Anime Expo 2012 --

"I am the morning sun coming to vanquish this horrible night!"

"Hoist the sails, Britain!"

Hello everyone!

Just a really quick update here.  AX 2012 has come and gone, my best friend flew out of LA yesterday, and I am in a good place right now.   Talk about an amazing couple of weeks!

We had an absolute blast in our costumes, received an astounding amount of photographs from other people, and chatted with some pretty amazing folks.  I can't tell you how much joy I received to see my best friend in her Pirate!England cosplay.  She poses like a professional, and was basically dripping confidence the entire weekend.  It is a unique experience to attend such a large convention, and not feel incredibly overwhelmed by it... because for how crowded it was, we were pretty at ease.  (The people make it a comfortable place!) It is by far the most costume-heavy convention I have been to, and also the attendees are genuinely awesome and super friendly.  I prefer AX to Comic Con, now.

As for an actual convention report, I may get to that at a later time.  Just too much of a blur right now to recall everything.  Since my best friend was in town since the 22nd, a lot of my days were focused on spending quality time with her, and not just on the anime convention itself.

As for my costume, it's 100% complete.  Didn't really run into problems or real discomfort wearing it at all -- and better yet, it didn't bust or flinch at all!  So glad that I took the time to craft it so sturdy.  The contacts were insanely perfect, and I'm pretty sure I freaked a few people out a couple of times  So much love to my caring husband, who stayed up late and did the henna on my back for this cosplay.  I'm still planning on doing a paid shoot with a professional photographer in the near future, because while I love the photos I have currently -- I really need high quality ones for my portfolio.  Still trying to figure out who to contact for such a thing.

All the best for now, and will update more comprehensively soon!

♥ Ely

Graduation, AX 2012 & Shanoa Tassets (W.I.P)

SCHOOL IS OUT!  I have a grad dinner tomorrow, receive my certificate, and that's it. Still waiting to hear about possible plans for higher education, but until then, I'm just going to relax and lay out like a blob like I deserve.  Kinda happy and sad that my time @ the LACC Theatre Academy has come to a close.  Couldn't last forever though.  I'll have a better idea of what to do by the first week of July, but it'll either be more school, or going to work.

With 27 days or so until AX 2012, and just under 3 weeks until my best friend comes from B.C to visit... I am so beyond excited! It's been about a year since I've seen her, and it's honestly been the only thing I've really been looking forward to since the beginning of my school year.  L.A. is a huge place, and what we didn't do/see last time, we'll surely try to squeeze in.  It'll be nice to kick back and enjoy our time together!  I just hope the weather won't turn unbearably hot while she's here, but if all else fails, we'll run the A/C and eat popsicles in front of it. xD;

I'm around 60% with my Shanoa cosplay, with the major parts just being the dress left to sew, and drafting my greaves and cuisses. (The upper leg armor)  The hip armor (Stylized tassets) is complete and are awaiting to be put together and riveted to the breastplate.  I've got a few things coming in the mail before I can proceed with the rivets, though.  I ended up ordering a PVC display mannequin (30") leg to do my lower greaves, because I don't like the idea of free-forming Wonderflex to my leg (Over a boot).  It felt like the right thing to do, to get two perfectly identical greaves.  :3 Also for $20, it's not a big deal and I'm sure I'll get plenty of use out of it.

Still much to do, but I have loads of time being out of school for the summer~

I have a few progress pictures and pre-drafts of my hip armor, but it doesn't all make sense until you see the final product.  I used the same method as the breast plate by using Wonderflex as an inner support, felted both sides, and covered the outer with matching brown leather.  The dotted line on the pattern is for the shorter sections of the armor.  I didn't want to cut 6 full patterns, as the upper two are overlapped and only the bottom is full-sized.  It sits nicer on my thighs this way too, with less bulk.

The rolled sheet metal was used to give me a nice curve to the armor pieces.  It's funny what you can do with stuff you have lying about your house!  Since these pictures, I have them covered in leather and ready to attach.  I will update that in a day or two once I receive the supplies I need.

Update: I'm adding a couple of the 'mostly finished' tassets! (At bottom) They came out pretty great -- all I have to do is fasten them together, and create the strap to connect to the breastplate. Woo!

Shanoa To-Do:   

1.  Draft lower greaves, and cuisses -- attach with brass split-pins. (0%)
2. Attach hip armor (stylized tassets) to finished breastplate. (95%)
3.  Draft, sew dress together & lining -- add controlled fray to bottom hem. (60%)
4. Gloves -- add feathers (Detachable) and elastic cross-gartering. (95%)
5. Collar -- baste pinned areas & attach hook and eyes. (100%)
6. Make below knee to upper thigh brown legging w/zippers. (100%)
7. Shape & texturize 40" black wig. (0%)

That's all for now, lovelies! Hope all in anticipation of the convention season are making good progress on costumes as well.  Keep it up. :3 Cheers!

♥ Ely

Castlevania Order of Ecclesia: Shanoa -- Cosplay Update II, Breastplate, Collar & Gloves W.I.P

 

Hey all! Feeling kinda under the weather today as my on and off allergies have been driving me crazy.  It's been so terrible the past couple of days, that I've been feeling like a lump of sick, unable to do anything, sleep at night, etc.  What to do? So, I opted to stay home from school and relax, as my energy levels are near empty and my brainpower is in the negatives.  Meaning, I can't be constructive or productive at all.  So here I am, updating my blog in my pajamas, sipping tea... waiting for the vertigo to stop.  I hope I can recover from this soon.

On the upside, I do have a few small picture updates on my Shanoa costume -- mainly the completed breastplate, and also her fingerless gloves and collar!  Enjoy!

I used masking tape to "mask" (lol) any portions of the breastplate that I didn't want to accidentally glob glue on.  I decided to use E6000 over Barge contact cement to affix the decorative gold pieces because it's a pre-mixed epoxy, and doesn't need to be applied to both surfaces (As my materials are porous) to stick properly.  E6000 is also a flexible epoxy, and given this is going to be worn on my torso, I figured it to be a better bet as I will be moving about quite a bit!

The gluing task was a bit... harrowing, to say the least.  I had to be careful not to apply too much glue to the backing of the design (so that it oozed out from underneath when pressed down) and also couldn't apply too little, as it wouldn't stick down all the way.  I also couldn't bend my design back to apply glue -- the surface wanted to (naturally) buckle and haze as it is a primed and painted leather..

That being said, I applied glue all over the center back of the design, lined it up and pasted 'er down.  I glued the 'arms' of the decor separately, and used a small toothpick to apply to smaller portions of adhesive to the outer areas that needed more glue.  There were a few moments where I thought I had messed up something permanently, but because of the masking (Phew!) all was fine.

After a half an hour of careful gluing the design was set down! I let it cure overnight (24 hours) before I tried the breastplate on, and also performed some minor touch ups.  The outer gold trim was also glued down with E6000, and folded over the edge of the breastplate for a more finished look.  Here are finished pictures of the breastplate! ;D  Really happy to have finished a very difficult piece of this costume with relative ease.  I now must figure out how to attach it to my body, and all signs seem to be pointing to wide strips of Velcro, and a few snaps.  Will be updating on that later on!

I also had the chance draft her gloves and collar.  They are by no means complete, but the gloves are more or less 80% finished.  I just have to affix the elastic cross-gartering across the forearm, and create the feather detail at the elbow.  (I have black rooster feathers coming in the mail!)

For the collar, the bow is more of less complete, but the actual collar itself needs some work. I used darts to cinch it around the neck, but I must do some necessary clipping and tacking down for it to look right.  I tea stained the lace (On both the gloves and collar) for a more antique look.  It'll likely close in the front with a small hook and eye that the bow will hide.  The Venice style laces used were bought in downtown LA for a minimal price, and are pretty antique looking!

Anyhow, that's all for now as I am waiting on a few things to arrive in the mail so that I can keep making progress here.  Thanks for reading. :3!

Cheers and happy costuming,

♥ Elysium

Castlevania Order of Ecclesia: Shanoa -- Cosplay Update I, Breastplate W.I.P

Hello hello! Been really busy again lately -- however, not busy enough to keep me from working on my Shanoa cosplay!  I have around 2 months left to complete this costume, and 100% of the materials I need to craft it.  Pretty excited that it is becoming a reality.

So far, I've hit around $120 for this whole thing, seeing as I opted for Wonderflex, real leather, and a few other minor touches that ran the cost up.  That being said, I had many items of my own to use on this costume (Including handmade lace from the early 1800's) that have just been begging to be stuck on something.  I seem to need a never-ending supply of barge contact cement (Oy, which I've used a lot of already, and will need more of absolutely) and E6000 adhesive for other bits.  The boots that I purchased also contributed to the overall cost, but honestly I wouldn't want to cheap out with my choices, so I'm all right with spending a little extra.

So far, been working away on making the breastplate for Shanoa, because it seems to be the most complicated part of the costume.  I decided to take some creative liberty on the "shape" of it.  What I mean is that I understand that the plate has a very flat shape in the stomach area and over the chest in the official art, but the reality of this on a real body (With curves, I may add) is that it will not sit on, or flatter the female shape at all.  When the artist conceptualized the armor, I'm not really sure if they understood the nature of that.  (Not really their job for them to worry if a design will be made into a costume or not, hahaha!)

Thinking about it, and after researching what others have done with her breastplate, (And not to say anyone is wrong by choosing to do it that way) I decided that it wasn't what I wanted exactly.  I want this to fit me.  I do not want to create bulk, or a thickening of the torso by draping an uncurved plate to a body with form.  Now that I have completed a fair deal of the shaping and finishing on it, I am really happy overall.  Honestly, (My husband pointed this out) once the decor is added, no one will even tell the difference between it being fitted or not.

I have a few progress pictures that I will post!

All of those (blasted) markings pictured here were used to keep the plate symmetrical.  I tell you, figuring this all out took a few days, and at one point I was thinking, "Shit, why am I doing this again!?" xD;  Good thing that it came out right the first go, or I would have probably sprouted my first grey hair!  I used a hair dryer to get the Wonderflex malleable enough to pull it across the dressform, and voila!  Wasn't too difficult to do this.

A few notes -- I used Wonderflex for the base, stretched over my personal dressform (Which is my size), covered the outer area with felt, and then covered that with a medium-weight brown leather.  I did this because the felt (Which is nubby and grabs to adhesive well) bonded with contact cement to the leather hide will help keep it stuck permanently.  Also, it provided a bit of thickness -- because I didn't want the breastplate to look flimsy!

After covering the Wonderflex with felt, and very carefully stretching the leather over it -- I ended up what is pictured on the right.  Anyone who uses contact cement knows the process.  You apply the adhesive to both surfaces, and after 10-12 minutes press the surfaces together for a permanent bond.  It's tedious, and sucks up a lot of time, but it will never come UNSTUCK.  For serious, this shit is really crazy strong, and if you accidentally let the surfaces touch, good luck pulling them apart.  This is why you should always work with small areas as you're gluing.  I should add make sure you work in a well ventilated room -- it goes without saying the fumes are a bit on the toxic side.

Next step -- patterning and figuring out the decorative section of this breastplate.  I hand drafted and figured the proportions on paper, and after doing some (rather badly) cut out tests from interfacing, I was able to finalize the pattern.  It probably took a half hour or so.  I did a paint test on a scrap of leather just to get an idea of how it would look against the surface of the low-sheen brown leather. 

I had been toying with the idea of creating a beveled, raised look for the decor, but wasn't too sure what to do.  I came up with the idea of cutting two identical pieces of the decor (One in vinyl, the outer paint-able surface in leather) and sandwiching the two with some piping in the middle to create raised areas.

With a few corrected flubs, I have to say that I am extremely impressed with how it looks!  The antique gold paint that I used is multifaceted, so it catches the light perfectly, and with a spray resin coating, it looks very metal-like.  Unfortunately though, I ran out of resin spray sealer, so I can't move on from this point (As I need to make an outer trim for the entire breastplate, which needs to be stuck down at the same time as the central piece) until my order for 2 cans comes sometime next week.

Anyways, really enjoying this costume progress, and will update more soon!  I am hoping that once I have the plate done, I can start working on the greaves/knee pieces, and then the rest is all sewing.

Take care, and happy costuming!

♥ Elysium

Castlevania OoE: Starting Shanoa costume construction!

Hey all!

Figured it was time for an update.  It's been another busy week at school, but Thursday ended up being a nightmare from the get-go (Yay to waking up with distorted vision -- thanks so much, migraine...) but I seem to be doing better now.  It's high time that I get back into a regular exercise routine, and start taking more care over my eating habits, and when I choose to go to bed.  Unfortunately, migraines spring up and strike me like some invisible force, and I need to figure out how to prevent them a bit better.

For once, I'm making my costume goals this year happen!  I'm happy to say that I have most of more costly materials I need to start working on my Shanoa costume, (I will do the sewing portion later, buy fabric, etc) so in the next week or so I will actually start patterning, forming, and creating her breastplate, greaves and hip armor.  I found out that a supplier of Wonderflex have a location nestled in North Hollywood, so my beau and I took a little trip and I picked some up. (43" by 55" for $43.95!)

Last Friday, a friend and I also made a trip to SavMor Leather (Downtown Los Angeles), and I nabbed two lovely chocolate brown pig hides for the armor as well.  The idea is to make the base forms from Wonderflex, line with foam and felt, and then cover the outer with real leather.  I've worked with this method on smaller projects (Masks), and it looks gorgeous!  Originally I was planning to use vinyl, but somehow the leather ended up being the cheaper option?  （　ﾟДﾟ）? Who would think I would walk out with enough leather for this project for under $30... cray cray.

I have the wig and contracts as well, so pretty soon I'll post some make-up tests.  The wig came a little bent around the bottom length, but I can easily fix this by hanging it in the shower, and spraying some semi-hot water on it.  The slight heat and weight of the water should straighten it without having to fiddle with any hot tools.

All in all, I need maybe another $40 to purchase a few more materials and I should be set for Shanoa.  The fabric, lining, and feathers are all I really need at this point.

OFFICIALLY, the Pirate England commission is finished.  I'll be taking some pictures and posting the final result here pretty soon.  I'm super happy with it -- final update soon!

Cheers all and back to my creative cave,

-- Ely

Shanoa Wig: Bought!

I posted some time back on my deliberation between a CosplayWigUSA wig (Which at the time was out of stock), and an Epic Cosplay Wig product that was similar in style and cut.  I couldn't seem to make up my mind about either (Wigs are an expensive investment!) so I just left it to thought, and continued to work on my more current projects.

I randomly checked back on the back-ordered wig, and not only was the wig back in stock at CosplayWigUSA, they also had a two day coupon for 20% running just for this weekend, 02/24/2012-02/26/2012!  (http://cosplaywigsusa.com/ use code:2020 in the promo box before you select your payment option!)

The 40"/100cm heat-resistant wig is a steal of a price to being with, for $39.95.  Coupled with the 20% off coupon, $31.96!  With free shipping too, I may add.

I decided this was a good time to finally pick up a seemingly great wig for Shanoa.  Once it arrives, I'll be doing a review for the product overall, shipping, price, quality, etc.  I feel that if there are decent cosplay wig suppliers in our home countries, we really should try to support them a little better!  So expect a review once it's in my happy little hands!

Preeeetty excited!  ヽ(￣ｰ￣)ﾉ ☆  Cheers! Final updates impending on the APH Pirate England cosplay commission any day now!

-- Ely

OH HAI WIG.

 

Perfect looking Shanoa wig, but not in stock? Thankfully I was able to get in touch with the nice peeps at cosplaywigsusa.com, and apparently they're about to receive a shipment.

I was originally looking to buy from Epic Cosplay Wigs (www.epiccosplay.com) but I think I'll give these guys a shot first.  I don't know why, but the quality of the wig looks very, very nice.  I've heard that Epic Cosplay Wigs are pretty unrivaled with thickness... so I'm still unsure on which to purchase.  I suppose a well shot picture is what is swaying my decision.  Both are US based, so either way there will not be a tremendously long wait to get 'em in the mail.

Hopefully it'll be something I can pick up and give a try!  Quality looks beautiful.  Since there are not many reviews for this USA based wig seller online, I will likely do a review on the product. ^o^

I realize that the wig length is a bit shorter than the art/in game representation of Shanoa... but I think that's pretty minor.  In my experience with longer wigs, after a bit of wear, they start to get super tangled.  Now there is a 50" available from Epic Cosplay, as well as a 60".  The hassle or worry that they will tangle throughout the day is enough of a preemptive concern that I won't bother buying them. xD;

                        

Cosplay Wigs Usa to the left, Epic Cosplay Wig to the right.

I can't decide! #___#

-- Ely

Fiddling~

For someone who used to draw everyday, I realize I am now pretty sluggish at it!  Maybe just I over-think what I'm drawing, or I'm distracted.  Perhaps with some practice, I'll come out of that and can work a bit faster.

At any rate, I'd like to have some sketch/planning work up soon, so that starting next month I can move into the materials phase.  I'd love to do that right away (Doesn't everyone?!) but money is an issue, and I'd like to wait until my finances are locked down after school starts.

I'm hoping to get a Photoshop tutorial in with my husband; not so much on the basics, but maybe a little more advanced?  Like how to clean up line work, how to use the pen tool, tips on rendering, etc.  I feel that the digital age is on us here, and as a budding designer, you have to keep up with it or get left behind.  So hopefully we can work something out for an evening!

As far as material choices, I've already decided on a few things.  I'll be ordering a large/jumbo sheet of Wonderflex to mold the breastplate... and, since I'm at it, I'll be purchasing leather locally as well.  Why leather?  Because I notice that the sheen in the artwork is definitely leather, and also noted that no one has attempted this on their costume.  It must be a price issue, or perhaps a inability to work with it.  Seeing as I've made several formed leather items over the last year, I'm not afraid to try.  Should be interesting!  I feel that leather will be a fun, realistic touch for this costume -- and I do love a challenge!  And it sure solves the issue of surfacing the breastplate/greaves.  I will likely be using a soft, pliable treated leather for this, some rubber cement, etc.  I'm not sure how I'll build the gold 'leaf-like' designs in the central parts of the plate, but perhaps once I start an idea will strike me.  I have a few ideas that could work very well.

Overall, definitely going to start Shanoa's armor first, and once I have a decided on the garment material, I will begin the dress simultaneously.  I'd like to tackle how to fasten the armor to the dress -- and I'd love to avoid velcro.  Ick!

Also. D: I need to get back on the horse with working out! It's been hot here in Los Angeles, and even with the A/C running the in apartment, it's not a very encouraging (Or safe) environment to work out in.  Doing really fantastic with my eating habits of late -- so if I could just smush the two together, I'd have a good formula for weight loss going.

Enough of me, back to life --

-- Ely

On costume sketches, and preparing to make a costume. (Shanoa related)

Before diving into a new project, I love to have my research assembled first.  Granted, everyone has a different approach when beginning a costume -- but, being organized versus not makes a huge difference.  If you can't visualize the design in a three dimensional state, on your body or someone else's -- forget it!  How can you conceptualize and understand it, if you haven't bothered to think about it?  So this is where I like to begin.

This entails browsing the internet for various original artworks, fan works, in game screen-shots, etc.  I also put in a considerable amount of research on the costume if it's already been created.  This can save on some time.  Sometimes problems have already been worked out, (Thank you cosplayers~) and it's really to your benefit to analyze what others have done.  If you like the way someone made their armor, but like the dress from a different costume, etc -- mass what you like together and take notes.

With a solid folder of visual references, I can then thumb through anything I've collected, and start notes for myself.

Of course, you can't always anticipate a construction problem when you start building, so it's best to expect things might go wrong so you don't frustrate yourself into a hole.  Expecting to get it perfect the first time is not a good mind-set to have.  To learn anything, sometimes you just have to mess up a little, you know?  Keeping that in mind, don't fret if you've messed something up and have to start over.  One of the worst situations you can be in while crafting is to be stressed out, desperately trying to fix what you've done and sweating bullets because you've destroyed it.  Likely, you will end up screwing up again, in that state.  If you're mind is clouded and frustrated, S-T-O-P.  Take a few deep breaths, nosh on something tasty, and distract yourself with something else for a bit.  Come back to the project with your head clear and relaxed!  You want to do a good job on your project, so don't make it a horrible experience for yourself.  Problem solving, even at the worst of times -- use it!  Be fearless and keep trying!

My beginning phases go a little like this:

1) Assemble research, photographs, drawings, etc.  I tend to keep some on my computer, and print out a few and post them on my cork-board in my studio.

2) Make sketches on costume, front, side and back -- take notes, note decorative elements, color swatch, etc.  Sometimes it's nice to sit down and complete a fully colored render, but it isn't necessary.  Just a clean line drawing will suffice at this point.

3) Break down costume into groups (Gloves, dress, armor, etc), note on materials I might consider using.  I also sometimes start the more difficult parts first, and leave the things I consider easy for later.  This gives me more time to really grind out the parts that are likely going to give me trouble.  (For instance, I'll likely start Shanoa's armor first.)

4) Fabric swatch w/ your references, and its shopping time.  Also doesn't hurt to buy a little more of each material.  Therefore, you're saved from multiple trips to the fabric store.  Unless of course, you love racing to the store last second, only to find out that beautiful/perfect/amazing material you purchased is sold out.


Today I'll work on a few design sketches for Shanoa w/notes, and if I feel like it, I may scan it and fiddle with it digitally as well.  Eventually I'll be repeating this same process with Albus also, but likely after I start Shanoa.  Back later with updates. :3

Cheers,

-- Ely

Castlevania: OoE wins!

No matter how much I try, there just isn't any way to resist Castlevania.  I've been a fan for far too long, and the idea of wearing something so detailed and unique = I excite!

More or less, I've decided to take on Shanoa & Albus as my next major nerd project.  While I realize this is going to test my patience in many ways over the course of the next few months, I feel confident that I can do them justice.  Plus, I'd love to hone my skills at armor building and also learn how to tool, dye and oil leather by hand.

For goals, I hope to continue my exercise regime, and lose that last 5-10lbs of "plateau" weight.  Honestly, I could do better with my eating habits as well -- not so much in the type of foods (Everything we eat is pretty wholesome and healthy!), but I would like to add more veggies and seafood into the mix.

As far as research goes, I've started a huge folder of reference material already for both costumes.  Next stage will be sketching and planning, a material break down sheet, (With estimations on cost) patterns possibly needed, etc.  Once I figure out which costume I will tackle first, I'll start purchasing my materials both online, and from local sources.

Extras such as wigs, contacts (Yes, I am going all out here!) and shoes/boots will be purchased if they're suitable in my budget, or if I can snag a deal.  I'll end up picking up another roll of Wonderflex sometime in the next few weeks, along with pattern paper.  I have some great ideas for the chest plate/armor, and I am already feeling the need to start.  For the tattoo's, I hope to hand-make stencils (For both the back glyph and smaller bicep ones) and utilize a cosmetic airbrush paint + my airbrush to make it easier.

Really, the idea of taking on Shanoa's armor, and Albus' tooled leather vest + gun are probably the most harrowing points of interest when considering the construction.  Obviously I'm not made of cold hard cash either, so that will also be something nagging in the back of my mind.  Can I somehow manage to put both together for under $300?  I can damn well try, I suppose.

-- Ely

Hawt damn. I love Castlevania designs.

I've been into Castlevania for a long time; probably from the early ages of it being on SNES, and into it's latter years of PS1 glory.  I haven't picked up the 3D versions honestly due to lack of interest, but at least have played through the NDS versions as they've come out.

I am still in love with Castlevania: SOTN, and have considered picking it up and playing through it again.  What's not to like about it? Alucard was badass, Richter was pretty awesome, as was Maria Renard.  At one point, I had considered making her outfit for myself, but it just never took off for whatever reason.

Some of the newer games have appealing designs as well.  Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was a pretty decent game; but what I love (Of course) are the designs!

 (Shanoa left, Albus right)

It's like daaayyuummmm~ part of me wants to attempt the challenge, the other part is all, "Wtf, run for the hills!" Not so much because of Shanoa's costume, but Albus'.  Freakin' Albus with his tooled leather vest and all those holsters, buckles and rivets.  OH YEAH.  AND THAT FREAKING GUN, TOO. D:  Why am I attracted to complicated things? I... have no words.  Really, no defense here.

-- Elysium

P.S: Dracula is one sexy mother*ucker.  Also, a possibility.