This photoshoot of Big Cartethyia is finally complete—from the initial makeup test to delivering final shots on the convention floor, the entire journey was far more challenging than anticipated.
First, regarding the hair and makeup styling: the original design's golden-gradient color scheme was exceptionally tricky to replicate. I started with a basic synthetic base wig and hand-cut and dyed it myself, teasing out the light blue tones at the tips little by little. The elongated golden horns on top and the crystalline blue clusters along the sides were hand-sculpted over several days at home; to keep them from buckling or sagging under comic-con conditions, internal wire armatures and hairpins were anchored within. Combined with the elf ear prosthetics, the total weight resting on my head was substantial—by the end of the day, my neck was definitely feeling the strain. Makeup-wise, to embody the character's cool, otherworldly aura, I steered clear of heavy palettes, opting instead for pale-blue contact lenses paired with cool-toned eyeshadow while keeping the base foundation as clean, luminous, and natural as possible.
The wardrobe is densely packed with intricate craftsmanship. The black cutout base bodysuit required numerous wardrobe tapes to prevent any accidental exposure or awkward moments during poses. The outer blue-and-white cloak spans a massive surface area, finished with dangling golden metallic cross pendants along its hemline. The convention halls were packed shoulder-to-shoulder, so I was constantly anxious about someone stepping on the trailing fabric or the metal hardware snagging passersby, forcing me to navigate the floor with extreme vigilance. Fortunately, a kind fellow cosplayer noticed me dragging the long train and generously stepped in to lift the fabric from behind, which I appreciated from the bottom of my heart.
The props posed the biggest technical challenge throughout the shoot. The undulating, wavy-bladed light-blue greatsword stood almost as tall as I am, featuring an intricately sculpted golden crossguard and noticeable physical heft. To raise it single-handedly while maintaining steady facial expressions without breaking character, I had deliberately trained my arm strength beforehand. Because the character is barefoot, walking around the venue and holding poses were heavily restricted. The seated posture in Photo 3 looks effortless on the surface, but due to the seat's height, I had to actively engage my core to stay balanced while extending my legs forward to flatter bodily lines, all while keeping the colossal blade rock-steady—the photographer fired off numerous frames before nailing that exact angle.
As for the cinematography, to heighten the sheer visual dominance of the greatsword and the subject's commanding presence, the photographer shot from a low-angle upward perspective. Utilizing the circular overhead spotlights of the convention ceiling to melt the distracting background crowds into creamy bokeh, it serendipitously created the dramatic ambiance of a theater stage. The blade's surface easily picked up fingerprints, so I was continuously buffing it with a microfiber cloth between takes. The wig styling also relied on generous amounts of extra-hold hairspray, barely managing to retain its crisp geometry within the hall's drafty ventilation.
Although the entire shooting experience was physically exhausting, seeing the garment weaves, the metallic sheen of the weaponry, and the cohesive atmospheric tension rendered so clearly in the final images proved that every round of trial and revision was worthwhile. Next up is deep-cleaning and maintaining the costume, touching up the paintwork on the props, and getting an outdoor on-location shoot officially onto the schedule.