Vriska Arm Tutorial
So I’ve been getting a few asks on how I made my Vriska arm, seen here:
And so I decided to slap this post together until I can actually make a video or one jpeg. So here we go!
Materials:
So I basically used this tutorial’s technique http://entropyhouse.com/penwiper/costumes/helmsdeep.html
But I only used:
- Sheets of craft foam
- Cheese cloth
- Water
- Paper Towels
- Grey Spray Paint
- Mod Podge
- Metal brads
- Elastic
- Velcro
- Elmer’s Glue
- Acrylic paint, specifically metallic silver and black
- Black elbow length opera glove for underneath
Tools
- Heat Gun, or a hair dryer
- Glue gun
- Scissors
Procedure
Okay, so first step is getting the basic shape of the forearm and upper arm pieces. There’s no specific way I did it, but using newspaper to trace out your pattern saves you from wasting craft foam. Both sections are in two pieces, secured with velcro.
Once you have the basic shapes down, use your heat source to heat up the foam. This allows you to mold it to your arm. But don’t get it too hot or it’ll bubble or melt!
After this, you can start putting the details on. I used brads for the nail/screw heads, but I hear painted googly eyes also work! And hot glued strips on for the dimension/striations You can get creative with the details since there’s no specific way Vriska’s arm looks, other than striated.
Then comes the cheesecloth and glue! Paint a layer of glue onto the underside of the foam, and press the cheesecloth on top. After that’s dry, paint another layer of glue on top. This makes the foam rigid and not…foam-y.
ALSO To prime the foam before painting it, so instead of absorbing it it actually holds the colour, you’re going to want to “paint” on a water/glue mixture. Two parts water, one part glue. Brush a couple coats on, letting it dry in between.(no picture)
Then comes my favourite part, the painting! I used a grey spray paint as a base coat on the outside, and black on the inside to mask the cheesecloth.
Then for the weathering, I used black acrylic paint. I painted it in the crevices and wiped it away with a wet paper towel before it dried. This part takes a little bit of experimentation, so don’t get frustrated!
I don’t have a picture of this, but I cannot stress the importance of the METALLIC SILVER ACRYLIC PAINT when painting. It really gives it the metallic shine that makes the “metal” come to life. Especially on the brads.When using it though, do the same method with the wet paper towel and wipe it off, cause there is a thing as TOO much shine.
After you finish painting everything, DON’T FORGET TO SEAL IT WITH MOD PODGE OR YOU WILL BE SAD. VERY VERY SAD.
Also, your hands will get really messy~
OH I ALMOST FORGOT. For the hand, there was a pattern I did follow actually. It was for a Edward Elric arm, but I unfortunately don’t know where that link is. ; n ;
But here are close up pictures. The fingers are connected with tiny 1/4” black elastic~
And that’s about it! This was my first prop making adventure, so it was highly experimental, so like I said before, don’t get discouraged!
I’m also in the process of adding wires to make it look cooler, so you can do that too!
But yup, that’s it. Thanks for reading! You guys are fabulous. c:
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an ask or leave a comment!
