cheap head base that is not foam?

November 24, 2015, 7:58 am

≫ Next: Help/advice on eyes please. If anyone has a moment. Thank you!

so, the problem is. i have big plans for a fursuit of kinda unusual character /i posted about this before/, but... no idea how to make the headbase. it needs to be form-fitting so the head'll be small /he's a bit more humanized and has realistic body proportions/, and a moving jaw is a must, so foam isn't an option (also because i suck at shaping it haha).
i alerady started working on a resin base, kind of - i have the sculpt and i like it very much. but... i realized making a resin base for just one head is pointless. the character's "face" is so specific no one besides me would need a base like that, and making more to sell them would be impossible. look at my avatar and you'll get what i mean. he's just weird. even a better example here - http://orig01.deviantart.net/a295/f/2015/328/b/f/wip_by_delta_ii-d9hurit.png
also making a resin base is a bit too expensive for me, and i haven't got a proper ventilated workplace for that. i'd be afraid to even start working with resin here.
my second thought was to use something like thermoplastic, worbla or wonderflex /i actually heard of a cosplayer using this for a fursuit head and the result was really good/ and shape it over my sculpt... but then i remembered the sculpt is made out of plasticine like clay, and when it's heated up it loses shape easily... so it won't work too.
have you guys heard of anything else being used for fursuit heads succesfully? any ideas how to make it all work? or maybe there's no way? thanks in advance.

↧

Help/advice on eyes please. If anyone has a moment. Thank you!

November 24, 2015, 9:18 pm

≫ Next: Securing a front/top heavy head and sagging screwed-on ears bases

≪ Previous: cheap head base that is not foam?

I've been trying to ask around and not getting responses. I've been searching around for a while and getting overwhelmed. I'm wanting to switch my current following eye setup from foamies and buckram to plastic.
I need to be able to find it in more than just white. I need white as well, but I right now also need it in light green.
I've attempted to look in local stores just hoping maybe , possibly I'd see something (not sure what I was hoping for), but nothing popped up. Then I looked online and found some colored plastic sheeting that looked hopeful, but then the websites to me looked questionable and upon finding reviews my gut instinct was proven right.

So any help here would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you

↧

Securing a front/top heavy head and sagging screwed-on ears bases

November 25, 2015, 2:48 pm

≫ Next: Help! WIP Foaming Head Critique?

≪ Previous: Help/advice on eyes please. If anyone has a moment. Thank you!

The way my head is designed, it's very front-heavy (long and narrow shape with a thick muzzle) and top-heavy (six 12+ inch ears). There's really no way to add foam in the back/side/bottom without destroying the look of the character, so what's a good way of keeping this thing from flying off when I headbang? It's a balaclava and foam head with a moving jaw. I'm thinking that finding some way of tightening it would make it more secure, but I don't know how I'd be able to put it on if I did.

I also have screwed on... ears (they're attached to office chair wheel swivels so they can spin/flip around freely like the carnival ride the character's based on). My dad thought it was a good idea to glue small pieces of wood directly to the half-inch foam and screw the ear bases into them, but I'm having trouble with one of the ears sagging really badly and I'm worried about the longevity of that setup. I can provide pictures if needed.

Edit: Ear problem is getting worse on sagging ear because the foam is now starting to get ripped where it's straining it after having the head sit on the maniquin overnight.

Edit: Pictures below:

It's at a bit of an awkward stage in the building process where the eyes aren't in (though the peripheral eyes could be stuck in as placeholder) and the fleece covers up some of the foam. The last picture shows the attachment of the sagging ear.

↧

Help! WIP Foaming Head Critique?

November 25, 2015, 11:29 pm

≫ Next: Digimon claw like paws with arm stuffing?

≪ Previous: Securing a front/top heavy head and sagging screwed-on ears bases

So I've been working on this guy for awhile now. But I can't help but notice that my ferret is looking more like a panther): Any advice on how I could make it look more ferret-like is welcome!

*Excuse the tape measure, I'm using a bulked up Styrofoam mannequin head and it doesn't stand on its own

*I'm already aware that the muzzle is slightly crooked. It glued on weird and it can't really be helped now without dismantling a lot of the work I've already done. I'm fine with it anyways (: I'm also planning to fix that awkward area in the corner of the eyes and where the cheeks/muzzle connect. I used to have pieces there that fixed that issue, but after a vision check, I decided to take them off

Suggestions for ear shapes would also be great. I was thinking of doing sorta short and fat lion-like ears similar to Phoenixwolfsuits's ferret they made (it's blue/ green and white).

↧

Digimon claw like paws with arm stuffing?

November 27, 2015, 2:19 am

≫ Next: Fur colors?

≪ Previous: Help! WIP Foaming Head Critique?

Hello! I have been trying to make a fursuit for my friend and there are a special kind of paws I want to make for him. This is a ref how his character looks like

This is his head so far, I apologise if there are some mistakes. I honestly have hard time with symmetry because I can't see 3d (Im blind from 1 eye) and I do my best to do it . The horn is temporaly on the middle of the head xD

And now the paw topic. As you can see, his paws are buffy all over, not just fingers.

I want my paws look something like these but not that huge

Picture belongs to http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16371046/

And that's where I have problem with. I have no idea how it should be done.I "KINDA" might know how but so far it did not come out right. I think it's done, that there is a glove with fingers and then a huge "bag" over it and I fill it or use foam to shape the thing. I have not seen anybody make tutorial of such paws. Most are with normal paws what have no padding around the whole arm. Any tips how to get the desired shape of the hands?

This way is my paw atm:

I don't like that foam thing really. I first hoped that I can shape the curve with foam and I can get the desired shape with carving but the hand was hard to move :D: . I got inspiration from this picture to try and add padding aroud the whole arm

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16319388/

But this makes me question that how do I connect the upper part to the claws? As I want the "2nd layer" to be On the fingers too so it looks like the claws are a bit "inside" the paw and arent just on top.

This is a quick drawing of how I WANT the paw to look

And the padding HAS to be sewn between the claws too, what I mean is:

So easily said: Almost a copy of the inside sleeve, the ends are the same, as in, have to match with the claws ends and the sleeve end (where you put the hand in) but the middle goes bigger and the top of the paw goes bigger already from the claws, but the palm side is less buffy. OMG so sorry if it's too complicated D:

Any ideas what is a good way to shape the "aroundish"?

Thank you SO much who can help!

↧

Fur colors?

November 27, 2015, 5:44 pm

≫ Next: First Fursuit Head, finished?

≪ Previous: Digimon claw like paws with arm stuffing?

I'm having a lot of trouble finding the base colors for this babe ;n; any help is appreciated a ton!!

↧

First Fursuit Head, finished?

November 28, 2015, 10:47 am

≫ Next: Styrofoam Head Base- Size Issues

≪ Previous: Fur colors?

I posted on here a few weeks ago showing the base of my first head and asking for critiques. Well I think I may be finished now. The bangs I'm a bit unsure of, but I have to wait for my next batch of fur to come in before I can fix that, if I decide its that big of a deal. I had a bit of an issue figuring out how I wanted to "fasten" them down, so I just glued them. I had already had the rest of the head completed otherwise I would've preferred to have sewn them down. My other thought was eyebrows? Do many people put eyebrows on their suits or is that not really necessary? Any advice (that I could actually fix at this point) is appreciated. :)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z218/wolfie115/FursuitSere_zpssvsxr7i5.png

↧

Styrofoam Head Base- Size Issues

November 28, 2015, 1:47 pm

≫ Next: How Much Fur to Buy?

≪ Previous: First Fursuit Head, finished?

Hello, I am new to fursuit building. Before I ask a question, here is a scrap of basic info about my future suit:
My fursuit will be a Red Panda. I will be using the Balaclava method for the head.
I am ordering a Styrofoam bust that is 22 inches around (measured above the eyebrows), which is exactly the same size as my own head.
Using a flexible tape measure, the measurements are exactly 22 inches- when wrapped in a RELAXED, LOOSE manner, the measurements are 22 1/2 inches.
My only concern about this is that perhaps the head will be too small because of this half-inch difference.
I know that if it would be too small, I can build up the base with foam. However, I do not want to invest in more foam than I absolutely have to.

Sorry for the long explanation- any help would be appreciated.

↧

How Much Fur to Buy?

November 28, 2015, 4:10 pm

≫ Next: Foot paw outdoor sole material?

≪ Previous: Styrofoam Head Base- Size Issues

How much fur (three colors) should I buy? How much of each color (Rust red, black, and white)?
Here is my concept art for Ace.

(Sorry if the links do not work, I'm inexperienced at uploading photos)

If you cannot view the photos, here is my long, boring, meticulous description:

-The suit will require more black fur than red fur: front of the body, handpaws, feetpaws, backside lower half of legs, and backside (right on right side, left on left side) ends of arms will be black. There will be a black stripe on either side of the face, and the ears will be black.

-The back of the suit will be red, EXCEPT for the lower half of the legs, and "outer" (right on right side, left on left side) ends of arms. The head will be primarily red.

-The muzzle will be white, and there will be a white blaze going up the forehead, a white stripe on either side of the face, a white spot over each eye, and a white blaze running down the back to the base of the tail. The insides of the ears will be white. The face will be framed with a white "ruff" of fur.

-The tail will have alternating red and black stripes, with the tip white.

Additionally, I am about 5 foot 1.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, again sorry for the long description and dead photo links.

↧

Foot paw outdoor sole material?

November 29, 2015, 7:03 pm

≫ Next: How to create the Digitigrade Illusion without Digitigrade Feetpaws?

≪ Previous: How Much Fur to Buy?

Okay, so I am not having the best of luck finding out what material is best to use for outdoor soles on feet paws. I've read some about like rubber sheeting or mats. I have also seen some suggestions with EVA foam? Any suggestions as to what works best that you can easily obtain? I saw some eva foam sheeting about 8mm thick on etsy. The price was good i just don't know how durable that would be. D:

Suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

↧

How to create the Digitigrade Illusion without Digitigrade Feetpaws?

November 30, 2015, 11:35 am

≫ Next: Good buckram that's not from Fursuitsupplies?

≪ Previous: Foot paw outdoor sole material?

I will be including the Digi. Illusion for my bodysuit, and will be using Matrices's method- http://matrices.net/digitigrade.asp
However, I do not want Digi. Feetpaws for several reasons:
1. Red Pandas, when balanced on their hind legs, do not stand on their toes. Matrices even states this in her tutorial.
2. I have big feet for my height, and as these feetpaws will make them look even bigger, the proportions would look very bad.
3. I am trying to avoid the "stompy" look for the feetpaws, as Ace will be only "semi-tony", if that even.
4. It will require more foam than standard plantigrade paws (made with canvas shoes).
I doubt I could just build the illusion with the padding, then simply leave the digi. feetpaws out and replace them with plantigrade paws.
Is there some way I have the digi. illusion without the freakishly big feet?

↧

Good buckram that's not from Fursuitsupplies?

November 30, 2015, 8:04 pm

≫ Next: UPDATE: Edited Concept Art

≪ Previous: How to create the Digitigrade Illusion without Digitigrade Feetpaws?

So I'm making a Jolteon Fursuit by Further Confusion, and I need some buckram for the eyes. I'd herd the best is from Fursuitsupplies.com, but there at MFF and are going to take a while to ship it in time. So does anyone know where I can get good buckram for my Jolteon eyes? Note: I plan on making the entire eye buckram, he has black eyes with white pupils, and I am going to color white buckram to look that way.

↧

UPDATE: Edited Concept Art

December 1, 2015, 10:04 am

≫ Next: Quick mannequin question.

≪ Previous: Good buckram that's not from Fursuitsupplies?

Sorry to create a separate post for this, but I could not upload photos to my comment to the "Digitigrade Illusion Problem" post.
Here is my updated concept art for Ace: the only changes made were the legs, which are no longer digitigrade but plantigrade. (I also made lots of mistakes, note the "x's" which mark errors)

Is this anatomically correct? Did I shape the knee padding correctly?
(I want to make sure that I understand this fully before progressing forward)

Matrices, to make these red panda legs, do I use the same method from your tutorial(with the exception of making the knee padding less prominent and reach further down the leg, and leaving out the heel padding)? Or is there a separate method?

↧

Quick mannequin question.

December 1, 2015, 8:03 pm

≫ Next: Foam Base WIP: CRITIQUE/REDLINES ? Appreciated!

≪ Previous: UPDATE: Edited Concept Art

Which head size would be better for making fursuits, the joe display head or the large joe display head? c:

http://compositeeffects.com/mystore/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_90&product_id=220

http://compositeeffects.com/mystore/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_90&product_id=225

↧

Foam Base WIP: CRITIQUE/REDLINES ? Appreciated!

December 2, 2015, 12:45 am

≫ Next: One more question about padded handpaws

≪ Previous: Quick mannequin question.

Notes: Teeth are WIP, foam is showing below them but will be fixed and more straight and smoothed out later. Would love any improvement suggestions- at least if it's a huge change I can implement it with my next head if it's not serious. The black lips are different sizes but it wont affect the outcome - fur will overlap most of it.

↧

One more question about padded handpaws

December 5, 2015, 12:19 am

≫ Next: Critique/Redline on a foam base?

≪ Previous: Foam Base WIP: CRITIQUE/REDLINES ? Appreciated!

I finished one of the Gashy's paw and I found a bit bad surprise after I finished it. Getting INTO the paw is quite annoying, like the fingers part. They are so tightly pushed together with the polyfilled padding and I literally felt I did something wrong and this should be much more comfy to put on hand. Any tips what should be done to avoid the fingers getting so pushed together with the filling? My fingers get lost in the paw, especially last 2 fingers. I try a new hand with a different technique. I bough such gloves called Tamrex winter gloves:

They have latex fingers on the top and these are very comfy to put on hand and as the fingers are a bit tight, I hope this wont push the damn fingers into labyrinth. Its odd to find so little info about paws padding in fursuit stuff. There's barely any info, most are with fingers but for the whole arm and even sleeve.

↧

Critique/Redline on a foam base?

December 5, 2015, 9:45 am

≫ Next: Help identifying a fur

≪ Previous: One more question about padded handpaws

Hello, I'm working on my 4th fursuit head; however, it's my first canine, which is a family of animals I'm actually not too familiar with drawing/foaming. I have also been staring at this thing for the past few weeks while working out the shape, so it'd be nice for a new pair of eyes to look at the shape.

On top of the shape of the head, I'm worried about the eyes: I want the eyes to just be black with eye shines (as if you cannot see the sclera) to match the character the most well (the Lesser Dog from Undertale (((sorry)))).

Lesser Dog is said to be based off pomeranians, but in my opinion it looks more like a mix between a pom and a corgi.

Here's some better angles for the foam base (the strap in the back is sagging because the mannequin hasn't been 'beefed up' yet):

Any help would be appreciated.

↧

Help identifying a fur

December 5, 2015, 10:14 am

≫ Next: Sewing the back of the head

≪ Previous: Critique/Redline on a foam base?

Do you guys know if there is a name to this fur? The pile length is about .5 cm

↧

Sewing the back of the head

December 6, 2015, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Fursuit LED questions, round 2

≪ Previous: Help identifying a fur

I've made 2 fursuits so far and each time the back of the head is something i've really struggled with.

Either it ends up too tight and the whole thing has to be redone, or it ends up too loose with bunching material which looks awful.

Is there some kind of technique i'm missing? - since even the most amateur of suitmakers seem to be able to get this, yet I just.. Can't seem to perfect it.

Also, it is more common practice to sew the back of the head to the rest of the face material, or to simply glue it down to the foam/ resin, and hope it has a strong hold?

Thanks!

↧

Fursuit LED questions, round 2

November 13, 2015, 8:39 pm

≫ Next: Fish Suit Materials?

≪ Previous: Sewing the back of the head

I've been doing some research and trying some Arduino tutorials using a starter kit I bought, so I'm getting a better idea of what I'm doing but I'm still pretty confused about some things.

1. LED wiring- My character will have a total of six LED eyes, two yellow, two green, and two orange, plus a total of eighteen LEDs under the fur along its cheeks/neck. I'm been seeing very mixed messages of how larger numbers of LEDs of different colors should be wired, some say parallel works if each individual LED has a resistor, some say they all must be the same color for it to work. Series is supposed to be fine for multiple colors, but with 24 total LEDs on this, the batteries would need some serious voltage to power them all. What would be the best way to do this?

2. Neopixels

I would have preferred a digital white LED strip, but had no success finding on that was weatherproof, but this seemed like the next best choice. My character has fairly complex markings (large zig-zags and arrows with sharp corners) on the arms and legs, which I want to light up. Would I have to use individual Neopixels in this case, or is there some way to attach two strips at an angle? (I doubt there is, but who knows)

Also, what kind of battery power supply would roughly 3-4 meters of these need if I go with the strips? That's just a very rough estimate of what I think I'll need by eyeballing the approximate size of the markings on my arm, tail, and leg patterns.

I'm also not sure how I would coordinate the patterns of the legs and arms. The tail would be very close to the legs, so imagine that wouldn't be as much of a problem, but I'm a pretty active suiter (though I definitely plan to make the electronics in the arms/legs detachable for dancing/extremely high activity) and I'm worried about having wires hanging down my back/across my shoulders and them being damaged by the stress.

What's the best location to put the microcontroller (Arduino Uno) so it's protected from sweat and not bouncing around? This will be a 3/4 suit with separate legs/arms.

That's all for now, i may have more later. I'm a bit worried that I've gone in over my head on this project :/ I'd at least like to have the lights in the head/eyes because I can install the others at a later date.

↧

Latest Images