Bleary's Workshop

DESIGNER - PROPMAKER - MOTION GRAPHICS ANIMATOR AND COSPLAYER @blearyhidra on Behance and Instagram

[blearyhidra]

Emil's Staff- NieR Replicant/Automata . Ya solo queda la tela del poncho y eventualmente comprar un traje de esqueleto xD . #emil #emilcosplay #nier #nierautomata #niercosplay #cosplay #nierreplicant #nierautomata #prop #grimoireweiss #yokotaro #cosplaychile #propmaking https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQRlONua3j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sarelcon]

EVA Foam Detailing

Since I’m currently working on a new panel for EVA foam detailing, sharing an abbreviated version of this so that I actually have some posts on my account. This is definitely not a complete list of every technique that could work, but these are ones that I have used before and found to be quite useful.

Sanding

This is probably the most well-known technique for detailing. A rotary tool is a must-have for working with EVA foam since it’s such a versatile tool. A basic sanding drum is great for beveling edges or carving in battle-damage and weathering. Grinding stone tips can smooth and even out sanding. Depending on how the tips are angled on the surface, you can create a hammered metal look, soft leather-like crinkles, or circles that look like screws or bolts. Sanding is also the single best way to clean up rough seams. Be sure to wear a respirator and eye protection when sanding since the foam will generate a LOT of dust. You will your workspace will get covered with dust.

Burning

A soldering iron or wood burning iron can be used for detailing. These hot tools can be used to engrave precise or geometric lines or can be used to create a feather texture. These can also be used to make more organic textures like wood grain. Very much like a rotary tool, a wood burning or soldering iron has endless possibilities only limited by creativity. The foam can be easily burned through, especially when it is a thinner sheet (1-3 mm). Burning foam creates very nasty fumes so be sure to work outside with a respirator on.

Heat stamping

This is a more subtle technique but can still be very useful. The most common application is using crumpled tin foil to make a leather texture. Once foam has been heated up evenly (using a heat gun), it can pick up the texture of anything pressed against it.

Google eyes

For a cheap and easy way to get rivets or bolts, try using googly eyes. Once these are painted over, they can blend in perfectly (just don’t shake the armor or prop because they will rattle). Though real rivets can be used (that is my next point), googly eyes are easy to install and are very easy to find in a variety of sizes. These can be glued down with pretty much any type of glue.

Metal hardware

If authenticity is the goal, eyelets and rivets can be installed into EVA foam. The key to these is leather hole punches. You can buy these either as a pack of hole punchers or as a single tool that operates a lot like a paper hole puncher. For real leather or fabric, these are normally hammered into the material to generate a hole. Because EVA foam is so soft, a twisting motion works better for cutting a hole without crushing the surface. Eyelets will require a bit of glue but rivets have two separate ends that snap together nicely without any adhesive. O rings and metal buckles can also help with making realistic-looking armor.

Foam clay

Foam clay is an obsession of mine, but I have to admit that it is a detailing material and only works for specific tasks. Foam clay is great for adding organic textures like bone, monster skin, etc. It can be free sculpted some, but is limited due to being such a soft clay. It sticks to EVA foam without any glue required. It can be sanded or burned once it is completely dry to add more texture. It can be used to fill deep gaps in seams. It can also be pressed into molds.

Pre-cut bevels and scales

With cosplay becoming more common and mainstream, specialty products are readily available. Bevels are pre-cut strips of foam that can be used as trim. They most often come as half-round or triangular though some shops may carry less common shapes like low profile triangles or trapezoids. Scales are another great pre-fabricated material that can be bought from cosplay supply shops. They are sometimes sold as individual scales in packs of 50-100 or as scales attached to a strip.

Primer manipulation

I just recently discovered this technique while making Gyurato’s blood sickles. When using a brush on primer that has a slower drying time, it can be manipulated while still wet. Pressing something like upholstery foam or a sponge into the primer can add additional rough texture. I also used plastic wrap to add creases and wrinkles to the surface of the dried foam clay. Another thing to keep in mind with primers is that the finish (satin, matte, gloss) can change out a paint looks. Picking the right sheen, like gloss when painting a metallic, can help with achieving the right effect.

Hopefully these tips give you some ideas for future projects.

[blearyhidra]

Emil - NieR Replicant/Automata . Finalmente esta lista la cabeza del pobre emil, solo me queda hacer su baculo y el patron de la ropa para que este listo 💖 (que espero terminar para cuando salga en el anime) . #emil #emilcosplay #nier #nierautomata #niercosplay #cosplay #nierreplicant #nierautomata #prop #grimoireweiss #yokotaro #cosplaychile #propmaking https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIJ6h_O77U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kcamberart]

i haven’t posted about it in a while, but development on the volleyball game prototype is coming along! there’s still a lot of stuff to do, but i’m hoping to have it available to play soon!

[lukfu]

Besides one detail (the cage/lantern on the belt), the costume side is done! Now for a prop and the lantern! The foam armour was made from @poly.props CF65 and CF100 foam and sealed with their SEAL Prime Brush On and Spray. The base colour is just the Matte Black SEAL as the armour is black anyway. sofinstagram From Instagram

[blearyhidra]

Mas fotos de mi fallen knight que sacaron en el curso de fotografia . Gracias por las fotos y al @un_pimenton por llevarme 💖✨: . . . #eldenring #cosplay #cosplaychile #propmaking #prop #darksouls #soulsborne #fromsoftware #cosplayprops #bandainamco #fallenknight https://www.instagram.com/p/CnXFGN_Lkem/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[blearyhidra]

one of the photos I like the most from Expogame 2022 Chile / una de las fotos que mas me gustan que me sacaron en la Expogame 2022