Painting Foam Armor Part 1

Alright, with some requests to me about how I paint EVA foam, I thought I would write this up!

I will cover the tools needed, the supplies that I use, and types of paints to use.

For this part 1, I will cover the first step in sealing EVA foam.
EVA foam is the common foam that is used to build costumes like Iron Man and Halo armor.
Sealing the foam in important if you want a clean, smooth, and glossy finish. If you want a more rough texture, then this first step can be skipped.

Tools and supplies for part 1
A heat gun. A hair dryer can work as well.
That is it!

Sealing is pretty simple, just turn on the heat gun and run it over the foam. You will be able to see the foam change color slightly and turn somewhat smoother. If you have ever used a heat gun to warm foam so you can bend it, you will know what I am talking about.

The second picture shows the foam after it has been heat sealed.

I do this twice. The second time you will see no major change, but its a good thing to do, just in case you missed a spot on the first run. And dont forget the edges.

That is it for part 1. Part 2 will cover the second step in sealing as well as priming for paint.

Tutorial: Whats Next?

Well I asked a few months ago for what people want to see as a tutorial. Seems most wanted to see my process for painting foam armor. This fits quite well as I am working on another foam suit. So I will make a ton of pictures and make a video or two for my YouTube page!

Keep looking as I will start this process in about a week and a half!

One Life Cosplay

I wanted to share my fiance's blog. Many of the items that I talk about end up on her page as well, but from a different angle.

http://onelifecosplay.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

Hello again

Long time no write for me......

Been busy with all the conventions, panels, and college.

Just wanted to update my readers about whats going on here with us.
First up. Iron Man.... I have retired my Iron Man Mark IV armor. This was something I have been planning to do for a few months. But it could not have come at a better time. Rubies is going to start making Iron Man suits along with the Star Wars ones they make. I have also become the "guy who dose Iron Man" around Colorado. I dont want to be labeled as only a single costume, but as a cosplayer all together. So with that, I am bringing updates on the next set of projects that are already under way!

Aquaman! This will be based on the Injustice suit. It will be made out of Wonderflex, Worbla, and Scalemail. This is something that should be a eye opener for people! We also have a local comic book artist, Matt Campbell, working on a concept for a matching Mera. It will follow the same style as the Injustice Aquaman but will have a twist!

Next up is a series of suits that some friends and I will do together. I watched Man of Steel this past week, and was very impressed with General Zod and Faora. So I think some suits are in order! They will use Wonderflex, Worbla, foam, and some other materials to get the look down right!

I have also joined the 501st Legion. The 501st is a Star Wars costume group that is across the world. Normally I dont like doing things that a ton of people do, however, what they stand for speaks to me. So I will do what I can to help. For the 501st build, I am making a Scout Trooper, or more commonly called the Biker Scout from Return of the Jedi.

Last is my secret project. All I can say with this is that it is something that people have talked about doing, but never have. At least I have not seen it yet. Some readers may know what this is, but for everyone else.... its green and gold, and will be armor plated! Go Green Ra...........to obvious?
Ok ill break down..... Iron Man inspired Green Power Ranger!!!!!!!

New YouTube Channel

Well I deleted my old YouTube channel. It was about computers and hardware, but did nothing with it over the past couple years....

But now I have a channel all for costumes and everything that I love!

http://www.youtube.com/SteamandCostumes


Nothing up yet, but there will be some soon!

Movie Review - Oz: The Great and Powerful

Well as it stands, this is my first official movie review!

Oz: The Great and Powerful
Staring
James Franco - Oz
Mila Kunis - Theodora
Rachel Weisz - Evanora
Michelle Williams - Glinda/Annie
Zach Braff - Finley/Frank

The movie opens much as you would expect from a Oz movie, black and white and in a letter box aspect ratio. Oz is a failing magician in a traveling circus. He is played off as some sort of playboy of the circus, always trying to find the next girl. It seems that he would use the same story over and over to get attention from the women of the circus. I feel that this would have been discovered early on in his career with the circus, however, there is no indication that it was happening for his entire time traveling. After a performance with a attempt of a tear jerker with Oz being asked by a little girl to fix her legs so she can walk, saying that she believed in him. Oz is visited by a woman from the town near by, Annie. Yes it is that Annie. After she talks with Oz about their past relationship, one of the circus folk comes after Oz, due to his playboy nature. We are left with Oz escaping in a hot air balloon that is being drawn into a twister. End opening act.

Now that Oz was in the land of Oz, the screen opens to full wide and we get a blast of color. Something that people may or may not know about the Oz stories by Frank Baum, color is a very important aspect. Depending on the color of clothing, cities, and other things in the world, you can obtain a quick understanding of the surroundings. With me knowing this, I was no surprised by many of the "twists" in the story. But I am sure the average movie buff will still have a surprise waiting for them. After meeting with Theodora, being taken to the Emerald City, and being twisted by Evanora, Oz leaves to try and kill the bad witch.

The little girl that could not walk from the opening returns as a china doll that has broken legs. Oz is sure quick to fix the broken legs with glue. Seeming putting closure to that side story.

Spoilers ahead















As it turns out, the bad witch is Evanora. This is quickly reveled when she give a apple of all things to her sister Theodora. It turns her into the green witch that we have seen in the original movie.

Oz is left to retake the city and save the land of Oz. After faking his death, he uses a machine to make him self appear as a face in smoke.

All is good after a few words are exchanged and the two evil witches leave.















End Spoilers






Oz does not return to our world, but stays to offer wishes to the people of Oz.








This movie is a kids movie for sure. It would appeal to adults as well or anyone who is a fan of Frank Baum, as this is one of his original stories. The repetitive of lines about being good and great, the worn out coming of age story, and the attempt to put to much of The Wizard of Oz into the movie made for a slight disappointment. This movie is its own story, it should not and can not be compared to The Wizard of Oz.
All in all I would give it a 7 out of 10. This would be a movie I would buy on DVD or Blu-ray but not see in theaters again.

Rinzler Suit part 1

Starting to work on the Rinzler suit.

So far I have a pattern for the chest that was made on a few pieces of paper, then cut out and transferred to a large piece of paper

So here we have

Also on the note of costumes, I have been asked to make a tutorial on painting foam armor to give a metallic shine, such as the Iron Man armor. Stay tuned, it will come pretty soon!