Beginners Props!

1. Beginners Props!

2. So, props eh? • This is a guide to get you started making props • I’ll be covering some quick tips, the basic types of props there are and how to make them and how to paint different materials • There will be a Q&A at the end if you want specific advice • I make a lot of my own props out of different materials, this is just covering the cheaper methods that don’t use specialist tools or safety equipment. Great for shared houses!

3. Before you even start making! • Get a good reference of what you’re making! • Figure out how much it will cost! Nothing sucks more than running out of money half way through a project! • Check the convention rules to make sure you’ll be allowed with it! • Figure out how you’ll be travelling to the con!

4. Basic Equipment • Good scissors • Craft knife • Pens that work • Ruler and tape measure • Glue gun • Wood glue/PVA • Contact Adhesive • Super glue/epoxy glue

5. What we’re covering • Swords • Big swords • Guns • Big Guns • Awkward shapes • Basic Armour • Jewlery

6. Swords • To figure out the length of the sword compare the reference to yourself. If it comes to the character’s knee, make it come to yours. • A Katana blade length is from your hand to your nipple. The total length will be ¾ blade ¼ grip. • It needs to be a length that you’d be able to sheathe it.

7. How to scale things up • Print out a good reference and draw a grid over it in 1cm squares • Draw a grid out on the sheet. The squares will be the length of the sword you want divided by the length of the sword in the picture. Sword in picture = 20cm Sword you want = 160cm 160/20=8 … Squares will be 8cmx8cm

8. Swords Materials you can make swords from: • Wood • MDF • Mount board • Craft foam with a core • Foam board

9. Swords from Wood • Cut to shape with a jigsaw. If you’re really hard core you can do it by hand. • Sand it down. A LOT. • Seal with PVA or Car lacquer • Paint with spray for best effect • Seal with clear spray

10. Swords from layers This technique works for mountboard, craft foam and foam board • Draw the sword out on the first layer and cut it out with scissors or a craft knife • Glue the first layer onto the next layer then cut around it • Repeat until desired thickness and strength • If using craft foam build up until the thickness of the core you’re using then cut a groove for it to sit in. Then glue the next layer on to it. • If you use foam board you need to seal the edges or foam will show through

12. Swords from layers Finishing off • Seal with PVA or Gesso • Paint black with acrylic • Paint with metalic acrylics or spray

13. Big Swords These are trickier because you need to make them both light and strong. You need an insert down the middle to support the sword and then you build around it It’s a good idea to weight the hilt to make it easier to lift

14. Big Swords Materials you can make big swords from: Support: • Wooden dowel • PVC Pipe • Metal pipe • Fibreglass rod Blade: • Insulation foam • Polystyrene sheet • Mount board • Camping mat

16. Big Swords • Either seal with PVA, Gesso or Papier-mâché if the shape is awkward. If the texture is really rough use masking tape or duct tape to seal. • Paint with black acrylic • Paint with metallic acrylics or spray

17. Guns • The easiest way to make a gun is to buy a cheap toy base then build over the top of it. • You can mount board, craft foam, plastic parts and whatever else you find to make it the right shape.

18. Piece of leather cut to shape Medical tubing Button Plastic wine glasses cut up Base gun

19. Big Guns • Big guns are best made from PVC tubing or Big cardboard tubes. You get plastic pipe from B&Q and you can beg fabric places for cardboard tubes. • Use the same principals as for smaller guns, but remember the structure has to be solid.

20. Plumbing part PVC Pipe Wooden dowel with cupboard hinge Polystyrene carved to shape then covered with mountboard Gun butt from toy

21. Awkward Shapes This is for when you need to make a weird thing on a prop that you can’t cut out of a square. Materials you can use are: • Papier-mâché • Milliput • Fimo • Friendly plastic • Carved foam (polystyrene or insulation foam)

22. Using Papier-mâché • Create the shape you want using paper/tissue paper or chicken wire • Tear up strips so there are no cut edges • I use wood glue because it strengthens the sword and makes it more waterproof. PVA will also do but it’s not as strong • Do at least 2 layers. Leave yourself at least a week to complete this because of drying times

23. Basic Armour Materials you can make armour from: • Mountboard • Craftfoam • Papier-mâché for weird bits

24. Mountboard armour • Build the shape by cutting pieces out and gluing them with Wood glue. Hold them in place with masking tape while they dry • Paint black when all finished • Then paint in desired colour

25. Craft foam • Create shape out of foam. Support where necessary • Glue with glue gun or contact adheasive • You NEED to seal the foam before painting or it will rub off. Seal with layers of PVC or Gesso. • Paint in colours of your choice

27. Basic Armour The hardest part with armour is figuring out how to attach it to the costume/yourself. Some options are: • Poppers/snaps which go through the armour • Velcro (needs to be stuck with contact adhesive and only works with light armour • Lacing. Make holes in the armour/underneath it and tie it on yourself. • Straps with buckles. These are traditionally how armour is attached so can look quite cool. • Rivet it to the actual costume. You can buy rivets off ebay for cheap

28. Jewlery • Things you can use to make jewlery: • Fimo • Friendly plastic • Milliput • Craft foam • Regular jewellery findings

29. Fimo Craft foam Milliput

30. Now ask me questions! If you want a copy of this slide I’ll post it up on the Alcon Forums If you email me at Tab@khaoskostumes.com I can also send it to you My website: Www.KhaosKostumes.Com