steampunk guide

Steampunk Guide

What this guide is: A Quick history of steampunk A list of some places you can get

inspiration from Advice for choosing outfits and character

creation Advice for where to get things! Q&A

What this guide isn’t: Me telling you how to be steampunk.

This is a guide- I’m here to show you the options available and inspire you, not tell you how to do it.

What Steampunk is A fashion trend A music genre A novel genre A cool thing you see at cons A WAY OF LIFE Fun!

What Steampunk isn’t: Only for cool people. That you aren’t. Only for skinny white folk. Expensive Serious Business.

Where did Steampunk begin?

VICTORIAN ENGLAND.

Well, not really… The term “Steampunk” was coined in the 1980’s

as a part of Cyberpunk Steampunk genre novels already existed before

then, but they were grouped under Sci-fi Steampunk has taken over since then as it

appeals to many subcultures including goths, punks, industrials, geeks and gamers

More and more movies are being made as it’s such a popular thing which is bringing it to mainstream attention.

Inspiration! The easiest way to start with steampunk is

to find out what other people have done And there’s lots of inspiration out there!

Inspiration in Books The Difference Engine by William Gibson

and Bruce Sterling. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate, #1) by

Gail Carriger Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Inspiration in Movies Steamboy Wild Wild West Repo the Genetic Opera The Prestige Sweeney Todd Treasure Planet Anything Victorian- Sherlock Holmes, My Fair

Lady, Oliver, Chitty chitty bang bang I’ve also used Cabaret and Chicago

Inspiration in Comics The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Girl Genius (an online comic) Full Metal Alchemist

Inspiration in Fashion Livejournal group Steamfashion is

absolutely great for images and inspirationhttp://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/ Look at actual Victorian fashion! Steampunk is pretty in with high fashion at the

moment too

Inspiration in Music Dr Steel! Abney Park

Making an outfit Pick your favourite colour as a starting

point! Colours that suit you or make you feel great when you wear them.

Choose clothing that suits you and you feel comfortable in

Accessorise!

Clothing that suits you- Women If you have a small chest things with high collars

look good If you have a larger chest you’re better with V-

necked shirts/coats Corsets are awesome for everyone! If you have a curvy shape fitted skirts look great If you have small hips adding belts will give you

more shape Puffy sleeves make large arms look bigger If you’re short pointed toes make you look taller

Clothing that suits you- Men Full length coats look best on tall men If you’re shorter go for ¾ length or jacket

length Rolling up your sleeves will make your

arms look bigger Very tall hats look better on tall men, go for

a smaller hat if you’re short. Waistcoats are great for everyone

Then Accessorise!Just find things that you like and keep adding. Some

ideas are: Pocket watch Goggles Necklaces/Chokers Cuff links Wrist cuffs Belts and chains

But what if I want to make a Character? Personally I start with a colour again! You may already have an idea and you just want

to expand it If you want to draw the character but you’re not

confident with drawing print out a picture of a person then draw the clothing over the top

Remember a steampunk character is like cosplay- you can change your hair colour/eye colour/ nationality too!

Remember steampunk is not like cosplay- you can base the character off parts of yourself!

Things to think about when making a Character Where do they come

from? What job do they have? How did they get that job? What’s the best thing

about them? What’s the worst thing

about them? Is there anything special

about them?

What’s their favourite colour?

How would they talk? Would you have fun being

that character? Would the costume be

comfortable? Can you make that

costume? Now give them a name!

For example, this is Cogsworth:Where do they come from?Russia!What job do they have?Captain of the shipHow did they get that job?He stole the shipWhat’s the best thing about them?They’re fun!What’s the worst thing about them?They’re stupid. So, so stupid.Is there anything special about them?They’re a clock work cyborg with a human soulWhat’s their favourite colour?Red for Russia!How would they talk?With a high voice and a Russian accent

Comfort is a must in costumes! These look cool, but they’re not fun to wear!

Where to get things from!Clothing, Shoes and Accessories

Charity shops Carboot sales Buy online Ebay! Regular fashion stores (if you’re lucky!) Make them yourself! Commission them

Where to get things from!Hats

Types of hats: Top hats, Bowler hats (aka Derby), Mini top hats, Large sun hats, Military hats

Online (best place, but also most expensive) Car boot sales Charity shops Military surplus stores

Where to get things from!Cogs and Gears

These are actually really hard to find! Here are some places you can get them:

Mixed bags from Ebay and Etsy Break apart old things which have gears (clocks,

watches) Maplins sell plastic cogs you can paint

Also remember you can accessorise with buttons, keys, springs and anything in your character!

Where to get things from!Weapons and Guns

You can buy bases you can alter and paint here: Toy shops! Ebay Poundland The nerf website Charity shops Car boot sales

Clock from charity shop

Wood painted

Welders goggles painted

Buttons and Pendants from Ebay

Magpie from Props Supplier

Gun from toy store

Maplins cogs

painted

Medical Tubing

Painting plastic things Remove things like “made in china” using

sand paper Gently sand the entire surface Prime with black primer paint Dry brush with metal acrylic or use rub and

buff Age with acrylic or shoe polish Seal with clear acrylic spray

And one last bit of advice…

Have fun!

Now it’s Q&A time! If you want a copy of this slide I’ll post it up

on the Alcon Forums If you email me at

Tab@khaoskostumes.com I can also send it to you