Last convention of the year coming up soon so it is time to start
considering new projects for next year. I am looking to do two costumes this
year:
- Vostroyan Firstborn
- Anatoray Soldier
Vostroyan Firstborn
A Vostroyan Firstborn is a type of Imperial Guard unit that looks like
this:
I have already done two Cadian costumes and while it may be tempting to try
and shoot for perfection with the third one I am looking to try something a
little different.
Areas I am looking to improve in with this project:
- Armor quality. The Kasrkin armor (latest project) was a step up from the
Cadian Shock Trooper (first project), but there is still some room for
improvement here. Specifically I am hoping to achieve a more rigid form for the
armor plates. Either I will use the foam method I used the last two times, but
this time with a fiberglass mat backing, or I will try some form of cast. Units
of this type can have limited armoring (the example photo is probably the high
end of the scale) so it will not be too prohibitive to iterate a couple
versions. - Costume sewing. Seems odd I have ignored this problem set with my past
projects. I was able to get away with it before as the actual cloth part of my
past projects have been pretty basic (read: able to find good matches online).
This unit type however has a far more intricate coat which I think will have to
be custom done. - The overall costume has a lot more doodads than the Cadian ones which
should be a good chance to work improving my poor detail skills - The Vostroyan Lasgun show here:
Is more intricate than the last gun I made. Prime chance to take what I learned
from the last lasgun construction and make a more detailed/complicated piece.
Probably will stick with the medium-density fibreboard I used last time or get
something with a bit more prominent wood grain. Also prime chance to practice
my paint skills.
Anatoray Soldier Last Exile was one of my first
animes and also one of my favorites (correlation?). It follows that I would
like to try and pay homage to it by making a costume of one of the faction’s
soldiers. Here is a good example of one:
Areas I am looking to improve in with this project:
- Sewing. No way about it the jacket will have to be custom. Hopefully I will
be able to find a pattern to work with before I go off script. The actual
uniform looks pretty basic so it should be within my skill set as long as I
have some guidance. - Custom hat. The hat is a bit different than the Cadian helmet as it is
mostly cloth, but seems to be a logical progression to work on next. - The Anatoray rifle shown here (obscured, but gives a good sense of
scale):
represents an interesting challenge. Construction should be
relatively straightforward as it has a simple mass produced look to it which is
in line with my past projects. The real issue is in transportation. The height
alone makes this difficult. The final product will have to come apart somehow
so that it is at least manageable to move around. Should be an interesting
challenge.
I am looking forward to many months of crushing disappointment pursing this
work. Stay tuned to watch me post the results of my crushed dreams.