Got materials for entire partial; Seeking local help~

[Gear Fangred]

I’ve had materials for quite a bit, done a lot of reading and note taking, but I’m pretty nervous; I don’t quite trust myself with all steps in this process.

Primarily seeking help with measurements and a duct tape head, and general tips or suggestions beyond that. Or if anyone had any free time and wouldnt mind helping me out a bit with the entire process, I’d be in your debt!

[Aerak]

Hmm… I have never heard of a duct tape head. I know some fursuit makers used duct tape over the foam and use it to create a pattern cutting the fur. Is that what you mean? Otherwise attaching duct tape to your actual face sounds quite painful 😛

Many beginner methods of creating a fursuit head involve plastic canvas as a base. Beware this method as it creates blocky looking features and the canvas becomes brittle over time. I’d definitely recommend either foam over balaclava or purchasing a resin mask and using that as a base. Resin masks are good for realistic styled heads. There are also quite a few sources out there for foam heads that are already carved and ready to be furred.

If you are worried about screwing up measurements you can also use inexpensive fleece to create a jump suit pattern. Basically you end up pinning the different pieces of your jumpsuit on and then putting it on and seeing how it fits, from there making adjustments as nessisary until your happy and then you take the fleece and trace the patterns onto your fur.

Otherwise the duct tape dummy method works as well, as long as you have someone to cut you out of it 😛

[brightfire]

Aerak wrote:

Hmm… I have never heard of a duct tape head. I know some fursuit makers used duct tape over the foam and use it to create a pattern cutting the fur. Is that what you mean? Otherwise attaching duct tape to your actual face sounds quite painful
Many beginner methods of creating a fursuit head involve plastic canvas as a base. Beware this method as it creates blocky looking features and the canvas becomes brittle over time. I’d definitely recommend either foam over balaclava or purchasing a resin mask and using that as a base. Resin masks are good for realistic styled heads. There are also quite a few sources out there for foam heads that are already carved and ready to be furred.

If you are worried about screwing up measurements you can also use inexpensive fleece to create a jump suit pattern. Basically you end up pinning the different pieces of your jumpsuit on and then putting it on and seeing how it fits, from there making adjustments as nessisary until your happy and then you take the fleece and trace the patterns onto your fur.

Otherwise the duct tape dummy method works as well, as long as you have someone to cut you out of it

If someone is using just plastic mesh and fur they’re a hack. The mesh method is when one uses the mesh as a framework that they attach the upholstery foam to, not as the material that gets sculpted into the facial features.

While not suitable for professional use, it’s actually a pretty decent technique for beginners since the mesh framework makes it very easy to keep things symmetrical.

Icon by DrVirus on FA

[Gear Fangred]

we used a plastic bag and kept my mouth uncovered and wrapped tape around (I followed a vid on youtube), then stuffed the tape wrapped bag in newspaper. It didnt turn out as accurate as I’d imagined, though I think my roommate was too scared to wrap the tape in a more, fitted manner =p Though now I have a duct tape “head” about the size and general shape of my head, though what its lacking is a defined bridge for my nose. Not sure how to remedy that.

My roommate used plastic mesh for his head and it seems to be holding up, but im going (and prefer) the balaclava method.

[Grayscale]

So, personally I prefer the balaclava method over foam or anything else. I am currently furring my fursuit right now 🙂 so I would love to give you some tips.

1. Clean up as you foam. Trust me. It may be a hassle but it’s worth it, then later you won’t have foam everywhere. By everywhere I mean everywhere!

2. Reference. Reference. Reference. I can’t stress this enough. Always keep your personal ref close, and look at the anatomy of the animal you are making. Being an angel dragon, I referenced other suits and pictures.

3. When you’re done foaming the head, DO NOT TAPE IT!! Wait a few days, you will look at it and want to make changes! If you tape it, that’s it, you’re done. So PLEASE wait and check over and over again to make sure you like it!

4. Before you fur, get a couple yards or a whole bolt of some cheap muslin. You can use this to make a practice head cover or bodysuit. This is VERY helpful, and prevented me from making really stupid, terrible mistakes.

5. Don’t rush it. No matter how badly you want it to be done, do not rush. It could affect (effect?) the quality of your work. So taking a couple months is worth the time and effort.

So I hope these tips could be of help to you. 🙂 From experince these are just rules I like to follow, If you have any other questions (e.g. Furring, digitgrade, ect.) I would love to help!

Carry on my wayward son, they'll be peace when you are done...

[Gear Fangred]

Okay, I’ll definitely keep this in mind! Thanks!

[Author]

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