Where to find cosplay reference photos

After you’ve decided what character to cosplay, your first step should be seeking out good reference photos. Even if you’re not doing a 100 percent screen accurate costume, clear reference photos will assist in fabric selection, colors, and help you locate the little details that bring your costume to life.

Screencaps

If you’re cosplaying from a TV show or movie, screencaps and stills are your best friend. You can rewatch whatever you’re cosplaying from on a laptop or phone to grab your own screencaps, or you can find a website that has screenshots. Regularly updated screencap websites include kissthemgoodbye.net, screencapped.net, and homeofthenutty.com to name a few.

Stills

Stills are high quality photos usually taken for use in press kits. These are my favorite to use for reference photos because you can clearly see the type of fabric, seams, and every little detail. However, some of the colors may be off from what it looks like on screen. Far Far Away site has a regularly updated selection of TV shows.

Stills are typically brighter and more vibrant than screencaps, even from the same scenes. In this scene from Game of Thrones, Sansa Stark's dress looks like a much lighter purple in the still. Credit: Far Far Away Site and screencapped.net. 

Other places

Some costumes designers, such as Michele Carragher who does the embroidery for Game of Thrones, may upload close ups of their work online. Research who does the costume design, and snoop their Instagram or website for potential close ups or concept sketches.

Video games

Depending on the video game, you may be able to take your own in-game screenshots from different angles, and save those to your phone or computer. If possible, I like to take screenshots during cutscenes, which offer close ups of details. You can also watch play through videos and take screengrabs from there. Concept art – which can be found from Google, Pinterest, Wiki pages, official art books, or Art Station – is also a helpful guide, though it can be different from the final product.

Now, it’s becoming more common for developers to release cosplay guides of popular characters. CD Projekt Red has made some for the Witcher 3 , Blizzard has them for almost every Overwatch hero, and Bioware has guides for most Dragon Age: Inquisition and Mass Effect: Andromeda characters. Also, many fan websites – such as this one for Tomb Raider – compile reference pictures for various games and outfits.

For every hero that Overwatch originally launched with, Blizzard has a detailed cosplay guide. Credit: Blizzard

If you can’t find a cosplay guide, try googling for the game’s press kit. These include high quality pictures of characters. For example, while Overwatch has guides for most character’s default costumes, you can find pictures of their event skins at Blizzard’s Press Center.

After you have your photos…

Make sure your pictures are easily saved and accessible, so if there’s an impromptu visit to the fabric store, you’re ready to go. Whenever I can, I like to print out any reference pictures I have so I can easily look at it without searching through my phone. It’s also helpful to do this when asking an employee for help or advice on what to buy. If you can’t print them out, save them in a folder on your phone, Pinterest, Google Drive, or whatever method is easiest for you.

While it can take more time in the beginning, good reference photos can save a lot of time and frustration in the long run. Many cosplay contests may require reference photos, so it’s good to have some on hand.

What resources do you use for reference pictures? What cosplay guides would you like to see in the future? Let me know in the comments below!

Percy Jackson inspired Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt Tutorial

Today I’m going to be showing you how to make this *super cute* camp half blood t-shirt inspired by the Percy Jackson books. It’s perfect for cosplay and everyday wear. Way back in the 8^th grade when Blood of Olympus first released, I made a camp half blood t-shirt using an iron-on, and I’ve been dying to make a new t-shirt with the Silhouette Cameo. Recently, I found a t-shirt at Target that was the perfect color, so I decided there’s no better time than now!

First, here’s what you’ll need:

• A Silhouette cameo. If you don’t own one, check out my blog post on ways you can access one for cheap or free.
• Vinyl
• Scissors
• Black fabric paint
• Sponge paintbrush
• An orange t-shirt

First, open the silhouette cameo design. For my design, I used the font Dalek Pinpoint, and I edited Pegasus clipart to make it easily cut with the Silhouette. Here is a link to the Silhouette file, and here is a link to a JPEG version of my design. I also have the design uploaded at the end of the tutorial, though the link will be better quality.

Cut out a piece of vinyl that’s about 12 inches by 6 inches. I like to use the silhouette brand vinyl.

Place the vinyl on your cutting mat. Load the cutting mat into the silhouette, and cut it out using the standard vinyl cut settings.

Once it’s done cutting, carefully peel the vinyl up from the mat. Then, peel away the vinyl from the backing – be extra careful not to tear the vinyl. Take your time, and you may need a helping hand for this part.

Shove a few paper towels and a piece of construction paper under where the design will be on the shirt. This keeps the paint from going to the other side of the shirt.

Center and place the vinyl on the shirt. Since I’m using a scoopneck shirt, I placed it pretty close to the neckline.

Now place the tiny insides of the letters. Once you’re done with that, press down and make sure the vinyl is stuck to the shirt. If needed, adjust to make sure the cardstock and paper towels are directly under your design.

Now, let’s paint! I use Fabric Creations fabric paint for all of my projects. It washes wonderfully and always goes on well. You can buy it at most craft stores.

Carefully paint in a dabbing motion. If you want a more distressed or worn look, don’t focus on painting it perfectly. My shirt was mostly rayon, and it only needed one coat.

Next, wait a little bit – usually an hour or two – until the paint is dried. Now, carefully lift up the stencil – I recommend starting from the end – and remove it from the shirt. Then carefully remove the tiny insides of the letters.

And there you go! Now you have a Camp Half Blood t-shirt fit for any demigod! I’m going to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised with how this worked out, especially since I’ve never put fabric paint on a rayon/polyester shirt before, but it turned out really clean and professional looking.

Please let me know if you made this shirt, and if so, how it turned out! If you have any questions, please let me know – feel free to email me, comment below, or DM me on any social medias.

What tutorials would you like to see more of in the future?