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Xero-Cosplay β TUTORIAL: Armor using Crayola Model Magic
Published: 2012-09-11 04:02:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 38806; Favourites: 626; Downloads: 431
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Description
My first tutorial. Let me know if you have any suggestions for more.Related content
Comments: 77
The pauldrons cost about $25 to make. A 2lb bucket of Model Magic will run between $16-$20, 3 different kinds of craft paint (about $1.25 each), and sandpaper ($1.50 at the dollar store).
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I have another question. The piece I'm creating is actually just a leather bracer being modified with Model Magic to create an armour plate for the arm and I've just thought; would I have to cover the entire thing with the Model Magic or would it stick to the the bracer as it dries? Also, would I need to create an under-structure for this like you did in this tutorial?
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Model Magic will not stick to anything on it's own. Once it's dry, I've had success attaching it to other objects using a generous amount of hot glue or superglue. But note, if the piece is bumped hard enough, the clay that has the glue attached to it will break away from the rest of the piece.
If you are adding details to a bracer, I would add a thin layer of thermo-plastic (or similar) to the inside for stability. It will keep the piece from bending and cracking, and that will also keep it from breaking away from the bracer.
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Great tutorial!Β I've working with this stuff alot, but I never thought of using it for armor!Β It's awesome that you can sand it!
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Thank you! 
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Cool!Β Thanks for the info!
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Amazing! I never even knew this stuff existed! Fantastic tutorial! I'm trying to make a piece of forearm armor for a cosplay and this has helped a lot! Thanks for sharing!
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That's awesome, I'm so glad to hear it helped! 
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Okay, I'll be sure to upload some! Β :3
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Do you think it would be possible to make gauntlets using this method?
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How did you get the final image around your neck without breaking it? I'm thinking of making a breast plate out of crayola model magic, and would love your advice!
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The collar was pretty thick due to all of the details so it was able to flex slightly when I put it on. Not very much, but just enough to get it around my neck. If you make it thick, and are extremely careful with it, it may be possible to make a chest piece out of it.
I just linked this above, but this cosplay's armor set might also be relevant to your interests - forums.henshinjustice.com/showβ¦
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Is this suitable for a whole armour set or just the parts where it's less likely to be moved and touched?
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So sorry for the incredibly late reply; I fell off the internet for a while. I would not recommend Model Magic for an entire armor set, although I've seen it done. Some people coat the piece with resin to give it strength since even thick pieces can be subject to cracking. This could be an option if you'd like to go that route. Otherwise, be very careful with how it's worn and stored.
Super glad the tutorial was helpful to you!
Just found the cosplay I was thinking of- this girl made Priss from Bubblegum Crisis completely out of Model Magic:
forums.henshinjustice.com/showβ¦
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Thank you so much for the reply!Β This is my first time making a full set of armor as i have only made chest plates and head pieces before so this was a lot of help because i cant afford things like worbla Β Thanks!!
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I used to use model magic a lot when I was first starting, but I always had issues with broken props, It's been a few years and I'm starting to rethink my model magic ban. I wonder, though, if anyone has come up with a solution to how fragile it is...
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This is really fantastic, it never occurred to me to use modeling clay before.Β
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So I've made armor and props with crayola before, but is there anything you can do to prevent it from falling apart when wet or sweaty? I even put on paint/primer and it didn't last.Β
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That is an excellent question. I've never tried re-wetting model magic after it's fully dry, but considering how fragile it is, I'm not surprised it would fall apart. I know Akuriko (akuriko.deviantart.com/) created her armor for Zelda out of model magic and then covered it with resin. While I haven't tried it myself, it could be a great way to reinforce it and seal it from moisture.
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I've worked with resin, so maybe I'll have to give that a try. I love y our stuff, and her stuff too! Thanks for the response. <3
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Thank you for the kind words.
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GREAT JOB!
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For your last photo, I would love to see how you make the shape of the armor close fitting like that, I am working on my cosplay of Vayne from league and this is just a wonderful tutorial! I am doing her aristocrat skin.
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OooO! interesting! I dream of doing a Valkyrie profile cosplay someday! This is very useful, thanks for posting!
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Thanks for the feedback! And you're very welcome!
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You mention you can "seal" it with glue. How would you go about that? Β Also, what kind of glue?
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I use white school glue ("Elmer's glue"), just the cheap stuff they sell at most stores for kid's crafts. I brush it on the Model Magic straight from the bottle. If it's too thick or sticky, I'll pour some of the glue into a cup and thin it with water. I usually use 2 parts glue to 1 part water if this happens. The model magic will dry the same, it just might need an extra coat since the first coat was thinner.
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Okay thank you!
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Thanks for the feedback!
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You're very welcome ^^
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Did you leave the understructure in place and just completely cover it with the model magic? I know you did with the smaller pieces, but I couldn't quite tell if you did that with the larger piece or not.
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For the larger pieces, I took the understructure out because it was thick enough to hold it's form. I also found that if I didn't take it out, the cardboard would absorb the moisture and cause the MM underneath to stay wet longer. With the outside drying faster than the inside, large cracks would appear all over the piece. Although if some cracks occur, it's possible to fill them in with more MM once the rest of the piece is thoroughly dry.
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This is so amazing and helpful, thank you for this!
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gosh you're so talented!!!! Always amazed by your work <3
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This is brilliant. I need to try this out. Thanks for sharing, I might actually pull off a decent cosplay now. lol
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I made this tutorial because Model Magic is so hard to work with. If you need any advice, just let me know- I'm always happy to help!
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This is just... super handy! Thank you so much for sharing! This would be a great way for me to learn how to make armored costumes
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You're very welcome!
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Absolutely! It seemed like a more viable option for me than Worbla (I just don't have the proper space or supplies to work with it), and while I have some craft foam, it just doesn't seem sturdy enough for busier cons and tournaments
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I have a smaller townhouse so I know what it's like to be limited on space while trying not to destroy counter tops, sinks, etc., lol. I got to work with Worbla with my latest project and found it to be a lot cleaner to work with than other building materials. Once I get settled again, I'm going to make tutorial demonstrating some shortcuts I came up while using it. I don't it will replace Model Magic for all applications but it does have some serious potential.
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Yeah, I'm in a one bedroom apartment as it is 
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Great tutorial! It's always nice to have many methods for making armor pieces
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Thanks for the feedback! I completely agree with you- every costume is different so having an array of methods is great when trying to find one that works.
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This will be of massive help for a cosplay I'm planning next year. Many thanks for posting this, it was really helpful
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Awesome, wonderful to hear!
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