Finished And Debuted! (Posted 29th October 2012)

I managed to finish the day before I went down to London for Expo. It was stressful, but it was done. I'm proud of it. I also did the masquerade on the Sunday, though the third braid down on the front came off (they're on poppers) one side during that. I had put it back in place twice and it still failed. I'm rather unhappy about that, but I got some great photos across the weekend, and looking forward to seeing them all uploaded.

I'm rather pleased with the way it turned out, though I now need to do a few minor repairs before I wear this version again. Great expo this one!

Coming up to the Final Furlong (so to speak) (Posted 21st October 2012)

Well, we're getting there. I need to touch up the greaves a little more on the outside and paint the gems on the wing pieces on the bottom, then I can paint the inside quickly and get the whole lot varnished.

The sword and the scabbard are coming along as well. I need to add some more gold to the scabbard at the bottom and the top, and paint the blade of the sword again. THEN the little fine details can be painted on, and in theory, they shouldn't take all that long to do. Then I can varnish those.

The coat is almost finished. Just need the braiding to go across the front between the gold buttons, and paint the swirly patterns on the lining inside.

With regards to the armour, the pauldrons and the belt need the inside painting, and the buckle needs touching up before varnishing. The upper arm guards/lower pauldrons are ready to be varnished.

I still need to make the second set of hanging jewellery to hang from the belt though. As aforementioned, they shouldn't take all that long to do either. They can be done in an evening.

I'm not sure about the boots though. There's an odd detail on those that worries me (the little triangular shape at the front). If I made that, it might get creased and ruin them.....hmm...
That might be a final detail if I find the time.

Greave and Sword Painting (Posted 20th October 2012)

I am now painting the details on the greaves, and they're currently going quite well. I still need to do the inside of them as well, but it's all coming along nicely now. The sword and scabbard are also starting to look as I want them to.
It's just waiting for the paint to dry that's proving to be the pain in the backside now.

Jewellery 2 (Posted 19th October 2012)

I have got the attachments on to the belt now (thanks to Zanzibar07 for assisting with those while I painted furiously in dad's shed). I still need to make the longer ones for the main belt, but they won't take a great deal of time to do; a couple of hours perhaps.

With regards to the rest, the greaves are being painted, some parts of the armour are just being touched up on before varnishing, and the sword is also being painted. ;-D

Jewellery (Posted 16th October 2012)

I've been making a lot of the jewellery that needs to hang from the belt.
So far, I have:
* 5 small pieces that hang from the buckle.
* 2 small pieces that hang from the main belt.

To do still:
* 4 small pieces to hang from the main belt.
* 2 large pieces to hang from the main belt.

Ohhh this is doing my head in, but OHHHHHHH I'm determined to get it finished!
I've had two dreams where I didn't get this finished...NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

Nearing 80% (Posted 15th October 2012)

I think I'm now about to enter the 80% bracket for this now...

* The attachments are going on the "arm" sets of armour.

* The detailing is almost finished on the greaves (I then just need to figure out the attachments and then paint them).

* The coat itself is about 85% complete (need to finish collar lining, add buttons and braiding, add loops for attaching pauldrons, and painting the patterns on the lining).

* The sword is still a way off, but it and the scabbard are almost ready for painting. Not sure about the raised detail parts yet.

* The hand covers still need doing, but that's a rather small job considering the rest of it.

* The scarf is more than half way painted (stripes).

* Jewellery for the belt is under way (several bits to make, but they don't take too long to put together).

It's a long slog, but I'm working on everything simultaneously now, so when armour is painted and drying, I'm on to something else.

Greaves (Posted 6th October 2012)

The greaves are coming along nicely now. I managed to slice the top of my finger with a stanley knife whilst sorting them out, but hey, this is cosplay right? There has to be some pain somewhere!

The three parts are glued together with the craft foam on top now, so I just need to add the detailing and paper mache it for the time being. As for the attachments on those and the rest of the armour.....that's a headache I'm trying to put off, but can't for too much longer.

Bits and Pieces (Posted 4th October 2012)

The belt is getting on for completion now. It needs the jewels painting and the jewellery to be made to hang from it. Oh, and the velcro to be added for attaching it.

The scarf arrived the other day and that needs the gold stripes painted on it.
I bought a fat quarter of fabric for the hand covers under the gauntlets today, along with more polystyrene balls for the wing-like details that will go on the greaves.

As for the greaves, a couple of the shapes have been cut out. I need to cut the rest of them out and then put them together before adding the paper mache. There are a few attachments for the greaves. This might give me a little bit of a headache, but what will make that worse is all the other details I still have to do...including the sword.

>_<' Stress!

SMARTIES!!! I mean...Jewels... (Posted 1st October 2012)

Well I've added the majority of the jewels on to the pieces of armour that are nigh on being finished (all that's really left is the attachments and painting/varnishing the underside.

However, it really looks like it's all covered with smarties.....

Anyhow, there are a few jewels like the bright blue ones that I'm not too sure about on a couple of the pieces (the gauntlets and elbow guards). I'm going to have to think about those.

Pressing On (Posted 30th September 2012)

Today the belt and the buckle were fully paper-mached.
The first coat of paint has gone on to the main belt, but I'll be adding a few more bits and pieces of paper to that in certain areas before repainting and painting the jewels.

The rest of the armour that has been made (besides one set) has been repainted today as well! Huzzah! Another panel for the coat lining has gone on as well. Three more to go, then the collar and the remaining ribbon (buttons and such come later).

Main Belt Details (Posted 28th September 2012)

I have added most of the detailing on the main belt (before the paper mache goes on that is). I need to add a few rings around the jewel detailing though. I might do that before or after the first layer of paper mache.

I only have a few weeks left, and I am starting to get a little on edge over finishing this in time, especially as I have the sword to work on now as well as the rest of the armour and coat. I still need to pace myself though and not rush, as instinct wants me to.

Coat lining and belt (Posted 26th September 2012)

Two out of the five panels for the lining on the bottom half of the coat have been cut out, and they're pinned on. Once all five are pinned on, they will be sewn on. Following that, I'll need to do a small job with the same lining material for the collar.

I've made a bit of progress with the belt. Both the buckle and the main belt are ready for the detailing to go on. I hope to be able to tackle this over the next couple of days alongside finishing an important Open University assignment.

Armour Tarnishing, Attachment Preparations, and Coat Lining (Posted 22nd September 2012)

So, I intend to continue making this armour look authentic. It needs to look antique really.

I've used 4B pencil to shade a fair few gold areas and then rubbed it in to make it look a bit more weathered. I've currently done this on the bottom pauldrons, gauntlets and elbow guards. I'll be doing it on the top pauldrons as well, and the belt when it's done.

As for the belt, I put the main part of the buckle together today, so in the next few days I'll get that finished along with the details on the main belt. Attachments for it are still making me 'um and ahh' a bit, but I'm gradually figuring it out. I have keyrings and lobster clasps now, meaning I'll be able to actually wear the armour pretty soon.

The lining of the coat will be going on soon as well. Me and mum cut out patterns for the panels today. We'll be cutting them out in the next day or two.

I hope that sword arrives soon so I can modify it. I'm trying to get a fair bit done on the armour so I can focus more on that really soon.

Belt (Posted 20th September 2012)

So, the belt has been started on. I've made the main section, but the buckle part...hmm...that's going to be a pain in the rear end, and so is attaching the two together whilst wearing it.

I've bought beads for the dangling threads at the sides too. I haven't bought the cord and the fastenings yet. I want to make sure I know what size cord to buy! The holes on these pearl beads is supposedly 1.2mm, but considering the size of the pearls (8mm in diameter), I'm not so certain. TBC!

Sword (Posted 18th September 2012)

I have bought a wooden sword to modify as I do not have time to make one from scratch before October Expo. As the hilt has additional detailing from how the sword will look in its natural state, dad has agree to help me put the additional detailing on to it.

So much to do, so little time! Work work work!

Gauntlets 2 (Posted 17th September 2012)

I have painted the gauntlets, and added the colour detail on the main gems. Once they've been varnished, I'll be able to add the small gems on by using super glue like I will with the rest of the armour.

I've used humbrol model paints for the painting of these gems (and the same goes for the other pieces of armour as well).

Gauntlets (Posted 13th September 2012)

Well the gauntlets have now had a couple of base coats of paint now. I'll be working on those and finishing off the painting on the elbow guards shortly.
It's been very hard to see some of the detailing on the gauntlets, so I've made a little bit of it up. ^_^' I'll need to do something like that for the belt as well.

The top and bottom pauldrons are almost finished. I need to varnish them before the small jewels can be stuck on with super glue.

Armour Detailing 1 (Posted 10th September 2012)

I have added more detailing to the first pieces of armour now. The rest is following suit quite swiftly though! The main large jewels on the top and bottom pauldrons have been painted, and the elbow guards have been painted once now.

I am now working on the gauntlets.

Remaining:
* Detailing and painting on the gauntlets
* The belt
* The greaves.

Elbow Guards Primed! (Posted 7th September 2012)

I have now paper-mached and primed the elbow guards. Once these are fully painted, they will need the varnish and the smaller jewels stuck on.

Remaining armour pieces:
* Gauntlets (in progress)
* Belt
* Greaves.

Top and Bottom Pauldrons painted! (Posted 6th September 2012)

I have painted both top pauldrons and both bottom pauldrons now. All that's left to do (cosmetically) on these bits:
* The painting of the large jewels either side (top) pauldrons.
* The large jewel on the top of the (bottom) pauldrons.
* Varnish (top and bottom).
* The smaller jewels that need super-gluing on (top and bottom).

Top and Bottom Pauldrons (Posted 5th September 2012)

These are well on their way to completion now. They still need some paper mache and painting, but they're getting there swiftly. The elbow guards are following suit, and shortly so will the gauntlets, belt (not looking forward to that one), and the greaves.

Elbow Guards (Posted 3rd September 2012)

I've now got the spikes on to one of the elbow guards. I need to make the second spike for the other one now. I started to add a little bit of detail to the first one, but I shall continue with that in the next day or so.

The top and bottom pauldrons have been paper-mached almost completely - as I am still waiting on the polystyrene cones to arrive. Once they arrive, I'll be able to finish off the top pauldrons completely. They're almost ready for painting, and the elbow guards will shortly follow suit.

Then I must tackle the gauntlets, belt and greaves.
I'm still wondering about what I should do for the sword.

Slow and Steady, Slow and Steady (Posted 2nd September 2012)

I only have one more spike to make from the NewClay. Two spikes need to go on each elbow guard. I'll be working on getting these attached within the next day or two.

As soon as the polystyrene cones turn up (as they should have a few days ago), I'll get the mini spikes on to the top pauldrons and then they can be fully paper mached. One of the bottom pauldrons is mostly paper mached, but I need to do the second one.

After this, three sets of armour still remain:
* The split gauntlets
* The greaves
* The rather intricate looking belt.

With the way things are going, it's looking good. I also have some super glue now, so when the armour is painted, I'll be able to stick the jewels all over it all.

I'm not looking forward to the belt or greaves though really. It'll all be worth it when it's done!

Armour Progress (Posted 26th August 2012)

So far, the progress with the armour pieces seems to be going fairly well. I'm still thinking "how the heck will I attach some of the pieces?" though. I already know how to do some of the attachments, but others are going to be more of a pain in the arse due to the 'colour'. Some parts of the attachments will have to show, and I need them to be the right colours in order for them to look like they belong.

The Frailty of the Spikes (Posted 21st August 2012)

I got one of the spikes attached to the first pauldron today, and then managed to drop it. This was a good test, because the clay spike split from its mount. So, now it's been significantly reinforced. It means a little bit more work for the reinforcements on the others, but hopefully it will work out alright (so long as I don't keep dropping them).

Spike Mounts (Posted 19th August 2012)

Alright, this is my new challenge. I need to make spikes for a few pieces of the armour, and I'm making them out of NewClay (air drying model-making clay). I made one spike today to see if it works, but I also need something to mount them on. I've made a partial clay mount for it, but I'll need something to adhere best to the armour without it being vulnerable to breaking off.

I'll post more pictures as soon as I have a few more bits done.

Resuming Armour Construction (Posted 18th August 2012)

Now that Amecon is over, I am now getting stuck back into making the armour for this. I've slacked off for too long on it, and if I want her for October Expo, I'm going to have to pull my finger out. I did a little work on pauldron no.1 this afternoon.

Armour Beginnings (Posted 15th August 2012)

I started the pauldrons a while ago, but I had a few things to do before Amecon. Now that Amecon is over, I am now getting stuck back into working on Amano Faris, hopefully for October Expo.

I have bought some air-drying modelling clay for the spikes, so I need to test that out really soon. I'm planning on getting the main structures of a few parts of the armour done in the next few weeks, so then I'll be well on my way with it.

Armour preparation (Posted 1st June 2012)

I have now begun to think about the armour for this. I have made a couple of small templates to see what will/won't work. I am starting with the pauldrons as they appear to be the most fiddly. This should be fun!

More coat detailing (Posted 3rd March 2012)

I've done more detailing on the coat, including: gold swirls patterns around the hem (not all the way around yet), ribbon all the way up the left hand side of the opening, and attaching the top part on to the collar.

Lot's more gold swirls around the hem area to do, and a lot more ribbon to sew on as well before adding the lining on.

More dress detailing this week - hopeful! (Posted 26th February 2012)

Indeed, I hope to do more work to the dress this week.
I am also nearly finished modifying the boots.

For the dress (not all this week but some):
* Finish adding the ribbon and stuffing to the hem.
* Add lining to bottom half and paint detailing on.
* Add height to collar, interface, add lining and ribbon, paint detailing on lining.
* Paint gold and black swirl detailing on hem and above.

More gold ribbon has been bought for this, so let's crack on with this.
The weather is now getting better, so the armour and belt will have progress made soon hopefully!

Dress to coat and boots to look fancy (Posted 15th February 2012)

I have begun stitching gold ribbon to the bottom of the dress for the coat, and started painting the wooden parts of the boots.

I need to stuff the ribbon at the bottom and then decorate it with black and gold paint. I also need to try and find ribbon of the same colour as the one I am putting on the bottom, but with a smaller width so I can do the rest.

Wig Styling and dress dying (Posted 7th February 2012)

I've been fiddling around with the wig trying to style it a bit, but unfortunately getting it exact to the pictures of Faris is practically impossible. I've done my best with it, and quite a few people seem to think it looks appropriate. Thanks to those people for giving me a bit more confidence with it.

As for the dress that is to be turned into the coat, I've dyed it to freshen up the black today, and hopefully it will have worked. Now I'm worrying about how I'm going to do all the detailing on it.

Boots and Gloves (Posted 21st January 2012)

I won some boots and gloves on eBay this evening. The boots I will need to touch up (as they're used and a little faded), and decorate. The gloves are made from chamoise, so they should work alright.

I am hoping they will arrive soon. I'm very keen to get this one completely under way now, especially considering I would like to have her done for the FF Round-up at London MCM Expo in May.

On top of that I've bought three scarves for her as well. A lilac one for the one around her neck, and two of the ones hanging at her waist. I have a few more scarves to buy for the waist area though.... x_x' Too many scarves.

Fabric for collar and lining (Posted 16th January 2012)

On Saturday I bought some black fabric that is a very close match to the dress I bought to turn into the coat. I also bought some royal blue lining for the inside of the collar and bottom half of the coat.

Soon, I'll be doing the first alterations to that dress, which include:
* Sewing the small slits at the side together
* Making an attaching the collar
* Taking the old buttons off and attaching new ones along with trimmings/embellishments.

I'm thinking about how to do the armour at the moment. It's already making me want to tear my hair out, but once I know what I'm doing, I think I'll be alright. It'll just be one heck of a tedious job doing all of those details.

Gatherings (Posted 1st November 2011)

I have the dress to turn into the coat now, and I have just purchased a long-sleeved red polo neck, and a wavy blonde wig - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GW252-Blonde-Mixed-Long-Curly-Elegant-Cosplay-...
I already have a pair of white leggings that I have used for her sprite outfit, although I might need to purchase a back-up pair or two later on.

Once I have purchased all of the main parts (and I am getting there already with that), I will begin work on the armour and other intricate details.

Looking for materials (Posted 8th October 2011)

Alright, so I am looking for materials for this version of Faris.
I have found a few full-length faux leather coats that I can take the arms off of, but I am not sure if the length is a little short for me. In any case I am sure I can do something with one.

I'm also looking at wigs. If I can get a suitable coat though, I can safely say, YES this can be done.