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[kiratsukai]

Diet Advice: Cosplay and Calories (part 2)


#7 - Kareoke ~ anime songs
Calories burned: about 200 (in 2 hours)
Hourly rate: about 100 (#4 by hourly rate)
Equivalent to: 1.1 bowls of rice
Making it more efficient: Sitting in one spot won't help your diet much.... and it isn't nearly as fun! Choose up-tempo songs and get into character while singing!! Stand up and rock the room.


#8 - Talking in a Family Restaurant
Calories burned: about 140 (in 2 hours)
Hourly rate: about 70 (#7 by hourly rate)
Equivalent to: 0.7 bowls of rice
Making it more efficient: Yes, you even burn calories just sitting in a family restaurant after an event. But you should really do something else afterward to follow through after all that time sitting down. Why don't you try calling to the wait staff with crazy, overdramatic character poses? (On second thought, how about going bowling instead? ^^;;; )

You can't have a cosplayer without
SNACKS
A calorie chart
With costume making, changing, prep and photo shoots it can be hard to find the time to eat! At times like this, snacks are our greatest friends... and worst enemies. Check this chart before snacking to see what you're getting yourself into. Watch out for suragy and oily snacks like potato chips, breads and baked goods!! Snack healthier for a slimmer tomorrow <3

potato chips 1 bag (90g) 501 calories

cookie 1 25 calories

chocolate bar 1 395 calories

senbei 1 85 calories

ice cream 1 scoop/cup 270 calories

kinako ice 1 bar 70 calories

sweet chestnut 100 g 249 calories

candy 1 17 calories

caramel 1 21 calories

waffle 1 187 calories

dorayaki 1 230 calories

onigiri 1 170 calories

sandwich 2 slices 332 calories

kinako bread 1 295 calories

nikuman 1 254 calories

donut 1 215 calories

muffin 1 272 calories

hamburger 1 251 calories

french fries 100 g 270 calories

fried chicken 5 small pieces 266 calories

cup noodle 1 365 calories

harusame soup 1 100 calories

*August 2009

[kiratsukai]

Diet Advice / Posing Tutorial: Slim Posing

With just this, you can be a supermodel
Slim Posing

Naturally, a great body is important too, but at least as essential is the way you pose for photogrphs!! With just one pose, you can change the whole feel of a photo. Here we'll introduce some poses to emphasize your assets and play down your trouble areas.

It can be a harrowing experience to make the pefect costume of your favorite character and then realize after the fact that every photo you've had taken is unflattering. Your face might look too wide, your legs might seem short, etc... I'm sure plenty of Layers can relate. But don't get too down on yourself! It might just be a problem with your posing. Here you'll find tips to hide 4 problems that most Layers struggle with at one time or another.

The Illusion of a Small Face
You can have a cute face just like your character!

Sometimes when you wear a volumnous wig, your face looks bigger than it is. But with a few small adjustments to your poses, you can have the small face you've always wanted.


If you look at the camera straight-on, it's no good.
When photographed straight-on, your face will look huge.


Fix A: Put your hand or a weapon toward the camera!
Moving your hand or a prop toward the camera will give you a feeling of depth. Compared to the size of the item in the foreground, your face appears smaller!!


Fix B: Try twisting your body to the left or right
Even just a slight turn to one side can make your face look much smaller. Use a mirror to practice your favorite sideways glances.

A Flattering Trick: The High Shot
Shoot from above for a slimming effect!

Shots from above obscure most of the neck and jawline, making your face appear thinner than it does in headlong shots. It's a good idea to have a cute canned pose prepared for just this sort of angled shot.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Diet Advice / Posing Tutorial: Slim Posing (part 2)

Thinner Arms
Let's try to draw the eye away from underarm trouble spots.

Sleeveless dresses and tank tops leave the arms exposed. Unfortunately, we haven't all got perfect arms, so it's important to know how to place your arms if you want them to look thin.


Even if you want to show off your strength... this is no good.
Watch out! Any shot that brings the arm in front of the body can easily make it look flabby!!


Fix A: Extend your arms to the right and/or left
You can use poses with your arms extended to either side both for an interesting look and to accentuate your breasts. As long as your arms are the same distance from the camera as your torso, they won't look fat by comparison.


Fix B: Place your arms behind your body
If you set your shoulders back a bit further than usual, you can place your arms a little bit behind your body. The perspective will make your arms appear thinner.

A Flattering Trick: Pull Back
A wider shot will bring fewer flaws into focus.

If you pull away from the subject, everything will appear smaller. This way you can take the focus away from individual flaws and turn it to the whole picture.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Diet Advice / Posing Tutorial: Slim Posing (part 3)

Waist
Go for curvy, girlish lines!!

A thinner waist is a common pipe dream for women everywhere, but with a change in posture, you can create a curvier figure in an instant.


If you're shot from straight on... it's no good.
If you stand stock still straight in front of the camera, none of your curves will stand out. Let's try to put some rounder edges on that pose by moving the camera to one side.


Fix A: Make an S with your body.
Imagine you're an S. Stick your bust out with your shoulders back and make a curvy line with your leg. It will make your waist look smaller and create a more girlish sillouette.


Fix B: Twist your body to the side.
A side shot can make your body appear thinner. Just a little twist of the hips to one side can give you big results.

A Flattering Trick: Shoot from below
Your subject's body will appear longer and curvier.

When photographed from below, the lower body appears lengthier and slimmer.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Diet Advice / Posing Tutorial: Slim Posing (part 4)

Nice Legs
For the long, beautiful legs you've always dreamed of...

No matter the character, we want to give them long, awesome legs, right? By playing wit leg placement we can find poses that are both flattering and character-appropriate!!


If there's no movement in your pose, it's no good.
Standing with both feet parallel on the floor while shot straight-on will give you the illusion of short, blocky legs.


Fix A: Put your best foot forward...
Moving either foot one step toward the camera increases the field of depth in the shot and makes the leg placed toward the camera look longer.


Fix B: Tilt your body back.
Creating some weight in one shoulder or twisting one arm back can create even more movement in your picture with the same lengthening effect on your legs.

A Flattering Trick: Use solid backgrounds
Create some distance and pop!

Solid backdrops help create a feeling of distance and make subjects pop. In some cases, they can also accentuate the length of limbs, making them appear longer and your face smaller than in photos with busier backgrounds.

*August 2009

[kiratsukai]

Monthly Poll: Is it okay to camp a photo spot?

Question: Is it okay or no good to set up camp at a good photo-spot during an event?

We used the community site "Gocco", questionaires and postcards to collect your answers. This time about 3/5th of respondants were totally against the practice. Among those who were anti-camping, complaints about the behavior of the campers was common, "They don't even always take pictures... they just sit around eating snacks and talking! That's totally rude to everyone else." Everyone shares the same spaces, so when you're done taking pictures, move on and let someone else use the place, alright? Next time we'll be polling you guys about even more manners, so look forward to it, okay?

64% No Good
28% Other
8% It's OK

*October 2009

[kiratsukai]

Makeup Tutorial: Japan (Hetalia)

Aim for a natural-feeling!
Japan's Heavy-Lidded Makeup
Today's subject is the heavily-cosplayed Japan! In order to get the perfect Japan look, we're going to teach you a great natural-looking makeup application. Be careful not to go too heavy or too dark ~ we want a natural, balanced and classy look!

You'll need:
-eyeshadow
-eye liner
-maschera
-false eyelashes
-eyebrow pencil
-blush


1) Apply eyeshadow to the point of the eye
Use a brown shadow to accent the outer corners of the eyes.


2) Draw a thin eyeline
Taking care not to use too heavy a line, apply your eyeliner. Apply slightly lower than usual on the outer lower corner to make the eyes appear to be downturned.


3) Go heaviest on the maschera on the outer eye too!
We're going for a down-turned, almond eye, so it's important to apply maschera most heavily on the outer, lower part of the eye to give it the illusion of weight.


4) Apply short, natural-looking false lashes
Short, straight lashes will give your eyes a bit of pop without looking too flamboyant.


5) Redden the area around the eye with blush
Use a light shade of blush to gently color the area around the eyes. It gives you a cute look.


6) Put on your wig before drawing brows
If you put on your wig before drawing your brows, it's easier to get the perfect placement, color and balance.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Makeup Tutorial: Japan (Hetalia) (part 2)


7) Draw your eyebrows to peek through your bangs
In order to get the perfect browline, use your bangs as a reference. If the brows are applied with in a straight line in a slight upward motion, you get a really nice effect.


Your shy and natural Japan look is complete <3

*October 2009

[kiratsukai]

Remaking a Suit into a Tails Jacket Tsukijima Juurokuya(Miracle Train)

Just by remaking a store-bought suit, you can make the jacket that Tsukishima Izayoi wears in "Miracle Train". Most premade suits are black, but for this one we'll need to find a grey one!

You'll need:

1) a suit (top and bottom)
2) biasing
3) biasing tape (red)
4) kurumi buttons
5) lining (black)
6) thread (grey and red)
7) guideline tape

The contacts and wig on our model:

Contacts: Wine Red from Venus Eyes 4,980 yen


Wig: Bob Layer in Ivy Green NGDO-17 from Assist Wig 5,680 yen


1) Use guideline tape to mark the new shape
In order to cut your suit to a more fitting shape, use the guideline tape to mark your new lines and cut away some of the excess fabric to make it easier to manuever.


2) Carefully cut open the pants
Cut the thread holding the pants together to seperate the pieces of cloth they're made from. Once the pants have been opened, iron the pieces of fabric flat.


3) Cut the tails from the pant-fabric
Cut triangular pieces from the pant-fabric to attatch to the main jacket as tails.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Remaking a Suit into a Tails Jacket (part 2)


4) Attatch fuseable interfacing
Attatch fuseable interfacing to the back-side of your cut fabric.


5) Sew on your lining
This jacket has a visable lining, so don't forget to add a lining material as well. After attatching your base fabric pieces, interface and lining, sew all of the pieces together (both pieces should be inside out when you begin sewing, with your interfacing pointed outward on the bottom and your lining backside-up on the top ~ sew the points first, leaving the top/base and center line open). When you've finished sewing on the lining, turn your tails inside out, sew the center piece together and iron the finished piece flat.


6) Attatch the tails to the suit jacket
Line the base of the tails up with the original center line of the suit. Sew the pieces securely together.


7) Finish the suit with a matsuri stitch
Finish the new lines you cut in #1 with a matsuri (blind) stitch.


8) Make the belt and kurumi buttons with extra fabric
Use leftover fabric from step #3 to make the back belt and cover the kurumi buttons. Balance them on the back of the suit and sew on.

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Remaking a Suit into a Tails Jacket (part 3)


9) Make a dummy pocket with tape
Make a line with your biasing tape to use as a dummy pocket and sew it on with a blind stitch.


10) Add trim and buttons to the sleeves to finish
The sleeve line can also be made from biasing tape. Adding three slightly smaller covered kurumi buttons to each sleeve will give you your finished look.


*And this obviously isn't it!!! Nice try Layers!! The suit in the photo isn't the same remade suit at all, but a completely recut one in satin >~<;

*October 2009

[Routhy]

I ordered Layers for the Len patterns (Delivery cost 5x the price of the magazine D: )

Anywho, I can't read the size guide, and was wondering (if it's not too much trouble) if you could tell me which measurement is which on it?


Great job on the translations btw, very helpful =]

[kiratsukai]

Size, bust, waist, hip, height/body length (from left to right)

[kiratsukai]

Official Character References: Hetalia (part 1)

The series the entire nation can't tear their eyes away from!

General Information:
Series: Hetalia Axis Powers
Genre: Mobile phone anime
Airs: on Mobile Animate uploaded every Friday at about 4pm, on Animate TV every Monday at about 4pm
http://hetalia.com

This country-turned-human comedy animation is, of course, all the rage in the cosplay community! The series is always adding more great clothes, so we're giving you 7 pages of references and introductions. So go ahead and find a costume you like, okay?


Italy (click for fullsize)

Italy Notes:
The wussy, crybaby Pasta-Angel
Italy is the sunny, but none-to-bright main character. He's a nice guy, so he doesn't much care for fighting. His brown hair falls like macaroni.

-Cute, curling ahoge (idiot-hair) ~ the curly ahoge that pokes out by his ear is one of Italy's trademarks. Using our tutorial on p. 33, you can get it just right.

-Using pre-made clothing ~ "Gakuen Hetalia"s costume is more or less a uniform shirt and pants combo that you can easily make out of store-bought pieces. By arranging items you can buy anywhere, you can get a simple, and reasonable cosplay costume.

-Watch the ribbon ~ This frilly little number makes for an adorable girly look <3 But be careful when tying the back ribbon to get the shape shown here. Don't forget the frills on the skirt and apron either!


France, Germany, Japan (click for fullsize)

France Notes:
Lover of Beauty
France is a laid-back romantic with no shame. His default costume is cut almost like a pair of suit-tails in the back.

-A rose at the lapel ~ An iron-on print is okay. But a fake (or real) rose tucked in your shirt pocket can be a great prop for photo shoots.

Germany Notes:
Italy's Stern Protector
Germany is a straightforward, blue-eyed, beer-loving youth. He's always fussing over Italy. He's tall and has backcombed blonde hair.

-Under-rim glasses ~ When Germany wears a school uniform or a suit, he also wears glasses. They're underrims, so be careful during photo shoots not to obscure or distort your eyes with the frameless part.

Japan Notes:
An honest and artless perfectionist
A small young man with dark hair and eyes. He has trouble with people who don't observe strict decorum. He's pretty practical and strict, so whatever you wear, make sure it's pressed and perfect.

-A baggy sillouette ~ In winter, Japan has an overlong muffler and coat with a straight cut. The coat sleeves are large, like those for a kimono.


America / England (click for fullsize)

America Notes:
An energetic hero
Italy is the sunny, but none-to-bright main character. He's a nice guy, so he doesn't much care for fighting. His brown hair falls like macaroni.

-Aviator goggles are cool too ~ Just combining some goggles from another costume with the right hat can give you a great America prop. Don't forget to leave not just your bangs out of the hat, but your ahoge too!

England Notes:
A sharp-tongued, but good-hearted gentleman
England has a foul mouth and for whatever reason, can't seem to express himself in a poisitive manner, but he's not a bad guy. His soft blonde hair and deep green eyes are his charm points.

-Thick eyebrows for a gentlemanly look ~ When you say "England", the first thing anyone thinks of are his massive eyebrows. "There's something gentlemanly about them" right? Be sure to use concealer or powder to cover your own eyebrows before drawing on these monsters and your Englishness will go up!


Austria, Russia, China, Lichtenstein, Switzerland (click for fullsize)

Austria Notes:
Refined older-brother figure
Austria is a bit overprivaledged and loves music more than anything. He might look gaudy, but he's actually pretty straight-laced. His clothes are well-tailored and accented with his signature scarf.

-Don't forget the mole ~ Austria has a mole under his mouth on the left side. One of his signature marks, there's something a little... sexy about it <3 Don't forget it!

Russia Notes:
What's that smile covering up!?
Russia doesn't beat around the bush and quite a few of the things that come out of his mouth shock everyone around him. He bundles up his tall-figure in a beige long-coat and pink scarf.

-Enhance your height with platforms ~ When it comes to height, Russia is #1 or 2. Wearing platform boots can give you a height boost for extra accuracy.

China Notes:
An old geezer, though you'd never know it by looking
Of all the characters, long-haired China is the oldest. He has no bangs and his hair is a little scruffy on the side. He's extremely flexible but has trouble remaining calm.

-Panda prop! ~ China often travels with his pet panda. If you use a panda plushie for a prop, your photo shoots will be extra cute.

Switzerland Notes:
Economical genius and staunch nuetral
Switzerland is a cool guy, easily swayed only for the sake of his little sister. His military uniform is forest green and of an unusual, characteristic design.

-Random sidelocks ~ Switzerland has lovely, if messy blonde hair. His bangs don't quite reach his eyebrows, but his sidelocks are longer and fall around his face randomly. If you cut into the hair on your wig in a light choppy motion at the ends, it's easily to replicate.

Lichtenstein Notes:
A girl who loves her brusque older brother
Lichtenstein is a sweet girl, always neaby to help her "oniisama" Switzerland when he loses his way. She's adorable in pleated skirts.

-The ribbons go on the side! ~ Lichetenstein's most common accent are ribbons tied into her hair on the side. Tying them plainly into the hair makes them easy to get tangled or fall out, so be sure to secure them with rubber bands and/or pins. Choose a ribbon that will compliment the dress you've chosen, okay?

(continued in the next post)

[kiratsukai]

Official Character References: Hetalia (part 2)


Prussia, Canada, Romano, Finland, Spain, Belgium (click for fullsize)

Prussia Notes:
Alone, but not lonely!
Germany's big brother, Prussia is called "Oniisan" by him. He has a deep indigo military uniform and a black suit shirt. He and Russia have similar belt designs.

-Upturned eyebrows ~ Prussia has an ironic sense of humor, and you can see it in his eyebrows. If you draw his eyebrows well, there'll be no mistaking your character.

Canada Notes:
Softspoken and lazy
He and America may look almost completely alike, but their personalities couldn't be any more shockingly different. He has downturned eyebrows and blue eyes that convey his gentle personality.

-Wavy hair ~ Canada and America have similar hair, but Canada's style reflects his easy-going personality. Twist the ends with a bit of wax and hand-curl to get a wavy look.

"Romano" Notes:
A nervous bundle of complexes
Often embarassed by his little brother, Italy, Romano takes the blame for quite a few of Italy's foibles. He's a bit manlier and more respectable than his sibling.

-His ahoge is at the top ~ Opposite of Italy, Romano's ahoge is at the very top of his head and curls upward. Use wire to get the same effect.

Belgium Notes:
A tall babe
A lovely girl whose shoulder-length blonde hair is bound in an ash-blue hairband. Her dress, designed after those of Belgian royalty, includes a bolero in the same color.

Spain Notes:
Loves Romano
Spain is quite fond of the Italy brothers, especially the eldest. He's taken quite a shine to Romano. Be sure to choose a shirt that's a bit too big.

Finland Notes:
An energetic guy who never loses to the cold
A boy who brings presents to everyone from the sky. He's incredibly strong to the cold. His bangs are long and sweep from the left to the right.

-downward tilting eyebrows ~ Finland is a warm soul and his downward tilting eyebrows have a sculpted shape almost like a woman's. They're one of his trademarks.


Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia (click for fullsize)

Greece Notes:
A laid-back cat-lover
This guy's almost always lazing around with a cat or two. His shirt collar is unkempt and stands up and his shirt is open to bare quite a lot of his chest. On the right side of his head, he has some stray hairs that make ahoge almost in the shape of a plant sprouting.

Lithuania Notes:
A naieve guy
He's a bit introverted but he's a very agreeable young man. He wears a light green sweater and has a necktie in a darker shade of the same color. His clothes are well-tailored and should be worn with care.

Estonia Notes:
The Honor-Student of the Baltics
A studious person with a special talent with Information Technology. He has glasses with square-shaped lenses and and short-cropped hair for the ultimate honor-student look!

Belarus Notes:
These feelings, convey them to niisan!
A girl who longs for her "niisan", Russia and calls Ukraine "oneesan". With a ribbon right in the middle of your forehead, you'll be able to pull her off for sure.

Ukraine Notes:
The eldest sister, doing her best at farming
Not one to lose in agriculture, she's quite a kindhearted older sister. Her costumes are designed to accent her ginormous breasts. Be careful to line up the buttons on her shirt and pants.

Poland Notes:
Honest and shy
Kind, self-centered and a little shy, Poland is Latvia's best friend. He has platinum blonde hair parted in the center. He wears his pants tucked into his boots with a bit of overflow at top.

Latvia Notes:
If only he were just a little more clued-in...
A clumsy boy who is always angering Russia by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. He wears a long sweater with the extra cloth bundled around his waist.


Chibitalia: France, Hungary, Spain, Roma, Switzerland, Austria, Italy (click for fullsize)

Chibi-France Notes:
Younger-Frane can be a bully when it comes to getting what he wants. Both his violet mantle and hat are trimmed in gold.

Chibi-Hungary Notes:
An oneesan who loves Chibitalia. She's always toying with him like a doll, dressing him up in her own clothes and things like that. Be careful with the embroidery on her apron!

Chibi-Spain Notes:
Fundimentally cheerful but a little hard on himself, Spain steps into the older-brother role on his own. If you use a wrinkly material for his puff-sleeve shirt, you'll look even more Spain-ly.

Holy Roma
A pure little boy who loves Chibitalia so much he can hardly stand it. His wide Napoleon-style hat and his sideburns are his trademarks.

Chibi Switzerland and Chibi Austria
These two were good friends when they were small. Don't forget the crosses on the shoulders of Switzerland's jacket! Be careful of chibi-Austria's hair-part too.

Chibitalia
Italy was a clingy child who loved drawing pictures. His long robe matches his cape. Be sure to use a lot of volume for the hat.

*February 2010