Beginners Props!
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Transcript of Beginners Props!
Beginners Props!Beginners Props!
So, props eh?So, props eh? This is a guide to get you started making This is a guide to get you started making
propsprops I’ll be covering some quick tips, the basic I’ll be covering some quick tips, the basic
types of props there are and how to make types of props there are and how to make them and how to paint different materialsthem and how to paint different materials
There will be a Q&A at the end if you want There will be a Q&A at the end if you want specific advicespecific advice
I make a lot of my own props out of different I make a lot of my own props out of different materials, this is just covering the cheaper materials, this is just covering the cheaper methods that don’t use specialist tools or methods that don’t use specialist tools or safety equipment. Great for shared houses!safety equipment. Great for shared houses!
Before you even start Before you even start making!making!
Get a good reference of what you’re Get a good reference of what you’re making!making!
Figure out how much it will cost! Figure out how much it will cost! Nothing sucks more than running out Nothing sucks more than running out of money half way through a project!of money half way through a project!
Check the convention rules to make Check the convention rules to make sure you’ll be allowed with it!sure you’ll be allowed with it!
Figure out how you’ll be travelling to Figure out how you’ll be travelling to the con!the con!
Basic EquipmentBasic Equipment
Good scissorsGood scissors Craft knifeCraft knife Pens that workPens that work Ruler and tape measureRuler and tape measure Glue gunGlue gun Wood glue/PVAWood glue/PVA Contact AdhesiveContact Adhesive Super glue/epoxy glueSuper glue/epoxy glue
How to scale things upHow to scale things up
Print out a good reference and draw a grid Print out a good reference and draw a grid over it in 1cm squaresover it in 1cm squares
Draw a grid out on the sheet. The squares Draw a grid out on the sheet. The squares will be the length of the sword you want will be the length of the sword you want divided by the length of the sword in the divided by the length of the sword in the picture.picture.
Sword in picture = 20cmSword in picture = 20cm
Sword you want = 160cmSword you want = 160cm
160/20=8 … Squares will be 8cmx8cm160/20=8 … Squares will be 8cmx8cm
What we’re coveringWhat we’re covering
SwordsSwords Big swordsBig swords GunsGuns Big GunsBig Guns Awkward shapesAwkward shapes Basic ArmourBasic Armour JewleryJewlery
SwordsSwords
To figure out the length of the sword To figure out the length of the sword compare the reference to yourself. If compare the reference to yourself. If it comes to the character’s knee, it comes to the character’s knee, make it come to yours. make it come to yours.
A Katana blade length is from your A Katana blade length is from your hand to your nipple. The total length hand to your nipple. The total length will be ¾ blade ¼ grip.will be ¾ blade ¼ grip.
It needs to be a length that you’d be It needs to be a length that you’d be able to sheathe it.able to sheathe it.
SwordsSwords
Materials you can make swords from:Materials you can make swords from:
WoodWood MDFMDF Mount boardMount board Craft foam with a coreCraft foam with a core Foam boardFoam board
SwordsSwords from Wood from Wood
Cut to shape with a jigsaw. If you’re Cut to shape with a jigsaw. If you’re really hard core you can do it by really hard core you can do it by hand.hand.
Sand it down. A LOT.Sand it down. A LOT. Seal with PVA or Car lacquer Seal with PVA or Car lacquer Paint with spray for best effectPaint with spray for best effect Seal with clear spraySeal with clear spray
Swords from layersSwords from layers
This technique works for mountboard, craft foam This technique works for mountboard, craft foam and foam boardand foam board
Draw the sword out on the first layer and cut it Draw the sword out on the first layer and cut it out with scissors or a craft knifeout with scissors or a craft knife
Glue the first layer onto the next layer then cut Glue the first layer onto the next layer then cut around itaround it
Repeat until desired thickness and strengthRepeat until desired thickness and strength If using craft foam build up until the thickness of If using craft foam build up until the thickness of
the core you’re using then cut a groove for it to the core you’re using then cut a groove for it to sit in. Then glue the next layer on to it.sit in. Then glue the next layer on to it.
If you use foam board you need to seal the edges If you use foam board you need to seal the edges or foam will show throughor foam will show through
Swords from layersSwords from layers
Finishing offFinishing off
Seal with PVA or GessoSeal with PVA or Gesso Paint black with acrylicPaint black with acrylic Paint with metalic acrylics or sprayPaint with metalic acrylics or spray
Big SwordsBig Swords
These are trickier because you need to These are trickier because you need to make them both light and strong.make them both light and strong.
You need an insert down the middle to You need an insert down the middle to support the sword and then you build support the sword and then you build around itaround it
It’s a good idea to weight the hilt to It’s a good idea to weight the hilt to make it easier to liftmake it easier to lift
Big SwordsBig Swords
Materials you can make big swords from:Materials you can make big swords from:Support:Support:
Wooden dowelWooden dowel PVC PipePVC Pipe Metal pipeMetal pipe Fibreglass rodFibreglass rod
Blade:Blade: Insulation foamInsulation foam Polystyrene sheetPolystyrene sheet Mount boardMount board Camping matCamping mat
Big SwordsBig Swords
Either seal with PVA, Gesso or Either seal with PVA, Gesso or Papier-Papier-mâché if the shape is awkward. If the mâché if the shape is awkward. If the texture is really rough use masking texture is really rough use masking tape or duct tape to seal.tape or duct tape to seal.
Paint with black acrylicPaint with black acrylic Paint with metallic acrylics or sprayPaint with metallic acrylics or spray
GunsGuns
The easiest way to make a gun is to The easiest way to make a gun is to buy a cheap toy base then build over buy a cheap toy base then build over the top of it.the top of it.
You can mount board, craft foam, You can mount board, craft foam, plastic parts and whatever else you plastic parts and whatever else you find to make it the right shape.find to make it the right shape.
Plastic wine glasses cut
up
Base gun
Medical tubing
Piece of leather cut to shapeButton
Big GunsBig Guns
Big guns are best made from PVC Big guns are best made from PVC tubing or Big cardboard tubes. You tubing or Big cardboard tubes. You get plastic pipe from B&Q and you get plastic pipe from B&Q and you can beg fabric places for cardboard can beg fabric places for cardboard tubes.tubes.
Use the same principals as for Use the same principals as for smaller guns, but remember the smaller guns, but remember the structure has to be solid.structure has to be solid.
PVC Pipe
Plumbing part
Polystyrene carved to
shape then covered
with mountboar
d
Gun butt from toy
Wooden dowel with cupboard
hinge
Awkward ShapesAwkward Shapes
This is for when you need to make a weird This is for when you need to make a weird thing on a prop that you can’t cut out of a thing on a prop that you can’t cut out of a square. Materials you can use are:square. Materials you can use are:
Papier-mâchéPapier-mâché MilliputMilliput FimoFimo Friendly plasticFriendly plastic Carved foam (polystyrene or insulation Carved foam (polystyrene or insulation
foam)foam)
Using Using Papier-mâchéPapier-mâché
Create the shape you want using Create the shape you want using paper/tissue paper or chicken wirepaper/tissue paper or chicken wire
Tear up strips so there are no cut edgesTear up strips so there are no cut edges I use wood glue because it strengthens I use wood glue because it strengthens
the sword and makes it more the sword and makes it more waterproof. PVA will also do but it’s not waterproof. PVA will also do but it’s not as strongas strong
Do at least 2 layers. Leave yourself at Do at least 2 layers. Leave yourself at least a week to complete this because least a week to complete this because of drying timesof drying times
Basic ArmourBasic Armour
Materials you can make armour from:Materials you can make armour from:
MountboardMountboard CraftfoamCraftfoam Papier-mâché for weird bitsPapier-mâché for weird bits
Mountboard armourMountboard armour
Build the shape by Build the shape by cutting pieces out and cutting pieces out and gluing them with Wood gluing them with Wood glue. Hold them in place glue. Hold them in place with masking tape while with masking tape while they drythey dry
Paint black when all Paint black when all finishedfinished
Then paint in desired Then paint in desired colourcolour
Craft foamCraft foam
Create shape out of foam. Create shape out of foam. Support where necessarySupport where necessary
Glue with glue gun or Glue with glue gun or contact adheasivecontact adheasive
You NEED to seal the foam You NEED to seal the foam before painting or it will rub before painting or it will rub off. Seal with layers of PVC off. Seal with layers of PVC or Gesso.or Gesso.
Paint in colours of your Paint in colours of your choicechoice
Basic ArmourBasic Armour
The hardest part with armour is figuring out how to The hardest part with armour is figuring out how to attach it to the costume/yourself. Some options are:attach it to the costume/yourself. Some options are:
Poppers/snaps which go through the armourPoppers/snaps which go through the armour Velcro (needs to be stuck with contact adhesive Velcro (needs to be stuck with contact adhesive
and only works with light armourand only works with light armour Lacing. Make holes in the armour/underneath it and Lacing. Make holes in the armour/underneath it and
tie it on yourself. tie it on yourself. Straps with buckles. These are traditionally how Straps with buckles. These are traditionally how
armour is attached so can look quite cool.armour is attached so can look quite cool. Rivet it to the actual costume. You can buy rivets Rivet it to the actual costume. You can buy rivets
off ebay for cheapoff ebay for cheap
JewleryJewlery
Things you can use to make jewlery:Things you can use to make jewlery: FimoFimo Friendly plasticFriendly plastic MilliputMilliput Craft foamCraft foam Regular jewellery findingsRegular jewellery findings
Fimo
Craft foam
Milliput
Now ask me questions!Now ask me questions!
If you want a copy of this slide I’ll post it up on the Alcon Forums
If you email me at [email protected] I can also
send it to you
My website: Www.KhaosKostumes.ComMy website: Www.KhaosKostumes.Com