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This text appeared in Make: Vol. 86. Subscribe for extra maker tasks and articles!
On my YouTube channel I construct issues that encourage me — typically that’s a brand new film, typically a online game from a decade in the past. My newest undertaking is one I’ve had on my checklist for fairly a while: a full set of conventional samurai armor! Like my different tasks, free patterns for this are on my website should you’d wish to make one too.
As a seasoned prop maker I’ve labored with numerous completely different media through the years, from clay and resin to 3D modeling and foam. EVA foam is by far my favourite! Within the cosplay neighborhood I’m generally known as a “foamsmith,” or one who focuses on foam fabrication. EVA is likely one of the greatest supplies to construct with, particularly for Makers new to foamsmithing, as a result of it’s light-weight, cheap, and intensely versatile. When you be taught the fabrication methods you may make foam appear like pores and skin, wooden, rock, bone, and steel!
The Leather-based Look
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
Historically, samurai armor was product of iron plates or strips of leather-based, lacquered to harden the floor and to guard them from the weather. To simulate a leather-based texture on the froth, I’m going to make use of certainly one of my favourite methods, the tinfoil method. EVA foam takes warmth nicely and should you press into it whereas it’s smooth, that may depart the floor embossed with the utilized design or texture. You may press numerous completely different supplies and shapes into the froth to offer it a singular look.
Earlier than you begin, let’s speak about security: At all times put on a correct respirator and eye safety when heating or sanding foam. Calmly warmth the floor of the 4mm foam with a warmth gun, transferring it backwards and forwards and taking care to not overheat the froth, as a result of it’s potential to burn or soften the floor. As soon as the froth has softened, shortly press some crumpled-up tinfoil into the floor. If essential, you’ll be able to rotate the foil ball to offer the embossed sample a extra random look.
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
As soon as the froth cools the utilized texture will stay within the foam, except the froth is reheated, through which case it would bounce again to its authentic form. So this can be a ending course of that must be achieved on the finish of your construct, proper earlier than paint and primer are added. As soon as the froth has been sealed with a product like Plasti Dip, Rosco Flexbond, Creature Solid, or Mod Podge, the textures might be locked in.
The Energy of Paint
That leads us to what may very well be an important a part of prop making, and that’s portray. I’ve been a builder for 10 years, however as a historically skilled illustrator I’ve been portray for 30. Virtually all of my tasks are hand painted. After sealing the froth, I’ll often do a light-weight dusting of a rattle-can spray paint to behave as a base layer of colour. That is particularly essential should you’re going to have a lighter colour as your finish product comparable to grey, white, or yellow.
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
Subsequent, heavy physique acrylics are utilized in washes or dry-brushing strategies to spotlight the small print carved into the froth. It doesn’t do any good to have a bunch of intricate particulars or battle harm should you don’t make them pop.
You may have a terrific prop and a poor paint job can spoil it. Or you’ll be able to have an OK prop and a incredible paint job can save the day. Whereas portray, I like to recommend having reference photos accessible, to ensure you’re getting the right amount of distinction and weathering. With this armor, I took it a step additional and added some Fuller’s earth mud simply to age the piece and provides it one other stage of element.
Try this and the opposite free tasks on my channel and begin your journey to changing into a foamsmith!
Picture by SKS Props
Picture by SKS Props
This text appeared in Make: Quantity 86.
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