Costumes/Materials

[Ron Gutman]

Paula Mae and I have been discussing costuming and Diane sent me a message that others might want to join in. Feel free to do so. You can catch up on our dialogue at either members sites.
Ron Gutman

P.S. I just added some new photos of some of my ceramic work.

[Paula Mae]

Costuming has some time consuming, but it's fun if we know the materials and techniques. I once read a comic books and the story is about ballet. There are lots of beautiful costumes depending on the theme, like the Swan Lake or The Nutcracker. When Ron made costumes for theatres it makes me imagining of a great big show which contains many colorful backgrounds, lots of performers wearing different costumes and different characters. Being a part of them is a pride isn't it? I mean, the man behind all this. We can make costume design based on our imaginations or we can make costumes based on the characters we like for costume party competitions ( cosplay ), for example they took the Superman character and dress like him ( I met the Superman cosplayer at the Toy's fair Jakarta = ) ) Creativity and diligent are the key

[Diane Stafford]

Hi Paula, Ron's pictures are amazing aren't they. It gives the visual to the imagined. Fabulous work you both do in creating costumes that make such a contribution to the end 'product'. Brings it all to life doesn't it.

[Paula Mae]

Hi Diane, I like your new main page..= )
Yes Diane, Ron's pictures are really amazing. He has a lot of experiences and his creations are full with wonderful inspirations. My costumes were made based on an existing characters, we just replicate it from the picture and movies with the different materials. Anyway, it's true like Ron's saying, we often stay up late at night if we faced deadlines. But designing based on the imaginations are amazing..especially when involving many themes and characters, lots to think of...above all, I can really say that Ron is a multi talented person, I admire him.

[Diane Stafford]

Your costume works are fabulous also Paula and when you are so passionate about what you do, staying up late to meet deadlines doesn't seem like a chore :>) Ron is very talented indeed - I wish I lived around the corner from him or was a 'trainee' in his team. Brilliant. Oh thanks, glad you like the front page - my graphic designer helped me out a bit :>)

[Diane Stafford]

Yes thank you Ron for adding this. Also can we tempt Paula and yourself to add images or a link to images of examples of your works.

How do you set about designing your costumes - do you work to a brief, then sketch/design a pattern?

[Ron Gutman]

Hi Diane,

Great hearing from you as always.

I just spent the past hour responding to your inquiry concerning costuming. I went to add some photos, my mouse hit my keyboard and I lost the entire thing somehow. Seems computers and I have a love/hate relationship! Anyway, thanks for your interest and as soon as I have time I will respond again.
Also, I noticed your site is growing...Bravo!

Ron

[Diane Stafford]

Hi Ron, te he - computers & technology - sometimes they make us work harder and longer and of course make us do some things twice every now and again :>)

I will look forward to reading/seeing what you add when you get time to repeat the process.

Yes it is growing wonderfully, thanks to combined efforts of members & invites etc, with such lovely & talented people joining us we shall have lots of interesting art, hobby and crafts to look at, talk and learn about.

I love the way ideas in one craft can be adapted and transferred into other mediums.

As always, thanks for your inspirations and contributions :>)

Di

[Ron Gutman]

Hi Diane,
Well, I'll try again to describe how I go about designing costumes:

To begin with, costuming is usually a collaborative effort. It starts with meeting the client, director, etc. to discuss the show or project. If the costumes are for the stage, I like when the set designer, choreographer, and lighting designer are also present. The script, theme, period, characters, vision, feel etc. all need to be understood.There are parameters to be met including color, durability, deadlines and most importantly...budget. Much design work is problem solving in order to meet these parameters.
After these initial meetings I enjoy doing a lot of research...either on the internet or from books or both. Seeing photos of the original productions, if doing a play or musical, is also helpfull.
After I have acumulated a lot of information and visuals, I use this warehouse of ideas to begin sketching in pencil. When I believe I have hit upon something, I redo the pencil sketches in pen and ink and then color/paint them with radiant concentrated watercolors. Some designers use colored pencil and some paint with guache.I prefer the vividness of the Dr. Martin colors.
After I have completed my color renderings I begin to think about construction details/ fabrics etc. These are usually notated in a book I keep and come in handy when working on the finished product. I am known for doing highly detailed renderings and these become our bible during construction. Literally, what is on the sketch is what you get. I do the same if I am designing sets or displays.The ideas are then shown to the clients and further discusssions, decisions, and sometimes changes are made.
If all is in order the next step is scheduling construction of the outfits. Fabrics are decided upon and purchased in stores and online. Sometimes special textiles have to be created in the shop...fabric dying and painting, ageing etc. Some things require millinery, armour fabrication, sculpting as with animal heads, beading, embroidery etc. I have been very lucky to have had excellent assistants and technicians for this kind of work ... I usually jump in wherever needed too. Pattern making/tailoring is left to those that excell in this field. Although I know drapeing and have done patterning I am usually too busy supervising the staff to do this myself. The costume shop itself is a bee hive of activity and a crafters dream. It's fun. surprising, exciting and hard work. It is not uncommon to work straight thru the night to meet deadlines.
The costume 'reveal' to the client/director/cast is always a joy. Fittings are next and usually some alterations/changes need to be done.
The real 'icing on the cake' is seeing the costumes used for their intended purpose. On stage, at an event, or just for a party, it has now come full circle and the fruits of your labor can be enjoyed by all. At the same time, it is over and you anxiously await your next assignment.

I am including a few sketches and photos. Unfortunatly, in my earlier years I could not afford a camera so many designs were never documented. I have also given away a lot of the original renderings as momentos over the years.
Somewhere I have a portfolio of numerous costume sketches but I will have to hunt for them. I have included photos from my first major assignment, the musical 'Pippin', and one of the original costume sketches. I also was responsible for the scenic design and props for this show. Included also is a sketch for a 'Jack-In-The-Box' for a performing venue 'Surprise' . You will find, a few set design renderings. The unit set for the musical 'Barnum'. The 'Saint Tropez', 'Lipstick/Mascara Portal', and the 'Opening Production' backdrops from 'La Cage Au Folles'.
I do you hope this answers your questions and may provide inspiration to other members.Enjoy!

Ron Gutman

[Diane Stafford]

Ron, you are real colorist :-) The images are fabulous, so detailed & such talent, is there no end to your skills. I love the way you describe the whole process. The excitement, tension and delight comes across (even over the net waves) in your writings.

The amount of research and preparation that goes in to these creations is fabulous. Finding inspiration in such diverse places is clearly an exciting process in itself.

You are obviously so very passionate about every aspect of your work. I can imagine in my minds eye the hustle and bustle of the creative environment, the wonderings of what will work. Perhaps a few trials and tribulations.

This sums up for me - "a crafters dream. It's fun. surprising, exciting and hard work" - that you have been living the dream. How fantastic and yes indeed, very inspiring.

The icing on the cake - seeing your creations being used for their intended purpose - this must be a very satisfying feeling for you and your team.

Thanks so much for this response and for sharing your pics here I do hope other members find this process as interesting and inspiring as I am.

wonderful work and explanation Ron, thanks so much.

Diane

[Ron Gutman]

Diane,
Thank you and your welcome. I'm happy to share the experience.Now, if I could just find those other drawings!
Ron

[Paula Mae]

Hi Ron, I love the clown's dress on Surprise. Your flowers are wonderful. So you've tried the japanese soft clay..

[Ron Gutman]

Hey Paula Mae,
Good hearing from you as usual. I just read your other comment to Diane about the costuming.
Yes, the clown from Surprise. They were a singing telegram company that also supplied all kinds of entertainment for parties and special events. I did costumes and props for a few years with them. The owners were family friends and they also ran a dance school... so I would do costumes for their yearly recitals, too. The portfolio that is eluding me has lots of the costume sketches I did for them. I still cannot find it. My place is maxed out with art stuff! That particular costume never did get made...that's why it's still only sketched with the pen and ink but not colored.
The Japanese Luna and Pando clays I have not tried yet. But, the Deco clay from Hawaii that I have used, I think is the same and probably made in Japan. It's great stuff...unlike anything I ever have used before. The Delight clay is about the same.
Have you tried it? Some of the Japanese books show lots of things made from it including dolls and sculptures.
What have you been working on?
RG