Steampunk Canada

So, in the spirit of steampunk, my cohorts and I have started tinkering around with items, working towards an eventual set of costumes.  We decided, what better place to start then a bag and some nerf guns (as all good adventurers and gentlebeings need defense).  I've linked them below with descriptors.

A Swag bag from the 2004 Geac Alliance was a hand me down that I couldn't pass up, I love canvas and knew I could do something with it.  Here's the BEFORE and several after pics (1 and 2)

We worked with three different types of nerf style guns, 4 guns total for three people.  The Longshot, two Mavericks, and another brand's (can't remember it suddenly) pump action shotgun (NOTE: some nerf guns are still works in progress.  The longshot is half done, and the mavericks still need some added detail). 

Please critique, but be gentle good souls lol.

These items are awesome Stuart!

I really like what you've done with the canvas bag.  Did you use fabric paint?

The guns are coming along really nicely!  Have you considered taking something like a dremel to take off the Nerf symbol or the Maverick name on the guns?  Perhaps you would have to use some model putty to smooth it out before re-painting it.  It's just a thought because I have a Maverick and two Nite Finders from Nerf that I'm planning on modifying as well. 

Do you mind if I ask what kind of paint you used for the guns?

I can't wait until you finsh the Longshot and the Mavericks!  Please be kind and post the pictures when you do?

naturally, pictures will be posted.  We had considered sanding down the nerf logos, but decided not to spend the time as we plan to add some raised detail in that area.  Personally, I'm keeping my eyes open on dollar store watches, something ornate.  Use half of the casing on either side of the slider.

As for the maverick name, and the shield at front, We chose to keep them, they don't stand out so horribly and sort of look cool as is.

The bag's actually done with different thicknesses of craft foam.  I followed a few tutorials to make the foam fairly durable, cut pieces to shape, adhered it to the main backing, then enameled and spray adhesived it to the bag.

Very nice indeed!

I have ordered some watch casings from Ebay for a similar purpose for the Nite Finder Nerf guns I have. The Nerf symbol is located at the rear of the gun in a spot that works perfectly for the watch casings.

Did you end up spray painting the guns or hand painting them, and what type of paint did you end up using?

Sorry for asking questions instead of critiquing but you really have done a great job here!

no no, questions are critiques in their own fashion, aren't they?  I had meant to state the paints in my last response, my fault sir.  I used mostly krylon spray paints.  Krylon is great as it works on most any surface, and they have a spectacular range.

The guns are all done in distressed metals, silver and brass stuff.  I can't remember the names, but hit up a home depot or lowes and you can see a huge line of paints.  Plus they have the more glossy finish metal sprays, with nice coppers and golds.  Definitely the best way to go.

The finer details on the guns, like the reds, blues, greens, and such are actually Games Workshop paints I retasked from my warhammer 40k projects.

Stuart - looking good!  I love what you did with the bag.

I needed to learn to work with craft foam lol so it seemed to be the project to do.  My current costume work is towards the genteel, eton jacket and such.  I want to do a costume 2.0 that is more soldier, a 19th century interpretation of modern battle dress, and it means a lot of craft foam armor. 

Thanks you two for the accolades, definitely makes me feel loved

My thanks for the information!  I greatly appreciate it. 

not a problem at all Sean.  Just remember to base coat black, I tend to use a matte black, who needs gloss when its gonna get covered. 

Got the paint I want but I picked up a white primer made for plastics.  Is there a reason why you went with black?

I tried using white myself before as well, but it brought out too much colour to be honest. If you want more of a old rustic/ worn colour, use black.  White makes it more vibrant.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks!

Now to return the white primer and get a black one. 

Primers are tricky.  I developed a policy on them from years of miniature painting that has, so far worked well for other things.

As Alice said, white primer's make the colours on top far more vibrant and alive.  I'd use a white primer when I wanted colours to really pop.

Black primers are not just for rustic,but generally for darker colours.  The brass spray I used, when done over white, is far brighter.  Blacks create darker undertones, and those darker undertones can always be played with a brush later to create nice contrast.

When in doubt, go grey.  A  matte grey primer works well in many situations, and I've used it in a lot of projects to get the "as labelled" bottle colour.  Steampunk guns, however, tend to lend themselves heavily to a matte black primer. 

So a few updates on nerf guns and such (for those who were interested).

My Maverick, from several angles: 1 2

My shotgun from several angels (with focus on some details): 1 2 3

A Top Hat I recently purchased over at Recollections Online Store, with some feathers and flash I added: 1

Nice job!  I need to get off my butt and start making stuff... Stuart may just be the inspiration I need to get started!

I look forward to comparing notes Sir. 

Very nicely done Stuart!

I really like how they came out.  I'm putting the finishing touches on my first gun now and should have it done hopefully in the next few days.

I really like the top hat by the way. 

Thanks Sean.  It was definitely a team effort, all of it.  I didn't glue a single thing on without running the concept past my cohorts first, so they deserve just as much praise.

I can't wait to see the other stuff folks post, I'm sure they'll teach me something.

So as to avoid creating a copious variety of threads, I've decided to just keep adding stuff to this one.

My friend intends to dress as an airship pilot, his costume is coming along nicely and I realised he needs wings.  So I threw some together tonight in a fit of boredom.  See them HERE and HERE

That looks great!  I'm sure your friend will be very pleased.