HOME | DD
That-Black-Cat — Vasto Lorde Ichigo Mask
Published: 2010-07-14 04:10:37 +0000 UTC; Views: 12982; Favourites: 46; Downloads: 3257
Redirect to original
Description
Whew, finally finished it!And just in time for San Diego Comic Con 2010, so keep an eye out for it if you go!!!
We're currently referring to it as 'The Beast'. I did my best to make it as accurate to the illustrations as I could. When worn, it looks really alien and menacing (especially since the person who is going to be wearing it is 6 foot 9! Eeek!) The colors are not true to the anime, but more to what we imagined it would be when we first read the manga. The person cosplaying this will be wearing red fur with black tattoos.
If you have any questions, please leave them in a comment. ^^
EDIT: So.... the mask got it's debut at Comic Con 2010, and while Kyo (the cosplayer) spent the entire day stuck inside of it, he looked absoluetly B@D @SS. I think this is the most intense thing that we have ever made. This mask seriously made people passing by in the halls stop in their tracks.
Go give some love for being such a trooper, and making this costume one of the most intense things to walk those halls!
Related content
Comments: 47
This is absolutely amazing. I love the intricate detail and attention you gave to this. This looks like it should stay in a clear glass case for display!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahah thank you!
Yeah, unfortunately it enjoyed a 3 month stint in the trunk of my car between moves and got pretty busted up. I would like to repair it at some point and build some sort of display stand in the future.
Thank you for the kind comments!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is amazing; it actually looks like its made of bone!
Two questions:
First- Is the jaw moveable(moves when you talk, stays closed when you don't)?
Second-Please make a step-by-step guide to making one of these.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahah, thank you! Glad to know that someone is still interested in this old thing.
Yes, the jaw is moveable. The lower jaw piece was sculpted separate from the 'helmet', then simply attached on both sides with a piece of black fabric. The tension from the fabric keeps it pressed against his skin. Because the piece was molded to Kyo's face exactly, it did not slide around or out of place when he talked. Or roared.
Unfortunately, I don't see myself making another one of these in the near future unless for a commission. Between school and work I'm pretty strung out. I do recommend doing what I did- look through all the cosplay construction tutorials on dA, Cosplay.com, and other prop building websites. Sometimes the /cgl/ board on 4Chan will have tutorial threads as well. You may have to combine different techniques- I was following a tutorial on painting plaster, then had to switch to a different because the paint was melting the styrofoam horns.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for getting back to me; I'll use your suggestions and try and post my finished product on dev.
On a side note, you mentioned in one comment that the mask was fragile and broke easily. Do you have any recommendations on making more resilient?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I can't wait to see it!
Because it was made mostly of plaster and fabric reinforcement the mask part suffered minimal damage. The only thing I would have changed for that would have been to use a stronger sealing coat. The horns were the nightmare- foam shaped and covered in plaster. It was very brittle, and because the foam and plaster had different degrees of give it cracked and snapped easily. I think I would have gone the route of 405th Infantry's pepakura builds, strengthened with fiberglass resin. Makes it tough, resilient, and not too heavy. I'm experimenting with it for a Big Sister costume (Bioshock) right now and am having great results.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Reminds me of a kitty/bunny lol, but awesome work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Nah, we just used it for Comic Con 2010. It's been sitting on a shelf in Kyo's house, glaring menacingly at everyone who enters the room ever since.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Nice thing dude. I would do that too.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Pretty sweet. I just made one of these myself out of Paper mache and it was a bitch. I hated making the horns and teeth. Quite honestly those were the hardest parts for me.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I just had a look at the photos from your mask, and am impressed! Paper mache is a tricky b!tch to work with- sometimes she's happy with you, sometimes she puts of a major fuss. I'm quite amazed at the level of detail you managed to get with it!
For the teeth, I'd recommend what I resorted to- making them out of another, more manageable clay (I used airdrying clay) and super gluing them on. I used sanded Styrofoam for the horns, which was nice because they were lighter than the mache.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the compliment and the suggestions as well. This was a pretty tough mask to put together but all in all it holds up pretty well even though I Paper mached everything. I can pick up the mask by a horn and there's no breaking. I think i'll definitely do the whole clay thing since making those teeth out of mache was ridiculous. I have to make another one for the same guy but i have more time for the second one. He also made the basic frame for the second one so all i have to do is sculpt. I had him try on the current mask and we actually had to remove all the structure inside along with about an inch of the back of the mask. It was seriously like performing surgery. It fit fine afterwards. It was just a tiny bit too snug for him but we got it to work thankfully. Celluclay was the stuff I used for the mask and I really liked it. It was the first time working with stuff like that. Hopefully the second one will turn out a tad better ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh wow, I had no idea that yours was such an intensive process!
What are you using for the mache base? I find that adding a bit of shredded egg carton makes it a bit more malleable and easier to form. Once it dries, though, it's hard as a rock.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
We started out with a cardboard frame, something that fit the guy's head and then kinda built off of that. We followed a video on youtube just for the frame and how he kinda built up his. After that I decided to kinda say eff the rest of what he did and build my own way. The Celluclay was just mix with water and worked exactly like clay. It had a little bit of lumpiness hence why it kinda looks a little rough. We figured it'd give it more of that worn through hell appearance if we left it rough. You just had to keep your hands wet while using it and I didnt have to wait for the paper mache to get to a certain point to use. It was just "Bam! Ready to use". I bought it out at a local hobby store and 1 lb was like $7 or so. I bought 2 lbs and have almost used it all for this one mask. Not bad for a $14 investment lol.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
amazing work, i love it, the texture is awesome.
Congratulation
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahah, yeah- he does have a scary face. ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I may consider it, depending on the design and size of the piece that is wanted. I am not comfortable with selling something as large and heavy as this mask yet, because it turned out very delicate and broke a lot. If I find a way to reinforce them then I may open commission for larger pieces.
If you would like to, devWatch me. I will post a journal with general prices once I open for commissions.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
opps forgot, I put you on watch as well
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Seeing as you already have some impressive skills, it might be worth wile to pick up some Sculpey. its very durable, cost effective and easy to use and you don't need a kiln to bake it!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you for the recommendation! I may consider it, as I need to buy Super Sculpey in bulk for maquettes. I currently enjoy using plaster of paris because I can do the fine detailing with a dremel tool.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glade you like the suggestion, I heard it from a friend recently myself but I like to share my knowledge with others instead of hording it selfishly.
Ah the dremel, such a wonderful tool!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
i didn't know you did a photo shoot with our mask lol
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
... how did you find this account?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Curiosity.
Was it when I wrote it down for Naru?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
that is super awesome i made one myself but it was a much less awesome version
although i am working on version 2
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ahhh, I see. My best advice is to keep the mask as light as possible. After a while, the mask put a lot of strain on the cosplayer's head. You have a good base so far- just make sure to distribute the weight evenly.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
those are the old pictures on my account i will be posting the new version soon
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It is that bad ass are those sun glass lens or no lens?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Sun glass lenses, cut to size and shape of the eye sockets.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ok do definitely want
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'm glad that you enjoy it. ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow, excellent work...I'm stunned.
I have so many questions! I hope you don't mind ...
What sort of material(s) is it made with?
How is it worn? With a strap or something?
Is it heavy?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahah, no, I don't mind. ^^
The materials used were plaster of paris, medical gauze, shredded egg carton, styrofoam, air drying clay, super glue, epoxy, acrylic paint, and Valspar Stone Clear Sealer.
It is worn just like a helmet. Because the mask is molded specifically to the person's facial features, it sort of... locks into place. The bottom jaw is light enough that theatrical spirit gum can be used or small clear elastic straps near the temples.
Admittedly, it is a bit heavy- maybe, 3lbs?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you! We worked very hard on this for a week straight. ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0