AOTC Concept Ventress WIP

[CEGrant]

Your post is oddly well timed, as Kate and I were just today discussing the seams on the grey shirt! We had talked about piping but noticed that your shirt wasn't exactly "piped" (is that a word?). I'll pass along the shoelace info.

 

I see your point about the leather neck. The duct tape was rather awkward to move in, and I imagine leather would be the same. We're using .7mm leather for the leather parts. I might be interested in that fabric, I'll double check with Kate and get back to you.

 

Thanks for the info on the make-up! I'm impressed you pulled off that look without airbrushing! I'll have to try the Ben Nye stuff and see what I think. I do have some translucent setting powder to use, and some fixing spray from Kryolan.

 

I got into the Kryolan order last night.

 

 

I think this stuff will be MUCH easier to work with than the drugstore brands I was trying before (for the lips, eyes, etc).

 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your input. I'm learning some hard lessons the easy way, from you.

[CEGrant]

More fabric fun!

 

Sunburst pleat fabric is hard to come by. Most of it was either chiffon or made for window drapes. Kate is a digger though, and she found this vintage skirt:

 

 

She said it's a rather full skirt so we'll have plenty of fabric to work with. It's exciting to see it in context with the other fabrics:

 

 

Kate also made a mock-up of the shirt to test it out, since she made the pattern from scratch by cobbling together several patterns from past costumes. Here it is on the dress-form (which is a bit smaller than me ). This isn't the fabric the actual shirt will be made of.

 

 

We got into a rather lengthy conversation about the neck collar, after Lady B made the point about shoulder movement and real leather. We decided we'd like to try to make the collar out of real leather, with horizontal boning stitched in to give it a firm, fitted, armor-like look. In light of that, we are going to model the contours on this concept art piece:

 

 

This will keep it up away from the shoulders a bit more. If that idea crashes and burns, I may still get in touch with you about purchasing that fabric Lady B. I thank you VERY much for the kind offer. We'll see how this goes, lol.

 

I think we might have to move the shoulder seam on the shirt though, if it won't be covered by the mantle. I'm gonna talk to Kate about this.

[CEGrant]

Progress continues! Kate has cut the fabric for the top and is working on designing the collar. She plans to use both vertical and horizontal boning, though only the horizontal boning will be visible, to give the collar the ribbed look in the art piece above.

 

Since we are two crazy girls, and decided to use leather for all of the non-cloth pieces, there isn't much room for error on the fit. (Kate reports that the .7mm leather does have a bit of give to it though, thank goodness.) So I decided to do another custom duct tape pattern.

 

 

As you can see in the next picture, I have scrawny T-Rex forearms. Hopefully this mock-up will help Kate make the leather wraps accurately.

 

[eliste]

I just recently did leather gauntlets myself for a different project. Be cautious around the wrist. I had to add in a closure there as otherwise my hand couldn't get through, even with a custom pattern. But the pattern looks good!

 

 

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[CEGrant]

I just recently did leather gauntlets myself for a different project. Be cautious around the wrist. I had to add in a closure there as otherwise my hand couldn't get through, even with a custom pattern. But the pattern looks good!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

I was wondering about that too. I was thinking maybe a hidden zipper on the underside of the wrist, just enough to allow the narrow wrist section to open up enough for my hand to get through. My wrists are pretty small, so I could see that being an issue. Thanks for confirming this.

 

What type of closure did you use?

[eliste]

I did a hidden zip, which was annoying and fiddly, but worked out well. It would probably be the best best for you too, since buttons don't really seem to fit the reference pics. Amidala's fireside gown has an opening/button close if you want to have a look at that option, but I think the zip is probably your best shot. I had to run it for about 4 inches up into my palm. I think in retrospect, because it bugs me, that I'd put it along the outside of my hand/side of arm if I did it again.

 

 

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[CEGrant]

Concerning makeup. I think what you've done looks good, but since you menchened the oil based stuff being quite pricey, I thought I'd share what I used.

 

Ben Nye color cake foundation a combination of the colors PC-022 Geisha and PC-2 Porcelain

 

Hey Lady B, can you take a peek at this link for me please? It's the Ben Nye foundation and it has the colors you mentioned, but they look more pinkish white than greyish white. I don't know if the colors changed or if the online pictures aren't doing it justice.

 

http://www.alconeco.com/ben-nye-creme-foundation-proscenium-series

 

To me, it looks like P-1 White and P-15 Cadaver Grey would be a fit. What do you think?

[CEGrant]

 

This arrived today, via USPS. I ordered it from Alcone, and chose the cheapest shipping. It arrived in two days, so a big thumbs up for that company.

 

I applied a test patch of the adhesive to my neck and I'll wear it around today, make sure it doesn't react.

[ladyb]

Concerning makeup. I think what you've done looks good, but since you menchened the oil based stuff being quite pricey, I thought I'd share what I used.

 

Ben Nye color cake foundation a combination of the colors PC-022 Geisha and PC-2 Porcelain

 

Hey Lady B, can you take a peek at this link for me please? It's the Ben Nye foundation and it has the colors you mentioned, but they look more pinkish white than greyish white. I don't know if the colors changed or if the online pictures aren't doing it justice.

 

http://www.alconeco.com/ben-nye-creme-foundation-proscenium-series

 

To me, it looks like P-1 White and P-15 Cadaver Grey would be a fit. What do you think?

 

Comparing the actual makup with the screen, my makeup is lighter than the stuff on screen. Think of Geisha as slightly lighter than the lightest foundation. Porcelain is a light grayish slightly blueish color.

 

As to the color P-1 White I've tried it and felt a little like a clown. It is just too white I think. As far as P-15 Cadaver Grey I've never tried it. Can't say one way or the other.

 

Do you per chance live near a costume shop or somewhere where they sale theatrical makeup? My experience has been that you can try things out and thus get just what you want.

[CEGrant]

Unfortunately I live in the middle of rural Michigan. It's fine, I'll order them and try them out; I was just double checking that I had the correct ones. And thanks for thanks for the warning about the white!

 

Kate got a bunch of work done on the shirt this weekend! It just needs to be hemmed. Here it is on her:

 

 

 

Her shoulders are narrower than mine. Here it is on my duct tape shoulder form.

 

 

I am so happy with how it looks so far.

[ionicdesign]

It is looking good, keep up the great work.

 

I wouldn't use this as reference, though the person who made it has done a lot of concept art, i think this was just for fun/fan art (there is no indication they worked on anything Star Wars).

 

 

 

The Dark Horse Republic comics have some of the best references for this Ventress.

 

 

 

 

etc.

 

Both styles of shoulder armour are fine, she was drawn both ways, all good.

 

[CEGrant]

Cool, thanks for the clarification.

[CEGrant]

Hello everyone.

 

With the shirt mostly done, Kate moved on to the collar. She started with the lining, which is reinforced with vertical boning:

 

 

Then she started adding horizontal strips of leather:

 

 

Her first attempt used four tiers of leather, but we weren't super happy with the way it came out. It's a little too Christmas tree in shape:

 

 

So she redid it with five tiers. Much better:

 

 

Due to the boning, Kate says it lays very flat and immobile in the front, so we should only need hidden attachments in the back to keep it from flapping up.

 

Kate is now starting on the gloves. We are putting a hidden zipper on the under arm to allow for getting them on and off. Kate is putting in a liner so the zipper won't rub my arm.

 

I found some pleather that matched the boots I got so now it's time to figure out how to make the straps! Luckily another 501st member in Michigan is very knowledgable about leather working and she'll be giving me advice.

[ionicdesign]

Looking good.

 

 

Due to the boning, Kate says it lays very flat and immobile in the front, so we should only need hidden attachments in the back to keep it from flapping up.

 

Be sure. A little tacking down on all sides is probably a good idea.

 

How does it feel, is it reasonably comfortable to wear?

[CEGrant]

Looking good.

 

 

Due to the boning, Kate says it lays very flat and immobile in the front, so we should only need hidden attachments in the back to keep it from flapping up.

 

Be sure. A little tacking down on all sides is probably a good idea.

 

How does it feel, is it reasonably comfortable to wear?

 

So far Kate's been trying it on herself; I haven't worn it yet. As far as the tacking, we can see how it goes. There are horizontal stays running through the leather that keep it from flapping up.

 

This is what she had to say about putting it on herself:

 

"And voila! Amazing right? I hope you think so, too! It will not even need snaps in the front; it is very flush against the body in front and doesn't try to move at all. I can move my arms freely, even over my head, though of course there is a bit of resistance, just like trying to bend over in a loose corset. It pops out a bit in back, but 3 snaps to the shirt back will solve that problem, if the pins on my dressform are any indication."

 

Snaps are something we can add to the front later, if it becomes necessary. She's been spending time on the gloves this week, so I should have update photos of those in the next day or two.

[ionicdesign]

Snaps work, you just do't want it to cast a shadow from riding above (even if it doesn't move) the shirt.

 

I hope it works well for you.

[CEGrant]

Thanks

 

Kate finished the skirt this week.  It's hard to see when it's not on a real person, but it does have two slits--one over each thigh.

 

 

She also made the leather forearm wraps.  They are lined with the same fabric used on the sides of the top, which is pretty darn cute.  They have a discrete zipper on the underside of the forearm.

 

 

 

 

So we still need to construct the obi, the belt buckle and the belt.  Also I need to make and attach the straps and buckles for the boots.  It's coming along!

[ionicdesign]

Kate finished the skirt this week.  It's hard to see when it's not on a real person, but it does have two slits--one over each thigh.

 

 

She also made the leather forearm wraps.  They are lined with the same fabric used on the sides of the top, which is pretty darn cute.  They have a discrete zipper on the underside of the forearm.

 

 

Looking good. She can have but doesn't have to have slits so it is fine either way.

 

 

 

She also made the leather forearm wraps.  They are lined with the same fabric used on the sides of the top, which is pretty darn cute.  They have a discrete zipper on the underside of the forearm.

 

 

The wraps look comfy. How are you going to add the lines so they looks wrapped/gathered?

 

 

If making the obi version, be sure the belt is the right details. The belt when she wears the obi is different from the others, 

 

She's only wearing it a couple times in the comics, here: 

 

and when she battles Anakin on Curuscant. 

[CEGrant]

As far as the belt, we are going with the wider single belt with the side straps that have rings for hooking the sabers.

 

On the wraps, thanks for pointing that out. We'll have to figure out a solution.

[CEGrant]

Hope everyone had a great Spring Break/Easter!

 

So, in regards to the wrapped look of the wraps, we decided to add actual wraps! The current gloves will act as the base and long leather straps will wrap around them almost like an ace bandage. We had to order more leather for this, so pics will be coming hopefully next week.

 

But much progress was made in other areas. First off the belt buckle. A prop maker friend of mine helped me out on this (translation: made it cheap; I owe him beer). Here are some photos of the work in progress and the finished piece:

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's no intended to be functional; it will be seen in place in the metal belt. Next post will have pics of the soft parts progress.

[CEGrant]

Hello again!  All right, time for more pictures.

 

Kate added zippers to the shirt for ease of donning.  Ideally, I'd like to be able to put the shirt on AFTER applying the make up.  So we have one small side zipper, which will be hidden the obi:

 

 

And one zipper at the back of the neck, which will be hidden by the collar:

 

 

We put a great deal of thought into the arrangement of the the arm wraps.  As I mentioned in the last post, we decided to add long leather strips to the arms, which will the used as wraps around the existing leather gloves.  (This will also allow us to cover the juncture between the sleeve and the glove, by laying the wrap over it.)  So we had to figure out how to attach the gloves to the shirt.  We wanted to make sure it was secure, and also make it sleek.  So Kate came up with using this stuff, I think she called it snap tape?  I can't remember.    So the gloves will be hooking to the shirt:

 

 

Kate also constructed the obi.  We use a pattern we found online, that people use when making Jedi obi.  It ties in the front, which can be hidden by the belt.  I really love how it came out:

 

 

So here it is all put together, as we have it so far:

 

 

Work still to be done includes the belt, and adding the leather straps for the wrapping.  I'll do a post in a bit about where I am with the make-up.  

[CEGrant]

I've experimented with a couple of different make-up options.  My first attempt was with Reel Creations airbrush ink and drugstore make-up over a Graftobian bald cap:

 

 

 I also tried out Ben Nye cake make-up:

 

 

 

I only applied a small area.  I dabbed on both with a sea sponge, dusted it with translucent powder and sprayed it with fixing spray:

 

 

I was happy with the color, but it rubbed off rather easily.  I think I prefer the alcohol based airbrush ink, but the Ben Nye is a good alternative for situations where using a airbrush isn't possible.  It was also much easier to remove, lol.

 

The first time I tried the Reel Creations airbrush ink, we used my husbands gravity-fed airbrush.  It's a nice airbrush; he uses it for painting his Chewbacca masks.  But the well was small enough that we were constantly stopping to refill it.  So I ordered this side-fed airbrush:

 

 

I also ordered a set of different sized bottles to attach to it.  This way we won't have to refill during application.  I do need to do a bit more research on portable options.  We have a large air compressor at home, but I need something to take on the road.  I want to look into smaller compressors, or maybe compressed air tanks.

 

I plan on doing my second test run this weekend.  I'll be trying a different bald cap (a Glatzan from Krylon).  This cap is much tighter, and is a thinner material.  I think I'll need a flesh-toned base layer under the Reel Creations, as my hair color shows through this bald cap.  We'll see how it goes.  This bald cap seems much less prone to wrinkling, so I'm hoping it works out.

 

I'm accumulating quite the pile of make-up.  I need to look into buying a case.  I'd like to buy a wheeled make-up case with a combination of deep and shallow drawers/containers.  Luckily there seem to be many options.  

 

I'll post again when I try the make-up this weekend.  

[ionicdesign]

When fully set the Ben Nye can hold up to a lot, even light rain. We've had it happen a couple of times. 

[CEGrant]

Wow April was such a busy month.  C7 was a blast though.

 

Anyway....here we go! More pictures.

 

Kate is pretty much done, though she is going to alter the belt to hide the middle bar on the buckle.

 

She used herself as a model for these photos and she's about 7 inches shorter than me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love the way the wraps came out once she added the strap to create the wrapped look.  Some of the items look out of scale since she's shorter, and I can't wait to see it on me.

 

Comments welcome!

[ionicdesign]

Nor can we, I hope it comes together well.