it to pull it on at the wrist.

Yes, Punished Props was a useful site. That's how I got my idea to overlay the aluminum foil to make a template of all those intricate pieces. I'll check back again on him for foam tips.

For the NuLIfe paint are those online orders? I shop mostly at Michaels Crafts and JoAnne Fabrics.

Thanks for the help.

Kcail1
 
Glad to see another woman here for the Winter Soldier. I cosplay him... I'm a bigger gal. I posted later on this thread (pg 25?) about how I built mine. If you want to mould your arm in duct tape/painters tape (like a lot of fan videos I've seen on the internet) make sure you leave some wiggle room to slip the arm on and off, especially over your wrist/hand.

You can go for a two part arm (shoulder piece/gauntlet) with silver fabric at the elbow. I went whole arm in craft foam. It slips on and I made velcro tabs to attach the shoulder to my sports bra. That way I don't have to keep tugging on it all day to keep it from slipping.

I used a medieval armory trick for the elbow since in the movie they CGI'd the elbow (unfair.) so, it's not *movie* accurate but I think looks better than the spandex elbow (IMO).

I bought an UnderArmor shirt on sale at Dicks sports, mock turtle neck, and cut the arm off. I have a Molle Vest for all the straps... maybe someday I'll get brave and sew the horizontal straps across the chest. My pants are just hunting pants from Cabelas and my boots are not movie accurate but some really nice and comfy (and close enough) snow boots.


It won't be bulky on you, since you look like a slender person. Let me know if you have other questions.

kcail1
 
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Where do you buy Auto vinyl? Never heard of it! Does it cut and glue easily? Nice work!

- - - Updated - - -

Nice work! Looks great.
 
Lauralot-- A curious question... are you the Lauralot on Fanfiction.net? If so, I'm 8belles. We've read each others work. Didn't realize you were so close.

Kcail1
 
Nice work! This may be late/hind sight, but I use velcro tabs to latch my arm to my sports bra, which prevents slipping. I also coat my arm in baby powder to prevent the sweat issue... my arm is plastic bag/duct tape/craft foam.

Love the flower garlands on Widow/Bucky. Made me smile.
 
My uncle works in car wrapping in vinyl. I'm going to have to ask him some questions about chrome colored vinyl and craft foam!
 
Most folks I've seen (guys) are using a harness across the chest. Being a woman, I just attach it to my sports bra. There are some good threads for under the clothing harnesses.
 
kcail1 said:
Lauralot-- A curious question... are you the Lauralot on Fanfiction.net? If so, I'm 8belles. We've read each others work. Didn't realize you were so close.

Kcail1
Click to expand...

And if she is, then I know I've saved the dickens out of some of her fanfiction - and depending on what yours is, I doubtless have with yours, as well. ;) :D (almost 1900 WS/Bucky-related fics saved and counting....clearly I have a slight, ahem....obsession, LOL!)
 
Thanks for the compliment. She is a tremendous writer. I've had her on my "favorite" list for years. And don't worry... I understand obsessions over the Winter Soldier. I mean, how couldn't you just fall in love with Bucky Barnes and his amazing (heartbreakingly tragic) story?

cheers.
 
-rubs hands together- Working on my mask right now, I'll let everyone know how it goes and show pictures if what i'm planning works. Wish me luck! I'm going to be basically sewing duck canvas onto the neoprene ski mask I got and going from there. (Don't have the leather yet)
 
Make up or no make up?

I've seen at Con's most folks go with the black eye shadow/paint. I've played him once without eye shadow (which is easier, no bleeding or Rocket Raccoon look) but I'm just curious how many of you play him With Make Up or Without?
 
kcail1 said:
Make up or no make up?

I've seen at Con's most folks go with the black eye shadow/paint. I've played him once without eye shadow (which is easier, no bleeding or Rocket Raccoon look) but I'm just curious how many of you play him With Make Up or Without?
Click to expand...

I always do with make-up. If you've got the hair right, then there's very little chance of raccoon looks. The trick, as I think, is that you put on the make-up before you put on the face mask. And don't do it in straight lines, smear it on your face.
 
With Makeup, what I'm going to be using is just black cream makeup. You can get it pretty cheaply in like a kit of red, brown, and black from the halloween stores or the party stores. And I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find just straight black fairly easily.

The only problem with the cream is it doesn't dry so if you have too much on and rub at your eyes (or just rub at your eyes) you're going to smear it. But, it gives a good coating once you figure out the right amount (Everyone's eyes are different) and it won't fade and shows up really well.

It's just one of those things you have to sit down and play around with
 
The great thing about that stuff is it comes off fairly easily with a wet wipe, so as long as you carry a packet of those around you can easily fix any mishaps caused by smudging.

I haven't tried it, but maybe using a light coating of black eyeshadow powder over the cream makeup might 'set' it a bit and make it less likely to smear?
 
I got a "pot" of Sephora black eyeshadow and put it on with a brush and makeup sponge. I also use a fixer-lotion to keep the powder from creasing over the day. The only thing is that fine line between awesome movie like dramatic eye and looking like someone just socked you in both eyes.

While I'm on it... Mask/no mask? I've seen about 50/50 on the internet of either. And it doesn't split on gender either. I always mask up, but there are some days I'd like to breathe freely but don't feel like scowling all day.
 
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