First Build/New to Cosplay: Into Hell

[ODSTWolf1013]

Good morning 405th,
This is long overdue as I have been working diligently on my build. I will make sure I do a more formal and informative introduction in the Introduction thread, but my name is Matt and I am posting up my very first build in cosplay ever. Humongous shout out to TillXValhalla. I have definitely already learned a lot in technique, tools, cutting, sealing, seams, etc. but I am an open book and willing to learn more. TillXValhalla has helped me a lot along the way pointing me in the right direction, giving me links to tutorials, showing me cutting techniques (bevels kick my ass...lol) and much more. I know since this is my first build, its quite rough but I thought I would show you all my overall progress so far. Again, I have never made any cosplay before with the exception of a Deathstroke get-up for Halloween one year and all I did was throw together tactical gear I already had and painted a mask black and orange lol This is probably the most construction I've done on some sort of craft project, ever in my life. Any tips and critique is quite welcome. Again I am aware how rough it is, especially the helmet but here you guys go! Thanks for reading!

 

[TillXValhalla]

Looking solid bruv.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Looking solid bruv.

Thanks man, been killing it because of you

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Good morning 405th,
This is long overdue as I have been working diligently on my build. I will make sure I do a more formal and informative introduction in the Introduction thread, but my name is Matt and I am posting up my very first build in cosplay ever. Humongous shout out to TillXValhalla. I have definitely already learned a lot in technique, tools, cutting, sealing, seams, etc. but I am an open book and willing to learn more. TillXValhalla has helped me a lot along the way pointing me in the right direction, giving me links to tutorials, showing me cutting technqieus (bevels kick my ass...lol) and much more. I know since this is my first build, its quite rough but I thought I would show you all my overall progress so far. Again, I have never made any cosplay before with the exception of a Deathstroke get-up for Halloween one year and all I did was throw together tactical gear I already had and painted a mask black and orange lol This is probably the most construction I've done on some sort of craft project, ever in my life. Any tips and critique is quite welcome. Again I am aware how rough it is, especially the helmet but here you guys go! Thanks for reading!

Update. Just started adding straps to the shoulders, and finished the shins/feet finally tonight so the rest is setting up the armor to wear with elastics, straps, buckles, and some paint, which I will be doing some research on so I can get this armor looking right. Helmet will be first, so I can get the visor in and the rest will flow with that. Thanks for checking the post!

 

[marinesniper]

Update. Just started adding straps to the shoulders, and finished the shins/feet finally tonight so the rest is setting up the armor to wear with elastics, straps, buckles, and some paint, which I will be doing some research on so I can get this armor looking right. Helmet will be first, so I can get the visor in and the rest will flow with that. Thanks for checking the post!

Absolutely awesome he looks like he loves the armor. keep up the awesome job we need more ODST here lol. cant wait to see this all done up and painted...

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Absolutely awesome he looks like he loves the armor. keep up the awesome job we need more ODST here lol. cant wait to see this all done up and painted...

Much appreciated brother. That’s the important thing. And with this being my first build, any mistakes, blemishes, imperfections, etc., my little man wont notice as much lol get my practice in with his armor so I can build myself an ODST setup from the armory here.

 

[PlanetAlexander]

Looks like you're a fast learner - while your helmet is great for a beginner, I can see the latest armour you made has improved a lot! How did you do the scoring details? They're so neat, I have trouble doing them.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Looks like you're a fast learner - while your helmet is great for a beginner, I can see the latest armour you made has improved a lot! How did you do the scoring details? They're so neat, I have trouble doing them.

Hey I appreciate the props. The helmet was pretty rough and I ended up filling the seams where they should be exposed just because of how opened they were. If I redid it now I can guarantee a much smoother job. But it’s my kiddos and he loves it as is and I can’t afford to waste any foam if I can help it lol as for the scoring, I just use the same box cutter I use to cut all of the foam. I just switch the blades as soon as I can tell it’s dulling at the tip, and I angle my wrist slightly and support it on the armor and just slide the blade evenly along the line so it all has the same depth. When I come to the corners where it changes direction, I keep the blade in place and slightly turn it to go the next direction. I found that if I didn’t do that the corners did not connect. But I try to just apply even pressure to get the scoring right. TilXValhalla gave me some insight on that, that he had just learned. Keeps it smooth and even.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Update: Got the straps and buckles all installed so the armor is now all wearable. Had the kiddo do a mini shoot with the armor and he’s loving it more and more. Makes it that much more fulfilling to make this for him. Also considering readjusting or even relocating the shoulder straps so they’re not as visible. Something that I see, I don’t think he cares lol

 

[marinesniper]

Update: Got the straps and buckles all installed so the armor is now all wearable. Had the kiddo do a mini shoot with the armor and he’s loving it more and more. Makes it that much more fulfilling to make this for him.
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that is awesome the little guy ready does like it.great job dad. now you got to make him a drop pod that completes the armor lol

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

that is awesome the little guy ready does like it.great job dad. now you got to make him a drop pod that completes the armor lol

Hahaha if he could see this post he would be all over it. Drop pod treehouse or something. Kid would come out of it screeching “Get some” or just a loud warcry. Though he has surprised me with only wanting a suppressed Magnum and combat knife. Going CQB which TillXValhalla gave me the idea of maybe making the CQB shoulder variant, so I may do that before I finish this up.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Plastidipped and ready to start researching paint so I can get this looking good. If I don’t post after this, that means I messed up the paint, scrapped the build, and suck started my handgun..lol

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Next Newest Update:
Well, I took a jab at painting after taking a gander at a few different methods. Here’s what I have so far. Chest, shoulders, knees, and gauntlets will be done tomorrow, and then that’s all she wrote for the first armor build. Props to go with the armor will be following soon, as well as the beginning of my own ODST built: the Halo 3 ODST v1.2 from the 405th armory

Hope everyone has a great night!

 

[PlanetAlexander]

Neat! I especially love the mud that you've added, and clearly you didn't hold back with it. May I suggest that you take a liner brush and highlight the scored details? Alas I feel they've been slightly lost, probably during sealing, and going over them with black would help bring them out again.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Thanks for the suggestion! I definitely noticed the same thing in regards to losing some of the scoring, especially on the abdomen and butt plate pieces. It was certainly through the sealing process and to be honest, I think I forgot to heat the scoring on those pieces....lol mistakes were made and lessons will always be learned.

 

[Asgardianhammer]

Probably my favorite build thread in a while. I always love seeing things made for the kiddos!

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Probably my favorite build thread in a while. I always love seeing things made for the kiddos!

Thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying the build. Makes it even more fulfilling in my opinion when it’s for the kiddo, and also as I mentioned at the beginning of the thread, gives me good practice for when I work on my armour lol He doesn’t know I started painting last night so we shall see today how he likes the battle look.

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Well, here it is folks. I took some suggestions from TilXValhalla and accented a few more things with red. But this is what we’ve got. Kid is outside mercing the children like they’re Covenant scum with his bare hands, until I can arm him up with some weaponry. Hope you’ve enjoyed the thread. Feet first!

 

[TillXValhalla]

Looks like the cqb shoulder over the base shoulder slotted nicely. The paint is ace!

 

[ODSTWolf1013]

Looks like the cqb shoulder over the base shoulder slotted nicely. The paint is ace!

Thanks broski. You’ve basically helped me the whole way with this build. It wouldn’t have turned out anywhere close to what it did without your assistance.