Creating a Demon Costume

I'm a costumer and like to challenge myself. Frequently, I try things that I'm not even sure will work. This costume was one of those times that it did work out rather beautifully.

This costume of mine was actually built in 2004. Being a fan of Hellboy (and of course, monsters), I got the idea into my head to try to build a Sammael suit. The techniques I used for him could easily be applied to any other sort of creepy squishy skinned critter or demon. It is very work intensive and there are cases where there were better ways to go about doing what I did but they were unavailable to me at the time. I offer alternative suggestions where I can.

The hours put into this costume from start to finish was over 200 hours spread over about four months. The cost was roughly $500.

Thank you for checking out my first Instructable, and I hope that it helps give you ideas for big, creepy monsters of your own!

Step 1 Concept

Generally, it's a lot easier to work on something complicated like this type of costume if you do some concept art first. It will solidify the idea in your head and help you sort out problems before you start doing the actual work.

In this case, I did a front and side view in mechanical pencil. This allowed me to figure out where the splits in the body would have to be to allow me to move and get a feel of how it would affect the costume as a whole.

It is not necessary to stick to the concepts fully when you start building. As you will see, some things evolved from the concept art as I worked on the actual costume.

Comments

[amachia]

how much of every thing do u need?

[dragonfyredawn]

To be honest, I couldn't say. I bought foam as I needed it, so I don't have a definite amount there (and it'd depend on what kind of critter you're doing and your body size). It took about a dozen containers of plasti-dip to coat the foam. Beyond that, it was small amounts of whatever I needed.

[apitner]

Have you ever worked with fosshape or wonderflex? Seems both of these could be used for a lighter easier way ..? Thoughts

[eross-1]

awesome! luv Hellboy!

[nhuber2]

Actually i was wondering i'm trying to build a body suit to complete my godzilla costume i have a rubber mask and gloves, but i'm trying to make it have spines and everything like a normal godzilla costume would. but i have no idea where i would get out of the costume. or what to put underneath the foam. not sure about the texture because since my mask is rubber it would have to look very similar in order for it to work. I see allot of similar monster costumes made out of foam at G-fest in chicago.

[Deathatsix]

Really nice work! i like your choice in deamons too, very brutal looking. really good tutorial too.

[ttrat]

 Quite a dashing creation my friend.

[marjorieallea]

 Or could the wearer could wear an allover cotton/spandex suit in matching color?

[dragonfyredawn]

That could work, but there'd be the danger of pieces sliding down as you walk around because of nothing holding them to eachother.  The method I used prevented most slipping of the costume pieces as well as bulking up the joints so they didn't look too odd.  If you do use a suit underneath, I'd recommend spandex over cotton.  The cotton would catch on the foam more and make it more difficult to put on/remove the costume.  

[marjorieallea]

 Awesome!

[eyebot117]

Cool. I attempted to make a robot costume, but things didn't turn out the scale that I wanted them to be, so I ditched the whole idea. I was going to look something like this: I actually even got the head piece to fit me, but the body was where I screwed up!

[cowscankill]

Holy cow! How did you plan on putting all the spikes on it?!

[eyebot117]

Yes, but they would've been flattish.... I would've cut triangles out of 2L bottle plastic, and flattened it out... The green plastic was what I was going to use for all of the green armor, but I ran out of motivation for the whole thing.......

[cowscankill]

Oh, well it would still be cool for armored leggings and vambraces :D and shoulder pads...

[pokiespout]

 Fantastic, my friend.  Let us join forces and conquer Halloween!

[Honus]

Very, very cool. It's just awesome. I'm also a huge Hellboy fan and was watching it the other day and wondering if anyone has done a Sammael costume (I'm currently working on my Rasputin...)

[MaxImmum]

Absolutely fantastic!!! You are truly amazing. Do think I could wear just a spandex outfit underneath it?

[dragonfyredawn]

A spandex body suit or a race top/bike shorts combo should work. It may even work better than what I had, since the foam would probably slide over the spandex a little easier.

[thaicares]

srry but still a little to ritch for me I'm more into the make something cool or useful for a max of 10 bucks maybe when i start making more I'll get into this kinda stuff only a teen here

[mg0930mg]

$10, that's not going to do much, I usually get a $60 costume, then use pieces for the costume next year.

[the streek]

Excellent tutorial! I am using your ideas to craft a halloween costume of my own...

[porkdemon]

dude, awesome work, that is a wicked costume, awesome work, freaking sweet.

[boukisan]

Nice. Like the subtle coloring and shape - it looks quite natural. This is a great instructable that actually makes something previously unfathomable possible as a DIY project. I think that's the point of this site, right? Oh yeah - it's great to see complete sentences with punctuation and grammar.

[punk12345678]

you have put so much detail into the foam and the main costume.but the colour isnt detailed

[unbentcrayfish]

for people that know of silent hill: make pyramid-head!!!!!!!!!!! if you dont know that he is google it.... that would be great

[eyebot117]

I wonder if there's a way to rig a tail and have it swing back and forth, and possibly up and down......... THAT would be something......

[thaicares]

cool but near about to expenseve to be worthwile

[dragonfyredawn]

Depending on where you are, you might be able to get the materials cheaper. At a guess, I think you might be able to knock it down to $300-400 if you had easy access to the supplies. I also recouped my investment in this case - a Halloween contest with a cash prize allowed me to break even.

[Fylke]

Sweet job man! I love these over-the-top projects that I would never imagine undertaking but is greatly inspiring nonetheless! I especially love the extended arms, makes for that extra sweet touch! Check out my Koopa costume for something similar but less daunting perhaps.

[kissiltur]

astonishing detail - I salute you!

[robotguy4]

Nice reference pictures! Ever seen this website? www.the-blueprints.com

[dragonfyredawn]

Thank you! Heh. I do believe I have, but it's been so long I had forgotten about it! When I was in college we were sent there to get reference for a 3D modeling assignment!

[zygote90]

wow, the first ible you submit on the day you sign up and it gets featured, thats amazing, as is the costume, its a piece of art thats what it is. Lol mad props man, great job

[SinAmos]

Kind of kewl-kewl, beans. Great job.

[LuminousObject]

Thats amazing!

[mikeasaurus]

The results speak for themselves, this costume looks amazing! Well written and documented instructions, you've done a really good job with this design. I can't wait to see more monstrous creations!