Create Nel tu's Arrancar Mask in One Day!

Tier Haribel, Ichigo and Nel tu at Geekfest 2018

The perfectionist in me is strongly advising you that this project would be best suited if created over the course of at least a week, but it will concur that your Bleach: Nel tu Arrancar Mask can, in fact, be created in one day. 
So if you have, like me, been swapped with work and studies, so much so that you're too exhausted and demotivated to start and finish your masterpiece in time, then it is probably the best project to do on the fly.
I had actually given up on making the paper mache version of Nel's  Arrancar Mask in time for Geekfest 2018 on Saturday, the 19th May, but I was lucky enough to be given the day off that Friday; and apparently having less weight on my head and more neck mobility trumps playing Fallout 4 all day.
You will, however, need at least 12 hours or more of your time solely dedicated to crafting this project, therefore 6pm the night before your event is probably not the best time to start, unless you want to forgo sleeping and not give the mask the chance to dry and set overnight.
You might also want to have a fan heater, or a plain fan if you are not going through the winter season, ready to assist with drying your mask out faster as you build on it.
Word of warning with using heated air and copious amounts of flour paste as the combination does tend to breed bacteria, which will delay the drying time and make your project smell really weird. So use your paste sparingly if you don't have the time to rectify this problem. I, luckily, didn't encounter this problem with my mask, but it did happen with my Rayman Legends: Princess Estelia Skeletal Mace.
Should this happen to your project and you don't the time to scrape the afflicted area off your project and redo it, carefully paint over it if you can. That surprisingly stopped the bacterial growth, took the smell away and the area managed to dry out normally.

Materials Required

Sailor's Cap: bought at Hillfox China Mall for R35
Devil Horns Headband: can be bought at a China Mall, however there were none found at the Hillfox China Mall. These were given to me by a coworker.
Glue Gun and Glue
Masking Tape
Flour Paste mixed with bit of Dishwasher.
Newspaper
Cardboard
Craft Paint, Black and White
Ultimate Crafts Liquid Drops 3D Pearls - Pewter - Bought from Takealot for R29
Heat Resistant Craft Varnish

Step 1

Remove any decorations from your cap

Remove any unnecessary decorations and attachments from your cap if possible without damaging it.

Cut out 8 cardboard strips

Cut eight teeth shapes from your cardboard, the teeth will vary in size from the outer edges of the upper jaw to the its middle from small to large.
You might want to cut them slightly thinner and a tad shorter than my shapes, because I did end up removing two of the outer teeth due to my jaw line being too large in proportion to the rest of the mask.

Step 2

Glue your strips to your cap

Stick the teeth into the brim of your cap, using a glue gun.

Shape your teeth with mache

Build your teeth shape and definition by flour pasting newspaper in the central parts of your cardboard teeth.

Leave the outer rims of each tooth bare of mache.

If you can, have your fan on close by to assist with drying whenever you are not busy building onto your cap.

Step 3

Layer with mache and carve
out the eyes and nose

Coat the cap with a few layers of paper mache until you have reached your desired Arrancar mask thickness.

While wet, carve out your mask's eye sockets and nostril slits. Position any excess mache along the rims of the sockets and slits.

Even out the surface with extra layer of mache around the eyes and nose, if necessary.

Leave to dry.

Step 4

Create the horns from two
newspaper rolls

Remove the horn tips from your devil horn headband.

Using masking tape, create two newspaper rolls.

Take one roll and cut it down to your desired horn size.

Snip off the corner of one end.

Tape your horn tip onto the other end (the unsnipped end) of your roll.

Curve the roll into the shape of a ram horn and tape where necessary to keep the horn's shape.

Repeat with the second roll.

Step 5

Paste the horns to your mask

You will only want continue with this step when the sides of your mask has dried and hardened enough or else your mache layers will begin to separate from the cap as you stick the horns to them.

Layer the horns with mache

Starting with the top part of your horn, glue it down along the sides of your mask.
Slip your finger into the snipped end to assist in setting the horn in place as the glue dries.

Layer and build on the horns with mache.

Leave to dry.

Step 6

Create the ridges along
the horns

Using your 3D paint, create the circular ridges along the length of both horns.

Leave to dry.

Step 7

Paint your mask

Paint your eyes and nose

Using your Black Craft Paint, paint the eye sockets and nostril slits.

Leave to dry.

Using your White Craft Paint, paint the entire mask.

Leave to dry.

Step 8

Finally, coat your mask with Heat Resistant Craft Varnish.

Leave to dry and then apply a second layer of varnish.

Leave overnight to dry.

Now don, go out into the world and find your Nnoitra Gilga to irk with life lessons!

Coat with craft varnish

You can find out what my budget breakdown for my Nel tu Cosplay and how to create Gamzuza, her Zanpukuto by clicking the relevant links as well.

Creating the Complete Nel tu Arrancar Mask

Nel tu and Harribel at the Fantasy Fayre 2017
Photograph taken by
JC Photo

Crafting the Arrancar Mask for my Nelliel tu Odelschwank cosplay from clay was a purely aesthetic choice. 
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.

Cosplaying Nelliel tu Odelschwanck

Nelliel tu Odelschwanck
Photograph taken by
PeachyDragon.com Photography 

If you're considering cosplaying an anime or manga character, Nelliel tu Odelschwanck as Espada #3 can be a rare as well as highly popular option, not only among your fellow die hard Bleach fans but among adults and kids who have no idea who or what she is.

A word of advice though, Nelliel's outfit does not breathe, despite being white, so consider cosplaying this character during the cooler months of the year; unless you want to die twice like I did on the 2nd of April attending the Fantasy Fayre 2017 at The Moors Castle. Regardless of that, it didn't stop my best friend, who attended as Tier Harribel, and me from having a blast at the Fayre.

With that in mind, coming across a costume store that sells or rents out her Espada outfit, complete Arrancar Mask, wig and Gamuza, her Zanpukto, will be rare to non-existent in South Africa. Which is sad considering there is a massive anime and manga fanbase hiding within it borders. 

Online store options will be ideal for acquiring her complete outfit, but you will tear up at what these items cost in Rands, potential shipping costs and duties excluded. So, if you can't afford an approximate budget of R3 000 to R5 000 for an outfit you may just end up wearing once, I suggest making her mask and Zanpukto from scratch; freeing up some much needed funds in order to acquire her outfit if you don't the time or skill to sew the outfit.

The Budget Breakdown

It took me some time to browse around for stores with the cheapest rates to make this costume work. Give yourself 4 to 5 months prep time before your event if you're ordering items from other countries; to factor in any stock, shipping, customs or postage delays. 

We did have a delay with Tier Harribel 's black outfit, where the store we ordered it from had a material shortage and could not ship the outfit in time. This actually led her to make the amazing outfit she wore herself. It would probably be wise to have a Plan B in place incase this happens to you.

This was the cost breakdown to pull off this entire look, as well as the stores I bought them from:

Tier Harribel & Nelliel tu Odelschwanck at Fantasy Fayre 2017

Teal Wig

Made from 100% heat resistant synthetic fibre hair and bought from Jacenhom2012 on Ebay for R163.15. This seller has free and speedy shipping, as well as a nice discount currently going on this product. 

I did have a hell of time tracking down where this was posted to after it reached South African shores though, and was responsible for a customs fee of R109.51.

Nelliel tu Odelschwanck Espada Outfit

Consists of jacket, pants and belt bought from Cosplaymiu.com for $80 and additional $16. 90 for shipping; which equated to a total R1 322.55 at the time. This online store has speedy delivery and couriers to your door. They have a amazing variety of anime, gaming and superhero costumes and merchandise and now, thankfully, have added a South African version to their website, so you don't need a currency converter while browsing it.

Knee Length Black Socks

Bought at Woolworths for R65. You could probably get these socks cheaper anywhere else, but when I saw this pair hanging from the shelf I immediately developed a close relationship with them and will cleave to them for the remaining days of my life.

White Gloves

Bought at China Mall for R20.

White Sandles

This was one of the hardest buys. I spent a half hour in store debating whether I really wanted to spend R59.99 (sale price) on a pair of the ugliest shoes I've ever seen in my life at Ackermans. But, they were the closest thing to what I was looking for.

Gamuza and Arrancar Mask

I decided to make Nel's zanpukto and mask, rather than spending approximately R1500 buying both items. My cart for Takealot.com consisted of the following:

• Dala Craft Paint for R17 each (white x2, black, red, blue and yellow).
• Dala Round Well Palette for R12.
• Dala 577 Flat Pure Bristle Paint - Set of 6 Brushes for R39.
• Dala Deco-Varnish Heat Resistant for R69.
• Jovi Air-Hard Modelling Clay - White 1kg x2 for R69 each.

In total this Nelliel's cosplay costume cost me a total of R2 100.20 across three months, R399.80 less that what I initially budgeted when I embarked this project.

Feel free to comment or share if you have found this blog helpful or may have found a few South African stores or tailors you would want me to look into using for my next cosplay event. 

Stay tuned for my next blog post that will detail step by step instructions on how I created Nelliel's Arrancar Mask.