Mystic Lord costume: horns, armor, silk painting + more (oh my)

 by houseofdarkly
Featured
orlouge2SM.jpg
SForlouge.jpg
The making of a crazy costume, more or less from start to finish, with some fun techniques to surprise your friends and confound your enemies. Condensed version of four months of my life, neatly packaged for your convenience - because doesn't everyone want to be a feared and adored demon sorcerer?

This is my first Instructable, so please feel free to ask questions or comment or whatever. I'm a very OCD costumer but I'm also certain that the same methods I used could easily be applied to whatever you wanted to do. Because of the complexity of the costume, most of the individual steps could have been Instructables in themselves; but I've tried to be concise and clear with the explanations so you can apply my methods on your own projects.

I've been costuming for about five years now. For some insane reason, I had been jonesing for something complex and challenging enough to make my brain melt out of my ears. So, I actually sat down and tried to THINK of something really hard I could make. Finally, going through a folder of images, I found a design I'd previously dismissed immediately after looking at it as a real pain because it had at least two things I didn't know how to make - armor, and giant horns.

The character in question is Mystic Lord Orlouge from the Square RPG SaGa Frontier. It's an older game, from back when there was still a pretty large gap between concept artwork and the in-game graphics. If you've been playing games for longer than a few years, you probably remember the mild disappointment when a game didn't exactly match with the explosively fanciful cover artwork. In the game, Orlouge is a moderately interesting little super-deformed villain. Tomomi Kobayashi's artwork, however, paints a much richer picture than the practical confines of the game.

The great thing about working from illustrations is what happens if you think about the restrictions on other types of designs.
A) Live-action, music, etc - has already existed in reality and therefore cannot break any laws of physics. (Any person who's done live-action costumes knows that finding the exact that someone ELSE used is a huge pain, though.)
B) Animation - can break laws of physics from here till Doomsday, but has to be simple enough to be re-drawn say 32 times a second.
C) Comics - can break laws of physics and vary from page to page, but still has to be drawn multiple times (on a deadline).
D) Illustrations (for novels, covers, artbooks, etc) - only has to be drawn once, can make Newton roll over in his grave, and doesn't have to make any sense to anyone but the (one) person drawing it.

So, obviously, if you're looking for a sanity-killer, illustrations are the way to go. Thanks, Kobayashi-san! ;)
 
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Step 1: Breakdown

gamesnap2SM.jpg
orlougecouchsm.jpg
SForlouge.jpg
I guess for me a costume begins and ends with a breakdown (just not the same kind). Before I actually start a costume, I spend a good long time with whatever references I have making sure I understand exactly what it involves. This means I have to figure out what each piece is, how they relate to each other.

There are some unique challenges when you're working from an illustration. The great thing about the "vagueness" of art that doesn't have to be redrawn (depending on the artist's style, of course) is that it gives you room to make some of your own choices. I'm primarily a cosplayer and most of the time only do recreations of anime, games, movies, bands, etc; so creativity is a real luxury in a hobby comprised of imitation. The bad thing is you have to figure out what the heck that squiggle is supposed to be, and what that means about the squiggle next to it, and when to ignore it because it really IS just a squiggle and isn't supposed to be anything at all. This can be especially infuriating when you may only have one reference.

For this project, the images below comprise ALL my references. I had two illustrations by Kobayashi and the in-game sprite (represented here by a sexy photo of my TV), none of which quite agreed with each other on the details. Often, you don't have ANY reference for what a costume might look like from behind. Basically, you start with the elements common to your references, then analyze the ones which are similar (and pick what you prefer), and resign yourself to (or celebrate) making up the remainder.

Once I have a fairly good idea in my head, I usually draw my own references. They don't have to be coherent, and they certainly don't have to be very artistic; but they're very useful to refer to when you're trying to remember how YOU wanted something to be. I usually write my notes on what techniques and materials I want to use on these. I also print out the most useful references I have so I don't have to keep running to a grab a book or my computer to check a detail when I start working.

I'm not going to list this as a separate step, but it's really important to figure out which elements of your costume need to be purchased; supplies and things like shoes or wigs. Everything you need to order should be ordered early in your process. Even if deadlines don't really matter to you, it's profoundly frustrating to have to wait for something to arrive.
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juliatheninja says: Oct 24, 2012. 6:45 PM
This method of making horns could be good for homestuck cosplay too :3
OHL says: Sep 28, 2012. 3:23 PM
Hi, This is awesome, How did you find working with that skull cap? Was it sturdy enough for the weight of the headpiece? was it easy to cut and glue and paint?
susanchen2011 says: Apr 27, 2012. 12:27 AM
It looks so amazing.
cherry_nahme says: Feb 9, 2012. 8:34 AM
My good! 8D You're awesome, specially for taking your time to explain your process to others ;w; So nice of you!
MagicScarf says: Oct 1, 2011. 3:13 AM
this will be how i make my unicorn horn and helmet base (pre-mane), thanks so much : )

orvis says: Sep 19, 2011. 7:51 AM
You've made a really incredible costume with a wonderful level of detail and, best of all for the Instructables community, documented it incredibly thoroughly. Thank you so much! Personally I've learned much from your work and documentation.

In addition to all that though, I especially love your horns. They came out so well! You say you bought a 1lb kit - did you use the whole pound?
houseofdarkly (author) in reply to orvisSep 19, 2011. 9:39 PM
Thanks! Really glad to hear from people that it's been useful. :)

I assume you mean the Magic Smooth... I did use the whole 1lb +the start of a second one, but I was using it on the armor as well for a while (not so great for that). If it was just the horns, I probably would've been fine with a 1/2lb kit. Because the stuff's so gloppy, you do lose more of it to mixing and applying than you do with a clay, where you can more easily use every scrap.
orvis in reply to houseofdarklySep 21, 2011. 6:33 PM
Yes the Magic Smooth, sorry.
Excellent. Thank you!
acidXxqueen says: Mar 12, 2011. 4:51 PM
Wow, this is just amazing workmanship.
^_^
theAkKi says: Nov 3, 2010. 6:57 PM
epic anime figures collection in the background! sorry, just had to say that :3
~Zero in reply to theAkKiFeb 13, 2011. 6:57 AM
I know right! I'm loving that Totoro!
ryokoporter says: Sep 2, 2010. 11:54 PM
i'm tired just after reading the instructions for this project. you are a very brave and dedicated soul to take this on with such high standards.
mikoto says: Aug 12, 2010. 9:51 PM
Amazing job. I love all of the extra touches that you added to make this a truly awesome cosplay.
yourworstnightmare says: Jun 5, 2010. 7:34 AM
it would be very helpful if you showed each piece separete ffrom every thing else!
Brilliantpants says: Sep 11, 2009. 11:56 AM
Your costume is PHENOMENAL. Thank you so much for going to the trouble of putting up this instructable! I have some pretty big cosplay dreams myself, and the information you've put up is going to be really helpful!
fartnitro says: Jun 26, 2009. 7:46 AM
This is AWESOME. demonic things are cool =]
jongscx says: Nov 8, 2007. 10:42 PM
I'm sorry... but when I look at your picture, the first thing that comes to mind is: NA... nanana... na... na... na... ... na... Katamari...Damacy!!!! bad thing is, I don't know why... Just thought I'd comment though.
zaro12345 in reply to jongscxJan 30, 2008. 9:29 PM
you missed a na...
_soapy_ in reply to zaro12345Jan 22, 2009. 10:29 AM
Nah.
houseofdarkly (author) in reply to jongscxNov 8, 2007. 10:51 PM
I have no idea why it makes you think of that. But Katamari association can't really be a bad thing, so hey.
taria says: Oct 17, 2008. 2:32 PM
did you at least win? this is amazing btw, not sure if you said how long it took you to make and how much all together it cost you, but I would love to know for future reasons.:) Made my own Yazoo coat and it looks so much like the real one I'm to scared to show it off... I already had 4 people try to steal it. meanies...:)
superquack11 says: Jun 16, 2008. 8:39 PM
is that from a game? if it is, which one?
houseofdarkly (author) in reply to superquack11Aug 22, 2008. 11:43 PM
SaGa Frontier. It's a bit old and obscure! lol.
LemonyPotatoes in reply to houseofdarklySep 22, 2008. 5:46 PM
lol looks like FF
LemonyPotatoes in reply to LemonyPotatoesSep 22, 2008. 5:47 PM
But COOL
urbosssez says: Sep 21, 2008. 11:34 AM
omigodd pretty tightt your freakin innovative!
catra says: Apr 13, 2008. 10:09 PM
This as such an awesome cosplay. I just wanted to add that instead of attempting to find a matching thread to finish the end of cording a product called "fray check" is amazing and dries clear, also slightly singing most fabrics with a lighter - very carefully - will stop them from ever unravelling.
houseofdarkly (author) in reply to catraAug 22, 2008. 11:42 PM
Fray Check is also great for sure. I normally use Fray Block, because it makes things a bit less crunchy (but for some stuff Fray Check is better). But since I didn't mention it in the article, I didn't use it on the cording because it tends to not work well at ALL on braided stuff! It just unspirals. Sometimes I smush a quick-drying glue called Fabric-Tac into the ends, which works for some things - but even though it's slow the thread is a nice finished look.
Batness says: Aug 19, 2008. 12:08 AM
I know some have said this isn't an "instructional" but I think it was! This is brilliant. I have a hard time picturing how to create small parts of costumes. Thanks for the Wonderflex instructions, especially. And those horns are amazing. :D I am working on a project soon, I will try to post my photos.
LadyLuck1337 says: May 27, 2008. 6:09 AM
Wow! My nerd muscles are tingling. That is beautiful. You did very well. Thanks for sharing!
Hazanko says: May 20, 2008. 1:48 PM
Wow. I guess if your going to be a giant nerd, be the best-dressed giant nerd in the place. ...and I mean no disrespect.
DragonessD says: Apr 18, 2008. 7:23 PM
Wow! that's awesome, and thanks so much for sharing the how-to!
taylor100593 says: Apr 3, 2008. 5:16 PM
Omg this is so awsome its amazing what you can do win you set you mind to it that is really nice.
zaro12345 says: Jan 30, 2008. 9:32 PM
wow. that's the only word to describe it. wow...
darkmuskrat says: Dec 18, 2007. 9:35 PM
Nice, I'm making my first costume for the "Anime Expo" next August and am starting it soon, Thanks a million for the help.
diamonoidx says: Dec 8, 2007. 3:42 AM
impresive very very impressive this is really nice. you know though its only for show why not make a costume that you could wear that could protect you in lets say i guess maybe a bb gun fight.
canida says: Nov 19, 2007. 4:00 PM
Wow, what a mind-boggling amount of work! Fantastic costume!
Asurarevenge says: Nov 13, 2007. 12:04 PM
Absolutely brilliant. I was going to sew/form an Orlouge costume for AnimeEXPO last year, but due to time constraints, I had to give it up. I was surprised and pleased when I saw your costume. This year for AnimeEXPO, myself and four friends are going to be four of the mystics: Asellus, Ildon (myself), Time Lord, and Dr. Nusakan based upon Tomomi Kobayashi's work. You are an inspiration.
Lord Of Mystra says: Nov 13, 2007. 6:59 AM
Haha... Lord of Mystra, Mystic Lord costume, sounds right up my alley, but seriously awesome.
jefftheworld says: Nov 9, 2007. 10:07 AM
Yeah, cosplayers often get a bad name, but stuff like that is awesome. (On a convention related note, no more fat girls in baby tees, when I'm at a con I want to see booth babes not babes the size of booths)
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