Skeletor and He-Man

nbehling · Sep 4, 2018

I build bits and pieces of costumes every year but for halloween I try to do a big build and push myself to learn new techniques. This year I wanted to do muscle suits.
First thought was Skeletor and He-Man. I felt like their muscles will be the most forgiving because of the cartoon nature of they build.

Here is a few random photos of my progress so far

montysaurus · Sep 4, 2018

Love the work in the first picture. What are you using to make the muscles?

George · Sep 5, 2018

Looks awesome! Good luck with your build !

Doh2 · Sep 5, 2018

Great -- I'm most impressed by the Skeletor mask.

mikeyb101 · Sep 6, 2018

Looking good, especially the Skeletor mask.

nbehling · Sep 6, 2018

montysaurus said:
Love the work in the first picture. What are you using to make the muscles?

I am honestly doing a really weird technique. I am cutting them out in upholstery foam. glueing them to a board. covering them in flex seal. making an ultracal mold. then using flex foam to make duplicates.

I realize its a bunch of extra steps but I have a few friends who want muscle suits and it seamed like the easiest way!

usajdm · Sep 6, 2018

mikeyb101 said:
Looking good, especially the Skeletor mask.

I agree.
Everything looks great.
Would like to hear alittle more about the mask.
Something as cool as this, you gotta post up more info.
Robert

nbehling · Sep 11, 2018

Here is a simple video of the process I used to make He-Mans boots.
1) Make a pattern by covering Motocross boots in tape and cut the pattern off
2) Trace the pattern onto the foam. Heat foam and use the real boot to press and shape pieces
3) Contact cement the pattern together
4) Make the "leather strapping pattern" out of tape. Trace onto foam. Glue onto boot base.
5) Heat the boot and press tinfoil into the foam to create "leather" looked indents
6) Paint the boots. Start with a layer of plastidip. Then a layer of orange. Next dust the boot with greens, reds, blues, and yellows. Finish the distressing with a dry brushing of blacks and blues.

Sorry, I know the music is annoying. I didn't have anything else.

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nbehling · Sep 25, 2018

I set Skeletor aside to work on Heman for a bit. I feel like i have the proportions right for the muscle suit. No i am trying to figure out how much realism I want to shoot for.

On one hand, He-man is a cartoon/action figure that has outrageous muscles and I can get away with leaning into the campiness.

On the other hand, I could push the Skin Paint-job towards realism and make something really special.

Contec · Sep 25, 2018

Are the foam muscles fixed to the morph suit with latex?

montysaurus · Sep 25, 2018

Amazing work!

Jedifyfe · Sep 25, 2018

following. This is great!

nbehling · Sep 25, 2018

Contec said:
Are the foam muscles fixed to the morph suit with latex?

The muscles are glued to the blue suit underneath but not to the nude suit on top. Right now it is just mocked up so I can size the chestplace, brief and bracers.

CNC Shredder · Sep 25, 2018

Nice!!!! Glad to finally see someone doing something He-Man. Can't wait to see how it turns out

Datvincidoe · Sep 27, 2018

Are you going to rig up a system for the Skeletor mask to make the mouth move?

nbehling · Sep 27, 2018

Datvincidoe said:
Are you going to rig up a system for the Skeletor mask to make the mouth move?

Yes, I am making a super simple elastic mechanism with chin strap. I wish I new how to get a "mechanical advantage" so the mouth would move twice as much as the actual person's mouth.

nbehling · Oct 1, 2018

Making Progress. The Bracers, belt, and chest plate are done. I finished both of the power swords (I know Skeletor doesn't always have one....but I already made the template). I am waiting on a more accurate fur color for the briefs.

You can see a mock-up of shoulder veins. Does anybody have a good technique for veins?

nbehling · Oct 22, 2018

I only have a few days left and I still have a lot of work to do. I decided to make go with a 1/8 inch foam skin instead of lycra. Heman now looks more "real life" and less like a guy in a spandex suit. I am pretty happy. Now, It's time for the paint.

Jedifyfe · Oct 22, 2018

SO bad *a-s-s*!!!!!

nbehling · Oct 30, 2018

Well, I was able to complete the costumes before Halloween. I have a few adjustments to make now that we wore them twice. Minor adjustments but I want them to be as perfect as possible.