-Reference images of the “Foreign Set”.
-Goals: Pattern and Sew Hood and Half Cape, Purchase identical vest online and tailor it, find “period” trousers and shoes.
-Reference image for Hunters axe “Trick weapon”. In game the handle of the ax extends and turns a 1 handed axe into a 2 handed pole axe.
-Goals: Attempt to make this from common items and materials, Avoid using foam to make a sturdier prop., have the handle function like the in game axe, attempt new finishing technique I came up with to create hyper realistic metallic finish.
Laminated Cardboard blade heavily impregnated with high quality wood glue. once dry can be sanded and profiled like wood. Similar weight to balsa wood but far more durable.
Handle was constructed of a sturdy extendable wind shield scraper. A hard wood shaft was used to reinforce the tubing and create a strong attachment point for the axe blade.
Bondo used to further reinforce the cardboard. Spear point featured here was later replaced by a wooden I shaped myself.
Finalized Axe. The coating is made of real metal, in a unique process of my own design.
Close up of finish. Not extended.
Extended
The Half Cape was a huge success! Cotton flannel was used to imitate wool for both comfort and affordability.
Final Results: The hood and and suspenders looked far to silly in real life So I left them out of the final costume. Overall this project turned out great. I got stopped numerous times for security to check if I had a real axe.
-Research image of Hawkwood: An NPC in Dark souls 3 and former member of the Abyss Watchers.
-Goals: Attempt to create real steel armor for the first time. Both Plate and Chain Mail.
Began with modifying a pauldron (full shoulder armor) pattern found online.
Made from 22 gauge mild purchased at the hardware store. The 16 gauge (the only other gauge at the store) steel used for gauntlet proved far too difficult to form such complex shapes. I now see way smiths typically made pauldrons from 20 gauge steel. 22 is too easy to bend and 16 is too stiff and better suited for chest armor. To make my pieces stronger and to make them look as though they were made from thicker plate I “rolled” (Similar to beading sheet metal) the edges backwards instead of forwards.
All armor was aged with a patina solution distressed to simulate battle damage.
16 gauge steel used for unique “Demi” Gauntlet Design. 16 gauge was used so the vambrace pieces (forearm portion) could be welded together to form their unique shape.
The final pieces were distressed and riveted to a long leather glove that I made.
Cape made knit Rayon. Used actual fire to get a more realistic burned edge.
Using spray paint to distress and hot glue as masking material I was able to create a really cool veining effect similar to the in game texture.
last minute estus flask! Glass bottle, my insta-stone recipe, and some paint. Better versions to come in the future!
Took some liberties the the design. Not a fan of mixing brown and black… Pre-purchased suede jerkin used to save time (chain mail sewn into bottom) as well my sword and boots. The Chain mail like I expected took far too long so I did not have the time or funds to get a Coif (chain mail for head and neck). Couter (elbow armor), and polyens (knee armor) were modified from generic “bargin” armor pieces. All harnesses, the chausses (thigh armor) and belts were sewn from leather scraps.
Final Results: This turned out awesome and got done with time to spare. Took this picture at the renfaire. I had a kid want to get his picture taken with me too! Will definitely be making more armor in the future.
A commissioned piece by a close friend. These wings are my own design. Fashioned to resemble the three hands of a clock in wing form. Materials used include soldered copper tubing, “Brass” aluminum wire, canvas, and a lot of painstaking stencil work. The final product was attached to a special back mount designed to be laced into a corset.