Worbla mask

I decided as my first project with worbla I was going to go with something small and simple. I chose a mask for my corset and fluffy skirt. My friend actually gave me the sample sheet to work with.

I searched the internet for mask templates. Most where made for kids... And a lot were cheese. I reshaped the eye holes to better fit my face (and be able to show off eye makeup ^_^ ). That was done on paper. Craft foam was used for final pattern. I remade the craft foam pattern once. One eyehole was too far over. Craft foam contours to the face more. It is great for testing. Better pattern! Yey!

The Hardest part of cutting it out was the eyes. I had to put it on the edge of the board so the place I was going to cut was sticking out. I would then press through the worbla with an exactly knife to the empty space on the edge of the board. I would keep pressing and moving till I had a hole.

TO THE DRAWING PADD!!!!!!

I didn't want a plan mask. That's no fun. Let's put some texture, some 3D to it! 

I cut small strips, slivers really. Warmed up the mask. Warmed up the strips, shaped the swirls and stuck them to the mask. Rewarmded very lightly and pressed down to make it stick (not enough to make it lose shape and if it is still warm I didn't need to do this).

There are two different ways to soften the worbla, heat gun and steam from a pot a boiling water. Which technique I used depended on whatever worked best for that moment.

Fingers got really hot often but no burning. I take that as a win.

In natural lighting.

The place I added the swirl and the swirl itself has to be/stay heated or they wont stick together.
This can be tricky because if the swirl is heated back up it will warp and 'unswirl'. I had to work quickly or do the small pieces over again.

I had to shape it to my face like 3 to 4 times. I was trying to center it myself before it started to cool. Centering by myself wasn't working.(luckily the nature of  worbla meant I could reheat flatten and start over again.) After the 2nd to last time my husband came home from work and decided to help. I laid down flat and he centered it to my face. I stayed there till it cooled.

Important note! -->I want to mention that I heated the mask up for shaping on a low setting on the heat gun. It look longer to heat up and soften but it wasn't too hot to sit on my face. It was really warm but not too hot. Thought I would mention in case anyone else is molding to skin. The face can be sensitive.

First layer of Gesso!

And more GESSO!!!!
I didn't do any sanding because it was taking off my detail on the small swirls. But usually I would suggest sanding.

1 To 2 layers of black acrylic paint.

For all the raised detail I used silver acrylic paint. The top eyelashes and the rest of the rest of the detail are the same paint. On the lashes I put it on thickly. Where everywhere else I would paint a little then dapp off quickly with a papertowel. This gave a light silver sheen. Then I went through with the black again to touch up the edges.

Its hard to tell in person but I took a pallet of different grayblue shades and created some dimension to it.
I layered mod podge as my sealer and gloss coat.

I hotglued to loops of yarn with felt to make a strap to help keep it on.

Vala! I have the mask done.

I also made a feather clip add-on. Another day for that post.

OH! AND LOOK AT THE MESS! I usually make a little crafting nest. I stole the living-room for about a month. It got cleaned up... eventually!

rant

This kinda got at me... (and I am in a mood to be got at) so if you don't want to hear me rant over something probably stupid (come on, it's the internet) Then move along. Its this article 5 Cosplay Tips for Your Next Nerd Conventino that I came upon while looking at cosplay pictures. Please fellow cosplayers don't listen to it. I am thinking most of you are smart enough to do that automatically.

For 1 you shouldn't dress for harassment levels. You dress as what you want to dress as. You show as much skin as your comfortable with, with the character you like (and of course the guidelines of whatever con you go too). Of course you need to be aware that some people in the world are mean (especially on the internet) and many say nasty things. Prepare for that, yes, but just like you shouldn't dress modestly because of potential rape "oh it might tempt them" [see awesome blog Smokin' Hot Conversations:Elizabeth Marrow on Modesty ] nor should you dress for harassment. That behavior is uncalled for. No excuse. Period. Don't let it stop you from doing what you love. I don't know about you but most cosplayers I know don't choose a cosplay for attention. They choose for fun.

For 2 I don't think you HAVE to know every aspect of your character or show/move/comic etc. Sometimes a character is chosen because one is a fan of Cosplay and it looked fun and interesting to make. Example Yaya Han's Code Geas She is a fan but not necessarily of the show/manga itself. That's what I got out of her comment anyway. I love Catwoman but the DC multiverse is super confusing. Besides one could be just new... so therefore not know much yet. Don't judge others.

3 Connect with who and what you want to connect with. Who cares. Just have fun! last Con I was Yin from Darker than Black on Sunday... the people I went to the con with where dressed up as Winry from FMA and Ichigo from Bleach. We later played a very awesome game of Gloom with 2 ponies.

Which brings me to 4
Who stays in character all the time? Sure you should try if you are competing on stage and it makes better pictures. But all the time? This is not LARP. This is cosplay. Be who you are. Be who you are comfortable bring. Unless it's a really bad jerk, don't be a jerk. It is just not cool.

5 is the only one that doesn't bother me much.
A good cosplay does pay attention to the detail. Usually it's the detail that makes or breaks it. That said, it usually cost time and money that not everyone has. It may not win competitions. As long as you are enjoying yourself then who cares. Btw whats with this "real world"? Maybe my life is a dream...

To be honest I wonder if this person even goes to conventions for fun or even cosplays. Is he even involved in the community?

I have gone to 3 cons (they where on the small side).

My simple advice.
1. Cosplay what you want and enjoy it. Don't be afraid to adjust a costume to suit you. (Like making a bare-midriff not bare if you are uncomfortable)

2. Meet people and talk. You don't' have to be super social but you can meet some amazing people who are into the same things you are.

3. Don't be a creepy jerk. I repeat don't be a creepy jerk. (Girls can do this too, and its not always sexual. Just because it is a con and a whole other culture doesn't mean you throw social niceties out the window. Say please and thank you and be polite. It goes along the same line as Wil Wheaton's slogan.

4. Budget. All of this takes money not just the costumes. There is the admission fees, hotel, food, transportation and of course VENDER'S ROOM :D. Save up, debt is not fun. (tips: go with friends and share hotel fees it cuts cost. Early tickets are cheaper)

5 HAVE FUN! Take pictures. These are memories you are making. Make it worth while and cherish the moments.