Worbla’s Kobracast Art is one of our newest products, and quite different than the rest of our lineup in some ways! Paper thin and incredibly sticky when activated, Kobracast works much like a thermoplastic interfacing: you can use it to fuse to and manipulate fabrics, creating seamless looks and permanent details. It also can be used for hatmaking, both as an alternative to buckram in some aspects or for creating sculpted details such as feathers or ruffles that stand on their own without wire. Kobracast can be sewn through with a standard machine, reshaped with heat whenever needed, and can be washed in cold water, making it excellent for costumes where more finicky materials would give trouble.
Below you can see some ways Kobracast has been used to create costume and accessory pieces.
Scarlet Witch build by JediManda
Scarlet Witch build by JediManda
Scarlet Witch by Carmenvalentina
Collar proof of concept
This collar weighs 123g / 4.3 ounces.
Collar can be rolled for travel
This hat was shaped over a block wrapped in plastic wrap
Kobracast can be laminated to fabrics with heat
Another hat formed over a dome covered in plastic wrap
This is entirely Kobracast laminated to fabric
Pillbox example
Fabric is fused to band and molded into shape
There is no wire to hold this shape
Collar reinforced with Kobracast
Completed collar with embroidery and goldwork
Cuff from the outside
Pleats for a cuff that hold their shape
The feathers are dual sided, the plaid accent has no wire
Ruffle and pleated detail can be permanently set
Headbands
You can also see videos of it in action and how it has been used in the above projects below!
Sigrun Mercy by Grumpycat Cosplay, photo by Milos Mlady Photography
The Worbla team has a few Overwatch enthusiasts on board, so we wanted to create a gallery showcasing Overwatch costumes from around the world that used Worbla in some way!
Each Cosplayer (and if available, Photographer) is credited on their image. Be sure to check their work out!
Mercy by Ravenheart Cosplay, photo by Capturing Heartbeats
Symmetra original and saffron by Rainyia Cosplay
Junkrat by 89Styles
Symmetra by Akanksha Sachan, photo by Karan Prakash
McCree by 89Styles, photo by Weneals Photography
Symmetra by Hiluvia Cosplay, photo by Ana Lopez Photography
Valkyrie Mercy by Quinn cosplay, phoro by Otaku Gattai
Lone Wolf Hanzo by Rita Farkas Cosplay & Art, Photo by Jun
Tracer by Velissendra, photo by Fotógrafo Jaime R. Murgueytio
Strike Commander Morrison by Viva la Cosplay
Junkrat by The Fullmetal Cosplayer, photo by Susumu Komatsu Photography - Cosplay
Mei by Apricity Cosplay, photo by Erik Paredes Photography
Widomaker by Hiluvia Cosplay
D.Va gun by Mercat Cosplay
Soldier 76 by Agaeti Cosplay, photo by KauNi Cosplay & Photography
Sigrun Mercy by Grumpycat Cosplay, photo by Milos Mlady Photography
Valkyrie Mercy by Candy Cosplay, photo by Alex Rose Photography
Tracer by Hope Cosplay, photo by JARibas - Estudio de fotografia en Barcelona
D.Va by Namalyn Cosplay, photo by SollieFoto.se
Demon Hanzo by Kuristinaa Kosplay, photo by Paul Hillier Photography
Overwatch Family Portrait with Jinx Cosplay, photo by Kincart Photography
Mercy by Yamerpro
Devil Mercy by AoKoumori, photo by to by Elysia Griffin Photography
Widowmaker by Cosplay Lullabie & Props , photo by Steeve Li Photography
Reaper in Heels by Love The Horizon Cosplay (it's in the mask :D ) photo by robothentai
Talon Widowmaker by photo by Kawaii Besu Cosplay, photo by Joe Tym Photography
Roadhog by Emphos cosplay & photography
Roadhog by Havoc Industries
Mercy by Caelnu, photo by Mey Photography & Cosplay
McCree by Darkforce Cosplay, photo by Reagan Smash Productions
Mei and Symmetra by The CospLadies, photo by RedScarf Cosplay & Photography
Zarya by Chuel Cosplay , photo by Patricia Bueno Photography
Mercy by Tsarita Cosplay, photo by Random Hero Photography
Sigrun Mercy by Yoonah Cosplay, photo by Aureate Productions
Tracer by Kumi Cosplay
Mercy by joemamainc
Witch Mercy by Piexv Cosplay, photo by hersehtical cosplay
Young Hanzo by Rabbit in the Moon cosplay, photo by ShadowFX Productions
Zenyatta by Saijin Cosplay, photo by Jamie Flack
Mercy by Jenny Lauren Stump
Orisa by Akakioga, photo by Alexandra Lee Studios
D.Va by Namalyn Cosplay
Roadhog by xsleepingbootyx
Genji by GiggaplexCosplay
Mecy by Bec's Cosplay Wonderland, photo by Teekay Photography
Symmetra by Bec's Cosplay Wonderland, photo by Bermingham Photography
McCree by Bec's Cosplay Wonderland, photo by Limitless Visual Productions
Tracer by Bec's Cosplay Wonderland, photo by Martie B. Photographie
Mercy by Leah Rose
Young Hanzo by Something Fishy Cosplay, photo by JLCosplayStudio
Valkyrie MErcy byneonrabbitcosplay
Tracer by kuhleesee
McCree by eeKa
Demon Hanzo by Kuristinaa Kosplay, photo by Paul Hillier Photography
Germia used Worbla and EVA foam to create her stunning Anubis Pharah with wings that move! It’s an amazing build and you can see her progress and the final build below!
Nicole Taylor of Nicci Knacks: Sculpture, Costume Arts & Commissions is a talented sculptor who works with polymer clay, foam, wire and Worbla, Nicci Knacks has created some absolutely stunning works that are completely unique and amazing examples of the versatility of Worbla in mixed-media projects. Take a look at some of her stunning pieces below!
She often documents her pieces with both photos of the build and videos of the process:
Her Cephalopod hat build can be seen in steps below.
If you own a Ball Joint Doll, you know that making small props and costume accessories can be tricky – clay can shrink when baked, or be brittle when handled. Worbla lets you make both props and accessories easily, without worrying about the traditional limits of other materials – and the best part is? You can easily use up scraps from smaller projects for your doll!
Cheshire Cat Teapot and Accessories including Pocket Watch, Horseshoe, Bunny Claws from American McGee’s Alice Madness Returns by Elemental Photography and Design.
Photography by Hanny Honeymoon Photography Silver Thistle outfit by Royal Black
Here at Worbla.com we are always finding new and amazing ways Worbla has been used to create beautiful and often breathtaking art. We’ve started to see Worbla incorporated into amazing corsetry, and have created a small gallery below. If you have used Worbla in your corset, bustier or stays, please let us know!
Royal Black is a couture label based in Vienna / Austria, which has specialized in finest handcrafted corsetry, evening wear and costumes. Their work has inspired many, with an artisan mix of luxurious fabrics, perfect fit, classic couture and tailoring techniques as well as new technologies like lasercutting, engraving or 3D printing turn each garment into a unique piece of wearable art.
Glorious Empire Collection:
The Crown Princess: Lasercut Worbla on the epaulettes and hip pieces.
The Empress: Lasercut Worbla on the shoulder pieces and collar.
Royal Black
The Admiral/Black Admiral: Worbla used in the Epaulets.
Royal Black
The Concubine: Worbla was sculpted into the Shoulder pieces, which are on strong magnets and detachable.
Royal Black
Enchanted Garden Collection:
Holly Gold and Silver Thistle Worbla leaves and Sunflowers.
Costumes & Characters:
Atlantis: The seahorses, starfish and the anchor are made from handpainted Worbla.
Rainbow Curve Corsetry shared their build process here, be sure to visit her page to see the in-depth process.
Fairytas by Jolien-Rosanne
Fairytas by Jolien-Rosanne is an amazing artist and designer based in the Netherlands who has been incorporating Worbla into her designs with breathtaking results, such as this Pheonix Dress modeled by CreatureHabit with photography by Saffels Photography.
Fairytas by Jolien-Rosanne
CKfilmdesign
Charlotte Kelleher is a Wellington, NZ based Costume Artist, Prop builder and Armour Technician serving film, theatre and other creative industries with high-quality costumes and props. Her works are distinguished by their elegance and the finesse of execution, and she is a current finalist in the 2016 World of Wearable Art competition in the Weta Workshop Costume and Film section.
Charlotte used Worbla for this fantastic headpiece and corset, photographed by Matt Barnes.
Erza Cosplay continues to astonish us with her amazing attention to detail, fantastic craftsmanship, and wonderful tutorials and willingness to help that we love to see within the community. As a result, this is a page to highlight and showcase her phenomenal work. If you haven’t done so, you should absolutely check her out!
Erza’s most recent project has been Sagittarius, a Greco-Roman armored piece with amazing detail.
Erza Cosplay in her amazingly detailed Sagittarius
This amazing Heavy Luminescence Armor from Guild Wars 2 used Worbla’s Finest Art, TranspArt and DecoArt. Photos by Katapon Photo, Harrasaki Photographie and NBM l Productions.
Erza Cosplay
Eir Stegalkin from Guild Wars 2. Photos by Greencat
Hel, the Dragon of Life and Death, an original design by Erza Cosplay.
Videos and Tutorials
Erza Cosplay has also shared numerous videos showing multiple techniques with Worbla products for Cosplay and Costumes.
Fake Cleavage Planning a costume that requires Epic Cleavage? Need a way to build a top that you don’t break laws with – and won’t fall out of? Erza Cosplay created this video showing how she made her fake breasts with Worbla, foam, and spandex for her Nakagami Armor. Photo by Romana Gruber Photography
Fine Detail in Worbla Black Art Erza Cosplay shows how she uses thin sections of Worbla’s Black Art to create the iconic Greek ‘wave’ detail on her upcoming costume.
You can also see how she uses a ‘half relief’ method to create impressive detail for her upcoming Sagittarius design.
Or if you need to make Celtic Knotwork for your designs:
Horns This is a great video showing how to make lightweight, sturdy horns for your cosplay using Worbla Black Art and Aluminum Foil.
Dragons! Erza Cosplay shared how she makes Dragon heads without armature or base in this video series.
Erza Cosplay used Worbla’s Finest Art, TranspArt and DecoArt for this amazing Heavy Luminescence Armor from Guild Wars 2. Photos by Katapon Photo, Harrasaki Photographie and NBM l Productions.
Lyz Brickley has used Worbla for many different armor designs, several of which are featured below. Photos by Carlos G photography and Sorairo-days Cosplay & Photography.
Grey Warden Alistair from Dragon Age Inquisition by Pasta Cosplay Everything was handmade, the scales were hand cast, and the armor was made from foam and Worbla’s Black Art.
Worbla isn’t just being used on stage and conventions – Fashion and Couture Designers are starting to really experiment with new materials, and Worbla allows for some fantastic creativity.
Laura Kane Designs used Worbla to create this amazing oyster shell jacket. She built up a form using plastic wrap and duct tape and shaped the Worbla over to create this fantastically organic shape, and her paint included sand and stone textures to further emphasize the organic nature.
This fantastic costume build was shared with us by The Art of Ryan Wells. He used EVA foam and Worbla to create this Starship Troopers arachnid that can be disassembled for easy storage and transport (plus, getting through doorways). Additional images by David Ngo.
While it’s hard to tell Worbla Black from Worbla’s Finest when everything’s finished, the smoothness and ability to take extra fine detail can be a definite bonus. Here are examples of work done with Worbla Black!
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A Greco-Roman breastplate made of Black Art by Erza Cosplay. The fine detail she can achieve is astonishing!
Articulated Gauntlet made of Worbla Black – for Diablo 3 Wizard in the Firebird Armor made with both Worbla’s Finest and Worbla Black by Nefeni Cosplay – click to see video.
Work done by Cast4Art for the Worbla Black launch.
Harley Quinn breastplate and Tyrande Whisperwind accessories by Lanthea Cosplay
AllieCat Art and Cosplay used Worbla’s Finest Art to create this fantastic costume of Lieutenant Allison Jakes with a working smoke machine and lights and an incredible paint job. Check out how she did the paint work here! With photos from Vancouver Cosplay
When standard Acrylic isn’t viable, Worbla’s TranspArt (WTA) is a clear thermoplastic that offers amazing flexibility and resilience that is solvent-stable, as well as Non-Toxic and Skin-Safe. TranspArt can be vacuformed, both on an actual machine/table as well as by hand with simple tools, can be tinted and dyed, and is incredibly difficult to tear, dent or rip. Look below to see examples of what our customers have done with our product.
These amazing Coffee Splash and Milk Pour props are frozen in time and made from Worbla’s Transpa Art and Worbla’s Deco Art. Finished with Heritage glass stain and acrylic varnish. Created by Rochelle Redgard with Lida Marx from The Worx Distribution.
Abraham Levy created these amazing TranspArt water pieces, inspired by designer Iris Van Herpen. Videos can be seen here, here, and here. The yellow dress was created for Shea Couleé and used in her Crème Brûlée video seen here (explicit), the pink dress was photographed by thedragphotographer and featured on Drag Race All Stars 4 seen here.
This amazing crystal sabretooth skull was created by Naruvien Art&Design using Worbla’s TranspArt and Worbla’s Finest art, and has a red and green led for interior lighting!
by Naruvien Art&Design
by Naruvien Art&Design
Here’s a video of the lights in action!
Erza Cosplay used Transpart and Worbla’s Finest Art for her Heavy Luminescence Armor and Sword from Guild Wars 2.
Erza Cosplay
Erza Cosplay
TranspArt rose by Calypsen Cosplay
Calypsen Cosplay
TranspArt Phoenix Headpiece by Gothichamlet of Cowbuttcrunchies.
Celestial Staff by Whimsy-Mimsy, dyed with iDye Poly
Dragoon Meru from Legend of Dragoon bySpyrah. Wings made from TranspArt, armor made from Worbla’s Finest.
TranspArt flowers and leaves pressed into sillicone moulds, by Worbla Latinoamerica
Worbla’s Finest art bracers covered in TranspArt for an ‘encased in ice’ appearance by Naruvien Art&Design
Sue Storm figure made of clay and then gently vacuformed with TranspArt. Plugsuit made with Finest Art, by the team at Cast4Art. Note the TranspArt even picked up the detail on the bra!
Aurora from Child of Light Crown and Wings made by Maija Cosplay, photos by Patrick Rotthier.
Cyehra Cosplay shared this tutorial for using foam, fabric and Worbla for her bracers. We are particularly impressed at the way she uses Worbla for the details over a fabric base!
Koumori Cosplay, created this amazing Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls Crusader armor! The paint and details blew us away when we saw it – take a look at the build process below. Full costume photographed by EOSKnight.
Lanthea Cosplay used Worbla to construct her Barbarian costume from Diablo 3, which won 1st place in props and 2nd place overall in Masters at Hal-Con in Halifax, NS.
Ashlee Forde of Disfusional Studios used Worbla to create a Blood Elf Mage costume from World of Warcraft, as well as Sho’ravon, Greatstaff of Annihilation.
Mango Sirene used Worbla for Tharja’s neck piece, from Fire Emblem Awakening. Photo by Miss Mallo Photography.
Keesey Cosplay used Worbla for the breastplate and tiara of this Pinup Wonder Woman costume.
Loghain Mac Tir’s River Dane Armor from Dragon Age, made with Worbla and leather, by The Tea-Drunk Tailor (also found on tumblr), last photos by Foxfire-Ghost and Aka Maple
Breastplate, armor and details made from Worbla in this Dark Angel Olivia costume by by Karen Cosplay.
Worbla armor in this Flemeth Costume by Karen Cosplay
Armor collar for this Lady Loki costume by Anachronism in Action. The base is Worbla, primed with gesso, and painted with metallic acrylic paint, rub’n’buff and clear satin finish spray paint. Collar is lined with moleskin for comfort, and laces closed in the back.
First, the pattern was drafted by covering the cosplayer in plastic wrap and then tape, drawing out where the armor would fall across the back, chest, and then arm. The tape and plastic pattern is then cut out, and transferred onto fun foam and Worbla.
The foam is then sandwiched between the Worbla sheets for stability. Each piece is layered together following the pattern. The spine is attached by strips of elastic that are glu
