Winter Soldier Cosplay
The making of my Winter Soldier cosplay! This was a fun one -- lots of challenges and new techniques for me! Watched a lot of videos to get some confidence and inspiration -- and to figure out where to begin the process. This one (https://youtu.be/hyHUMSdyd0o?si=ccMliTrMBhKgy79i) from Greg Enriquez had a fabulous template that I used as a starting point for the mask, tweaking here and there to include a few more screen-accurate details. This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahKH1tMBOSE&t=336s) from Emily Boe and this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsMWtlPYCo4&t=17s) from ANDCosplay were extremely influential in my process for tackling the arm. I'd been wanting to make this cosplay for over 10 years, and finally made high school me's dream a reality!
Mask made from embroidery leather, aida cloth, and EVA foam. Arm made from EVA foam, art thermoplastic, and late nights of contact cement destroying my sanity.
Had to do The Pose!
A quick proof-of-concept makeup test!
It's not a fun project unless your supplies are sprawled all over the table!
Front panel in-progress
Front panel affixed to main mask
Spent quite some time staring at tiny details
Progress!
Close-up of the stitching details on both panels before they were glued to each side
Finished!!
Duct tape and plastic wrap cast of my arm
Tracing out the pattern pieces
Pattern pieces cut out!
Pattern pieces transferred to a more permanent cardstock (you know, for all those times I'll be making my left arm again in the future), and traced out onto EVA foam
Mentally preparing myself to cut out all the foam pieces
Arm!
Making yet another duct tape and plastic wrap cast of my arm, this time detached from my body and serving a different purpose
Arm plating details all cut out of second cast and ready to be traced onto more EVA foam
Figuring out the most economical layout
Attaching the pieces onto the forearm
Pieces attached to the upper arm
Like the caption says...
Sanding done after 5 layers of mod podge! Sprayed with two coats of a gloss black.
Testing out the fit of the silver sleeve I made (not my best work, but it gets the job done underneath the arm pieces!)
Sanding down the arm one last time (please let it be the last time....my real arm was in so much pain)
Like the caption says...
I was so nervous I'd get orange-peeling during this stage...terrified that I'd have to sand AGAIN.
Absolutely THRILLED I wouldn't have to sand again and could finally call it a night!
(Like I said)
Still need to make a strap to keep the upper arm in place, but overall super proud of how this turned out!
Took advantage of a gorgeous snowfall to do a little photoshoot!
Accidental Hamlet pose