#there is a FULL COSPLAY of of a SKEKSIS

[lexi-the-twilight-dragon]

the more into cosplay I get, the more I curse the fact that my high school home ec sewing class got cancelled bc too few students applied

like I have IDEAS but no idea how to IMPLEMENT them

[emocatkeith]

first off for my followers, i'm so sorry if you're not here for dark crystal content dsxbsxb it's just,,,one of my hyperfixations rn

uh, but anyways, does anyone have full references for the clothing the skeksis wear? they're so detailed and filled with small bits that fit with the character in question, and to be able to see it in full detail would be great! not to mention it would help me for drawing and, god forbid, try to make a cosplay of one of them

while i have more attachment to aor's robe designs for the skeksis, i still don't mind references for the 1982 film!

[deadofnightstudio-cosplay]

Master list of my completed, in-progress and future-wishlist cosplays:

Completed cosplays:

FNAF2 Security Guard/Afton as Dave Miller

Bill Cipher (Disneybound)

FNAF Marionette

Grimma Lynn (Steampunk persona created to experiment with costuming techniques)

Tommy Coolatta (Half Life VR but the AI is Self Aware)

SCP Scientist

In-progress cosplays:

FNAF Marionette upgrades (including Lefty hoodie :3)

FNAF2 Security Guard Bite of ‘87 Jeremy + Mangle

SCP-035 possessing a researcher

Half Life headcrab zombie

Wishlist of future cosplays:

FNAF Pizzeria Simulator Michael Afton

FNAF Jack-O-Chica/Nightmare Chica/any other Nightmares

FNAF Grim Foxy

FNAF Springtrap

FNAF Springtrap kigurumi

FNAF Nightmare Bonnie/Jack-O-Bonnie

FNAF Nightmarionne

FNAF Marionette (ornate vintage redesign)

FNAF Mangle (full body worn puppet)

Carrion Chica (personal AU FNAF Jack-O-Chica)

Grim Lynn (upgraded Steampunk persona)

Alphonse Elric (armor suit) from Fullmetal Alchemist

Scary Godmother

Humanized warrior Mothra

Mari Lwyd

Cheshire Cat

Plague Doctor

My Hero Academia Shota Aizawa (sleeping bag edition)

Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud from Bradbury’s Halloween Tree

NB4C Jack Skellington (worn puppet)

NB4C Lock, Shock or Barrel if I can get a group cosplay together

Ellen Ridley (in P-5000 Power Loader mech?) from Aliens

Xenomorph from Alien

Haunted Mansion’s Master Gracey (‘live’ living-to-dead transformation w/black light makeup)

Addams Family group cosplay

Haunted Mansion graveyard ghost (ideally if I can get a group together)

Black Crystal Skeksis

Dreamfinder + Figment (old school Epcot)

Benthic mermaid original design

Horror scarecrow original design

A fursuit for the hell of it

Gordon Freeman in HEV suit (Half Life)

Gina Cross or Colette Green (Half Life)

Xenrey (monster Benrey from HLVRAI)

Vashta Nerada in spacesuit (Doctor Who - Silence in the Library)

I’ll continue to modify this list over time. 🎃

[timeagainreviews]

The Great Con-Junction

For a place like the world-famous Elstree Studios in London, history is made on the regular. Movies like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Hot Fuzz," and even "Star Wars" have all been captured to celluloid moving at twenty-four frames per second. However, it was a lesser-known, though no less ambitious film that had eager fans lining up around the block on a mild February morning nearly forty years later. The film I speak of is none other than Jim Henson's 1982 cult-classic "The Dark Crystal." Myself and at least 200 other attendees were gathered for the first official Dark Crystal convention, celebrating both the film and the Netflix series. Taking place at the very studio where the movie was filmed, Thames Con's "The Great Con-Junction," was also the biggest reunion of the original cast and crew since the film's release. Once again, history was being made at Elstree Studios.

Upon learning of the convention I was filled with both desire and regret. Desire to go, and regret that I most likely wouldn’t be able. I live in Glasgow which is 6.5 hours away from London by car, and I don’t drive. On top of that, I hadn’t any money saved for such an occasion. But through the generosity of several friends, my mother, and my boyfriend willing to drive me there, the impossible was suddenly very tangible. With only twenty days until the convention, I was one of the lucky few able to attend this momentous affair.

It may seem odd that such a niche convention could draw someone from as far away as Glasgow, and in some cases the US and Australia. But if you’ve ever been to a Star Trek or My Little Pony convention, you may have some idea as to the sort of passion we’re dealing with. For many, Dark Crystal isn’t merely a great creative property, it’s life-changing. As a child, Jim Henson’s work left an indelible mark upon my soul. Projects like "Fraggle Rock," "Storyteller," and "The Flintstones," inspired creativity in me and filled me with the desire to one day work for the Jim Henson Company. Sadly, years of adulting did their best to dull that flame to a mere ember. However, after last year’s premiere of "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance," that ember grew into a roiling fire.

For the past month, I’ve been a ball of excited energy leading up to the convention. I’ve immersed myself in all things Jim Henson. Whether it be rewatching the Netflix series for the umpteenth time, revisiting Labyrinth, or reading JM Lee’s YA Dark Crystal novels, it’s been all I could do not to crack up. In the final week leading up to the event, I directed this nervous excitement into creating a cosplay as the Crystal of Truth, wrapped in black chains and metal claws. When the day finally arrived and I found myself waiting in line with other excited fans decked out in purple, or cosplaying as Deet or Rian, I knew I was with my people. The air was abuzz with excitement as we were slowly ushered into the building.

The event hall at Elstree was decorated with posters of scenes from the movie along with mood lighting. Part of the ticket cost afforded each attendee a beautiful signed print by Brian Froud. A bar at the entrance was selling official Dark Crystal merch including the ThinkGeek Fizzgig puppet only available in the states. Right away I had blown most of my budget, but my new furry friend would agree I made the right choice! I’d been there not two minutes, and already my arms were full of swag. I took this opportunity to get my Fizzgig and a book signed by both Brian and Wendy Froud, who were very generously autographing people’s items for free.

Usually, conventions leave a bad taste in my mouth as they seem like supremely capitalist ventures. And while there were plenty of things to buy, the Frouds’ generosity set the real tone of the event. Not only were they generous with their autographs, but they were also incredibly generous with their time. It seemed as though every person that talked to them was given an opportunity to gush and share their personal stories. As I told them both how much their work meant to me, they were treating it as though it were the first time they had heard it that day. Brian even took the time to doodle a little Fizzgig and Skeksis for me alongside his whimsical signature. The impression they left me with is that they were both very genuine and down to earth people, and meeting them is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

One of the things Mr Froud shared with me was that in his experience, people’s reaction to the Dark Crystal is usually always something creative. People go off and make fan art, cosplays, puppets, or even their own artistic endeavours. You could see proof of this all around the room that day. I met a brilliant artist from Seattle named Nori (@noriretherford​​), who in exchange for doodles from attendees was giving beautiful prints of her fan art. I drew my best skekTek from memory and have the cutest depiction of Seladon, Tavra, and Brea playing as children to show for it. There were cosplays with humbling levels of detail and even the occasional puppets of people’s original characters. All around you, creativity was swirling, and people were passionately sharing their enthusiasm with one another.

These initial couple of hours were dedicated to meet and greets with the cast, crew, and fellow attendees. Everyone seemed just as interested to listen as they were to share. One attendee remarked to me how she had never before felt more encouraged to speak to strangers than she had at the convention. Even my boyfriend, who is generally shy, was coming out of his shell and joining in the conversations. I was also pleased that the convention was managed well enough that I didn’t spend my entire day waiting in line to meet someone while he was relegated to watching my things. I was actually able to share this experience with him as opposed to relaying it through dreamfasting later. This made meeting the guests less of a thing to check off a list, and more of an experience.

My only real qualm with the structure of the convention was the Skeksis tea which was offered as part of the ticket price. Since I was unaware that the guests would be available all day, I was a bit late to lunch meaning the banquet was completely picked over by the time we had gotten there. No amount of cute creative table displays or impressively crafted Nebrie cake could obscure the fact that we were forced to find our lunch at the McDonalds across the road. Furthermore, I was unaware that the lunch was buffet style, which meant that if someone wanted to be as gluttonous as skekAyuk, it would leave the rest of us hungry. We were not alone in this, as several others were left to look upon the empty tables with dismay. That being said, for a first-time convention, it’s impressive that so little went awry.

For me, the biggest highlight of the day was getting to actually see the Gelfling puppets along with their respective puppeteers. Both Beccy Henderson and Neil Sterenberg had Deet and Rian with them. I’m not ashamed to admit that I hugged Deet. Being able to see the detail of the puppets and feel the various textures employed by the brilliant fabricators at the Jim Henson Creature Workshop was mindblowing. Not to mention that both Beccy and Neil were just as generous with their time as the Frouds. Though I would have to say the most exciting puppet I met that day has to go to Hup, as Victor Yerrid was actually puppeteering him and speaking directly to attendees in Podling. Hearing Hup say my name and talk to me was overwhelmingly exciting! That man is a brilliant puppeteer.

Throughout the day there were also several panels with guests from both the TV show and the movie. It was fascinating to listen to each of them tell their stories. Whether it be anecdotes about Jim Henson or tales about trying to navigate hot costumes under studio lights, it was a treasure trove of information. Listening to these stories was a constant reminder of the sheer amount of history present in the room. Each one of these guests had their own incredible careers, and here they all were, ready to share their fantastic stories. Yet despite this being an intimate gathering of a small group of creatives reuniting after 38+ years, it never once felt like it was all about them. You didn’t feel like an interloper or an evesdropper. We were all part of this wonderful experience together.

It was puppeteer Louise Gold’s remarks to the crowd about this that really put into words what we were all thinking. Through stifled tears, she remarked that she had initially come to see all of her old friends, but had found herself equally enriched by meeting the fans. Seeing all of us come together and sharing our stories was as inspiring to her as it was for us. Hearing her impassioned words moved quite a few of us to tears, myself included. She was easily one of my favourite people I met yesterday, and not just because she was so wonderfully extra. Her words spoke the same truth as Brian Froud's- what has resulted from this fandom is something creative. The Dark Crystal hasn’t simply entertained, it has changed lives.

Of course, like any good convention, it wasn’t just the guests in the spotlight. The cosplay contest allowed for an opportunity for the fans to strut their stuff. Much like the ticket giveaway the organisers had done, they couldn’t decide on just one winner. There was so much goodwill and positivity flowing that honourable mentions were given prizes as well, and with good reason. There were so many incredible costumes that I doubt I could have picked the best of the lot. There were Gelflings, Skeksis, a Hup, and even an urRu! My favourite of the lot was a mother-daughter duo who went as Brea and Kira respectively. But that may just have to do with the fact that I’m a big Brea fan and her costume was incredible!

Were I to think of any one word to explain how I feel about being able to attend this convention it would be grateful. I left feeling rejuvinated. My boyfriend even commented that I was “glowing.” I wish everyone in the fandom could have the same experience. I’ve seen so many passionate fans online in the last day wishing they could have gone, and I very easily could have been one of them. It’s proof to me that this fandom has more to it than just a few people toiling away in their basements. There is a real desire for these types of events. It’s not hard to imagine people declaring their Gelfling clan like Harry Potter fans might declare themselves Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws. (I’m totally a Vapran.) If you look online, you can see people’s OCs of both Gelfling and Skeksis. Even I’ve considered putting together my own Gelfling Gathering here in Glasgow. I’m hopeful that this is a sign of things to come, and that we won’t have to wait a thousand trine for the next Great Con-Junction.

[bueshang]

Finally finished sculpting my skeksis head. This is skekGra The Heretic, I plan on moulding him and making a full sized costume/puppet. #darkcrystalofficial #skeksis #theheretic #skekgra #monsterclay #cosplay #darkcrystal 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8D0OsGJVoB/?igshid=f1i2mwfh2s5i

[ohfugecannada]

Concept:

Showing up to a renaissance fair in full skeksis cosplay.

[thorn-amidst-roses]

So got talking about my ongoing cosplay project, and it raised an interesting question.

The vast majority of techniques going into creating this cosplay are the same ones used for making a fursuit. To anyone who doesn’t know the character, it’d probably visually class as a fursuit.

(It’s a giant wolf man with hooves and goat horns).

Now, I don’t have an issue with that. I’ve made and worn fursuits before even though I don’t clock myself as specifically a furry. Fur-friendly, I guess?

But the question came up - if the costume is not specifically intended as part of the meta furry fandom, and it’s not a fursona...is it still a fursuit, or is it full-body puppetry?

And how is that distinguished?

I’m not invested one way or another, the project just sparked a general debate about which is which (and may have involved some giggling about the idea of Skeksis puppets actually being super elaborate fursuits).

[chaozrael]

What did you use to sculpt Skekmal's head and generally his armor? I want to try doing a skeksis cosplay as well, but just can't seem to figure out what materials to use. (Your work is absolutely stunning btw, big fan

Hello! :) And thank you so muchThe head I started with normal $4 clay from an art store. You need around 3-4kg for a full head in my experience. I then let that dry out and covered the whole thing first in Kobracast and then in Worbla. I have several tutorials for my SkekMal cosplay on my https://www.patreon.com/Chaozrael :)I know other people have done it with silicone casts!Worbla is also perfect for the armor. You can heat that up, pull it in shape to resemble the bone structure armor and then let it get cool/hard in that state :)I got some tutorials about painting realistic bone there as well. 

I also take commissions if thats an option for you, but feel free to ask questions about your own projects :) (That goes for everyone!)

[zigraves]

So I’m making a SkekMal The Hunter cosplay, from Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance Which means making a full set of armours & props from carved/ glued/ heated/ sculpted EVA foam, which is not a thing I’ve ever done before. I have two weeks to finish everything, including making claw gloves (thanks to the RahBop tutorial), shoulder pauldrons, knives, leg armour, and two additional arms to hide on my back.

Then need to seal everything, prime everything, paint everything, contour paint everything, and seal everything again.

Thank gods his actual costume is less elaborate than the other Skeksis, I would have died if I tried making the Gourmand or the Chamberlain. I’m just gonna shred & layer all my dark, lightweight fabric hoard.

... so, any other Dark Crystal people going to MCM at the end of October?

[lunarlyn]

✨Happy New Year 2021✨ I really do feel a renewed motivation and hope just from a date change. It’s cathartic. Here are my plans for 2021. As you can see it’s ALL a bunch of ofinish what I’ve already started projects. It’s important to me that I see these through and completed, after all the planning, time, and money I’ve already sunk into these. In somewhat an order: 🐰Couture De Force Alice in Wonderland: I have a few details to finish up that I was in process of doing for the western championships of cosplay but I had stopped when the cancellation was announced in March. A wig restyling included. 🌙 Myu Super Sailor Moon: 2 years later 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m finishing beading details, adding acquired trims, and finishing the wig to have her photo and event ready. FINALLY 🔥Spyro the Dragoness: She was incomplete for Katsu as I need to make the headpiece, do all the hand beading, goldwork, and possibly a light up staff! ❤️Queen Amidala: This costume is my baby and the most obsessively screen accurate thing I’ve ever made. I’m redoing some parts of her and going full steam ahead as soon as I’m done with the older projects! I’m the most excited for this in 2021. 🌟Myu Eternal Sailor Moon: Still barely begun but she WILL be done this year. I really want to compete with her in 2022. 💀Skeksis Seladon: Even though the Dark Crystal show was canceled I love this character so much and I already bought materials and makeup so I want to do a spooky season build with her. 💙Mission Vao: This is one that only needs a bit more work to complete, as a lot of the pieces were pre-bought and modified back last spring. She’s for Celebration 2022 and some other KOTOR shenanigans. 🖤Elizabethan Maleficint: She will be my D23 2022 competition entry and probably the most near historically accurate I’ve ever gone, with some insane detail, obviously with a major fantasy look. She won’t be started until Christmastime next year. • Thanks for reading! Hope you’ll join me on this epic year of making💕I need some accountability! • • #sewist #maker #thingmaker #sewing #propmaking #starwarscosplay #seramyucosplay #queenamidalacosplay #spyrothedragoncosplay #darkcrystalcosplay #2021goals #cosplaywip https://www.instagram.com/p/CJhYY1djj7h/?igshid=vaha8xivcpmg

[adamicradio]

The full Cosplay Contest from San Francisco Comic Con (aside from a few dead periods that were removed because nothing was happening).  Shortcuts to highlights are posted below.

Highlights:

Predator family

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Skeksis (The Dark Crystal)

Pickle Rick (Rick and Morty)

Buzz & Woody (Toy Story)

Skyrim

Darth Vader vs Leia (Star Wars)

George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones/ A Song of Ice and Fire)

notable mentions

winners

[amethystsadachbia]

How to RP in WildStar

Mechanics-wise, WS is pretty similar to WoW and probably most other RPGs (note, I’ve only ever played 3 MMORPGs in my life), but the setting is notably different. It’s good to have a crash course in the lore and universal backstory before jumping in. Here’s a semi-serious guide to RPing each of the races. ^_^

Aurin: You are an Elfquest elf with a tail and candy-coloured hair. Also, your homeworld is currently on fire and being harvested à la Ferngully by the Dominion.

Cassian human: The Eldan chose Cassians to carry on their legacy and build a galaxy-spanning empire. Also, the Exiles found and infested Nexus, the sacred planet of the Eldan.

Chua: Your chief motivation is the advancement of science, the more destructive the better. But don’t forget to have fun along the way! Also, you may or may not be a certifiable sociopath.

Draken: You are an alien lizard with tits (at least if you’re female. Males just have hunchbacks and linebacker shoulders) and your greatest motivation is proving your strength and bravery in hunting the most dangerous creatures the galaxy has spawned.

Exile human: You’re descended from Cassian humans who didn’t want to worship the Eldan, so they ran away. Also, one of you happened to find Nexus, and the Dominion refuse to forgive you for that.

Granok: Imagine a stock fantasy dwarf, but with a Brooklyn accent instead of Scottish, plated with rock, and with clay for blood. Retain the love of booze and warfare. Also, you were exiled from your homeworld because the elders had sticks up their asses.

Mechari: The Eldan built you to maintain their empire. You have a very advanced AI for a brain, capable of learning and of feeling (or at least displaying) emotions. It’s hardwired into you to always put the Dominion first, no matter what.

Mordesh: YOUR PARENTS ARE DEEEAAAAAD (well, most likely, anyway). Every member of your race is infected with alchemical undeath. You live every day under the effects of a debuff that combines the most notable features of fibromyalgia, septicæmia, ebola, cognitive dulling, anosmia/ageusia, depression, and corprus.

Bonus, some NPC races…

Ekose: You are a tall, slender cat-lizard with a Minnesotan accent and a cargo bay full of shipments on the way somewhere.

Eldan: Sometime in the distant past, a Prothean and a Thalmor Ambassador fucked and gave rise to a supreme race of space elves.

Falkrin: ALL GROUNDWALKERS SUCK.

Grumpel: You like to gossip because you’re telempathic and it gives you vicarious sexual pleasure. No, really.

Lopp: You are an adorable, rabbitlike treasure-hunter who loves shinies and loves your Kurg pack-beast but you also want to be friends with everyone else. It’s not right to hurt others in pursuit of shinies!

Pell: Someday the Eldan Masters who made you will return and tell you you’ve been a very good boy. In the meantime, perfect your Skeksis cosplay.