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Description
Ok... So, for a long time I've had this idea of making a Transformer costume. I have several friends that are (or were) into the cosplay scene pretty heavily, but I was never much for the idea of dressing up since I'm not a big fan of sewing and no character really sparks my interest.

However, Transformers have always been close to my heart (specifically G1), and the idea of being Grimlock, Warpath, Devastator, Optimus Prime, Megatron... the list goes on and on. But one of my all time favorites has been Hound. I still have the original Toy from the 80's and he reminded me of my grandfathers jeep when I was growing up.

This is the first of many conceptual sketches, and the design will change gradually as "what is cool to me" meets "what is possible". Movement and proportions are my two biggest concerns for the structure of the suit, while the design is a mixture of takes on Hound over the years (with a few of my own artistic liberties added in). If you're looking for this to be dead on to any current Hound drawing, you're going to be slightly disappointed.

Major fun factors:
1. Figuring out the joints. I love construction and thinking my way around problems, and I've already devised plans for movement of the arms and legs. The torso will be an area of concern for maximum flexibility, but I have a few dozen ideas I'll be trying in the pre-builds. There will be plenty of prototypes being made of cheap materials until I'm ready to look into possibly having the suit outsourced for fabricating in light weight but durable plastics.

2. lights, camera, action! I have a bunch of ideas for some electrical work on this figure as well. The headlights, break lights, and definitely the eyes would look great if they lit up, and a few hidden components for my cell phone, wallet, and room key could come in handy.

Major pain factors:
1. Finding out what building materials to use that will make the suit at least semi-comfortable for prolonged use at conventions.

2. Getting the head to not seem bigger than it's already going to have to be. Transformers are giants, and the rule with drawing giants is that the head usually looks smaller in contrast to normal proportions. So many of the cosplay TF's you see out there all seem to have a huge heads, and the reason is because the details in the helmet/mask/head are pretty important, and the human head just can't reshape itself to look smaller. There's a few ways around this, but it's going to be a pain in the neck.

3. Shoulder width. This will be easier on a character like Hound where I can hide that the connection of the arms to the chest isn't as close as it actually will be. He has a unique design that should allow me to pull off a convincing proportion in this area. I don't want the arms looking like they start in the grill of the chest, and fortunately I have a bit stockier frame to allow for better results. At least I hope it will...

Many more sketches to come, and maybe some better ones at that. It's been forever since I sat down and drew out anything. It shows. Also, I'm not going to rush this suit, so don't expect to see it at a convention for a year or two... or three. Time, cost, and trial and error will play big parts in how quickly this gets done, but since I don't plan on making a lot of cosplay outfits, this needs to be as close to what I envisioned as possible. Craftsmanship is something I want to focus on the most. This is something I want people thinking a top notch pro put together. Not some newbie hack.

Oh, and sorry to say, I won't be having Hound transform. Sorry to disappoint, but in order for him to look the way I want him to (and the fact that human bodies don't bend like a transformer can), I'm going to be satisfied with just a cool robot mode. That, and I don't want people jumping on my back for free rides...

Hound belongs to Hasbro.

Description
Ok... So, for a long time I've had this idea of making a Transformer costume. I have several friends that are (or were) into the cosplay scene pretty heavily, but I was never much for the idea of dressing up since I'm not a big fan of sewing and no character really sparks my interest.

However, Transformers have always been close to my heart (specifically G1), and the idea of being Grimlock, Warpath, Devastator, Optimus Prime, Megatron... the list goes on and on. But one of my all time favorites has been Hound. I still have the original Toy from the 80's and he reminded me of my grandfathers jeep when I was growing up.

This is the first of many conceptual sketches, and the design will change gradually as "what is cool to me" meets "what is possible". Movement and proportions are my two biggest concerns for the structure of the suit, while the design is a mixture of takes on Hound over the years (with a few of my own artistic liberties added in). If you're looking for this to be dead on to any current Hound drawing, you're going to be slightly disappointed.

Major fun factors:
1. Figuring out the joints. I love construction and thinking my way around problems, and I've already devised plans for movement of the arms and legs. The torso will be an area of concern for maximum flexibility, but I have a few dozen ideas I'll be trying in the pre-builds. There will be plenty of prototypes being made of cheap materials until I'm ready to look into possibly having the suit outsourced for fabricating in light weight but durable plastics.

2. lights, camera, action! I have a bunch of ideas for some electrical work on this figure as well. The headlights, break lights, and definitely the eyes would look great if they lit up, and a few hidden components for my cell phone, wallet, and room key could come in handy.

Major pain factors:
1. Finding out what building materials to use that will make the suit at least semi-comfortable for prolonged use at conventions.

2. Getting the head to not seem bigger than it's already going to have to be. Transformers are giants, and the rule with drawing giants is that the head usually looks smaller in contrast to normal proportions. So many of the cosplay TF's you see out there all seem to have a huge heads, and the reason is because the details in the helmet/mask/head are pretty important, and the human head just can't reshape itself to look smaller. There's a few ways around this, but it's going to be a pain in the neck.

3. Shoulder width. This will be easier on a character like Hound where I can hide that the connection of the arms to the chest isn't as close as it actually will be. He has a unique design that should allow me to pull off a convincing proportion in this area. I don't want the arms looking like they start in the grill of the chest, and fortunately I have a bit stockier frame to allow for better results. At least I hope it will...

Many more sketches to come, and maybe some better ones at that. It's been forever since I sat down and drew out anything. It shows. Also, I'm not going to rush this suit, so don't expect to see it at a convention for a year or two... or three. Time, cost, and trial and error will play big parts in how quickly this gets done, but since I don't plan on making a lot of cosplay outfits, this needs to be as close to what I envisioned as possible. Craftsmanship is something I want to focus on the most. This is something I want people thinking a top notch pro put together. Not some newbie hack.

Oh, and sorry to say, I won't be having Hound transform. Sorry to disappoint, but in order for him to look the way I want him to (and the fact that human bodies don't bend like a transformer can), I'm going to be satisfied with just a cool robot mode. That, and I don't want people jumping on my back for free rides...

Hound belongs to Hasbro.