Customizing and Redefining

I previously posted images of what the Armor would look like roughly but I wanted to customize it a little but to make it feel like my own work, so I found some templates for the ever so popular Mass Effect N7 Armor  and printed the parts out on regular paper. I chose to use the N7 armor for a template because so many people have constructed it and the final result looks amazing even for an amateur like myself.

After doing that, I cut them out and put them together using some scotch tape. Included in the N7's templates print out they provide you with a overview of the divisions on one page so you can assemble the pieces properly. I took this sheet and traced over it for the customizing. I started reshaping parts and erasing the N7 parts I wasn't using. I ended up with this simple design.

 

When I finished editing the necessary parts, I reciprocated the process on the actual cut outs. This way things come out the way I want them too and not like the N7 armor. I did this to the chest piece, the back piece, the shoulder pieces, and the thigh pieces. I excluded some parts of the N7 armor.

Mannequin

First things first: So since I'm doing this by myself, I need something to hold up the armor when I'm detailing and constructing it. Mannequins work well for this, If you can not afford a mannequin, slightly impatient, or you just want to make your own here's how to make a Mannequin.

After the mannequin was finished I coated it with a few layers of paper mache. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. I did it so it'll be more firm and steady...like an actual mannequin. 

Tools for the process

So I've started gathering the tools necessary for this build. (Most of it ordered from Amazon.) Here's what I got:

1. EVA Foam Boards
2. Dremel
3. Cardboard scraps
4. Scissors
5. Box Cutter Razor
6. Hot Knife
7. Duct Tape
8. Heat gun
9. 1 inch Black Side release Buckles (clips)
10. 1 inch Black Polypro Webbing (Straps)
11. French Curves
12. Hot Glue Gun W/ sticks
13. Poster Board
14. Compass (Not the one used for directions)
15. 14 inch Drawer Slides
16. Velcro
17. and some Connection Bolts (or Chicago screws or Sex Bolts)

Young Justice: Aqualad's Black Manta armor.

Ever since I watched the show Young Justice, I've grown a lot more attached to DC characters. Artist Phil Bourassa has depicted Aqualad and the other members of the show so amazingly I just went gaga. As the series progressed I loved it  more and more to the point where I decided that I wanted to make Aqualad's Black Manta armor for Comic Con 2013. However, Since 2013 sucked for me, I did  make it. However, after watching Young Justice (again), Justice League: A Flash-point Paradox, and Justice League: War I've gotten inspired to do it again.  So I started with some sketches first. My sketches are pretty much based off of the show's armor; A more custom one will be developed later on in the process.

I started doing my research for the armor and watching tutorials on how to even make cosplay armor. A very rough version of what I want it to look like. I'll add a few tweaks and quirks here and there.

My research here:

The base Image

One major detail I'd really love to bring to life is Aqualad's tool; his back pack. Its a unique backpack, maybe I'd be able to use this image to make it..

I haven't yet measured myself or anything so this is going to be a nice little work in progress. 

Cosplay tutorial links I've been using:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T76bw7n1MkA Helmet tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubaXM1SsLyQ Helmet tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb6CXGortrQ Body armor tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzT9W9mAoFo Body armor tutorial 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK4w1xdVeBI Connecting the pieces tutorial

Kaotik Out.