I entered into my first ever cosplay contest and won!? Took the 'Best Novice' award and won my division. I am stunned.
I went to the Toronto Game Expo this weekend. Hadn't heard of this convention before and thought it sounded neat, plus I wanted another opportunity to wear my Manfred cosplay. Just for fun I entered into the cosplay contest. I have never done one before and thought it would be a good chance to see what the experience was like and if I enjoyed it.
The judges were so welcoming and friendly, and the other competitors were super fun and nice. It was a great day, and I was having a great time.
And then I won?!
I had hoped to maybe take 'Best Video Game cosplay' or a Judge's Choice award. But I somehow won the entire division! A couple days later and I am still buzzing. I can't believe it.
Was absolutely a blast, and definitely an unforgettable first foray into cosplay competitions. I will absolutely be giving them another go, seeing if I had beginners luck haha.
I had a bunch of people ask me how I made my Manfred Cosplay from Dragon Age The Veilguard, and even more people surprised with how I did it. So I am going to make a tutorial walk-through of how I made the mask! (If people are curious about the costume, I can talk about that too.)
Step 0: Goggles!
While trying to decide what cosplay to do, I came across goggles like these-
in a generic party store, and I knew they would be perfect eyes for Manfred, so they inspired the costume and I built the mask around them. (The goggles completely disassembled so I was able to use every part.)
Step 1: The mask base.
I used this tutorial and free pdf template to make a base mask out of cardboard. I used cereal boxes. Then I did some ol' trial and error to adjust the shape into more skull like features. (Important*** Do Fit checks regularly to make sure the skull fits your head well, and the front and back fit together well. Do this throughout the entire process!)
Adjustments I made; cutting out eyes, nose, and cutting off a jaw shape; and adding some length onto the mask so it came further back on my head, which I did by just extending the template a few inches and trying it.
Note: At this point I figured out I needed to see out of the mask, so I cut the eyes wider by moving the goggle lenses further to the sides and leaving a crescent shape along the nose bridge for me to look through.
Step 2: Make it strong.
I cut the tape holding the draft mask together and used it as a new template to cut out a version in thicker, sturdier cardboard. Then, I used a ton of tape and hot glue to put the mask together and make it sturdy. I added a few little strips of cardboard on the inside as 'cross beams' across the major seams to reinforce it.
Note: I made a thicker version of the back of the mask as well, but the shape just wasn't sitting as nice, so I abandoned it and made the cereal box version my good version simply by reinforcing it a bit more.
Step 3: Shape!
I took plain printer paper, ripped it into random pieces, and rolled and crumpled it. Then I used tape (at first to test placement) and hot glue to attach the paper pieces to the mask to build up dimension. Using skull references is important here. I did not add bulk to the back of the skull.
I think after this picture I did add more to the chin, cheeks, and brows to fix the proportions, but just play around until it's a shape you like. (And yes, I did all those teeth individually, which is why there's an odd number lol)
At this point I glued the goggle sockets in place (having added some extra cardboard to make the connection sturdy and so the eyes didn't point sideways. I made sure to check the sight lines to ensure I left enough of a gap to see, as well as space to get the games into the sockets at the end.
Step 4: Paper Mache
I covered both pieces of the mask in a couple layers of paper mache. I didn't use anything special, just newsprint style paper and a generic paper mache recipe I got online (that used wood glue instead of white glue because I had a bunch and it's apparently sturdier? idk).
I used a toothpick to help force the paper mache into the crevices of the teeth and define those lines. Then I lightly sanded any bumpy bits as well as giving the goggle sockets a light sand so the paint will stick to them better.
(Check the fits of the pieces here. The paper mache can warp the cardboard a little due to moisture.)
Step 5: Paint!
I painted both pieces of the mask in a bone-white color (white mixed with just a little brown and/or yellow). I did one overall coat, and then since I found it still a little too stark white did another full coat in a slighter darker off-white. Importantly, I did not put this second coat on the teeth to leave them white as most references show.
After it dried I painted the goggles brown. Then I did detailing. I used a mixture of browns in layers to stipple and dab in shadows and contour on the skull (again, references are good tools). I tried a sponge but ended up using a raggedy old paint brush to get some good texture.
I added the darker color into the creases of the teeth and added some green splotches to the goggles to show oxidization of metal.
Later on, I went back in for a second coat to make the contouring darker and more contrasting to stand out better in pictures. (A reminder of the importance of stepping back and looking at a distance. Also take pictures so you know what it will look like when others photo it.)
That's it for Part 1! I will do a Part 2 on the functionality of the mask later this week!
General meaning of this card: The choice between two loves or attractions.
Interpretation: Choice between vice and virtue. Temptation. The beginning of romance. Harmony of the inner and outer life. Inspiration from above. Love uncontaminated by great material desire.
Reversed: Infidelity. Interference by in-laws with a marriage. Quarrels over children. The possibility of a wrong choice; the need to stabilize the emotions.
Work eased up so I finally got around to another card! Definitely enjoyed designing this one, and played around with the back lighting which I think is cool looking. These two fit the card fairly well, and are the more consistent through-line love story we really have so far (other than Delores, of course). Hardest part was designing something that was sweet ad loving but also had their antagonistic foreplay vibe.
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
Interpretation: Silent counsel; a meeting with one who will guide the Seeker towards their goals. The courage and maturity to do what is right. The openmindedness to be willing to accept help when offered.
Reversed: Wisdom of others spurned. Rejection of one’s own maturity. Foolish vices. Refusal to learn and experience new hings. Tendency to be a perpetual Peter Pan.
The hermit card! I was a little torn about this one, because I always sort of felt like Five fit this card as well, but I realized Pogo sort of fit the card - and honestly I was mostly inspired by the pose of the original hermit card with its lantern and cane that made me think of this scene from the funeral.
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
Interpretation: Unrevealed future; the mystery of things hidden in the depths of consciousness. Spiritual enlightenment, inner illumination. Caution not to speak of that which should be kept secret. Can represent the perfect woman all men dream of, or indicate virtues in a friend or in oneself.
Reversed: A selfish and ruthless person. A life of indulgence and outward show. Conceit. Only surface knowledge. Can be a warning to not be destroyed by other’s selfishness.
Allison’s card! Decided to go for a mix-and-match for her design with hair from season one and clothes inspired by season three. In the traditional card the priestess sits between two pillars which represent opposing forces (light/dark, masculine/feminine, etc), so I switched the pillars out for Allison’s two pillars - her husband and her daughter.
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
General meaning of this card: Change, Rebirth, Renewal
Interpretation: Renewal, transformation. Birth of new ideas, new possibilities. Destruction of the old, followed by the birth of the new.
Reversed: Temporary stagnation; tendency to inertia. Death of a political figure; political upheaval, revolution. Disaster.
Another card where the subject should be obvious, but I again didn’t go with the obvious choice of Klaus and instead went with Ben - whose arc fits the card meaning better. Hope you enjoy!
General meaning of this card: Change and Deception
Interpretation: Unforeseen perils; deception; change. May mean bad luck for an acquaintance. Intuition, dreams, unfoldment of latent powers.
Reversed: Imagination will be harnessed by practical considerations. Change will not be disruptive. Deception will be unmasked. Love will win, but not before it is almost destroyed by misunderstandings. No risks should be taken.
I know, I did not pick Luther for the literal Moon card, but the description and meaning of the card better fitted Viktor and his involvement with the moon! I tried to keep the suit style the same while adjusting to the characters current presentation. I’m really happy with this one! Let me know what you think!
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
General meaning of this card: The overthrow of selfish ambition
Interpretation: Selfish ambition is about to come to naught. Conflict, change, unforeseen catastrophe. Old notions upset. Overthrow of existing ways of life. Disruption will bring enlightenment in its wake.
Reversed: Same as above, but in a lesser degree. The gain of freedom of body or mind, but at a great cost. False accusations, false imprisonment; oppression.
More Umbrella Academy Tarot cards! This was definitely a harder one, mostly due to the fact I prefer drawing characters/people and not buildings or backgrounds. So a challenge, but a fun one! Also, playing with some perspective which was tough (also don’t come for me about the people on the bottom, I know they’re rough haha). Let me know what you think!
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
General meaning of this card: Hope, Inspiration, Health
Interpretation: Courage, hope, inspiration. Gifts of the Spirit. Health will improve. Unselfish aid. Great love will be given and received. Insight into the meanings of life. No destruction is final.
Reversed: Doubt, pessimism, stubbornness. Lack of perception. Loss of friendship of love. Chance of physical or mental illness.
Another Umbrella Academy Tarot card! As soon as I read the card meaning I knew it had to be Grace. I also had a lot of fun overthinking that backdrop, so if you’re curious to the meaning shoot me an ask. Let me know what you think of this series so far!
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
General meaning of this card: Self-surrender to a higher wisdom
Interpretation: Spiritual growth; surrender to a higher wisdom. A complete reversal of one’s usual way of life. Dependence no longer on the self but on the Creative Intelligence that runs the universe. Material temptations should be conquered. A period of indecision in one’s life. The ability to prophesy to some degree.
Reversed: Preoccupation with the concerns of the self. Absorption in physical matters. Resistance to spiritual teachings. False prophecy.
Another Umbrella Academy Tarot card! This one the image just presented itself fully formed to me. And I know the outfit picked for Klaus here might not correspond to the best moment in his arc for this card, but I didn’t want to draw all his tattoos and this is one of the only long sleeved shirts haha.
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray.
Interpretation: The Fool represents the beginning of all creativity and the desire to accomplish impossibly beautiful goals. Here are all the joys and possibilities of adventure. Each of us faces many choices in life. A fresh choice is before you - choose wisely.
Reversed: The choice is likely to be faulty and lead to thoughtless action. Fear may hold one back from accepting the new opportunity. Folly and indiscretion are suggested.
A piece that’s been rattling around my brain for a while, Number Five’s ill advised jump through time as the ‘fool’ card. I can’t remember what it was I saw that made me connect the meaning of the fool card and this moment in the show, but it’s been something I wanted to do for a while. I will probably do more tarot cards based off of Umbrella Academy, but not likely the entire deck or in any particular order.
Played around with the style, I had a line-less version I liked as well but with the line art it had a closer look to the old-school Tarot cards I love the look of. ***Sorry for the re-post, but this is the edited version! Did some quick colour correction on the background once I saw it in my blog versus on my tablet.***
Card Interpretation taken from ‘Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in Ancient, Mystic Art’, By Eden Gray
An unnamed piece I did to try playing around with a newer style I’ve tried out before. I really love the way this turned out and will definitely try to do more in this style - once I actually come up with some ideas.
What do you think? Let me know! Or tell me some fun prompts that might inspire my next series!
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andulkaphoto
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