Hello everyone,
I guess I'm looking for a little bit of advice. I've never done the whole fursuiting thing before, but always been into costuming and have wanted a suit for some time.
I have a strong connection to lions and I figure a lioness is a lot simpler colour-wise (thus, fur-wise) than my main character. It is subject matter I feel quite familiar with. Since I have confidence issues I'm erring on the side of buying, but nearly no one is open right now! It really seems to be the off season! So, in lieu of that, I've been researching what kinds of things I want for this. That way I'd know what I'd need if I were to build it myself... But I'm still a little lost.
I know I want a reasonably realistic look, and for the head to be as compact as possible and close-fitting. I think I want a resin blank and tearduct based sight. I want a moving jaw, and a taxidermy jawset. (I have a Carnefx Leopard jawset.)
I'm thinking a balaclava base but there are some pretty basic things I'm not sure on how to proceed with... Like will a resin blank attach to a balaclava? If so... How? Hot glue? Isn't hot glue bad? What if I screw up, is the blank salvageable? When I eventually get to furring do I line the blank with anything before I fur it? I'm just not sure and there are a lot of different techniques, but I don't know what would work best for the type of thing I want, so I'm not sure what kinds of things to buy...
I've contacted a few people about at least buying a 'big cat' blank. I'm not confident that I will have the tools to cut resin and hinge it myself, so I'd prefer that to be done already if possible, but most seem to not have those available, are out of contact, or if I'm totally honest... Seem a little brief and unapproachable. :( I'm trying to educate myself.
I do know how to sew, have made some dolls and stuff in the past, and I can both draw and sculpt, so I reason that some of these skills are transferable towards making suits. Whatever I create won't be complete garbage (if I can get the right direction!) but obviously it's not going to be amazing...
I'm sorry to blather, there's a lot of information I'm sifting through, reading and trying to learn! What I need advice on is this:
Do you know where I can get a cut and hinged blank? Do you have one?
I'm not planning on being a maker... Maybe making the occasional. Is it worth it instead to simply purchase? If so, are you or do you know of anyone who does realism being open?
Is a blank a good way to go for a beginner?
What would be the best technique to use for realism/compactness?
What are some supplies I should get? I know about a dog clipper for fur, a glue gun, a mannequin head, some acrylics/toothbrushes for accenting, faux leather for lips... What kinds of needles? Mattress needles?
Is this and this a good choice for a lioness project? I'm in the UK so if there's a better place to buy, please let me know.
How much fur should I get for a partial? I'm aware I need to buy some 'screwup extra.'
Thanks in advance for any answers.
I guess I'm looking for a little bit of advice. I've never done the whole fursuiting thing before, but always been into costuming and have wanted a suit for some time.
I have a strong connection to lions and I figure a lioness is a lot simpler colour-wise (thus, fur-wise) than my main character. It is subject matter I feel quite familiar with. Since I have confidence issues I'm erring on the side of buying, but nearly no one is open right now! It really seems to be the off season! So, in lieu of that, I've been researching what kinds of things I want for this. That way I'd know what I'd need if I were to build it myself... But I'm still a little lost.
I know I want a reasonably realistic look, and for the head to be as compact as possible and close-fitting. I think I want a resin blank and tearduct based sight. I want a moving jaw, and a taxidermy jawset. (I have a Carnefx Leopard jawset.)
I'm thinking a balaclava base but there are some pretty basic things I'm not sure on how to proceed with... Like will a resin blank attach to a balaclava? If so... How? Hot glue? Isn't hot glue bad? What if I screw up, is the blank salvageable? When I eventually get to furring do I line the blank with anything before I fur it? I'm just not sure and there are a lot of different techniques, but I don't know what would work best for the type of thing I want, so I'm not sure what kinds of things to buy...
I've contacted a few people about at least buying a 'big cat' blank. I'm not confident that I will have the tools to cut resin and hinge it myself, so I'd prefer that to be done already if possible, but most seem to not have those available, are out of contact, or if I'm totally honest... Seem a little brief and unapproachable. :( I'm trying to educate myself.
I do know how to sew, have made some dolls and stuff in the past, and I can both draw and sculpt, so I reason that some of these skills are transferable towards making suits. Whatever I create won't be complete garbage (if I can get the right direction!) but obviously it's not going to be amazing...
I'm sorry to blather, there's a lot of information I'm sifting through, reading and trying to learn! What I need advice on is this:
Do you know where I can get a cut and hinged blank? Do you have one?
I'm not planning on being a maker... Maybe making the occasional. Is it worth it instead to simply purchase? If so, are you or do you know of anyone who does realism being open?
Is a blank a good way to go for a beginner?
What would be the best technique to use for realism/compactness?
What are some supplies I should get? I know about a dog clipper for fur, a glue gun, a mannequin head, some acrylics/toothbrushes for accenting, faux leather for lips... What kinds of needles? Mattress needles?
Is this and this a good choice for a lioness project? I'm in the UK so if there's a better place to buy, please let me know.
How much fur should I get for a partial? I'm aware I need to buy some 'screwup extra.'
Thanks in advance for any answers.