Hi Everyone,
this is Olaf in progress. Hopefully he will turn out as I had envisioned him. I am trying to, decide on a breast plate. i thought about craft foam, leather,  not sure which way I will go. Any ideas would be appreciated as always. Hope you like him.

Also anyone have ideas for pants?

He looks awesome Melaine! Great costume and beard. My only question is if you intended the eyes to be looking away from each other? If not, my suggestion would be to try adjusting the focus of the eyes so they are slightly crossed, it gives them a "focus". But nice work, looking forward to the end result!

For the breast plate, I think leather would give it a more realistic look. Have fun!

I found this picture -I think it looks pretty cool- http://www.lederturm.de/artikel/09-00-00-43/hornlamelle_front5.jpg
It is cloth, leather and hornplates. As far as I know Vikings did not use breastplates but chainshirts, first with a short arm (a bit like a T-shirt) which would give people a glimpse at anything below.
Here is a tutorial on chainmail (you'd need thinner wire, of course):

http://youtu.be/oBQjp_oZ0Z8

http://youtu.be/ZXz3aOz3HbM
and for the shirt

http://youtu.be/Nd8ndgsHdFg

http://youtu.be/Z9GDFNEx5dI

I adore Olaf! Awesome job! I do agree with Gabriel though - if his eyes aren't intentional it would be good to spin them in a little. He really is fabulous as is though.

As for the breastplate, my vote is for leather. Olaf would rock it for sure.

Leather might be a bit harder to work with but would look realistic. You could get close with craft foam but you would need to paint it to look like leather.

Thanks everyone. I think I will do some changes in costume. I like the clothing on this character.


I love the idea Rikka thanks for the video. I did spray paint craft foam Silver to make his sheild. Emblem. But I think after veiwing hundreds of pictures of Vikings, they do not wear breast plates. Just large belt buckles. LOL

He looks awesome Melaine! Great costume and beard. My only question is if you intended the eyes to be looking away from each other? If not, my suggestion would be to try adjusting the focus of the eyes so they are slightly crossed, it gives them a "focus". But nice work, looking forward to the end result!

For the breast plate, I think leather would give it a more realistic look. Have fun!

I don't know whats up with his eyes. But when he is on my hand his eyes don't look away from each other, lol. Maybe I need to look at him again lol. Thanks

I don't know whats up with his eyes. But when he is on my hand his eyes don't look away from each other, lol. Maybe I need to look at him again lol. Thanks

From what I can see you need to move the pupils in toward the center just a bit. This will give him a bit more focus and make his eyes not so wild looking.

Lookung really good. 

If the eyes are already attached here's a trick you can use to help tilt them more towards the noise.  You will want to cut a wedge of foam.  For those of you builders out there think about a wooden shim the you use under cabinets, doors etc, to lift up the object.  You can use 1" ployfoam, thick craft foam, the foam from a practice golf ball etc. Then run your hand inside the puppet between the foam and the fleece until you reach the area behine the eye.  Wedge the foam etc under thr eye until it tilts in the direction needed.  I found that it always helps to take photos while building (if I remember,lol).  The camera picks up more details/flaws than I sometime don't catch just by looking at it under normal light.

You really did catch the puppet bug.  Keep them coming.

Julie

Lookung really good. 

If the eyes are already attached here's a trick you can use to help tilt them more towards the noise.  You will want to cut a wedge of foam.  For those of you builders out there think about a wooden shim the you use under cabinets, doors etc, to lift up the object.  You can use 1" ployfoam, thick craft foam, the foam from a practice golf ball etc. Then run your hand inside the puppet between the foam and the fleece until you reach the area behine the eye.  Wedge the foam etc under thr eye until it tilts in the direction needed.  I found that it always helps to take photos while building (if I remember,lol).  The camera picks up more details/flaws than I sometime don't catch just by looking at it under normal light.

You really did catch the puppet bug.  Keep them coming.

Julie

Thanks Julie,
I will give it a try. If it doesnt work . I will pry them off & trim them down to correct his focus. Yep I caught the puppet bug.

Thanks Billy!!!

Did some modifications on Olaf's eyes. They are more focused. I also changed his shirt and beard as well. My Bertha puppet also went under a new face lift. I will post pictures tomorrow. Thanks for all the help, don't know what I would do without you ..

Did some modifications on Olaf's eyes. They are more focused. I also changed his shirt and beard as well. My Bertha puppet also went under a new face lift. I will post pictures tomorrow. Thanks for all the help, don't know what I would do without you ..

Here are a few other links that may help

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php?topic=5081.0

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppet_Eyes

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-Monster-Puppet-Eyes-325678962

He's not totally done yet, but I am happy with him so far.

Looking good! Much better focus on the eyes.

The focus looks much better and love how he's coming along, nice work!