9th August 2013: Blades Originally I wasn't too sure on how to make these but due to running out of time and using the plasti-dip method for other aspects of this build I have decided to make them out of foam and card. I printed a reference picture found in the artbook and transferred the outline to cardboard. I will then be building the handle up with foam. Then covering the whole thing in Mod Podge and Plastidip and finally paint when these things arrive :)

7th August 2013: Grenade Pouch On the front of Mantis's vest she is wearing a grenade pouch. The Chest Rig I brought came with a triple mag holster which I had originally planned to use as I couldn't afford a grenade holster. Then when I was resizing the rig to fit I decided to modify the holster as well. With the use of some newspaper and some black clips and lots of cutting I managed to create something that looked more accurate to what she uses ingame.

30th January 2013: Sculpting Begins So I finally sat down today and started getting to work on sculpting. I had been putting it off as I have never really worked with clay before and I was worried about stuffing it up. I took it slowly and am pleased with the results so far. I used a sulphur free clay which has a drying time of between 24 - 72 hours according to the packet. It was also called school's clay if that helps?

It was built onto a duct tape cast of my shoulder and carved with the back end of a plastic spoon and a pencil.

This is only my second experience with clay but I much prefered this over the horrid white stuff I got from Hobby Craft and used last time. The single shoulder scupt took about 4 hours T_T I have a 6 or so other pieces left to sculpt and I will be working on these over the coming week ready for casting.

Hoping to get mould and casting supplies tomorrow. Hopefully all goes to plan :)

6th July 2012: Arm progress Mantis's design features six fake arms. I had originally intended to make them via a different method but after making a duct tape dummy of myself and relising how easy, cheap and light weight they are I decided this the option for me.

The arms will each be made out of duct tape stuffed with newspaper and then finally I will make gloves for them and cover them with the gloves. This way all eight arms will match since I will need to make gloves anyway and I am more confident in my sewing abilities than my casting abilities (though I am aware I will need to get better at casting for other aspects of the cosplay.)

Here in the photo is a husk of a right arm and a completed left arm. The left arm pictured is the highestmost left arm that the mantis dolls will sit from. I may find that I will need to reenforce the arms so potentially a couple of layers of paper machie in the weaker areas may occur (or this may also occur to bulk out the muscles as they look a little weak atm :S)

Once these are complete I will begin to work on the body of the suit itself as I have some nice grey bi stretch fabric which I bought to make the Peacewalker Sneaking suit and then making the main panel out of foam and some mystery shiny metal looking fabric I am yet to obtain.

27th March 2012: Making mantis's dolls. I am gonna start off this cosplay by making mantis's dolls. Mainly so that I can feel good that I've started something and also if I fail at this cosplay completely I can dress up as snake and attack ppl with the puppets.

I will be making the puppets out of artist mannequins. I will be making the jacket for the sorrow out of fabric but the rest of his clothes will be painted on. I will drill a hole in the back of each puppets head to fit the red leds.

Will update one the puppets are made but at this stage I have just ordered them - waiting for ebay to deliver.