Q-Con XXII Aftermath!

OK, so here are three of the official photographs of all three of my cosplays over the Q-Con XXII weekend! I had an absolutely brilliant time and met some amazing new people! I had originally spoken to some people online and this was my first time meeting a lot of them. Chris Reaney: the entire Spider-Verse in one man stands out! He was Spider-Patriot and Spider-Punk, with both costumes being too awesome for words! Others knew me as 'the chainsaw guy' or 'the Ace Ventura guy' or 'that agent guy from instagram.' These are all titles I am ok with.

I was able to actually make it to the comedy club, pub quiz and closing ceremony this year, all of which I usually miss out on. I had such an amazing time and could write a novel on my experiences, but want to keep this post brief. The cosplay community is so open to discussing costumes and I am so glad I took the leap two years ago and started this hobby. If anyone reading this is thinking about trying cosplaying for the first time, I urge you to do it! Anyway: onto my costumes shown above:

On Friday, I compiled a male version of Lara Croft I called 'Leon Croft' and he was very well received! I got a lot of great shots hanging out with other game characters like my new twin Amy Donaghey who makes a kickass Jill Valentine/Claire Redfield/Poison Ivy!

On  Saturday, I brought out my Ace Ventura, this time with a wig! I was able to tame the new Q-Con cat 'Khal', who later turned out to be lost, but the owner was able to find him after she was all the Q-Con photos of him with cosplayers! I also performed a skit on stage as Ace Ventura. I was so nervous, but the audience seemed to like it!

Sunday was the return of my signature Ash Williams cosplay! I also wore an 'Ash Ketchum' hat from Pokemon, both to hide my hair and to make me a walking pun. My chainsaw prop is starting to suffer from all these events and weather! However, I am openly discussing and working on a possible fourth version! 

Currently, I am planning to go to Dublin Comic Con in August, then Showmasters in October! I am so thrilled that cosplay is taking off over here, finally! Q-Con had such a broad range of cosplays and I am already looking forward to next year!

Massive shout outs to Roll VT Productions for all the interviews (and for holding our group together!) and to GP Photography, who everyone NEEDS to follow on facebook: his photographs are out of this world!

Challenger Approaching!

This is the second teaser image, again based on Super Smash Bros game. It was relatively simple: just darkened a photo of my secret cosplay, cut around it and added it to the template, with another copy of it to give the 'shadow' effect. At the time of writing, there is under a week remaining before the big reveal! Be at Q-Con to see it in person!

Ominous Q-Con Teaser

*VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP...VOOP*

Q-Con.

Queen's Student's Union.

Friday 19th June.

 A scary sight to behold.

Do not miss this.

Beneath The Masks Website

Roll VT Productions

The website for the cosplay documentary is up! Please go have a quick look, it will be updated throughout 2015, as we work on more filming and several other secret parts we are planning!

Project: Tekken - Ancient Ogre

What: you thought Project: Tekken was over? Nope! So I've finally got around to finishing another one of these: Ancient Ogre! He was one of my favourites from Tekken 3 and I loved his updated look for Tag 2! For this one, I decided to emulate the look of a chalk, cave painting. This is fitting with the 'ancient' theme and the seemingly aztec/mayan style of his outfit. The look is intentionally mismatched, with overlapping colours and shapes, layered with a grimy texture to add to the weathered feel.

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream

I read the classic short story by Harlan Ellison: 'I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream.' The story is about a post-apocalyptic world in which a super computer called 'AM' keeps a small group of humans alive and constantly tortures them. I made a collage in my sketchbook featuring Ellison himself, with the title spelt out in mismatched, uneven letters which I cut from newspapers. These were placed over Ellison's mouth and a background photo of several people in gas masks.

The page on the right is a simple typographic piece of AM's famous speech about how much he hates humans. The font I used was the standard 'agency' style, which fits with the retro-futuristic style of computer that AM is. I then decided to alter this page in Photoshop, adding various stained and crumpled textures, to give a real sense of damage and weathering, much like the world featured in the story.

Game of Thrones Dragon Eggs

These were made back in November, December, January time for a fellow cosplayer's birthday! I'll not embarrass her here by saying her name, but she's the biggest Game of Thrones fan that I know! I have been editing the photos on and off since then, but have finally narrowed it down to 10 that really show off all the necessary details. The large basket was a hamper one that I bought online. I then wrapped some twine around it to add to the outer decoration and threaded some ribbon through the slats to hold it all in place. The Targaryen House Emblem was traced, then cut out and also stuck down across a ribbon weaved design on top of the basket. The eggs themselves are simply polystyrene ones, with every scale cut out individually and held in place as the PVA glue dried in. The sheet inside is simply a table cloth bent and creased to hold the eggs in place. Just to finish it all, I typed up 

Daenerys Targaryen's full title from the series, but with my friend's name instead. This is only the third prop I have ever made and I am really happy with how it turned out! The silver egg is still pretty rubbish to me, but it was very well received by who it was made for!

My First Cosplay Interview!

Agent Delta Cosplay Interview

OK, so as well as my interview for 'Beneath The Masks' with ROLLVT Productions (coming 2016!) I was also interviewed by some friends of mine at Terror-Byte Gaming! I first met these guys back at MCM 2014 and at every subsequent con since! They are a really cool bunch and are always willing to take loads of pics and have a chat anytime I bump into them. They sent me some questions and the next day I was online! So here it is, I'd be very grateful if you could have a quick look!

Beneath The Masks: Cosplay Documentary

OK, so I think here would be a good place to share with you my other main hobby apart from illustration: cosplay! For the uninitiated: cosplay is the art of making, wearing and displaying costumes of famous characters from a range of media.

Still with me? Good. So I have had an interest in this since I was 11, but always thought it was something I would never get an excuse to take part in. Two years ago I was told about a convention called 'Q-Con' that takes place every summer at Queen's University. I went along as Dipper Pines from Gravity Falls and was hooked! Fast forward almost a year and I made my first proper costume as Ash Williams from The Evil Dead and I went to MCM Comic Con, held at King's Hall. This was the first big con I attended and realized that there was a massive audience for this hobby: across all ages, despite popular belief. Not long after, I attended Q-Con once more and made a massive number of new friends. Then I was invited to perform in a parade as Ash Williams. It was here that I made even more friends and met Tommy Maguire.

Although there was only a small group of us actually performing, Tommy really gave it his all and performed as Bane from the Dark Knight Rises. It would be Halloween when we next met at the Showmasters Con at the Odyssey Arena, where he had updated his Bane costume even more! It was at this convention that I debuted my updated Ash Williams costume, as well as my Ace Ventura. Both costumes were very well received and I was stopped by countless people for pictures!

A few months later, Tommy got in touch with me about a cosplay documentary that he was working on and asked if I would be interested. I jumped at the chance! I recommended a few other friends and Tommy went out to recruit a handful of others. The above picture shows our core team and they are an amazing group of people (and me!). MCM Comic Con 2015 was where we first worked as a team, performing, interacting with crowds, conducting interviews and overall just having a really good time!

I am so honoured to be a part of this project and it is one I will be helping with throughout 2015! Tommy is bringing attention to the local cosplay community, which still confuses and odds people out. So I am grateful to do anything to bring this to light! Tommy is an absolute gentleman and I encourage you to check out his company ROLLVT Productions on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, be sure to head here:

https://rollveetee.wordpress.com/

MCM Belfast Comic Con Poster

This was my poster made for MCM Belfast Comic Con 2015, highlighting my two cosplays! I decided to make it like an old fashioned marquee on the front of an old cinema, as both cosplays are movie characters. I added an old, faded texture to the background, to make it look weathered and staggered most of the letters, to add to the uneven style of individual lettering. This was made relatively quickly and I am happy with how it turned out, as it served its purpose for telling people who I was going to be each day! 

Update!

Hello! Yes, I seem to have been quite 'inactive' as of late, but I assure you that it is not the case! I have been working on my first proper branding project for my first client (exciting!) and have also been working on various illustrations AND getting ready for MCM Comic Con on the 2nd and 3rd of May! It is all of these factors, combined with an absolute onslaught of overtime at my part time job that have led to my seeming 'disappearance' on here! I assure you, that as soon as I am able, I will properly start uploading my various projects! Stay tuned!

Johnny Cash - Illustrated Lyrics

This was one of the first illustrated lyrics posters that I wanted to attempt and finally got around to it! This song has always seemed really powerful to me and the lyrics remind me of Red Dead Redemption. I therefore used a black, red and white colour scheme, like the game's cover. I originally tried adding fancy borders and shapes extending from the lyrics, but decided on a flat black background, letting the song's powerful message stand on its own. Yet another piece using paper textures and I am really happy with how it ended up looking.

I am the Walrus - Illustrated Lyrics

Goo goo g'joob! I enjoy 'illustrating' lyrics and for my next one, I chose the bizarre song 'I am the Walrus' by The Beatles. Using a font and colour scheme patterned on The Magical Mystery Tour cover, I shaped the lyrics like a walrus, with only a pair of tusks to help identify the shape against a stark black background. I really enjoyed working on this and am already working on more!

Balsac the Jaws of Death

The rhythm guitarist of the mighty GWAR! I have always loved the twisted costumes of GWAR, but Balsac is definitely my favourite. The creepy beartrap face suggesting something horrible underneath. Even though we all know it's the nice guy Mike Derks! This didn't take as long as anticipated and was based simply on a few photos of the various Balsac costumes over the years. If you haven't heard of GWAR: go educate yourself! HAIL ODERUS!

Marilyn Monroe

I'm a man of my word! Even if it takes me years, I will always get around to a promised illustration Marilyn Monroe: done in a vector, angular style similar to how I did Audrey Hepburn!

Cosplay Posters

Yes hello! I'm still here! I've been away for a little while, but I assure you I have remained active! So I finally decided to set up a cosplay page to showcase all of my costuming escapades! Here I have made four posters, showing all of the conventions I have attended since I started cosplaying back in 2013. This is really becoming a serious hobby of mine, as I have made/compiled around fifteen costumes to date and have more planned. Each of these posters was made to look and feel unique, being a compilation of photo, typography and vector. The branding seen in the lower right corner is based on my existing DM, but made for my cosplay name of 'Agent Delta.' I'll be uploading the branding process soon enough.

Cosplay: Shattered Dimensions

This was an idea that I'd been meaning to get around to for some time. It's a self-portrait 'shattered' so that each piece is representative of one of my original eight cosplays.

Clockwise:

Ace Ventura

Dipper Pines

Ash Williams

Team Fortress 2 Scout

The Punisher

Alan Wake

Dark Lone Ranger

Warriors inspired costume

Chainsaw Mark III

OK, so I decided to rebuild my chainsaw. Truth be told, I was never really that happy with how it turned out, but didn't have enough time before MCM to change it! I kept absolutely everything from the previous build, but made it in three parts this time. Overall, it's far more screen accurate than Mark I or Mark II, so I am really happy with how it ended up looking.

Freaky Fred

Is it odd that I'm already kind of in a Halloween type mood? I probably don't even have plans for it, but once September hits, I always get in a spooky mood! This guy popped into my head yesterday, as I've always loved his sinister appearance and constant rhyming. I'd been meaning to draw him at some stage and am happy with how he turned out. Naauuuggghhhttyyyy...

Illustrated Bob Dylan Lyrics

I wanted to illustrate the lyrics to Bob Dylan's song " The Times, They Are A-Changin' " by organizing them in a creative way. I chose to shape them like an old grandfather clock, which was in keeping with the theme and aesthetically pleasing. Overall, I am happy with how the piece turned out and I hope others like it too!

http://society6.com/damien_delta/the-times-they-are-a-changin-lyrics#1=45

Handmade Thank You Card Number 3

There are now three of these in the world! More card from the (sadly no more) Papermill Shop! I really enjoy making these kinds of things: shows I'm not all just digital illustrations!

Hatsune Miku Newspaper Collage

Back to working on my a5 sketchbook, I made a collage of the Vocaloid character Hastune Miku. I have always loved the character's design and thought it would be fun and interesting to represent her in this colourful way. Initially, I had cut out several different shades of green for the different sections of her iconic hair, but it became too unclear and busy looking. I then found a newspaper advert with sky and clouds in it and used this shade of blue for her hair.

Guardians of the Galaxy Team Picture

It took a bit longer than expected and some software crashes (thanks, Illustrator) , but I finally completed the team pic! I originally tried to have the picture be portrait format, but it was too crowded and difficult to distinguish between each character. The basic shapes of the background were intentional, so as to not draw away from the characters themselves, or make the piece too overcrowded, I hope you like it!

Gamora

She's finally done! I've had a hectic few weeks (including having to work at my kitchen table now) so it took longer than anticipated. Once again, she is based on her comic appearance, with green hair and yellow eye markings. The costume is based on the green one from the comics, with accents from her movie black one and the red colour of her final movie one. But with piece number five, the Guardians series is complete! It is currently 1:08am so I will make the full team pic tomorrow!

New Gravity Falls Journal Photos

My bedroom is getting completely redecorated. This means that the floorboards are exposed. This means I can take better photos of my Journal 3 replica. This means I'm happy! I had intended to go to my local forest (I have one of those) to get some real 'In-situ' photos, but alas, my SLR died. These turned out quite well, and I experimented with colour, shadow and vibrancy levels to enhance each one. I'm fully booked for the next handful of days, but as soon as I can: to the forest!

My Absence: Explained

Ok so it has been a little while! Just as I was starting to get loads of drawings out in a short space of time, I managed to contract a viral infection. I suffered from it for over a month and am still not 100% over it. Some days I lacked the energy to even sit at my laptop, hence the disappearance. But as I was starting to get better, I got involved in a local parade: The Feile and Phobail. This was a community event that I was able to get involved with due to my love of cosplay. Although this blog is mainly used for my graphic design and illustration, I am proud with how my first self made costume turned out. I made this for Comic Con and Q-Con a few months ago, but here are the best photographs so far. All credit to our talented photographer Elza Binde!