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| Nel tu and Harribel at the Fantasy Fayre 2017 Photograph taken by JC Photo |
The end results I found on YouTube for the paper mache version looked horrendous to me, and I wanted Nel's mask to look as if it fell right out of the Bleach anime; fragile enough to crack and possibly, break under the blow of a Zanpukuto without detracting from its fearsome appearance.
A Hollow is not a Hollow without its signature mask, so it is important that you get this aspect of your costume just right if nothing else. If you are worried that you may not be skilled with molding clay, try it out first using pieces kiddies play dough or opt in for the paper mache version. I knew I was at least halfway decent with molding it since my niece and nephew seem to love whatever I create from their play dough.
Word of advice though, your mask, once hardened, will be relatively heavy. Do not choose to make it from clay if you cannot handle some weight on your head for a few a hours; and ONLY a few hours.
How to Craft Nel tu's Arrancar Mask
Before running off to buy your crafting material for this project, you will have decide which type of clay that you would like to use, Air Hardening Modelling Clay or Oven Bake Modelling Clay (Polymer Clay). I chose the Air Hardening option because 1) I didn't want to risk burning my house down, and 2) I would not be able correct any possible mistakes, mishaps or cracks on the mask while it bakes.
Once you decided which is better for your skill and time frame (air hardening will take longer) you can get started.
Materials Required:
- Dala Craft Paint: White and Black.
- Dala 577 Flat Pure Bristle Paint Brushes.
- Dala Deco-Varnish: Heat Resistant
- x2 Jovi Air-Hard Modelling Clay - White 1kg
- A Large Bowl
- Plastic Bag
- A Steak Knife or Clay Modelling Tools
- Newspaper
- Flour paste and dish-washing liquid.
- Fabric Elastic Band
If you need a budget breakdown of and the store that sells some of these materials, please check out my blog post Cosplaying Nelliel tu Odelschwanck. You might also need to keep a picture of Nel tu close by to determine if you're sticking to the general shape and dimension of her mask throughout this process.
Step 1
Make sure the bowl you're using can fit around your head, and place it inside the plastic bag. This will prevent the clay from sticking to your bowl while it dries.Open the first packet of clay and flatten it around the outside of the bowl. Molding the clay will end up making your hands white, this however, can be cleaned off easily with just soap and water.
Using the tip of your steak knife, carve away extra clay to shape the outer edges of mask.
Shape the snout and upper jaw.
Step 2
Carve out the eyes, nostrils and eight teeth. Try not to carve to deeply into the eyes because the thinner layer is liable to crack and break away when it dries.
Work quickly, but carefully during this stage because your clay will start to dry if left to stand.
Brush the pads of your thumbs across the area of the mask to smooth away any cuts, bumps or cracks.
Cut openings or slits into the edge of your mask's 'cheekbones' for the fabric elastic band.
Step 3
Open your second packet of clay and divide it equally in two. Keep the one piece in its packaging and not exposed to the open air.Roll the clay piece into the shape of Nel's horn and blend it into and along the edges of your mask face, curving the horn inward.
Take your other piece of clay and repeat.
Remember not to cover or clog to your elastic's holes with the horns.
Pinch out the horns ridges, these don't have to be shaped perfectly. In fact, I think the less perfect the ridges look the more realistic the horns will appear.
Place to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
Be sure to check in on your mask every now and then during this time, in case one of your horns happen to fall off.
Step 4
Once your mask is dry enough to move without damaging it, carefully remove the bowl and its plastic covering.
The inside of your mask may still be wet, so turn it over and repair any gaps or cracks around the outer edges and horns.
If you can without damaging your mask, try thinning it by scraping out any access wet clay, but stay away from the eye areas; they are thin enough.
Leave to dry for another 24 hours.
Step 5
Once it is dried completely, use a paint brush to coat the mask with a thin layer of water.Use this sparingly around the eye area.
This will give fill in any remaining or newly developed cracks and smooth out it appearance.
Leave to dry.
Step 6
If you can, now is the time to make any minor changes to the masks appearance. I ended up sawing a centimeter or so off of the teeth because they were too long.
Coat your entire mask with white paint and leave to dry.
Fill in the mask's eyes and nostrils with black paint and leave to dry.
Carefully, clean up any painting mishaps around the eyes and snout with white paint and leave to dry.
Apply 2 coats of Deco-varnish and leave to dry.
Step 7
Mix a flour paste together and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. This was a trick I learned in school; the dishwashing liquid will prevent bugs from chewing on your project.Create a 'cranial cap' on the inside of your mask from the newspaper and paste.
Careful not to block or clog your elastic holes and leave to dry.
Coat the cap in flour paste with a thicker consistency and leave to dry.
Step 8
Coat the 'cranial cap' with white paint and leave to dry.Apply two coats of Deco-Varnish and leave to dry.
Step 9
Finally, tie your fabric elastic band securely to the mask and rock it at your next cosplay event.
Please share if you've found this blog post helpful. Leave a comment if would you like me to post a How To Tutorial for a paper mache version of Nel tu's Complete Arrancar Mask to find out which of the two (clay or paper) is aesthetically and functionally superior?
Watch out for my next post on how to create Gamuza, Nelliel's Zanpukuto.
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