Beginners Props!Beginners Props!

So, props eh?So, props eh? This is a guide to get you started making This is a guide to get you started making

propsprops I’ll be covering some quick tips, the basic I’ll be covering some quick tips, the basic

types of props there are and how to make types of props there are and how to make them and how to paint different materialsthem and how to paint different materials

There will be a Q&A at the end if you want There will be a Q&A at the end if you want specific advicespecific advice

I make a lot of my own props out of different I make a lot of my own props out of different materials, this is just covering the cheaper materials, this is just covering the cheaper methods that don’t use specialist tools or methods that don’t use specialist tools or safety equipment. Great for shared houses!safety equipment. Great for shared houses!

Before you even start Before you even start making!making!

Get a good reference of what you’re Get a good reference of what you’re making!making!

Figure out how much it will cost! Figure out how much it will cost! Nothing sucks more than running out Nothing sucks more than running out of money half way through a project!of money half way through a project!

Check the convention rules to make Check the convention rules to make sure you’ll be allowed with it!sure you’ll be allowed with it!

Figure out how you’ll be travelling to Figure out how you’ll be travelling to the con!the con!

Basic EquipmentBasic Equipment Good scissorsGood scissors Craft knifeCraft knife Pens that workPens that work Ruler and tape measureRuler and tape measure Glue gunGlue gun Wood glue/PVAWood glue/PVA Contact AdhesiveContact Adhesive Super glue/epoxy glueSuper glue/epoxy glue

What we’re coveringWhat we’re covering SwordsSwords Big swordsBig swords GunsGuns Big GunsBig Guns Awkward shapesAwkward shapes Basic ArmourBasic Armour JewleryJewlery

SwordsSwords To figure out the length of the sword To figure out the length of the sword

compare the reference to yourself. If compare the reference to yourself. If it comes to the character’s knee, it comes to the character’s knee, make it come to yours. make it come to yours.

A Katana blade length is from your A Katana blade length is from your hand to your nipple. The total length hand to your nipple. The total length will be ¾ blade ¼ grip.will be ¾ blade ¼ grip.

It needs to be a length that you’d be It needs to be a length that you’d be able to sheathe it.able to sheathe it.

How to scale things upHow to scale things up Print out a good reference and draw a grid Print out a good reference and draw a grid

over it in 1cm squaresover it in 1cm squares Draw a grid out on the sheet. The squares will Draw a grid out on the sheet. The squares will

be the length of the sword you want divided be the length of the sword you want divided by the length of the sword in the picture.by the length of the sword in the picture.

Sword in picture = 20cmSword in picture = 20cmSword you want = 160cmSword you want = 160cm160/20=8 … Squares will be 8cmx8cm160/20=8 … Squares will be 8cmx8cm

SwordsSwordsMaterials you can make swords from:Materials you can make swords from:

WoodWood MDFMDF Mount boardMount board Craft foam with a coreCraft foam with a core Foam boardFoam board

SwordsSwords from Wood from Wood Cut to shape with a jigsaw. If you’re Cut to shape with a jigsaw. If you’re

really hard core you can do it by really hard core you can do it by hand.hand.

Sand it down. A LOT.Sand it down. A LOT. Seal with PVA or Car lacquer Seal with PVA or Car lacquer Paint with spray for best effectPaint with spray for best effect Seal with clear spraySeal with clear spray

Swords from layersSwords from layersThis technique works for mountboard, craft foam This technique works for mountboard, craft foam

and foam boardand foam board Draw the sword out on the first layer and cut it Draw the sword out on the first layer and cut it

out with scissors or a craft knifeout with scissors or a craft knife Glue the first layer onto the next layer then cut Glue the first layer onto the next layer then cut

around itaround it Repeat until desired thickness and strengthRepeat until desired thickness and strength If using craft foam build up until the thickness of If using craft foam build up until the thickness of

the core you’re using then cut a groove for it to the core you’re using then cut a groove for it to sit in. Then glue the next layer on to it.sit in. Then glue the next layer on to it.

If you use foam board you need to seal the edges If you use foam board you need to seal the edges or foam will show throughor foam will show through

Swords from layersSwords from layersFinishing offFinishing off

Seal with PVA or GessoSeal with PVA or Gesso Paint black with acrylicPaint black with acrylic Paint with metalic acrylics or sprayPaint with metalic acrylics or spray

Big SwordsBig SwordsThese are trickier because you need to These are trickier because you need to

make them both light and strong.make them both light and strong.

You need an insert down the middle to You need an insert down the middle to support the sword and then you build support the sword and then you build around itaround it

It’s a good idea to weight the hilt to It’s a good idea to weight the hilt to make it easier to liftmake it easier to lift

Big SwordsBig SwordsMaterials you can make big swords from:Materials you can make big swords from:

Support:Support: Wooden dowelWooden dowel PVC PipePVC Pipe Metal pipeMetal pipe Fibreglass rodFibreglass rod

Blade:Blade: Insulation foamInsulation foam Polystyrene sheetPolystyrene sheet Mount boardMount board Camping matCamping mat

Big SwordsBig Swords Either seal with PVA, Gesso or Either seal with PVA, Gesso or Papier-Papier-

mâché if the shape is awkward. If the mâché if the shape is awkward. If the texture is really rough use masking texture is really rough use masking tape or duct tape to seal.tape or duct tape to seal.

Paint with black acrylicPaint with black acrylic Paint with metallic acrylics or sprayPaint with metallic acrylics or spray

GunsGuns The easiest way to make a gun is to The easiest way to make a gun is to

buy a cheap toy base then build over buy a cheap toy base then build over the top of it.the top of it.

You can mount board, craft foam, You can mount board, craft foam, plastic parts and whatever else you plastic parts and whatever else you find to make it the right shape.find to make it the right shape.

Plastic wine glasses cut

upBase gun

Medical tubing

Piece of leather cut to shapeButton

Big GunsBig Guns Big guns are best made from PVC Big guns are best made from PVC

tubing or Big cardboard tubes. You tubing or Big cardboard tubes. You get plastic pipe from B&Q and you get plastic pipe from B&Q and you can beg fabric places for cardboard can beg fabric places for cardboard tubes.tubes.

Use the same principals as for Use the same principals as for smaller guns, but remember the smaller guns, but remember the structure has to be solid.structure has to be solid.

PVC Pipe

Plumbing part

Polystyrene carved to

shape then covered

with mountboar

d

Gun butt from toy

Wooden dowel with cupboard

hinge

Awkward ShapesAwkward ShapesThis is for when you need to make a weird This is for when you need to make a weird

thing on a prop that you can’t cut out of a thing on a prop that you can’t cut out of a square. Materials you can use are:square. Materials you can use are:

Papier-mâchéPapier-mâché MilliputMilliput FimoFimo Friendly plasticFriendly plastic Carved foam (polystyrene or insulation Carved foam (polystyrene or insulation

foam)foam)

Using Using Papier-mâchéPapier-mâché Create the shape you want using Create the shape you want using

paper/tissue paper or chicken wirepaper/tissue paper or chicken wire Tear up strips so there are no cut edgesTear up strips so there are no cut edges I use wood glue because it strengthens I use wood glue because it strengthens

the sword and makes it more the sword and makes it more waterproof. PVA will also do but it’s not waterproof. PVA will also do but it’s not as strongas strong

Do at least 2 layers. Leave yourself at Do at least 2 layers. Leave yourself at least a week to complete this because of least a week to complete this because of drying timesdrying times

Basic ArmourBasic ArmourMaterials you can make armour from:Materials you can make armour from:

MountboardMountboard CraftfoamCraftfoam Papier-mâché for weird bitsPapier-mâché for weird bits

Mountboard armourMountboard armour Build the shape by Build the shape by

cutting pieces out and cutting pieces out and gluing them with Wood gluing them with Wood glue. Hold them in place glue. Hold them in place with masking tape while with masking tape while they drythey dry

Paint black when all Paint black when all finishedfinished

Then paint in desired Then paint in desired colourcolour

Craft foamCraft foam Create shape out of foam. Create shape out of foam.

Support where necessarySupport where necessary Glue with glue gun or Glue with glue gun or

contact adheasivecontact adheasive You NEED to seal the foam You NEED to seal the foam

before painting or it will rub before painting or it will rub off. Seal with layers of PVC off. Seal with layers of PVC or Gesso.or Gesso.

Paint in colours of your Paint in colours of your choicechoice

Basic ArmourBasic ArmourThe hardest part with armour is figuring out how to The hardest part with armour is figuring out how to

attach it to the costume/yourself. Some options are:attach it to the costume/yourself. Some options are:

Poppers/snaps which go through the armourPoppers/snaps which go through the armour Velcro (needs to be stuck with contact adhesive and Velcro (needs to be stuck with contact adhesive and

only works with light armouronly works with light armour Lacing. Make holes in the armour/underneath it and Lacing. Make holes in the armour/underneath it and

tie it on yourself. tie it on yourself. Straps with buckles. These are traditionally how Straps with buckles. These are traditionally how

armour is attached so can look quite cool.armour is attached so can look quite cool. Rivet it to the actual costume. You can buy rivets off Rivet it to the actual costume. You can buy rivets off

ebay for cheapebay for cheap

JewleryJewlery Things you can use to make jewlery:Things you can use to make jewlery: FimoFimo Friendly plasticFriendly plastic MilliputMilliput Craft foamCraft foam Regular jewellery findingsRegular jewellery findings

Fimo

Craft foam

Milliput

Now ask me questions!Now ask me questions!If you want a copy of this slide I’ll post

it up on the Alcon Forums

If you email me at Tab@khaoskostumes.com I can also

send it to you

My website: Www.KhaosKostumes.ComMy website: Www.KhaosKostumes.Com