Re: Yashias Cosplay Blog [Specialists Sergeant]

[Yashia]

1. This is my new bodysuit, which will be the base for the cosplay. This time it isn't a Morphsuit. I found a page that made custom sized bodysuits so I tried these. I have to say that I'm super happy! It's of great quality and even including the custom size charge and the higher shipping it was cheaper than the Morphsuit.
2. Here you can see a comparison between the Morphsuit for version 1.0 and the bodysuit for 2.0. It's easy to tell that it fits much better. The first one was covering the body shape, the new one is following it. You can also see that the new one isn't white. As I wrote in the starting post the concept art of the Asuras is quite different from the actual miniature. Though I still like the mini very much I decided to stick to the concept this time. I'm sorry I can't show you the concept. This way – I'm afraid – you simply have to believe me that I'm following the concept...
3. As said before the suit fits very well due to the fact that it's custom tailored but it came to its limits at the back and the breasts. Due to this I sewed in darts. The seam shows were I sewed the first time, the purple line shows the seam I made in a second run, because the first wasn't enough.
4. This was the suit before and after doing the darts. The purple line shows where my back actually is. Although there still is a bit spare space I think I'm quite satisfied with the outcome. The suit doesn't draw a line from upper back to tailbone anymore, but now follows the natural curve of my spine. This helps a lot when it comes to the “futuristic space suit”-look.

[Yashia]

1. Cut out the needed pieces from Kobra Cast and shaped it.
2. Assembled the pieces for the ear and forehead to get the headsets skeleton.
3. Added cardboard.
4. Covered everything with fabric.
5. Primarily I wanted to sew the headsets onto the wig but after I tried it on I wanted to have the possibility to wear it without them, so I made a mount from spare Kobra Cast and magnets. This way I can easily attach and detach the headsets as I want.
6. This was the wig as it was...
7. … and this after I attached the headset and styled the fringe.

[Yashia]

1. First I unsewed the sleeves of the bodysuit, then I cut some fabric to fit the sleeves and scribed the patterns.
2. Cut some mat fitting to the sleeves.
3. Cut in the pattern for the control panel and glued in neon pink cardboard.
4. Sewed the several layers (bodysuit, mat, fabric) together...
5. …. and sewed on a very thin EL wire. It's the same that I used for the Chimeras whip, but much thinner. A picture of the finished wire-sleeve will follow in the next update.
6. Closed the sleeves again.



1. Cut off the fingertips of the suit.
2. Used Kobra Cast and cerecloth. The press buttons you can see were part of my former plan, but I didn't use them in the end.
3. Sewed the cerecloth and the Kobra Cast together...
4. ...and cut of a slice for the wire of the EL wire in the arm.
5. I shaped it, but I found the whole thing to be too edged...
6. ...so I cut off some of the Cast at the edges.
7. Put the switch into the shell. (I can turn it on my pressing the shell! ^_^)
8. Sewed the finished shell onto the suit.
9. Lower arms finished!


1. Cut out Kobra Cast and foam rubber in the needed shape.
2. Sewed press buttons on the Cast.
3. Heated the Cast, pressed the foam rubber on it and shaped the whole thing.
4. Painted the inner side black.
5. Sewed the other part of the press buttons on the sleeve so it stays on the elbow.



1. Cut some Kobra Cast and sewed press buttons on it.
2. Shaping part 1...
3. ...and part 2.
4. Painted it black.
5. Glued a strip of foam rubber on it.
6. Attached it on the upper arm.

[Yashia]

1. Cut some foam rubber in shape of the plates and covered them with Worblas.
2. Cut off the edges and shaped the plates.
3. I learned that magnets can lose their power if heated, so I attached them afterwards.
4. Grinded the plates and covered them with several layers of paste.
5. I don't know if you can see it, but after the paste has dried the Worblas is much smoother than before. Here you can see the treated front side (top) and the untreated back side (bottom).
6. After some airbrush training Atzilla and I came to the conclusion that it was the best for everyone (me, him and the airbrush) if he did the painting. This was the priming...
7. …preshading...
8. ...and covering with the final color. Atzilla would appreciate any advice you have for the painting, since he doesn't have much experience with the airbrush yet.

Also something of my current project:
Syndra from League of Legends
Bracers still without paint:

[Force de Frappe]

Neato!

I love seeing costumes come together!

[Claudius Sol]

From the pictures I can see and the resolution given, I don't see any problems with the airbrushing.

Looking great so far, Yashia!

You're German, right? Es ist sehr gut, Frauline.
(excuse my paltry Highschool German skills)

[Yashia]

1. Cut fabric and mat.
2. Sketched lines.
3. Sewed the pads for the shoulders.
4. Attached the magnets that will hold the shoulder plates.
5. Since the place is difficult for sewing I used fabric glue to glue the pads to the shoulders. The gap between the sleeve and the shoulder pad is planned to be covered by the shoulder plates, but I fear that won't fit. If so I'll have to adjust this area.


1. Cut fabric, sewed on velcro and closed 3 sides.
2. Put in fitting mat and closed the fourth side.
3. Sewed in the patterns.
4. Glued it to the suit.


1. Cut foam rubber, Worblas and sketched the symbols for ALEPH and the Asura unit.
2. Burned the symbols into the foam rubber.
3. Covered the foam rubber parts with Worblas.
4. Shaped the plates and attached magnets.
5. Sanded the plates and applied several layers of paste.
6. Atzilla painted them like he did with the calf plates.
7. Cut cerecloth to fit the bottom parts of the plates...
8. ...and glued it on.
9. Attached the plates on the suit. As you can see it doesn't match the gap, so I'll have to rework the shoulder part.

And some gems for the Syndra:

[Yashia]

1. Cut out Kobra Cast and foam rubber in the needed shape.
2. Sewed press buttons on the Cast.
3. Heated the Cast, pressed the foam rubber on it and shaped the whole thing.
4. Painted the inner side black.
5. Sewed the other part of the press buttons on the sleeve so it stays on the elbow.

And Syndras Boots:

[red harvest]

Nice work. I do like where the Concept Asuras is going.

[Arachas]

Thanks for taking the time to post it all up here. And even more so for continuing to update it!

Could you post the concept art you're referring to for Asura 2.0? I'm not quite sure what the difference is.

[Errhile]

Having seen the Neoterra Bolt (by Tabitha) Cosplay (@ Gencon Scoop thread) I must say I like Yashia's cosplays more.

I'm not an expert, so not going to take on the technical details, but both Asura v1 (we'll see v2 when it is done!) and Chimera were IMO far more gracefully executed than the Bolt.

[Yashia]

@ Arachas:
I really wish I could, but I promised someone - let's just call him B. - not to show it around. Sorry!

@ Errhile:
I'm really happy that you like my work but comparing it to Tabithas is like comparing the drawing of a 3 years old to Picasso. She has command of some techniques I'll probably never acquire.
Still thanks though!

[Yashia]

1. Cut some Kobra Cast and sewed press buttons on it.
2. Shaping part 1...
3. ...and part 2.
4. Painted it black.
5. Glued a strip of foam rubber on it.
6. Attached it on the upper arm.

And some Syndra stuff:

[Section9]

Somebody get Maru into the eye doctor, he needs new glasses!

I don't see anything wrong with that picture.

(though I have to admit the full-body pic is ... not very flattering. I think you're a bit too tall and maybe a bit too curvy to pull off the 'little girl')

[edit to add] About that Kobra Cast stuff: I think you might have better luck shaping it if you cut the squares on the bias, with the long 'threads' going from corner to corner. I know that works a lot better for forming fiberglass, for example.

[Yashia]

Asura collar:

1. Cut fabric, sewed on velcro and closed 3 sides.
2. Put in fitting mat and closed the fourth side.
3. Sewed in the patterns.
4. Glued it to the suit.

And Syndras skirt:

[Mob of Blondes]

Will Syndra have glowing helmet?

Or this is just some kind of spell?

[Yashia]

That's the spell.
and in general I'm going for the artwork, not the concept because I like it better. I'm only using the concept where the artwork has it's limits.

[Arachas]

@ Arachas:
I really wish I could, but I promised someone - let's just call him B. - not to show it around. Sorry!

Wait, what? Bostria gave you early concept art for you to base a new cosplay on?

[Errhile]

@ Errhile:
I'm really happy that you like my work but comparing it to Tabithas is like comparing the drawing of a 3 years old to Picasso. She has command of some techniques I'll probably never acquire.
Still thanks though!

Technical skill is one thing, and - not being an expert myself - I'm not going to argue about that point.
Gracefullness is an another kettle of fish entirely, and it may be probably learned, but usually tends to be an innate quality.

There are works that are technically perfect, but short in the other department. And there are works that are charming enough to make one overlook possible technical shortcomings.
As you have probably guessed already, I consider yours to be of the second type.

[Yashia]

Wait, what? Bostria gave you early concept art for you to base a new cosplay on?

Who said it was early? It's just yet unseen
I meant it: The concept of the Asuras is VERY different from the starter pack miniature!

[Mob of Blondes]

Does it matter?

[Arachas]

Wait, what? Bostria gave you early concept art for you to base a new cosplay on?

Who said it was early? It's just yet unseen
I meant it: The concept of the Asuras is VERY different from the starter pack miniature!

Now I'm getting worried. I rather like the current incarnation!

[Scorch]

Oh, that sounds promising. I might put buying more Vedic on hold for now.

[Yashia]

Does it matter?

Well, that artwork is pretty much between the concept and the miniature.

@ Scorch: I'm afraid you misunderstood The concept art Bostria send me was the concept for all existing Asura miniatures. The reason I promised not to post it online is another one...

[Scorch]

Oh, okay! Thanks for clarifying! Too bad it can't be shown.

[red harvest]

We'll see it when Yashia posts photos of the Cosplay. Geduld Scorch. (Sorry Don't know the Dutch word) Or when the Vedic is announced. Either way, enjoy the ride. With this Syndra, that is 2 darker themed cosplays in a row. (Asuras 2.0 being the first)

[Scorch]

Geduld = patience in Dutch. Seeing the context, you're spot on!;) and I'm looking forward to Yashia's cosplay! it wasn't meant as a 'hurry up', I am just a really big fan of the Vedic ALEPH: the whole puppetmaster, pulling the strings behind the scenes + the fact that I focused heavy on Indian/Vedic philosophy and culture during my time @ university. Hearing something about a possible resculpt of the Asuras was reason enough for me to overthink a future purchase.

[red harvest]

Interesting. It was geþyld in Old English (pronounce þ (thorn the letter is called) like the 'th' in 'thing', not like in 'these' (ie unvoiced) Apparently we dropped it for the Latin/French patience.

I thought Yashia was doing updates on Sundays? I need my weekly cosplay progress fix....

[Mob of Blondes]

Some hyponotic therapy will help you wait.

[Errhile]

Interesting. It was geþyld in Old English (pronounce þ (thorn the letter is called) like the 'th' in 'thing', not like in 'these' (ie unvoiced) Apparently we dropped it for the Latin/French patience.

Risking to get slightly off-topic, I'd guess it was a French influence in Middla Ages. I'm not an expert on the topic, but the Old English word sounds Germanic, which would put it in the era of Angles and Saxons. Therefore, IIRC, a little too late to be influenced by the Romans with their Latin... but perfectly in time to come with the Normans, I guess.

I love how these things are traceable in English

...I really have to finally put my grubby mitts on Norman Davies' "The Isles"...