My Leo costume build

[Benboy23]

Ok guys so ive been a long time lurker at therpf forum and started this thread there but thought id post here to see what you guys think, below is my original thread inc pictures and my latest update....please read on!

im a complete novis, infact i doubt im even that but after Months of lurking on here and other forums I finally feel ready to start my ninja turtle suit. I think I've soaked up enough knowledge to get this done. It's going to take a few months to complete so please be patient. But I will try and post as many updates as possible and will welcome any comments and advise along the way

Firstly I'd like to thank Matt(heroprops) for the mask which is on its way, can't wait to receive it. And within the next few weeks he will be providing me with his shell :-) this is either going to be the one I use on my costume or the reference for the one I make!

Ok so this is how I intend to attack this project...
I'll be starting off this week with my duct tape dummy. I will then be placing a spandex body suit over the top of this as the base for my muscle suit! This zips up the back and cover my entire head, the face will be cut out. My plan is to make this suit out of just 3 pieces, the muscle suit, shell and mask. Of course this will probably change as I go along lol

Next step will be to create the muscles out of upholstery foam, I have some great reference pics which will help and I do want this to be as close to the real thing as possible! Once I am happy with the muscles I may be 'skinning' over the muscles with a thin layer of foam, probably 3mm but this depends how smooth I can get the foam used to form the muscle shape...

Next will be several layers of latex, latex paint and finishing touches, shading etc.

Most of the other turtle builds I have seen comprise of quite a few seperate elements, such as seperate forearms, legs and hands etc. I'm hoping to avoid doing this and having one complete muscle suit. I've got some pretty good ideas how I'm going to do this and as I go along you will see if they have been a success or failure lol

This is the mask I have bought
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9249/1329422116380.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5357/1329422182919.jpg
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8291/1329422217424.jpg

And below is my progress so far on the muscle suit, next step is to cover with latex and paint..... Oh and the legs lol

Before skinning
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3149/1329422494815.jpg

And after, this was done tonight, took around two hours
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2377/1329422614518.jpg
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6305/1329422670251.jpg
http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/9198/1329422722352.jpg
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8323/1329422757077.jpg

[Powder]

Fantastic in all ways! Gonna be cool followin' this.

[Benboy23]

Thanks man, like I said I've never done anything like this before but so far I'm actually surprising myself with how it's looking haha:tlol:

[joe-eyeball]

Nice work. I have a question and I mean no criticism when I ask if you will sweat your butt off in this when its complete?

[Benboy23]

Yeah probably lol but I did go for the lightest upholstery foam I could find which should help with cooling... Also the way the shell fits, I'll be able to slip it off and zip open the back pretty quickly to cool down :)

My aim is to get this perfect for Halloween, my friend always has a party in a big gazebo and tends to just heat one end, I'll stay in the cold end this year lol

[Samhain]

Wow, that is amazing. The mask very much reminds me of the first movie Leo head. In some ways I even like it better. But yeah, I will for sure keep an eye on this thread.

[Benboy23]

I think he based the mask on the first movie, he does all 4 and can offer different expressions, not sure if he is a member here?! I haven't received it yet but should be here any day now and I'll upload some more pics of my actual mask

[Samhain]

I think he based the mask on the first movie, he does all 4 and can offer different expressions, not sure if he is a member here?! I haven't received it yet but should be here any day now and I'll upload some more pics of my actual mask

I may be wrong but, is he from England? I think I know who you are speaking of, I have a PR helmet from him. Great quality.

[Benboy23]

Yeah he is :-) and if by PR you mean power rangers then that is definitely him.

He is also providing my shell.

[Samhain]

Yeah he is :-) and if by PR you mean power rangers then that is definitely him.

He is also providing my shell.

Yep, I recognized the PR base. He definitely produces some very nice props.

[Candy Kappa]

Could install some fans in the shell :P

saw some fursuit maker do it inside the helmet

[Benboy23]

Haha yeah I could, there's a guy over at therpf doing a simular build and he is considering putting a liquid cooling system in lol

[Donnie]

Looking AWESOME dude!

[Benboy23]

Looking AWESOME dude!

cheers dude.... i'll update this as often as i can:trolleye:

[eledoremassis02]

Awesome! Can't wait to see more progress!

[Benboy23]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'll be finishing up the legs and starting latex/paint over the next couple of weeks.... My mask should be here tomorrow :-)

[Benboy23]

Quick update, the mask hasn't arrived yet but should be here weds!

I should have the shell sorted for next week, so I'm going to crack on with finishing up the legs feet and hands, so in maybe two weeks i should be able to try the whole thing on to test the fit prior to latex and paint :-)

Exciting times lol, I thought this would take me forever to get finished but it's moving along really quickly!

Do any of the members here know where I could get a hold of some replica elbow and knee pads?? If I can buy them for the right price I'd prefer to do that, I do have the foam and faux leather to make them but really would prefer not to lol

[Benboy23]

Anyone?? It would be a great help

[Jephael]

Damn, that is one awesome mask!

[Benboy23]

Hey guys,

So i managed to secure some knee pads, elbow pads and wrist straps from the coming out of their shell tour. They are made from real leather and will really add to my costume. I'll have some photos up later.

I have a week off work at the end of march, so hopefully I'll I'll be able to get pics up of me wearing the suit mask shell and pads! This will be prior to latexing the muscle suit. It will give me a good look at the proportions of everything before I start the latex :-)

[RadicalPat]

I love these kinds of threads! I will be making my own one soon as well, after making enough research on it, since I know nothing on how to make costumes.

[Benboy23]

Go for it man. So far so good for me. I know my limits so I have bought the parts I can't build :-) good luck

[Benboy23]

Quick update, first up is the quick mock up of the hands

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/6253/1331766108192.jpg
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/9759/1331766147541.jpg
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9373/1331766180619.jpg

The pads

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3180/1331766229247.jpg

And my mask finally came today

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/8734/1331766281475.jpg
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4028/1331766317068.jpg
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8752/1331766351191.jpg
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8854/1331766381300.jpg
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/732/1331766408042.jpg
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/5093/1331766437964.jpg

[Benboy23]

Ok guys, so due to work and a new baby I've had very little movement on this and lost motivation lol about a month ago I managed to obtain some foam latex costume pieces, the detail is amazing! It has just cleared customs and should be with me by Friday :-) and I'll be sure to post some photos for you all to see... Basically it is a full costume, that just needs painting..... Due to the baby I may need to sell this on!

[Lampy]

Holy crap that is beautiful!!! Can't wait to see the final product.

[Benboy23]

Thanks man....When I get my camera sorted I'll update this. I now have 2 suits, this one and one I bought from a professional! One of them will be for sale soon

[twopinacoladas]

Awesome work cant believe I didn't see this thread, the mask looks great. I am really impressed with your body suit so far its going to be awesome. I was considering doing something like this last year but lacked the time and motivation. Also if I did it wouldn't look nearly as good as yours currently.

[TheCanadiandrome]

wicked cool looking

[goingnowhereshow]

i like your knee/elbow pads. Thats the only part of the costume im stumped on, cause i dont kno how to soe >.<

[Benboy23]

Neither do I lol... My new items arrived. Here are a few sneaky shots so not to derail this thread too much.... The items are raw pulls....they need trimming and painting. Still not sure if I'll keep this and continue with my other build, or sell one of them.... Hmmmm decisions, anyway onto a few sneaky shots :P

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3830/1338494851119.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6406/1338494890110.jpg
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6743/1338494942237.jpg

[goingnowhereshow]

nice! :tgrin:

[Lampy]

just wow... i like how you made subtle eye holes for you under the bandana. clever idea. i don't think anyone will see that. cool new arms man... i seriously can't wait to see you final product. the head itself makes for an awesome leo trophy display.

[Benboy23]

OK so the pads pictured above, are, for the time being no longer an option due to financial constraints! i may now have to build my own....

[Plasticplayhouse]

very cool thus far. cant wait to see more.

[cartoonistaaron]

OK so the pads pictured above, are, for the time being no longer an option due to financial constraints! i may now have to build my own....

Building your own pads isn't hard - I sewed some for my cartoon-style Turtle Suit several years ago, and more recently I sewed some for a custom plush. Just don't think of them as being actual protective pads and you'll be fine.

Look for brown "tablecloth" vinyl instead of leather - I found that it was much cheaper and looked just as good. And hand-stitch everything if you don't have a sewing machine. Learning to hand sew takes probably five minutes. Practice on scrap fabric to figure out your patterns.

The hands and arms look good! Good luck!!

[eddski]

wow alot of work went into this! Nice one mate!

[zkarlette]

Those hands look pretty good.:)

[AZspidey]

Cant wait to see how this all comes together :tgrin:

[nuj0iz]

Costume looks sick bro!!!!