27th May 2009: head construction Final step - I cut feather shapes different sizes out of black paper card and sewed some layers on and glued others on until the whole head was covered. The lower part of the neck is just material with feathers sewed on, so I can still move the head around easily.
Then I cut the eye shapes out of cardboard and glued them on. The eyes and the beak were painted with acrylic paint.
The viewing slot is now covered by double layers of black net tulle so you can't see it (or my face when I am wearing it), but I can still see through it well.
27th May 2009: head construction Edit: just found this other pic of the stage where I had just I covered the whole head and neck with black streatch lycra, glued on with Evo stick PVA And you can see the first layer of 'feathers' going on.
26th May 2009: head construction Next step - I added some thick polystyrene packaging foam (which luckily I had saved - I knew it would come in handy for something) glued to the forehead with PVA glue. Then using a hacksaw blade and sandpaper I sculpted the front head shape, eyebrows etc and blended it in with the rest of the cardboard head shape.
You can also see the viewing slot I left between the beak and the neck.
18th May 2009: 18 May 09 Wow so much done to Raven Mytho. I have been taking progress pictures along the way - but I will upload these after the Expo since time is running short and I have to finish my Nehelenia costume too! Less than a week to go now. @__@ - why do I always end up in a mad rush!?
10th April 2009: Inside view of the head I stuck this pic in to show how I put it together. You can see it is hollow, made up of a latticework of cardboard, stuck together with white glue and brown lickey parcel tape. (- I am trying to keep the head as light as possible so I can dance and move around freely.)
Yes I used cereal boxes ^^ (you can call me stingy, but why pay when you can use this stuff for free!).
10th April 2009: 10 April 09 Made some progress on the head. It is taking more of a 3D shape now.
5th March 2009: 5 March 09 Next I cut up some cardboard strips (old cereal boxes) and using masking tape and staples built up my cardboard mock up of the head. Actually I think I will use it as a skelton and just build on top of it.
The head piece is going to be worn like a hat. The neck piece is not solidly joined to the head because I want as much head movement as I can get.
That's how far I have got. Tommorrow I'll start making it all more solid looking, then I can do a quick test fit pic. ^^
5th March 2009: 5 March 09 Then I cut out the shape and voila! - my template pattern life size.
5th March 2009: 5 March 09 Ok, I have scaled up a drawing of Raven Mytho with some added datum lines. Then I printed it out in sections on A4 paper (which is all my printer will take) then sellotaped the sheets all together using the datum lines to match them up.
3rd March 2009: 3 March 09 The head is going to be the most difficult part to make, so I am going to start with that first. I'm going to use cardboard just to make a mock up and get the rough size and shape that is wearable. I'll post WIP pics as I make any good progress.
Wildeth - 3rd March 2009
IT'S A GUY COSPLAY.
Jk jk, this will look amazing <3
xxx
Ranma1-2 - 3rd March 2009 Yeah a guy cosplay. ^^ Not that people will know who's inside all the feathers though.. :p
kitamurin - 3rd March 2009 oooh, that's so pretty! >3<
Saffron - 3rd March 2009
This is going to be one heck of a costume!
I look forward to watching to make this :D
Manga Girl - 3rd March 2009 This I can't wait to see!!
Ranma1-2 - 4th March 2009
Thanks everyone.
Wow, roleplaying Raven Mytho takes me to a very sad and lonely place. This is going to be a difficult cosplay for me emotionally. (Does that sound weird?) I hope there will be some love on the day...
The music track I've chosen is Perfect! (nooo, it's not 'Dance Macabre'..It's a moden track - you'll have to wait and see. ^^)
Sephirayne - 5th March 2009 Excellent cosplay choice. I can't wait to see.
Ranma1-2 - 5th March 2009
You all sound as excited as me about this. ^^
If you want to keep up with progress pics I'll be putting them in the journal.
Head is at a very rough stage at the mo but you can see it's already taking shape. I've tried it on my head, its like wearing a hat, ..I think it's going to work! ^-^
Manga Girl - 8th March 2009
That doesn't sound weird at all, when I was Syaoran I felt really emotional cause of his story in Tsubasa especially when I did the CLAMP photoshoot ^^;
But it's good in a way because you become the character.
And yes there will be love as I love Princess Tutu :D
Ranma1-2 - 8th March 2009 Thanks, yeah I think cosplay is like 'Performance art', for some more than others... there's definitely an expressive side. ^^
AmethystEyes - 15th March 2009 It's all cute and emo-ly fluffy :D Should be fun to make with all the feathers!
Ranma1-2 - 15th March 2009
Umm actually I'm not planning on using fluffy feathers. I think it would be way too expensive. The ones I bought for Kraehe's hair piece were 0.50p each from the market. ..Instead I thought I should get away with making my own by cutting feather shapes out of cloth or even stiff black paper. I hope it turns out ok.
I've got a bit further with the head so I will take another progress piccie for the journal soon. :)
Anime_Angel - 25th March 2009
Ya, the shoes are probobly gonna hurt aswell but I'm sure I can endure the pain still lol
I'll be wearing that costume on Saturday so keep a sharp lookout for me^__^
Anonymous - 3rd April 2009
^o^! *bows 300 times* thank you so much!!!:3 I'm trying my hardest to be as accurate as possible hehe
Btw, I have never seen Princess Tutu, but this Raven thing looks awesome! I bet it'll be beautiful! ^^
Ranma1-2 - 3rd April 2009
Thanks. ..I promise some update pics soon.
Yeah WATCH Princess Tutu anime - it's beautiful! ^^
PinkCharlieBear - 11th April 2009
The head is looking absolutely brilliant so far, Im really looking forward to seeing this at expo!
It looks like you'll do Mytho fantastically, good luck with the rest! :3
Ranma1-2 - 11th April 2009 Thanks Special-Pleb. :)
Anonymous - 15th April 2009
Steve!! Why do you have to be so good!? Ha ha! This is coming along brilliantly (as expected I might add!) The wip photographs are good because they're so informative for beginners like myself, so thank you for taking the time to put them up!
I can't honestly wait to see this finished. I'm on a LITERAL cliff edge! X
Ranma1-2 - 15th April 2009
My art and model making background showing.. :)
I've moved off for a little while to concentrate on the emergency cosplay for the up coming weekend (Silhouette) then I'll be back on Mytho.
I'm glad you find these pics useful. ..I love how seeing other people work too and often use thier good ideas. That's one of the reasons communities like this are great places to be. Another is.. that you get to meet other like minded people who inspire and bring a creative buzz. :)
angel aiko - 18th May 2009 i look forward to this >: D especially now i shall be cosplaying Fakir shortly!! see ya in a short few days :) xx
Ranma1-2 - 20th May 2009
Fakir, really! When?? *__*
Raven Mytho is nearly finished! ..will def be ready for Sat. ^__^
I just hope I'm not going to bake inside the costume.. it's pretty hot just standing around!
Just have to finish off the shirt sleeves, and finish sewing on the 'feathers'. I went with black card in the end. Not convinced real feathers would look right even if I could afford to buy so many. Plus this way I can cut the different sizes I need. The wing tip feathers move nicely when I flap. :P
RanmaSyaoran - 26th May 2009 Oh wow! This look amazing! *_*
AmethystEyes - 26th May 2009 Love it!
CrystalNeko - 26th May 2009 OMG!! This looks amazing! *-* It's a real shame you couldn't make it on Saturday, it would've been awesome to see it.
Adamoluna - 26th May 2009
soo cool! :D
It looks like you stepped right out of the anime!
angel aiko - 26th May 2009 that is awesome >: D
Ranma1-2 - 26th May 2009
Thanks guys.
Yes frustrating not being able to get through the traffic to Expo on Sat. :(
I'll have to try to get him into another masquerade..
Oh. any 'fine adjustments' you think I need to do just let me know. eg I realise now I've missed the feather bits sticking out along the sleeve lengths - I'll add them on.
Anonymous - 26th May 2009 A photorealistic rendition that looks absolutely amazing - You truly are a superstar! How did I manage to miss you at Expo? I don't believe it Steve!! X
Ranma1-2 - 26th May 2009
..AJ well I tried hard but just couldn't get to Expo on Sat - 2 accidents on the M1 and M25, I managed to get as far as North Finchly and got bogged down again in stationary traffic on the North Circular :( Absolute chaos!
I don't know where you were on Sunday , but I met your friends with the HUGE sword in the concourse just after Expo had finished - we could have had photo's :( ...nawww we'll have to try to meet up again. I HOPE you're coming to next Memro - cos I have perfected the memro girl costume now :p But before that I'm going to the LFCC in my Zatanna cos.
Uni - 27th May 2009 EPIC! Really well made as usual~ well done! Cannot wait to see this in person <3 Nice seeing you at Expo, if only very briefly on the sunday evening dressed as Marik..*orange faced one with purple cloak* lol
Ranma1-2 - 27th May 2009
Aww Uni I'm so dissapointed I didn't get to join your photoshoot on Saturday, you guys have some really nice pics down by the docks, you all look great in your costumes.
Hopefully there will be another chance for us to join for a Tutu group again. ..I know Angel Aiko is planning a Fakir too. ;)
Captain_Marvelous - 4th June 2009 You look astounding :) like you were pulled from the anime itself :P lol well done :)
Ranma1-2 - 4th June 2009
Cheers mate. :)
I'm just doing some tweeking here and there, eg trousers need to be more slimmer fitting. But overall I'm really happy how he turned out.
Anime_Angel - 1st July 2009
Hey, what can I say, I can cosplay as anyone, only those I can't cosplay as are characters that are not skinny lol
hoping that I get the costume made in time, I might cosplay as Ciel from Kuroshitsuji in London Film and Comic Con aswell as Zero^__^
Anime_Angel - 1st July 2009 if I can get the days off work for it then yes, I'll be there on Both days but depending on the progress on my Ciel costume, I'll either be Ciel or Misa while Zero is my definate costume for the event.
Anime_Angel - 1st July 2009 yeah, I'm more concerned about me making it to the event because I am at a disadvantage at work at the moment lol, but yeah if I can make it, I'm hoping to cosplay as Ciel at the event, and also the twist with Ciel is that I wouldn't be Crossplaying because Ciel is actually a guy who had to crossdress in an episode lol
Toshi-chan - 7th July 2009
This is Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Paper feathers are epic, they look so amazingly realistic xD
Ranma1-2 - 7th July 2009
Thank you. Yeah I was pleased how well the paper feathers worked.
I still have yet to debut this at an event sometime.
stripey_dani - 16th July 2009 Omg that is simply amazing!
Ranma1-2 - 17th July 2009 Thanks Dani. :)
Anonymous - 25th July 2009
This is fabulous!
It's a shame you didn't get to Expo (boo to traffic) but I look forward to seeing this someday! =^_^=
Ranma1-2 - 25th July 2009
Thanks Lunar_Kitten. ^_^
Yeah poor Raven Mytho. :( needs to give him another chance at Expo.
Next time I'm planning to stay over in one of the hotels so that kind of thing cant happen again.
RanmaSyaoran - 10th September 2009 FANTASTIC!
Ranma1-2 - 11th September 2009
Why thankyou my man. :D
I know you tackle difficult costumes yourself, so coming from you this is a big complement. :)
Anonymous - 2nd November 2009
:O:O:O:O
this is amazing! actually like a birdy XD ahhhhh i what to see thisin person! loving the feathery hands tooooooo
Ranma1-2 - 2nd November 2009 Thanks Kaka. I'm waiting for another 'Tutu' group to form and I will prolly wear it for then. I also have a dance/performance in me for this too, and a lovely music track to use, so I would love to bring that onto the stage for masquerade sometime. ^_^
Duo Maxwell - 21st November 2009 Omg you look amazing!!! I love Princess Tutu!
Ranma1-2 - 21st November 2009 Thanks Duo. :)
FairyPorchQueen - 17th February 2010 this looks fantastic!
Ranma1-2 - 18th February 2010 Thankies hun. ^_^
MADALEENA - 29th April 2010 Flippin heck thats good!!!! How you've constructed the ravens head is amazing!, and the character you chose is so unique ^_^
Ranma1-2 - 29th April 2010 Thanks. Yeah one of my few male cosplays. I do mean to do more, just more interesting female ones keep popping up. :)
Anonymous - 6th August 2010 I love seeing your sculpted work you're really talented with them, the shape of the beak is brilliant!
Ranma1-2 - 6th August 2010
Cheers mate. ^_^
I have been discovering how far I can go with sculpting. Cosplay is great for having a go. :)
I'm also thinking of seeing if I can make sculptures good enough for like the art world.. be great if I could succeed. :P
Anonymous - 6th August 2010 I've found with everything art related inc. sculpting the best way of practising is to do something either really small or really big, it helps so much to gain perspective of scale and such, I'd love to see what your capable of
Storme - 23rd October 2010 Wow, this is lovely--those feathers are amazing!
Ranma1-2 - 23rd October 2010
Thank you Storme. I wish they were feathers! I couldn't afford huge amounts so they are actually cut from black paper card from the art shop.
Next year I shalll take him to Expo. ^_^
Storme - 23rd October 2010 They're really well-shaped and the layering effect is really nice; looks very like the anime. I look forward to seeing it one day, in that case!
Eloraborealis - 23rd January 2011 WOW, this is amazing! I just finished watching the second series, I love it! The way you have done the feathers looks brilliant, I wish I could have seen it! :D
Ranma1-2 - 24th January 2011 Eloraborealis - Thanks. ..In a way no one has seen this yet. I missed the original date. Waiting for the right time to debut this. Might see about bringing him to Kita since I know there is a PTutu group and photshoots planned. :)
Anonymous - 24th March 2011 this is amazingggg ^^
Ranma1-2 - 24th March 2011 geena yuuki - Thank youuuu. ^_^
animeaddict - 20th April 2011
How have I never seen this before?!
imadisgracetoTutufans ._.
Seriously amazing and such a shame he's not been worn yet!
Ranma1-2 - 20th April 2011 Thanks animeaddict. One day, when the time is right again, he will come out. :)
WarriorTeddy - 12th March 2012 such amazing work and at a cost effective price :) I'll have to borrow some of your techniques ^^
Ranma1-2 - 13th March 2012 Thanks. Yep, cardboard and white glue sure is nice and cheap. ^^
Clockwork Dandy Noodles - 24th February 2014 D8 omggg Loveee ! This has to be the first transformed Mutos I have seen. It looks fab
Ranma1-2 - 24th February 2014 Thanks elfsire. :) ..Still need to cosplay him at an Expo sometime.
Clockwork Dandy Noodles - 24th February 2014 D8 Let me know when you do I want pictures! I love Princess Tutu its underrated as an anime
Ranma1-2 - 24th February 2014 Tutu certaily is one of the most beautiful and moving animes I have ever watched. Sure I will let you know when Raven Mytho will be appearing. :)