ShinkenRed Cosplay

Progress Entry #1

Helmet Construction

I'm going to say this right now and get it over with before I carry on writing this entry. I don't like PR: Samurai. I get that it's the return of Saban and making PR great again for those whom disliked the Disney era but...not me...I'm definitely not afraid to say I think this is worse than Operation Overdrive.

However, you're probably confused by the fact my backdrop is Red Ranger II. Though I dislike PR: Samurai, Shinkenger (the original Sentai series) is my favourite of the Sentai series (followed by Dekaranger). 

I think it's awesome we finally have a female red ranger (despite her time being short) but, hey, it's definitely a start. Oh, and I don't really count Charlie, the A Squad Red from S.P.D for the simple reason that the A Squad became villains in the show. #justsaying

>> LONG WINDED DISCLAIMER OVER!! (lol) <<

Now, I've been cosplaying for the best part of three and a half years (four years by October time) and it's probably the best (and most expensive...sorry Mum!!) hobby. However, I hadn't really challenged myself to make something complex and challenging.

So, I decided to make Kaoru's Sentai Suit from Shinkenger after believing it would be easy to put together (oh how I was wrong...)

This is a template my good friend, Conner, linked me to for a software called Pepakura. Now, don't panic. The viewing software is free so no extra cash is needed.

In a nutshell, Pepakura allows you to create templates for 3D objects (in this case, helmets) and divides it into pieces of a net, to put it together.

I'd strongly suggest using card between 220-300 GSM (that's thickness) so that it won't break or dent during paper mache. The sturdiness of the card definitely helped when layering.

Here's how the assembling turned out:

I used superglue to assemble but I reckon you could get away with all-purpose glue for the simple reasons that 1) Your fingers get stuck together if you're not careful, 2) It's a pain in the backside to get off the kitchen table (Sorry Mum!! D:) and 3) It bloomin' stinks...

Though saying that, the pieces are firmly together so I guess it worked out nicely.

Now that I assembled the helmet, it was time to get paper mache...ing? 

I bought some PVA wood glue from Poundland (hooray for convenient bargain shops!!) to make the mix. DON'T USE PVA GLUE ALONE. Mix it with some water first. Why? Because the glue alone will be too thick and sticky, and edges will flick up when it dries. 

Also, mix it in a pot you don't mind getting messy (just in case it does) so avoid sandwich boxes. I just used a clean rice box from my Chinese takeaway (again, hooray for convenience)

So, I spent the evening applying the strips of newspaper onto the helmet (with Casualty on the TV)

At this point, it looks like this:

I then decided it needed to be thicker and stronger. Though, in my madness, I ventured into the garage to find something I could use (hoping we had plaster of paris...which we didn't)

I ended up using Tile Adhesive/Grout, in the hopes to sand it when it dried. Problem was, it was bumpier than a gravel path. 

Here's what it looked like after two layers of the stuff:

It looks like Slender Man's head!!!!!! O_O

I sanded down what I could and then proceeded to do another layer of paper mache in the hopes it would flatten anymore bumps. This worked, but I ended up covering the peeled up parts with masking tape (covering it)

I then brushed on where I was going to add the cross and eye visors.

Though the proportions were...off

And attempt #2

Better but still off-centre

It'll turn out fine, I promise!! 

To make it possible to put on the helmet, I made a giant slit from the centre on top all the way down the back. So, all I'd need to do to stick my head in (that's what she said!) would be to pull the sections apart and then slide into the helmet (and it worked...just!!)

I then made the cross-piece for the middle out of card and sprayed it black, and then proceeded to cut out the eye-holes.

I also sprayed the red paint on the helmet, along with undercoat and outlining the holes...although saying that...it looked terrible!! (lol)

This is indeed terrible!!

The fixing process shall begin!! :D

I removed the eye-borders so I could enlarge the holes, removed the cross because it was far too small. ALSO, 100ml cans are not big enough for multiple coats on a helmet.

So, after asking my sister to pick up a few bits and bobs from a local D.I.Y store (red paint, more glue and clear varnish) so cheers Heather! (if you're reading this)

Now, cutting through several layers of paper mache AND GROUT is a pain in the bum x10...just sayin'...but nonetheless, I struggled on with making the holes bigger and making a larger cross.

Another thing, Heather bought red gloss paint. Here are the pros and cons of that type of paint:

PROS:
Pretty durable when dry
Decent finish
Doesn't leave nasty fumes

CONS:
It's not that pigmented, so you need to layer it
It takes well over a day to completely dry
It gets everywhere if you're not careful
Despite not having nasty fumes, it doesn't smell pleasant


Right, with the new coat of paint and larger eye-holes, this is how it looks at this moment.

This is two coats in, and two more are needed (...yay...)

You can also see the cross drying off in the background.


So, after adding black paint to the cross and adding the extra layers of red paint on the helmet, it was then time to make the new borders for the eye-holes.

However, a ranger must conceal their identity (though they morph in plain sight??) so I had to find some method to black them out.

Originally planning on using window tint for cars, the price tag was too big for this kind of project so Mum suggested black tights. To my surprise, they were really effective (along with other methods she suggested along the way)

I made new borders for the eyes out of cardboard and did a layer paper mache before painting them white. Then, I added superglue to them to stick the tights on. Once stuck on, I trimmed the tights so they couldn't be seen beyond the borders.

I also painted white outlining to the cross before attaching it onto the helmet, then proceeding to attach the eye covers onto the helmet.

Now, I purposely made sure there were gaps, just so there were some ventilation areas on the helmet. They're quite subtle, thankfully, so I have extra air flowing inside.

And here's how it looks now :)

And yes, I am aware the borders are thick around the eyes. I may use black paint and make them appear thinner but at the moment, I'm just glad I've finished it and it fits. I still need to add more air holes so I don't pass out in the middle of a convention. 

So there you have it. That's how I made the helmet of my ShinkenRed cosplay :)

The next post may possibly be the boots so stay tuned for that.


Thanks for reading my very long post,

'Til next time :)

>>Let's Rocket!<<