Modesty Studios

 So I've been taking on too many projects again which slows everything down. BUT some cool things that have been going on. Elven Inquisitor: I decided I wanted to play with Foss Shape just to see how it'll work. I might use that instead of the foam base for the stretch vinyl. I have also got in my order of Worbla Black to create some armor bits...someday. I just haven't been into it right now. PLUSHIES GALORE! So I have been sewing plushies quite a bit. I've gotten into sock animals. I made some for my friends with young kids. I've also finished my nephews musical baby elephant. :) My living room has two LARGE plastic bins just full of fabric. I still want to make some plush ponies and some plush dinosaurs but I've been distracted. Digital Stuff I've been writing a new visual novel. I don't know if I'll finish it but it does help pass the time at work. I've got tons of art that are sitting on back burners including art for a visu...

A new month. And ever closer creeps my personal deadlines for these costumes. October was the goal for the Warden and Tali. However, since I've taken on another project for Halloween, I'm scooting Warden and Tali out to November. And Alistair...the poor chap...hasn't had any construction done what so ever. :( I have all supplies too. Anyway, I've made a bit of progress on each costume here and there. Tali: I took the shoes out of the feet and got inserts to put in there instead. Warden: Put more studs into the Jacket. Wolf Queen: Made the Circlet, got the beads for the necklace, made some ears and started on the tail. Got some knee high nylons to make the feet. I've also had quite a few interviews the past couple weeks. I hope to start a new job soon. *pleeeease, better pay, better environment* Anyway, I've also been going to D&D sessions on the weekends. ...I'm learning how bad I am at improv. LOL. I hope to finish the Wolf Tail this week ...

I've been reading up on techniques for crossplay (that is dressing up as a character that is the opposite gender as the player.) Now, luckily for me, most of the issues can be solved by armor. Yay. However, the armor does have to be tailored a bit differently that normal. So...I took some body shots of myself and colored over myself in photoshop. Here's the deal. Doable right? I mean I can widen my shoulders quite a bit thanks to the pauldrons and mantle. However, I'll still need shoulder pads to give the required lift. I intend to have my arms padded a bit too just so It doesn't look like stick arms coming off broad shoulders. Also cutting the curve of my legs down should be achieved with the boot covers and thigh bits.  It was my hips and waist that gave me real worry. Here's what my body looks like underneath this plan.  Mmmhmm...dem birthing hips. I'm a classic pear shape with a pinched waist if I stand up straight. My shoulders are also rou...

I've been conducting research on various ways to give foam a hardened finish. Originally, I was going to go with Styrospray, but it's $30 a pop and I'm thinking there's got to be an easier/cheaper way. Here's some things I found as suggestions. Bedliner - for trucks. Durhams Water Putty* Wood glue Foam Coating I managed to find the water putty at Home Depot today for like $2. Compared to the 30 dollar option it seems awesome. But this is also based on my "needs" for the costume. It doesn't need to be "battle ready" and I don't intend to play act in it. Just pose. ;) Also, I've never used the stuff before so it's a cheaper experiment really. I've also sort of started experimenting of the chest piece for Alistair. ...It is trickier than I first anticipated. Also you'd think using a box cutter to cut boxes would be...I don't know...less of a hassle? Ah wells. I still intend to cut the heck out of the boxes that ...

Progress report. I've finished the paper patterns for the armor pieces of Alistair's armor. Arm Bracer Elbow Piece Chest and back (may need some altering. Should be wider at top.) Everything else: Boot, knee, thigh, shoulder For this pattern it's important to measure out the "strips" that make up the armor pieces as well as the shape. For this style of armor both elements are important. All pieces will have a "base" which takes the shape of the piece. All pieces will also have what look like strips. There are a few ways I could approach this. The method I decided on was to make a thin base in the shape of the armor piece and then cut the strips and lay them over the base. Each strip will be covered in vinyl pleather.

Alistair's Armor This is my current shopping list for Alistair's armor. It's subject to change and I will update it as needed. UnderArmor yoga pants - owned Boots - owned Black/brown longsleeved shirt - owned? Coat Wefts of Yak hair / mohair undyed Brown microsuede / flannel 2 yards Armor pieces Cardboard - owned Foamies - owned EVA foam - owned flannel fabric / cotton - 1.5 yards? (owned?) brown Pleather - 2 yards brass studs Cording Suede (boot covers, mantle) - 1 yard Accessories Belt - owned? Leather Pouch - buy at ren faire knife - owned sword - owned Gold cord - buy Gold domed buttons?/Resin/gold - buy/make

King Alistair Along with the Grey Warden Warrior armor, I wanted to recreate King Alistair's armor as featured in the comics. As a character in the game, Alistair really did not have what I would call an iconic suit of armor like the characters in Dragon Age 2. This is kind of the downside of any Origins cosplay, save for Morrigan who does have a distinct costume at least in portions of the game. Thus I chose the comic armor because it was distinct, but the downside of course is that not everyone reads the comics. I could have chosen concept art too but it looked overly complicated and ugly to me. That's it for my philosophy on the matter, now into the pre-production phase! REFERENCE HUNT So all my references had to come from the comics which unfortunately does not have any concept art or character turn-arounds like the game does. I have to recreate it myself using shots from comic at different angles. Since I own all the comics in both digital and physical format, I ...