1st Edition

Foam Patterning and Construction Techniques Turning 2D Designs into 3D Shapes

By Mary McClung Copyright 2016
    236 Pages
    by Routledge

    236 Pages
    by Routledge

    Foam Patterning and Construction Techniques: Turning 2D Designs into 3D Shapes explains how to create your theatrical prop, puppet, or costume design using the unique and tricky medium of foam. Step-by-step instructions, photographs, and explanations illustrate how to translate your design from paper to reality by creating custom "skin" patterns, followed by creation of a foam mockup. The book details how to bring your project to life with varied finishing techniques, including using fur and fabric coverings and dying and painting foam. Numerous supplies, tools, and safety procedures and protocols are also covered.

    Table of Contents

    Acknowledgements

    Preface

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    Section 1: The Medium of Foam: Materials, Tools and Safety

    Chapter 1: Materials

    Chapter 2: Safety

    Chapter 3: What Type of Foam to Use?

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    Section 2: Design

    Chapter 4: An Approach to Design

    Chapter 5: Renderings, Working Drawings and Simplicity of Form

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    Section 3: Translating Design into Reality: Techniques used in the

    Patterning Process

    Chapter 6: Additive Patterning: Adding a Surface layer.

    Chapter 7: Subtractive Patterning: Cutting away the Surface Layer.

    Chapter 8: Speed Patterning

    Chapter 9: Free Form Foam Patterning

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    Section 4: Determining the Pattern Divisions, "Truing" Patterns and Changing Scale

    Chapter 10: Determining the Pattern Divisions

    Chapter 11: Transferring Patterns to Paper and "Truing" Pattern Pieces

    Chapter 12: Scale: Determining the Size of the Finished Piece

    Chapter 13: Formula for Reducing and Enlarging

    Chapter 14: How to Enlarge and Reduce Pattern Pieces

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    Section 5: Putting It All Together: From Pattern to Object

    Chapter 15: How to Bevel Corners and Utilize Darts

    Chapter 16: Cutting Pattern Pieces out of Foam

    Chapter 17: Gluing and Sewing

     

    Section 6: Finishing the Design

    Chapter 18: Fur and Fabric Coverings

    Chapter 19: Uncovered Foam: How To Finish

    Chapter 20: Detailing and Bringing To Life

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    Section 7: This Section Goes Through The Full Process For 6 Projects

    Chapter 21: Free Form Reticulated Foam Construction

    Chapter 22: Making Two Different Shapes from the Same Foam Pattern

    Chapter 23: Patterned Foam Mask

    Chapter 24: Patterned Foam Armor

    Chapter 25: Patterned and Carved Raptor

     

    Appendices

    A. Sources and Supplies

    B. Bibliography

     

    Biography

    Mary McClung has designed costumes, puppets, masks, and sets for theatre, video, and television for over 17 years. As Artistic Director and craftsperson at Animax Designs, she had the opportunity to design and build for companies such as Disney, Children’s Television Workshop, and Universal Studios. McClung has also designed productions with The Dallas Children’s Theatre, The Idaho Repertory Theatre, and The Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She teaches full time at West Virginia University as Professor of Costume Design.