Articles
Here on Cosplay Island as we're hoping to bring you the best, most interesting and useful coverage of the UK cosplay scene. If we don't quite manage that we'll probably at least manage a passable approximation.
So here in the articles section we've got written and video reports of all the recent major UK cosplay events. We've also got a selection of tutorials written by some fantastically skilled costume makers.
If you've learned something interesting while working on your latest masterpiece and would like to share it with the community or have some other cosplay related articles you're burning to write contact us and we'll be happy to consider your article for inclusion.
15 Latest Articles
Included below are the 15 latest articles uploaded to the site. Use the tabs above to view the archives of specific article types.
Tutorials
Walkthrough – Build Your Own Vacuum Former
Tutorial by Dr Bish (theKillingDoll) posted Tuesday 14th August 2012
This is a brief outline of how to construct a cheap vacuum-forming machine and use it to vacform plastazote, the results of which can be seen in parts of my Priss Asagiri hardsuit.
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Walkthrough - Making a Headdress
Tutorial by Laura Sindall (Sands) posted Tuesday 9th December 2008
This is just a general tutorial on how I make the basic shape of my headdresses, with a few suggestions on how to make various accessories that may protrude from your headdress.
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Walkthrough - Silk painting and Gradient Dying Video
Tutorial by Laura Sindall (Sands) posted Tuesday 22nd December 2009
This was originally a hand written tutorial that was published in NeoMagazine. I decided to make this a video tutorial for those who may not have seen the original article. I'm sorry I don't have any videos of the dying process, but I hope this helps anyone who is looking to do gradient dying or silk painting.
I used this technique to create my obi ribbon for my Ayane costume from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.
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Walkthrough - Classic Tutu
Tutorial by Stephen Pryce (Ranma1-2) posted Wednesday 7th July 2010
Quite a few people ask me how I made my tutu for Princess Kraehe and what pattern I used so I have made this tutorial to help anyone with the same questions.
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Walkthrough - Boot Covers
Tutorial by Stephen Pryce (Ranma1-2) posted Friday 2nd July 2010
As some people have asked me, here is a detailed walkthrough for how I made the thigh-high boot toppings on my Catwoman costume.
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Walkthrough - Budget Prop Making - Zabimaru
Tutorial by Pheebs Wouldn't you like to know my surname? (Odd-One-Out) posted Wednesday 11th June 2008
Hello all! I am sure that some of you do not have access to proper metal or wood tools, and that some of you simply don’t have the money to build props after an exhausting day at Fabric Warehouse. I enjoy constructing things out of cheap or even free materials such as cardboard and newspaper. Never underestimate the power of these materials!
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Technique - Female to Male Crossplay
Tutorial by Annette Wilkinson (Odangochan) posted Thursday 12th June 2008
There are a number of things to consider when attempting an effective female-to-male crossplay. No matter how androgynous both you and the character you intend to cosplay may be, it is always important to make an effort if you wish to pull off a truly convincing crossplay. This tutorial will discuss a number of the things that should be taken into account to effectively masculinise yourself.
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Technique - Cosplay Photography: Think before you shoot
Tutorial by Nic Walker (nic0) posted Wednesday 14th November 2007
by Nic Walker
With the ubiquity of cheap digital cameras today, any given anime convention is awash with people photographing the costumes on display. Traipsing through the aftermath of conventions on forums and photo sharing websites one would be perhaps forgiven for being a little disappointed at the thought that goes into some of the photos on display. They can often be hurriedly composed, one-shot affairs taken more as a record of the event - a reminder of a costume - than an honest effort to record the quality of it.
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Walkthrough - Making a latex character mask
Tutorial by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Monday 3rd September 2007
by Jonathan Cullinane
I thought I'd throw together this walkthrough of Kimura from Azumanga Dioh, or "The making of a Slackjaw Schoolteacher". This is mostly photos with very little explanation but you should get a pretty good idea of the process that went into making the mask.
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Walkthrough - How to make skin tight gloves
Tutorial by Tab Kimpton (KhaosKreator) posted Friday 8th February 2013
I hate gloves. Every costume maker does, they’re fiddily and a bad fitting glove will show up far more than a bad fitting jacket will.
Here’s how I make lycra gloves, with a helping hand from my friend- freezer paper!
- How to make skin tight gloves (Hosted by Khaos Kostumes)
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Reports
European Cosplay Gathering - March 2011
Report by Sj bonnar (sjbonnar) posted Friday 4th March 2011
Sjonnar interviews Emily Bastian about Bunkasai and the European Cosplay Gathering; a new Europe-wide event with its final at JapanExpo in Paris....
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Video Games Live 2007
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 14th November 2007
The annual live video game music event now includes cosplay, so of course Cosplay Island was in attendance to see what happened....
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MinamiCon 14 2008
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Thursday 20th March 2008
The UK's longest running anime convention returns in full swing for its 14th birthday, the Cosplay Island team decide to investigate whether or not it can pilot mecha yet....
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Video Games Live 2008
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Tuesday 9th December 2008
Video Games Live returns for its third London trip, and we were waiting for it......
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MinamiCon 15 2009
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Tuesday 21st April 2009
15 years old, the big brother of UK anime conventions celebrated in sentai style!...
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London MCM Expo - October 2009
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 7th July 2010
Never failing our Capital's geek fandoms, the MCM Expo was back in full swing with more space than ever before!...
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AmeCon 2007
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 14th November 2007
Nert takes a look back at the year's biggest anime convention. What were the cosplay trends? What the hell is Chair-chan? Find out here....
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AmeCon 2008
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Tuesday 9th December 2008
The UK's largest dedicated anime convention was back in town; bigger and badder than ever for its fourth run totalling nearly 1,500 people! We figured we should probably be there, so we were....
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The Grand International Cosplay Ball
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 10th December 2008
An unsuspecting newly refurbished ballroom in London lay unaware of a slightly different clientèle heading its way on a Sunday evening, as the most.. fashionable cosplay event of the year took place in the Clapham Grand....
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London MCM Expo - May 2009
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 26th August 2009
Bright sunshine, little breeze or cloud cover, and a distinct lack of working transport links. A recipe for a very quiet MCM Expo? Evidence proves otherwise!...
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Videos
London MCM Expo October 2007
Video posted Monday 7th January 2008
Mark reports from the expo including interviews with MangaChild, Ashe and Sands and coverage of Saturday's masquerade.Watch Video Online | Download Video (155.6 MB)
Japan Expo 08
Video posted Monday 14th July 2008
Rachel reports from Paris to give us an inside look at one of Europe's biggest cosplay events.Watch Video Online | Download Video (103 MB)
Aya Revolution Masquerade Intro
Video posted Tuesday 3rd November 2009
For Aya Revolution we put together a montage of great UK cosplay from the past few yearsWatch Video Online | Download Video (23.8 MB)
London MCM Expo May 2008
Video posted Monday 30th June 2008
Kelly and Rachel bring us complete cosplay coverage of both expo days including interviews and masqueradesWatch Video Online | Download Video (119 MB)
Oxford Circus Crossing Openning
Video posted Monday 2nd November 2009
Nia reports on this cosplay themed event on a cold London morningWatch Video Online | Download Video (15.3 MB)
MinamiCon 17 2011
Video posted Wednesday 23rd March 2011
Highlight footage from Minami's masquerade eventMinamiCon 14 2008
Video posted Thursday 20th March 2008
Video coverage of the MinamiCon masquerade.Watch Video Online | Download Video (41.5 MB)
London MCM Expo October 2008
Video posted Sunday 15th March 2009
Kelly and Mark bring another great report from the ground of London's biggest cosplay event.Watch Video Online | Download Video (70 MB)
Grand International Cosplay Ball 2009
Video posted Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Nia reports from the ball room floor bringing you interviews and footage of the acts