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Asajj Ventress: WIP Concept


Fain

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So I guess it's time I start one of these. For me my first step will probably be a little different than others. I'm a graphic artist by nature/hobby. So my first step is going to be using Z-brush, Poser and Photoshop to generate a figure of Ventress that will be exactly what I'm looking to do. I'm working on collecting images to this goal (go print screen!!! and yes this means I get to watch the Nightsister episodes of Clone Wars over and over again, no complaints to be heard for miles around on that one. I LOVE to rewatch my fave episodes of movies/tvshows). I find having the ability to render out the images in 3D space in every angle under natural lights will help me with both the painting of the makeup/tattoos (since I will have already done this in a linear environment and then wrapped it onto a figure I will know how the lines distort from perfectly linear over facial structure) and it will also give me an idea of those little hidden spaces you don't see on pictures for sewing/assembling. I also find it easier to get shading of makeup to be more accurate when having to completely alter my facial color. The fact that I am naturally pale will actually play into my favour here as it'll make the gray-white makeup easier to apply/blend. Bonus I can do more fan art...

 

I'm currently looking into bald cap options. Though I don't have a lot of hair (as I tend to keep it short) I do have some that I'd like to keep otherwise my boss might well be a little upset with me. Or just assume I'm as crazy as he thinks I am. The only problem I have is that I don't have anyone to help me paint myself. Thus I need to find a way to paint the skull cap before it is glued onto my head and then blend. Only thing is most of the ones out there are stretchy and I've yet to find a permanent painting technique. I've looked online into a couple of options from Malabar one of the costume shops I know in the area. They have some interesting things on their site. But it doesn't give me enough information.

 

Unfortunately I'm new as grass to the world of buying and obtaining these items and how to apply them. I've had them on before or helped in their preparation for Drama productions in my youth and I'm a fair hand at stage makeup but I have never had to procure any. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

I'm currently making a list of materials and possible locations where to obtain them. I will most likely end up sewing most of my own costume which will be an interesting challenge. I used to sew all the time as I did upholstery for antique cars and costumes. However, that was before the accident so this will be my first try at sewing since the accident. 

 

Challenges to overcome:

- brace builtin or under the right arm/wrist wrap

- painting the bald cap prior to putting it on

- light sabers (I could easily hold one for a long period of time. Holding the second will be very very challenging.) 

- patterns for the belt (the skirt I could easily use any of wide base skirt patterns and for the shirt I can cut up one of my stretchy shirts that are getting on the ratty side and use as a basic template to transfer onto paper)

- fastenings that can be done one handed or very easy to do up without assistance (the shirt won't be a problem as it's stretchy and should be relatively easy to put on so long as I don't make the right arm too skin tight I shouldn't have any negative side effects and it won't have fasteners. The neck piece will be interesting to put on, but should be relatively easy to figure out. The skirt I could make an elastic waistband to eliminate the need for a zipper or ties. The belts are what are going to be the biggest challenge there). 

- sensitive skin makeup/inks (just means I need to find the higher end products and pay a little more, by far not the hardest challenge. They usually have a lot of options especially since in our modern age there are so many variety. It'll be more a matter of finding someone who knows about the products out there then anything else.)

 

So that's where I'm at. I figured I'd start with something at least to show that I'm still interested in being a part of the community. It will be a long project. I have a goal in mind, but whether or not I reach this goal is yet to be seen. On September 22nd I'll be in Ottawa so I'll be going around to the stores then and gathering up the fabric I need to get started.

 

I'll also be looking into the stores for makeup options and product lines. If anyone has any suggestions these would be appreciated.

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Like you, I don't really have anyone to help me with my bald cap and makeup. When I made my Klingon costume a few years back, I blended liquid makeup into the latex to match the headpiece to my skin tone, but I'm not sure how that will work with Asajj's light grey skin color. When I get a chance to try that, I'll let you know if it works.

 

I haven't gotten to the belt yet. I think that will be the biggest challenge after the bald cap and makeup. I plan to visit my local leather store and see if they can give me ideas and/or help.

 

For the lightsabers, you could simply attach the hilts to your belt and not use the blades. If you want to use them with blades, you can join the two sabers together to hold them in one hand, since she is known for doing that. 

 

I think it might be fairly simple to design a wrist wrap that has velcro on the inside of your wrist. I would use a stretchy fabric as a base, and look for fabric that appears leather-like but has some stretch to it for the wraps. Sew a tube that's about 3-4 inches wider than the widest part of your lower arm with the brace on it. That will give you enough fabric to finish the seams and add overlap for the velcro. Wrap the outside fabric over that (using some sort of support inside of the fabric tube), then sew down the wraps with two lengthwise seams on either side of where the velcro would need to be. Then you can cut the tube in between the two seams, finish the edges, and add the velcro. 

 

Maybe you can find a way sew the wraps directly to the brace, if you have an extra brace that you can use for the costume, and if the brace can be modified like that.

 

I'm also working on this costume, although I'm taking a break from it while I get the house ready for our upcoming move. 

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Hi Wraith.

 

Those are amazing suggestions thank you.

 

I have sewn leather before for doing car upholstery and it can be quite challenging depending on how thick the seams end up being. A lot of machines cannot sew leather. I know this place near Heron and Bronson (or is it airport road there?) I'm not from the city sorry, I know where I'm going just not where there is lol. However the leather store there is really great. I don't know if they sell the leather I'm looking for for this project, but I can let you know after I go there on the 22nd. 

 

I really like the idea for the brace/wraps! I can get a spare brace easily enough and modify it to be a part of the costume. It's what I'm going to do with a bra since I can't do up the straps. I'm going to include it into the costume itself by sewing it in like an undershirt. Similar to those tank tops with bra's in them. 

 

I was thinking of getting a foam head or ball that would be close to the size of my head to pin the bald cap on in order to paint it. I'm hoping that a liquid latex will stretch with the fabric of the bald cap better if I stretch if first.

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HI! Kim! How've you been? 

 

Little update:

 

I've actually made some good progress. I've figured out that my original plan for the bald head will have to be modified. My father and I are going to be doing a cast of my face to make a mask instead. It'll be much easier for me to put on and I can utilize his mad skills at painting to do the skin/tattoos. Which will only leave my hands in need of bodypaint. Much better then having to try and glue something around my ears. At least this way the glue will only be around my eyes/mouth. Which is actually ten times easier as I can do it myself. Still a few things to figure out in this process. Like how to get a full head cast rather then just a face cast. I've done the face casting in drama many times so that's easy enough. Except that cats make it very interesting... 

 

I haven't gotten out to the stores yet to check on where I'll be purchasing what. I do have a list of things that I'll be looking for. I've decided that I'll start with the sewing portion and poke around with the mask idea a little more to see. Makeup is an interesting dilemma I have come to realize. I am completely dense at it on myself, even though I can do it on others. And painting the back of my own head... not going to be possible. 

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After going to my first event and talking to some great people who gave me some amazing feedback and information I've decided to shift my Ventress costume to the Night Sister as it will be both easier to do and with the hood wouldn't require so much makeup or a skull cap. And therefore completely gets rid of the mask and problems that would pose. I'm very excited to research which fabrics would be good and to begin actually building the outfit. My plan is to go on October 9th to check out some local stores and see if I can't find some fabric to get started!

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I started working on my medallions for the Nightsister Ventress Costume. It's looking REALLY good so far. As soon as they are painted I'll add my pictures from start to finish to this thread for everyone to see. It was a really awesome adventure in getting back to the shop. 

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