Thursday, July 24, 2014

Male Papercraft Model!

It took me a bit longer to complete this one, but here is a third papercraft model for anyone who would like it!


Model AML
- Intended for mature male characters
- Strong chin, female possible if you shave it down
- Approx. 12.5in in height
I highly recommend that wearers be taller than me! It looks a bit silly on a 5'2" girl. However it should look good on a person of more average height

PURCHASING PROCEDURE:
1. Send me an email at kigu-rin@hotmail.com titled "Paper Craft Pattern" or similar, and request which model you want.
2. I will email you back with my paypal address.
3. Send a payment of $15 USD, (Handle the paypal fees however you'd like) and I will email you the PDF file. That's it!

PLEASE DO -NOT-
1. Give away my patterns for free or upload them elsewhere on the internet.
2. Use my patterns as a base for a mask you are building with the intent to sell to another.
3. Duplicate a mask made from my patterns except for personal, non-commercial use.
I cannot enforce these rules, but I hope you will respect my effort and time. I reserve the right to refuse sale to any person for any reason.

ASSEMBLY TIPS:

1. It's best to start from the nose and work outwards. Trying to glue in a piece that is completely surrounded by finished portions is very difficult.
2. The opening for the head may need some shaving, it's a tight squeeze.
3. Apply extra paper to the inside to reenforce any weak or warped areas.
4. For male characters, do not be afraid to make the mouth wide and the eyes fairly small! Characters like this have more natural human proportions.

Again, the method you use to finish these is completely up to you!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Paper Craft Patterns Available for Purchase!

I've received a lot of questions, since my first posts about paper craft mask making, about if I was going to give or sell any mask patterns. I was hesitant to just give away my first pattern, but I did think of a solution! I finally got off my butt and started making a few patterns that I wouldn't mind other people using, if they'd like. Well, and broke RinRin could use the pocket money, this hobby is expensive!

I'm not expecting that a ton of people want these or anything anyway, since making your own mask isn't much cheaper than just buying one. This is primarily aimed at people who want to try making a kigurumi mask, but aren't confident in their sculpting abilities. I'm more than willing to answer any questions anyone has, and of course you're more than free to ask me about making computer models and creating a new pattern yourself. But, if you're looking for something you can print and work on right away, I've got two models so far and more on the way! Think of it as a DIY starter kit.

Anyway, here are the two models I'm referring to:



Model GNT
- Typical anime face shape
- Stronger nose bridge than my other works, so your real nose has room (You can always adjust to your liking during the finishing process)
- Approx. 11in in height.

Here's a rough idea of how big it is on my body. For reference, I am 5'2". She's rather large so should look okay for all heights. If you'd like a scaled up version, feel free to ask.



 Model CHB
- An unusually young face for chibi or doll-like characters
- Approx. 12in in height

Again, size reference on me, a 5'2" (157cm) person. The inside of the head will require a lot of foam or even a support structure so it sits properly.

I'm working on a "young adult male" model currently, I don't know if anyone would be interested, but the option will be there.

By the way, it only cost me about $5 to print both of these on card stock at the FedEx office. Much cheaper than a ton of clay! You can use my tutorial for help on surfacing these, or do whatever you want.


PURCHASING PROCEDURE:
1. Send me an email at kigu-rin@hotmail.com titled "Paper Craft Pattern" or similar, and request which model you want.
2. I will email you back with my paypal address.
3. Send a payment of $15 USD, (Handle the paypal fees however you'd like) and I will email you the PDF file. That's it!

PLEASE DO -NOT-
1. Give away my patterns for free or upload them elsewhere on the internet.
2. Use my patterns as a base for a mask you are building with the intent to sell to another.
3. Duplicate a mask made from my patterns except for personal, non-commercial use.
I cannot enforce these rules, but I hope you will respect my effort and time. I reserve the right to refuse sale to any person for any reason.



ASSEMBLY TIPS:

1. I recommend starting from the nose and chin area when you put a pattern together. The nose and chin areas are easily spotted, as they are the most detailed portions of the pattern. Start from there and work outward, and you won't end up trying to glue these detailed areas in last. Believe me, it's a hassle!
2. Cut as accurately as possible, many small mistakes can turn into a big one.
3. Some flaps overlap. This is okay, just cut them apart evenly.
4. Some flaps will need to be cut much smaller than printed in order to fit with their adjacent edge.
5. If your head cannot fit into the model, cut away or ignore the outermost pieces. (notice the incomplete back of my photo of GNT) If you choose to create a mold and cast the model in resin, you can cut away the FRP so that it fits your head after the fact. It doesn't need to be wearable while you're working!
6. if you must cut away on GNT, take away from the skull and not the chin.
7. The under-jaw of CHB is too long by design. Please cut away until it fits to your liking.
8. If you feel necessary, use strips of scrap paper to reenforce some areas around the hole. The under-chin of GNT seems to flatten naturally, so you may need to stiffen it with extra paper so that it rests under your jaw properly. The chin-to-neck line at profile should not be too steep!
9. Make sure your model is not warped in any way when you apply fiberglass or any other hardening agent of choice. Otherwise, it will be stuck that way!
10. Due to an error in the model, you will not need the small piece labeled 218 when assembling CHB.
11. Uneven dashed lines mean mountain fold, evenly spaced dotted lines mean valley fold.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Meeting with Ashley 2014! Part 1

Just a few days ago on the 5th, Ashley Yume/Nyu was in town so we met up and took some pictures! Also, Eru Chitanda from Hyouka (Made by Hui Oo) made her debut. I was really surprised to see a new mask! Anyway, here's a buncha photos. Our photography methods and my editing skills are suspect, but I hope you like them anyway.

First things first, selfies~





Ah, a cat!

 


Friday, July 4, 2014

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Papercraft Kigurumi Tutorial

Many people have asked me about this method of mask making, so I put together as big of a tutorial as I could muster the energy for. I hope this helps if you have any questions! It glosses over a lot of steps, and getting good at it inevitably requires hands-on experience, but this should give people a general idea. I've included some helpful links at the bottom.






Extra Resource Links:

My tutorial on making 3D models for papercraft masks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgCZmdq7Q5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHRfq99b1Xo
(I am so sorry about my voice and sniffly nose ;_;)

Helpful guides on using silicone to make molds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCIO_2J1gF0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlVdt7f-YGM
(everyone's methods differ a little, do your best!)

Fiberglass application
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKcIOBPQ-5E

There's tons of videos and resources out there, so don't be afraid to look! Remember, this is only one way of making masks. Some people prefer using clay or other materials, too. They all have their pros and cons.