Extending clothing

[sippog]

Can anyone advise me on the best method to add a 'floating' piece - a coat tail or cloak - to a figure as a scratch built adaptation? I've got a couple of kits - 80mm plus - where I'd like to do this.

Would you use a wire form? Glue on lead or stiffened material to get the folds, and then cover with putty? I assume you'd need something to make it swirl away from the body.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MCPWilk]

That depends on scale and whether this is a one off or a basis for a casting. I would usually use pewter sheet for smaller scales, augmented with Milliput for larger scales.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[valiant]

I think I would agree with Mike - the sheet material would act as the former, then apply a thin skim of your chosen putty to slightly bulk it up and blend into the existing form,

 

[sippog]

Thanks for your advice, Mike & Valiant. The pewter sheet is what I thought I'd try for a 80mm figure.

But I also have a 1/8 metal cowboy figure by Ray Brown that I'd like to give a trail-coat to - thought I might experiment with some fine wire mesh at that scale but wondered if it would be best to put a layer of material or paper before I use putty.

Has anyone ever tried stiffened cloth, I wonder? (I bought some stiffening solution to try out)

 

[housecarl]

Auto body repair mesh looks ideal for your needs.

 

[chippy]

Thanks for your advice, Mike & Valiant. The pewter sheet is what I thought I'd try for a 80mm figure.

But I also have a 1/8 metal cowboy figure by Ray Brown that I'd like to give a trail-coat to - thought I might experiment with some fine wire mesh at that scale but wondered if it would be best to put a layer of material or paper before I use putty.

Has anyone ever tried stiffened cloth, I wonder? (I bought some stiffening solution to try out)

YES , two or three coats of PVA wood glue(the white stuff) does the trick , work it into the folds you want as is hardens up and then paint just as normal . If you used something like course silk it would probably give you similar texture to a Duster Coat .
chippy