xHylianKnightx

So after many sleepless nights trying to finish a different costume.. the convention itself went pretty well. It was low key this year, and nothing major happened, though I was able to see a good number of my friends. The photoshoots went really well (huge thanks to my helpers on Saturday, when I arrived late because of delays), and a lot of great talent and unique costumes! Thanks everyone who dropped by the shoots, and I hope you enjoyed them! I apologize if I missed any requests, or neglected anyone-- Thanks for putting up with me.

I was Kurasame Susaya both Saturday & Sunday, from Final Fantasy Type-0. There were minor things I needed to still complete, but he turned out decently well. I still need to make his weapon, and Tonberry, and style that evil wig. My friend Lady-Liliana was cosplaying as Lady Caetune on Saturday, and we were very fortunate to run into several cadets! Loved all your costumes, I hope we can meet again.

Next convention planned seems to be QMC, which is nice & small in Belleville. Montreal Zelda Symphony will have to be cancelled due to unfortunate personal issues that I have to move suddenly. Which also is hindering my Chronicles project (will that thing ever take flight..?). One day at a time, but I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thank you for those who came to say hi too!

Convention season is upon us, and crunch time has started! Several plans have changed, and it looks like Hyrule Warriors will be pushed back until next year in 2016. My secondary group is also being pushed back, so Auron is also delayed until next year... This news is a little bittersweet, less stress to finish which makes me very happy, but now I have no costumes planned for Anime North. Hmm...

I do have a costume planned to debut at the Montreal Zelda Symphony, that I wasn't intending to bring to AN (since the concert is a week after the con). Is anyone wearing Majora's Mask themed cosplays this year? If so, I'll hopefully see you this year! I'll be hosting both Zelda Photoshoots, on Saturday & Sunday. More information and locations will be posted in your AN guide, and through their website forum.

Working on projects, has been really great. I normally hate shopping, but shopping for cosplay supplies, is like wearing tinted glasses, where everything has potential, and you never really look at an item the same way again. I've tried explaining stages of construction, and posting different work in progress pictures to help visualize my madness. I'm still terrible at explain things, so feedback has been greatly welcomed.

I looked through all my old submission, and noticed that certain skills do repeat. Basic techniques that can be applied to several situations, with minor modifications. I think, many people use tutorials in a similar way, to help spark an idea on how to construct something with their own skills set and experience. I haven't always posted all the costumes I've worked on, because of the overlapping details. However, I make far less mistakes now, then I did even two years ago. (Things look a lot better too... haha)

For this reason, I'd like to ask what you guys would like to see explained, or perhaps better explained. I thought about taking down my old posts over time, and editing them with a little more wisdom and options to get similar results. I'd do this with my new costumes I'm currently starting, but I don't want people to believe they magically turned out great the first time. There will always be trial and error, and years of practice helps a great deal. So don't give up, or beat yourself up if something doesn't look perfect the first time around, or even the first dozen times.

If no one minds either way, I'll just post finished costumes & props, or notable construction that might be useful. I've been a DA member for a long time now, through quiet and busy months. So thanks everyone for your support.

A well deserved update is needed on this account, sorry everyone for falling so silent the past while.

Life hasn't been bad, but it hasn't been kind either. Battled some health issues/injuries, a little internal conflict, and quit my job this past weekend among other things. On the better side of news, my lack of drawings is because I've been collecting materials, and starting a new costume which has taken the bulk of my free time. I'm pretty happy that next year I have a convention planned, and will get to see some old friends. Might host a photoshoot too, if all goes well. My friend got me into the Dynasty/Samurai Warriors series, and I fell in love with them. Hyrule Warriors came out this past weekend, and it's been pretty fun too, absolutely love the boss battles. Not to mention Super Smash Brothers is just around the corner~

Some people know who I'm cosplaying, I'll keep it a secret for now, but I'll post WIPs if people are interested. Otherwise I'll sink back into the shadows... and keep learning my bamboo flute.

A bit of a rant, but it seems like something that needs attention, especially as cosplay conventions are starting up, and more people are becoming active in this wonderful hobby.

Something that pissed me off from the beginning of starting this hobby, was the mentality that only certain people with ideal body types and high level of quality in workmanship deserves appraisal for their efforts. This has effectively intimidated most beginners, and hurtful comments have scarred even potentially talented artist to retire. Most of these comments are from people who haven't even attempted to stitch a straight line, and all the hard work (yes WORK), stress and time involved into making even the simplest of designs can feel like a pretty big achievement, even if the end result is less than perfect. Have we forgotten that we were all beginners at one point? The amount of different skills needed for this hobby is incredible, every costume, every prop, you have to think of mechanics, movement issues, material selection, ratios and techniques, it's basically unlimited in your choices, just like art should be.

So why is everyone so critical for something meant to be inspiring and a fun pastime? I've always supported the fact of helping beginners, and those with no skill, no money, and trying something new. I had to learn from trial and error on every single cosplay I've ever done, and yes even my newest ones like Hero's Shade or Valefor. I wanted to prove that even poor people, who can't afford expensive materials, and have access to numerous tools and supplies, can make something of quality that can impress. It takes time, a LOT of time, and dedication, patience, and a innocent thought of how cool it would be to try to make this, and even just for a day, be a character we really love.

There are several levels in competition (masquerades), that help beginners move up ranks to where they finally feel comfortable with whatever techniques they've gained proficiency in. Most people don't even compete! This also does not mean a Master level costumer is a master at everything, I still can't sew straight to save my life. So, if a Master has problems with some basic techniques, how do you think beginners, or even intermediate cosplayers feel when they get rude comments? How the hell does that support or help anyone improve if we just ground them to the dirt, and stunt their potential to get better? I've also seen heavier set women/men make excellent cosplays, I've seen amazing crossplay too, that fit them better than most skimpy girls wearing nothing but tattered bikinis. My respect goes to skill, not body types. Last I remember this was a --costume-- hobby, am I mistaken? You want a slutty nurse? Wait until Halloween.

Constructive criticism is one thing, but be mindful of who you are bashing, because unless you've put in those grueling sleepless hours, and understand first hand what goes into the smallest detail, there should be no reason why these issues should ever exist. You want to see better cosplays? Cheer them on, let them get better, and maybe one day, they'll even impress you.