Guest post – How to Make Your Very Own Clopin Mask

This tutorial is made by canadian-rainwater from Deviantart.com. She is a cosplayer and also an amazing artist. You should check her out. With her approval, I’d like to share this tutorial with our friends here. The characters maybe a little tiny and blurry, you can check the original enlarged infographic here, or, here’s the text below.

How to Make Your Very Own Clopin Mask

A comprehensive guide to how I made my clopin mask. by the (only?) Clopin cosplayer in singapore.

This is by no means the only way to make his mask. This is just how I’ve done it.

Before we begin. here are some materials to get a hold of:

Pink Paint

PVA Glue (make sure it dries clear! I will not be held accountable for foggy masks !)

Elastic

Tape

Glitter(oh heck yes)

paper/Newspaper

Scissors

Gold Lining

Basic plastic Half-Face mask (If your local art shop doesn’t have these. try a fabric/ arts-and-crafts store)

stiff paper(not cardboard)

1.The first thing I do is replace the elastic. Usually these mask bases come with a thin white band. but to make sure it doesn’t snap under the extra weight I remove it and add my own.

Because my hair is black I use black elastic. Staple it to the mask. we’ll cover it up later.

IMPORTANT:   make sure the mask doesn’t get in the way of your hat! My first mask was too tall and I couldn’t pull the hat down properly onte my head.
…In fact that’s the primary reason I’m making it again.

2. You’ll notice clopin’s mask covers his entire nose. most “real” masks leave the bottom of the nose free. but if you’re a perfectionist like me then you’ve got to make your life more difficult…

…So begin measuring your nostrils and start cutting up that stiff paper to make a nose worthy of the title of clopin! (Tip: I wer the bottom of my nose smooshed it against the paper.and then traced around the watermark)

Tape the extra parts to the mask base. Don’t worry if it looks messy. we’ll cover it all up later. (You may want the help of a mirror for this step.)
When you’re done the mask should look something like this.

3. Now the fun begins! (That was sarcasm…)

I’m too lazy to bother measuring and mixing proper papier-mache glue. Instead Iwater down some PVA/white glue.

Once you’re happy with the mask begin papier-mache-ing over it. Cover the staples and the loose ends of the elastic. It won’t snap so easily anymore!

Once you’re done your desk shoule be a royal mess … I mean. The mask will begin to look like this.

Completed papier-mache

Ler it dry!

To make sure the mask stays concave I like to take precautions. Weigh down the ends of the mask as it dries.

Shoop-da-woop! We’re getting there!

4. Painting time! Woo-hoo!!

Whip out that tube of ridiculously pink paint and get crackin!

As with the mache. I like to mix the paint with a bit of water and PVA glue. It makes the paint stick really well and adds a slight gloss. (Tip: If you ever find yourself needing to paint onto plastic.mix the paint with PVA glve. It won’t wash off.)

Add the first layer of paint and let it dry…

…Add then add a second layer.

Keep adding layers and let it dry in-between applications of paint. (Tip:If you want to paint the inside of the mask you don’t have to add as many layers .make sure to add a finishing coat of PVA, gloss, or any other sealant of some kind when you’re done. however. other wise the paont will wipe off onto your face if you sweat.)

Add as many layers of paint as you tiink you need. The more coats you apply. the smoother the surface of the mask becomes and the texture of the mache less prominent.

Make sure you have something to do while it dries..

5. It’s dry! Woohoo!!

For the last coat. mix some glitter with water and PVA. I use red glitter to make the effect more subtle.

DON’T ADD TOO MUCH GLITTER!! Clopin’s gaudy enough as it is. we don’t need to encourage him.

Clopon’s mask doesn’t have glitter in the film. This step is optional. Personally I prefer addingjust a hint of glitter to make his mask resemble Venetian camival masks. It alst makes it more interesting.

6. And now for the final step!

Time for the gold lining!

For the trim on his mask I prefer using gold (what is that…lace?) which you should be able to get from any basic fabric store.

You could probably opt to paint on the gold using glitter glue. but I think it would be messy. The lining stands out more .

Glue it onto the edge of the mask using super Glue but work A BIT AT A TIME. Leave the glue to set for a few seconds. clamped down using clothespins. and make sure it’s dry before moving on!!
(I do not recommend holding it to dry with your hands. The glue will stick to your fingers and it will be a nightmare to clean off. TRUST ME.)

Bonus Tutorial! Oh you lucky ducks!

While that’s setting I thought I’d show you all how I make his beard as well. since I’ve gotten lots of inquiries about it. It’s actually really easy…

1. Consult a mirror and skerch out the basic shape of his stylish goatee.

2. Cut out said sketch and use it as a template. Place it on the faux fur and cut out the shape. (make sure the direction of the fur is facing down. or else you’ll have abackwards beard!!)

3.You should now have yourself the makings of clopin’s fine facial hair!

It’s that easy.

Trim off any excess fur until you get it looking right by your eyes…

*Note: There are several ways to attach the beard. At first I ustd double-sided fabric tape but it doern’t stick well to the favx fur and begins to some apart as you sweat. I’d recommend eydlash glve or a similar costume glue but make sure you apply it SPARINGLY! It works. Very.Well.

Top 10 Pretty Anime Girls

Among frequently launched votes, the most beautiful anime girls or the coolest anime boys seem like eternally hot topics. Below is exactly another poll themed on pretty girls in Japanese anime. Ten girls are believed to stand out. Now, let’s take a look.

Top 1: Teresa from Claymore

In an era when human beings became food for demons, some people transplanted demons’ flesh and blood into females’ bodies. Females become monsters that carry features of both humans and demons to fight against evil spirits. All of them carry big swords. Humans and demons, who feel afraid and disgusted about them, call them claymore.

Even though claymores have bodies that look like humans’ and also demons’, all of them have tall figures, blond hair and silver eye pupils, seeming rather pretty. And exactly due to beautiful appearance, they are also called as silver eye pupil succubaes. Teresa is the most powerful claymore. She will never release her demon force however strong monsters she meets. Never will there be ugly distortion on her comely face! Having a forever beautiful and dolce look, she will charm the crowd once smiling. But her heart is filled with loneness and sadness. Because of being powerful and graceful, Teresa also seems rather aloofly proud and cold. Until meeting Clare, she perceived her life meaning. Without any hesitation, she fights for Clare and also for herself. Teresa, who is strong and brave, smiles forever.

Top 2: Euphemia Li from Code Geass

Euphemia Li, the third princess in the superpower Britannia, is an innocent, happy, kind and dolce girl. She is almost an incarnation for perfectness, who spares no efforts to build a Special Administrative Zone of Japan in the region under Mount Fuji and make people there equally coexist with Britannia people. But since her plan totally violates her brother’s intention, she is killed finally. In spite of being a princess, Euphemia doesn’t have political right and feel helpless and hesitant.

Top 3: Kikyo from Inuyasha

Being powerful, Kikyo was the psychic before her death, who guarded the soul jade. Because of falling in love with semi-demon Inuyasha, she was used by Naraku, who stole the soul jade and scapegoated to Inuyasha. After sealing Inuyasha, she also died. 50 years later, seal on Inuyasha was removed by Higurashi Kagome. Kikyo also revived by witchcraft. Then, these three persons developed into an entangling relation. Different with Kagome’s innocence and kindness, Kikyo is more clever, lonely and more beautiful. A dead, yet still living person, who got rid of the constraint of soul jade, can hate and love freely. But owing to sadness in the heart, her love for Inuyasha tends to become more intense.

Top 4: Haibara Ai from Detective Conan

As cold as Kikyo, Haibara Ai feels more amiable because environment around her is closer to reality. Having tawny hair, white complexion and azure blue eyes, she is a Japanese and British mix-blooded with a breathtaking appearance. Besides, she is also a medical genius with super high intelligence, who makes people can’t help but falling in deep love with her.

Top 5: Ayanami Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion

Any anime lover should know Ayanami Rei, who is considered to be the goddess in the anime world. A clone warrior with blue hair and red eyes seems cold yet actually warm-hearted. Even though seeming cool anytime, her stunning prettiness charms all people while smiling. She defeated the queen in the Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind and created an unprecedented miracle in the Japanese anime world.

Top 6: C.C from Code Geass


Here is another cool beauty — queen of C.C. She leaves a deep impression on lots of people by ageless appearance, eternal life, mysterious past, graceful queen-like accent and a loyal customer for Pizza Hut.

Top 7: Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed


Lacus Clyne is the favorite on animation festivals in recent years, who won the laurel of the most popular female character frequently. She has elegant long hair in pink, pride and charming smile. To be honest, she should appear on the “top 5” list. But in Japan where ten batches of pretty anime girls are born every day, Lacus Clyne has no longer been young.

Top 8: Sakura from Reservoir Chronicle


Princess Sakura seems more dolce and cute under dreamlike and romantic painting style adopted by Clamp.

Top 9: Sanzenin Nagi from Hayate the Combat Butler


Being cute and arrogant, Sanzenin Nagi is irresistibly appealing. Double golden ponytails make her seem so kawaii, XDD.

Top 10: Kuchiki Rukia from Bleach


Kuchiki Rukia is different with any of above girls. And you may think she is not as beautiful as above girls. But if you are a devotee for Bleach and have known temperament of this girl, you will change your thought. Being calm, kind and brave, she is undoubtedly beautiful.

Everybody has his/her own “top beautiful anime girls” in mind. So, have you also found your favorite girls in those fictional stories? Why not share with us below?

Cosplayer Interviews – Flytrap-Hell

This is Flytrap-Hell, a Finnish girl who is an anthro artist. In her words, she joined in Deviantart to participate in contests, show her artwork to the world and then become a better artist, sounding really ambitious, XD. Having a wide interest on horror, art, anime, cosplay (lots of stunning performances have been shown), etc, Flytrap-Hell especially loves Nightmare Before Christmas and Moulin Rouge.

Today, Flytrap-Hell joined in our cosplay interview to share us her cosplay experience. Thanks, Flytrap-Hell, XD. Now, let’s take a look at the detailed interview content.

1.Please Introduce yourself first?
Hi there everyone! I’m Lisa, but around the internet I’m called Amira. I’m 18-year-old girl from Finland and you might already guess that I’m all grazy over crafts, sewing and cartoons.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?
For me cosplay means to be someone else for a moment and show your skills in crafts. A new cosplay is always a new challenge!

3.What was your first cosplay?
I’m embarassed to admit that it was Haruno Sakura from Naruto, made and cosplayed on 2006. It wasn’t that great costume (okay, it was bad! XD) but I had really much fun at the con I was wearing it.

4.Does your family supports your cosplay?
At first my mother saw it as a really embarassing thing, but she has always been my sponsor and given me tips and opinions how I should do some things.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Hmm… This is a tricky one. What would be my most memorable cosplay experience…. I guess it’s from the last summer (2010), when we had our “human version” Team Chaotix group (from Sonic the Hedgehog). We were trying to stay in character around the con, but it was really hard for me since I was cosplaying Espio, a really serious ninja, while the others were making jokes and fooling around.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
Well on the 15th of June I’m going to travel to USA to my boyfriends place and we’re going to go to ConnectiCon together. And of course this kind of cosplay freak will cosplay! Me and my boyfriend chose pretty childish series and we will be characters from Pokemon and Digimon.

7.Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them ?
By myself of course! I think that’s half of the point of the cosplay and it’s also half of the fun! I usually find all kinds of useful items from flea markets, like shoes, which I can use in my costumes after a small modification.

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
A lot! From DA I could give some examples…
DaKyu. She’s a close friend of mine and I just adore the photoshoot pictures she gets from her cosplay. She also does really detailed cosplay!
Jamberrii. She and her boyfriend have marvellous Sonic the Hedgehog human cosplays.
Kaksoset89. These two girls do amazing bodypainting, but also great cosplays.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Well of course during these years I have cosplayed I have learned a lot more about sewing and crafts. But after individual cosplays I usually get a terrible urge to start many new cosplay projects, since I have met new people and seen awsome costumes in a con where I was wearing my cosplay.

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
My advice would be that don’t worry if your first costume doesn’t look that great! The most important thing is to have fun! Also, don’t try to do too complicated costume as your first cosplay. Human versions from different characters are a great way to start, since you can pretty much desing the costume by yourself, but still stay faitful to the original creature.

Daily Cosplay – Macross Frontier Sheryl Nome Cosplay

Knowing Puppetgirl94, an English girl who is fond of sketch and cosplay, would go to an anime convention yesterday, I’ve been waiting for her photos on the expo. But till just now, only this one taken before she went to the London MCM expo was found. Anyway, with legs crossed, she seems breathtakingly pretty with the white-and-blue Macross Frontier Sheryl Nome cosplay dress, X=D. Just visit her gallery to see her up-to-date cosplay works.