At long last, here is my tutorial on how I made my very own unique Assassin’s Creed vambrace!
Materials
- Foam core board
- PVA glue/modge podge
- Card stock
- Paperclay (I got this one, the important part is that it is very smooth)
- String (depending on your design)
- Acrylic paint: black, dark brown and silver
Tools
- Exacto Knife
- Paint brushes
- Sculpting tools (if you have them, I did not and it worked out)
- Masking/painters tape
- Probably something else I can’t think of
How To
1. Create your design – this can be whatever you want, really it can. I went with filigree/Victorian and included the Assassin symbol, with inspiration from here. Then print your design on card stock.
2. Cut out sections of foam core in the size/shape you want for the vambrace. Then score one side of the foam core (the cuts will go through one layer of paper and most of the foam), so the piece can curve to fit your arm. (Test them out!)
3. Glue the card stock with the printed design to the foam core sections. Glue to the scored side (the convex side), this will cover up the scoring and give you the design to sculpt directly on. Make sure the shapes/design line up correctly. Use tape to hold the right amount of curve.
4. Trim off the excess card stock and glue sections together (if you need to). Again, masking tape!
5. Sculpt, following the printed design as best you can! This involved some improvising, and it may be worth doing a practice – but here are some tips/instructions:
- The paper clay will stick to the card stock with a little water.
- A little water is also good to smooth the surfaces, with a paint brush.
- Exacto knife and paint brush ends make good sculpting tools.
- String works well for very fine line work.
6. Paint (after it is all dry). This is done in layers:
Solid black
Dry brush dark brown, focus on the highlights, so the black makes the shadows.
Dry brush silver, do a little at a time (you’ll likely want more than one layer). Then seal with PVA or modge podge.
There you go! All you need to do is attach it to the desired leather-esque portion, I just hot glued it to some pleather that was cut to fit my wrist and laced closed (with some extra fancy buckles).
Also here is the fake hidden blade I made before painting, overall I used the same process:
