Palico - Ladybug Armour
Palico - Ladybug Armour
A "what do you want to wear" costume project for my daughter. Start to finish in two weeks. Worn for ECCC 2019.
A "what do you want to wear" costume project for my daughter. Start to finish in two weeks. Worn for ECCC 2019.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the Monster Hunter series of video games, palicos are helpful cat friends who walk on their hind legs and assist you on your adventures. They can be equipped with dozens of different outfits.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the Monster Hunter series of video games, palicos are helpful cat friends who walk on their hind legs and assist you on your adventures. They can be equipped with dozens of different outfits.
Worn by a five-year-old, this had to be comfortable, lightweight, and easily removed. I opted for papier-mâché for the shell, helmet, and acorn spade, with spray foam in the shell to hold its shape. The straps are anchored with zigzagged wires epoxied into the foam. She wore the entire costume all day, I'm counting that as a great success.
Worn by a five-year-old, this had to be comfortable, lightweight, and easily removed. I opted for papier-mâché for the shell, helmet, and acorn spade, with spray foam in the shell to hold its shape. The straps are anchored with zigzagged wires epoxied into the foam. She wore the entire costume all day, I'm counting that as a great success.
Stippling is one of my favourite painting techniques and I got to apply it all over this project. From the subtle striping on the shell, softening the outline of the spots, to the gentle weathering effect on the acorn spade, my stiff bristle brush got a lot of use.
Stippling is one of my favourite painting techniques and I got to apply it all over this project. From the subtle striping on the shell, softening the outline of the spots, to the gentle weathering effect on the acorn spade, my stiff bristle brush got a lot of use.
My favourite "easter egg" of this project was using the Kinder Egg shells for the eyes. They were perfectly shaped, lightweight, and made my reuse/salvage heart very happy.
My favourite "easter egg" of this project was using the Kinder Egg shells for the eyes. They were perfectly shaped, lightweight, and made my reuse/salvage heart very happy.
If I had to do it again, I'd paint the top part of the acorn spade silver-grey instead of black. When I took the reference screenshots from the game, I was in a weirdly lit area and didn't realize it was a metal texture.
If I had to do it again, I'd paint the top part of the acorn spade silver-grey instead of black. When I took the reference screenshots from the game, I was in a weirdly lit area and didn't realize it was a metal texture.