We finally had the chance to cosplay Arknights' Shu and Dusk together at this convention (Shu cosplay, Dusk cosplay, Arknights). From deciding on the project to the actual shoot, preparation took nearly a month. Because the costume designs for both characters are extraordinarily intricate—especially the outer sheer gauze and the inner embroidered layers—we poured tremendous energy into refining every detail beforehand to present our peak state at the convention. To give the light gauze that flowing, ethereal grace, we deliberately layered multiple kinds of tulle of varying stiffness, while carefully aligning the subtle silver-grey jacquard textures on the lining.
Wig styling was our first major undertaking. Shu's black-to-blue gradient and Dusk's golden-blue highlights both required meticulous trimming and setting, layer by layer. To achieve that natural, drifting elegance seen in the official art, we not only sculpted with pomade and hairspray, but also volumized the roots. The pointed horns, dragon horns, and elf ears were hand-sculpted bit by bit out of ultra-light clay by my partner, sanded silky smooth, painted, and anchored onto the wig caps using hot glue. To recreate the character's eye makeup, I experimented with deeper, richer eyeshadow blending paired with crimson contact lenses, hoping to get closer to the character's intrinsic disposition. Base makeup and setting on the day were rigorously handled; after all, conventions get warm and wearing wigs elevates body heat, so sweat-proofing and preventing makeup breakdown were paramount.
Prop-wise, the greatsword and folding fan were definite physical workouts. The greatsword's hilt had exquisite metallic paintwork; while lightweight materials were chosen for the blade to shed weight, holding it aloft for extended periods still left arms aching. The fan pattern was specially chosen to add immense atmospheric mood to the composition. On-site at the venue, we explored various poses—from standing side by side, to me standing poised with the sword while my partner knelt holding the fan. Kneeling on the hard convention floor was quite painful on the knees, but for the sake of stunning framing, that didn't matter. Close-up portraits aimed to showcase shoulder/neckline details, makeup, and our plum blossom and folding fan props. We purposefully utilized the venue's grey curtains and mood lighting to craft a moody, low-key backdrop, highlighting the dimensional contrast between the characters and their attire.
The hall was packed with crowds that day. Even with air conditioning, wearing so many layers under wigs and heavy headpieces caused body temperatures to spike rapidly. Touching up makeup in the rest area, we joked that we were cosplaying with our very lives! To keep pace with shooting, we barely toured the booths, focusing entirely on coordinating with the photographer. Yet the moment the photographer previewed the raw cuts for us, all exhaustion vanished. The collage immortalized our varied interactions—exchanging glances, brandishing weapons—with every single frame carrying the pure joy of the day.
To me, doing cosplay is never just about donning pretty clothes for pictures; it's about understanding and channeling a character's soul. Though it was merely a fleeting few hours, capturing these visuals together at the convention is everything. I hope these Convention photos preserve the dedication of our preparation and the live ambiance. Next, I plan to recharge, refine new makeup techniques, and dive into prop crafting (Arknights, Shu cosplay, Dusk cosplay).