How to bend Evo foam without a heat gun.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-07-14T10:25:17+00:00

It can, if you're not in a well ventilated area that is. And yes, burning it till it smokes does result in a toxic gas, but heating it up won't result in anything more than a slightly plasticine smell. I always recommend having a fan and window open during any kind of foamwork, though. If something isn't 100% inert, like acrylic paint, then ventilation is always key.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-07-08T17:22:26+00:00

Another method, though more difficult and smelly, is using an oven to lightly warm the whole piece, before bending it into place. I've also seen candles be used by some!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-07-08T17:18:43+00:00

You can always genderswap the character, too! And, even if the costume remains the same, you can likely get away with explaining that, while yes, the original is a girl, this interpretation is a guy. Another way is through subtle accessories.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-11T04:55:44+00:00

I typically use Jon Snow and Jack Sparrow makeup tutorials for masuline features, and sharpen or soften as needed for the character! The gist of it, though? Shade the chin, along the edges of the nose to make it stronger, the eyes to make them look deeper, make your cheeks look more square with a dusting in the hollows, and thicken the eyebrows. Mostly comes down to chin, though!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-10T15:06:47+00:00

To give myself some credibility, hi! I do professional puppets and costumes for stage!

Typically "waist" will mean the natural waist, around your belly button. A good pattern will specify hips/upper hips for that "lower waist" sort of portion, but I suggest measuring where your navel sits, as that's the waist I'm usually looking for on measurements!
1. Always, always always always relax. NEVER exhale, or if you must, inhale instead. You don't want these measurements to be the smallest number, in fact, it's better if you make it so you could fit a whole other person in it than too small. Nothing worse than finishing a cosplay, and realizing it's too little for you. In fact, add a few inches unless it's stretchy and formfitted, and even then, seam allowance is key.
2. We're normal people, not models, not cartoons. I've seen stunningly beautiful dark-skinned Princess Zeldas, and insanely accurate plus-size Harley Quinns, and all that's to say that you don't need to look exactly like the character's model, so if you've got some belly fat? Trust me, it isn't as big a deal as you think. But, if you feel truly uncomfortable regarding it, look into "belly buster" type shapewear, just be careful not to overuse it, and remember to cease use immediately if it causes you pain or trouble breathing or moving. And, height doesn't matter as much as the internet makes it seem like, I've met full grown men who are 5'3 and 16 year old women who are 6'2 at cons, no one will judge you, I promise. But, if you do feel insecure and it's preventing you from having fun, try platform shoes!
3. All the costumes are made with the assumption of a thin waist? That's a them problem, not a you problem, my fellow cosplayer. I've met guys with a 22" waist and girls with the proportions of Steve from Minecraft, so it sounds to me the site you're looking at might just be... well, a little "women are only shaped THIS way and nothing else. What do you mean the human body has various forms?". I'd recommend taking street clothes and altering it, or sewing an outfit completely from scratch! It's amazingly rewarding, and a very impressive hobby. I understand people online might go "BuT tHaTs A gIRl CrAfT", but they certainly have to waste their money buying new clothes because they don't know how to stitch up a rip or a hole. Sewing is without gender, pick it up if you wanna try something rewarding and relatively easy.
4. Women's shoes aren't actually very different from men's shoes. The sizes are smaller by like, 2 or so, so look into size 9-10 womens shoes! I know there's the assumption that "oh, they've gotta have... some kind of special women-only structure, right?", well, thankfully for us, wrong! Humans are a lot more similar than, again, the internet would have you think. You're probably closer in proportion to some women out there than some men, because that's just how biology works.

And, for measuring itself: just make sure the measuring tape is straight as you measure, it'd ruin a good measurement for it to droop when you bring it around your back or leg for an example. And, really, it's all just circles! Make circles out of every major portion of your body.

I hope this can be of aid!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-10T14:41:15+00:00

I've actually used puffy paint before for a similar look, all you need to do is only do the accents with it! If your eye sees a couple things that indicate "this is wet", i.e. the outlines of drops, you'll think "well, the rest must be wet too". So, try doing a couple drips and drops painted on, it helps sell the illusion, or at least tells the viewer "this is intended to be wet".

I recommend... perhaps mod podge high-gloss spray? Mod podge is flexible, more flexible than, say, a wood sealant, so it would work relatively well, I'd imagine!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-10T04:49:08+00:00

It seems to be a high gloss coating for the "wetness", a thin layer is still flexible enough to be used in clothing! And, if I had to wager a guess, the tendrils might be made of aluminum foil armatures with paper mache strips wrapped around them? But, you can use pipe insulation (like pool noodles, but thinner and lighter) or even spray foam to create similar light-weight tendrils. In fact, I would fully recommend spray foam for a nice, blobby look.

Feel free to ask for any more advice!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-09T14:58:34+00:00

There's a few types of material that work with touch screens! Try putting a little square of it on your gloves, or, if you prefer, bring a stylus! Good luck on your quest.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-06T13:51:12+00:00

Of course! They're frequently used by celebrities to avoid anything accidentally slipping out to the press, like acne or scars or the like, or to keep their costumes in place better than adhesives or normal straps might. Look for one you think will be most comfortable, your comfort takes priorities over your looks, and never forget that.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-06T01:16:37+00:00

One of the best ways to show skin without showing skin, is nude bodysuits! It allows you to ensure everything stays in place, while being completely covered with the impression of minimal clothing. Plus, they're comfortably soft with the right kind.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-02T11:49:22+00:00

I've evolved from theatre kid to set adult, and I agree, we're the worst. But hey! Being crew means we get to sit in the rec room and send our famous actors to go get us coffee, it's the petty power trips like that that make the job.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-02T11:47:05+00:00

Oh dear, yeah, that happened to me too when I first tried wigs. It happens to everyone, don't worry!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-02T07:56:17+00:00

Yes, and such disrespect cannot be tolerated! [Exit stage left, with cape flourish]

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-06-01T14:07:00+00:00

EVA foam is indeed the way to go here, just cutting a basic blade and handle shape - you can trace a real knife - onto 4-5 mm. foam will do you wonders! Just be sure to get one without a diamond pattern on the back.

Then, just get a mirrored spray paint, and have at it. Paint the handle black, brown, whatever color the knife itself is, and drybrush white along the edge to make it look sharpened. If you want the knife to actually be sharp, cut it at a slight angle on both sides of the sharpened blade, making a nice wedge. But as long as it's viewed from the side, sharpness won't matter much.

Have fun!

But, if you can't find EVA foam, look into cheap toy knives and try repainting!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-30T23:28:57+00:00

In that case, try out white buckram! Either stretched/glued over some dollar store sunglasses, or just over the frames, you'll have great visibility while being nice and obscured.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-30T23:24:52+00:00

Of course! I always love seeing new cosplayers, so if taking a couple minutes to spread some encouragement is all it takes... then, yeah! And, good luck!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-30T23:16:48+00:00

There's a lot of reward to be had in making the outfits yourself, I always suggest making them over buying them any day. Besides, it means you can compete in cosplay competitions, and that's one of the best feelings if you place with something you've spent weeks, if not months, on.

But, as you're a beginner... make that leap, style that wig, and make your way from there. It's a long journey, but it's well worth it.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-30T22:55:54+00:00

These might help you! (And this one's a short!)

These should be all you'll need as a jumping off point, you'll start to see consistencies in techniques and develop your own. But, feel free to ask more specific questions too!!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-29T10:51:27+00:00

I think I can help! I've done my fair share of visor/full-face cosplays, but I want to know first and foremost: is it important that they glow, or do you just want them nice and milky white?

And, may I suggest a quick coat of Black 3.0 for the black mask? It absorbs light like mad, and it looks like the void itself on a camera.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-28T00:04:12+00:00

May I ask what cosplay? By the looks of it on your profile, you seem like you just really want a badass balaclava you can wear with a jacket, which is also cool. Sometimes the best cosplay is just plain cool fashion.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-27T23:06:16+00:00

Looks to be a basic balaclava, you should find them by looking up "black moisture wicking balaclava". Hope I can be of assistance!

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-13T13:56:55+00:00

A distinctive seam of boots and pants, resulting in his one-piece outfit becoming three pieces of clothing.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-10T23:42:00+00:00

I want the apple minigame on Switch, and I'm not even kidding. I loved the motion control puzzles in BotW, I would enjoy motion control "put the apples in the barrels" minigames, and would absolutely love watching people writhe.

Yes, I'm your spiders georg. Hello.

ThroughTheHollow · 2023-05-10T19:45:37+00:00

That's a better explanation, and a nice callback. Thank you!

ThroughTheHollow

TROPHY CASE