Making the Blue Spirit Mask from Avatar: The Last Airbender | I Like To Make Stuff

My family has recently finished watching Avatar: The Last Airbender and I have been wanting to make a cool prop from the show. In the series, there is a character called The Blue Spirit and he has this really cool mask that we're going to make out of foam. You can make one too!
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The process of turning flat EVA foam into amazing forms is called foam-smithing. A good friend Bill Duran has a book dedicated to the art of foamsmithing and I highly recommend it if this is something you're interest in. Another resource that I have used is Evil Ted Smith who has a library of templates and tutorial videos related to making costume pieces out of foam mats.
To be able to create a rounded mask out of a flat anti-fatigue floor mat, you need to cut curved sections form the center of mat. By creating these leaf-like shapes, you can bend them together at the cut faces. Once glued, the flat material will develop a gentle curve. The more exaggerated the curved cuts, the more pronounced the dome effect will be. Use caution when trying to curve flat material like foam, because you can develop creased areas. If this happens, like it did on my first attempt, consider making more curved relief cuts. This cuts down on the amount of material each cut is trying to fold. You may find that your curved surface is more convex.
To make the curved mask, I used a lifecast of my head that Bill Doran made for me. I imagine that many of you don't have a friend with a prop shop that can make a 1:1 replica of your own head. No worries, you can purchase a foam head that is an average human shape from a craft store for pretty cheap. I used the fake head as the mannequin and to get a size estimate for the rest of the Blue Spirit mask. Now that I had a rough rounded shape, I began to draw on the facial features.
To replicate the Blue Spirit mask as best I could, I found some reference images online. I began to freehand draw some of the raised facial features directly onto the newly curved mask. This helped me get the proper spacing and proportions for things like the eyes, the brow, the large mustache, and the mouth. Once I was happy with the overall placement, I took some measurements of the features. Using some paper, I drew the measurements and began to draw half of each feature. I only drew half because I can fold the paper in half and trace that shape for the other half. It is quite difficult to accurately draw a symmetrical shape freehand.
Once I drew out the features, I pinned them to another flat sheet of foam and traced the shapes onto the foam. Cutting out the features from the foam is pretty straight forward, unless you wanted to add some detail. Foam is cool because you can make different looking shapes simply by cutting the foam with the knife positioned in different ways. For this mask, I chose to make 90-degree cuts, but you can easily add a taper to the pieces by tilting the knife as you cut.
To cut EVA foam, I use an extendable box cutter and make continuous, smooth cuts. When my blade begins to bind, I use a small blade sharpener and it slices through with ease. To score the foam, you simple make very shallow cuts and use a heat gun to shrink the foam, creating some really cool gaps to make things like teeth and battle damage. This is another trick I picked up from Bill. I'll link to the items I used in the product listing.
Now that the mask had the right curve and I have the facial features cut out, it is time to assemble the mask. You have to consider the order of operations at this point. You could use Barge contact cement and glue all of the pieces together now and paint later. Or your could paint the individual elements and then glue them. the Blue Spirit's mask is a Samurai-inspired design with blue and white features. I chose to glue most of the pieces together, paint them a single color, and then go back and hand paint the white elements. In hindsight, I wish I would have sealed each piece with Plastidip, painted them separately, and then glued them together. The coloration would have been more consistent and it probably would have saved time.
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Making the Blue Spirit Mask from Avatar: The Last Airbender | I Like To Make Stuff
• Making the Blue Spirit...

[@EthanLatimer]

Yes definitely make the swords

[@a7xmaNga]

Totally agreed!

[@ethandunlap6755]

Absolutely

[@Masa-hl7oy]

Yes!

[@akumaking1]

Work with the Man at Arms guys

[@Marcpowers]

Go onw with series

[@Holzy09]

Yeah, please do the swords! I can't find a clever way to make a "that's rough buddy" joke, so I'm kinda sad about that

[@williamblankenship8209]

Holzy09 well... that’s rough buddy

[@1AmGroot]

You have no nose? That's rough buddy...

[@seanlambert-knight4735]

Holzy09 that’s rough buddy

[@mychalprochnow2457]

Paint super glossy that’s rough buddy

[@joshuamory6828]

I never connected to anything more than this ! Make the swords and Aangs staff! Good job :)

[@wyattcamacho7464]

i wonder, which one of aangs staff? the one he was trapped in the ice with, or the one the people from the air temple made

[@Wordsnwood]

"My Cabbages!" -- okay, Forby, that was awesome. Had to stop and comment. @3:20

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Anthony edited this one. That was his little gem.

[@Wordsnwood]

@@Iliketomakestuff Credit where due. Beautifully slipped in there, dude!

[@AnthonyRose]

@@Wordsnwood :D

[@TheKOzality]

This is great! I love how your channel spans home DIY, cosplay, tinkering, and creator tips. Very timely video with the buzz around Avatar: TLA and I think this was a perfect project. You always bring a new tip or method to your builds and I can't wait to see how you go about making the swords if you decide to do so.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you so much!!

[@punishedprops]

That's some fantastic foamsmithing Bob! Great work! =D

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!! (I LEARNED IT FROM WATCHING YOU!!! :)

[@kylealoe4857]

i’m a simple man. When i see Avatar: The Last Airbender, I click

[@isaackim7675]

Kyle Aloe Great show, terrible movie

[@cemafor1006]

@@isaackim7675 shhh, we don't talk about the movie...

[@ac.e8253]

Cemafor what movie?

[@alphonsow1609]

Exactly

[@chrisnguyen3897]

Kyle Aloe I totally agree

[@Dynomite97]

My cabbages dud anyone else hear it

[@margaritatabellini8806]

Yep! Poor cabbages

[@Rizzenomics]

Were

[@builderandmaker]

I cought it. What a great little Easter egg!

[@vdgbros7842]

My Cabbagessssssss

[@RayTheEngiNERD]

A surprisingly knowledgeable cabbage merchant...

[@Bits_N_Pixels]

I really like this video is not just the perfect process... Bob shows the decisions he makes and restarts and redos things when necessary. Awesome!

[@jaundice7918]

Just finished rewatching the series today again and stumbled on this by coming back to your channel after a while- what a wonderful coincidence! You've gotta make the swords- if you've built your forge by now, that is.

[@dustinhughes7643]

Swords, swords, swords. A fire bending device. Aangs glider and a full size flying Opa. Something the whole family can ride to an air temple. I really like the Avatar show. Thanks for making this video.

[@bizm]

It looks great! One thing I would recommend if you plan to actually use it for cosplay instead of just as a display piece would be to cut out the black area of the mouth and replace it with black panty-hose. Not only would it add extra dimension and depth behind the teeth, foam is really hot to wear and just the two nose hole aren't going to be enough to keep you comfortable.

[@lachy1709]

The staff/glider would be pretty cool, obviously you won’t be flying around on it but it would be cool to see

[@luke3d591]

You underestimate his power

[@SuperMegaCoffeeGuru]

This video is the epitome of ILTMS and I love it. Please make the swords, we gotta get some modeling action in.

[@simon-qy2xe]

3:20 is the best part with "my cabbages"

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Mask looks awesome, I've always been a huge fan of the show. The swords are a must, I'm sure you could do them justice!

[@therealbeausmellers]

Watching this video made me realize that I should just start building Wybie’s welding mask from coraline instead of overthinking it to much. Thanks man !

[@MCsCreations]

Amazing work, Bob! The mask looks fantastic!!! 😃 About the sword and other stuff... Sure, bring them on! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@giuseppemangiafico2522]

Twin sword build sounds super fun. Can wait to see it.

[@gavinli1368]

Jet’s hook swords would also look really cool and be an interesting challenge.

[@weezypeezy1725]

Screw Jet

[@ReeceDickson]

Aang's staff would be an amazing thing to build, and would probably tempt me to build one myself with your help Bob!

[@powerpac55]

Yes for the sword too! Amazing Job! Love your projects!

[@tylerneumayer9858]

Definitely make the swords! Also, I never thought about using foam matting for projects. I may have to try that sometime! Thanks for the idea and for another awesome video!

[@hellheaven11]

Wow the heat gun to mold the form... So nice in fact your channel bring me to repair or build my stuff like props, camera dolly and even my balcony furniture... Almost never like yours but it's inspiring and I finnaly put the tools my father gave me to use so... Yes I definitely want to see more of these videos

[@sewnaowa]

I love this project. It came out well. You should make the swords and scabbard. I definitely want to make this project myself one day. I may also make a face mask version when I go out to get groceries. Very inspiring project. Great job, Bob.

[@konrad7609]

Since I am a huge fan of Avatar, I would love to see more stuff from Avatar

[@Warhawk76]

Hell yes make the swords. And more stuff from one of the best animated shows ever made!

[@builderandmaker]

I love the variety of you channel. You love to make STUFF. And stuff includes props as well!

[@animeguy362]

Nice choice of material,very affordable and recyclable...love the finished product👍

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you so much 😊

[@leviharris413]

I'd love to see someone make this out of porcelain clay or even carved wood.

[@nicoxstyle]

I saw someone a while ago that made the mask out of wood. Or at least they gave it a wooden texture.

[@WolfMineLogan]

madprincedesigns on TikTok and Instagram made one out of clay then used that to make a mold, and painted it to look like old, weathered wood. Highly suggest checking it out

[@xersys]

This style of mask is called Men-yoroi, and they're awesome.

[@JohnMadeit]

Looks great Bob. I know you dont like to use the CNC for your videos but the Eva foam cuts great on the CNC. So if you have digital design you can cut lots of them for all you kids and dogs in the family

[@ceryswatts3720]

I've been rewatching avatar as well as you should definitely make the swords! Also Aang's staff would be an awesome build

[@beefmaster_james]

Fantastic work. I just introduced A:TLA to my young twins and they love it. Forgot how great that show is. Thanks for making this video.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@drhender6943]

My daughter has rediscovered The Last Airbender series and is watching them as well. It's a great series-- I am glad you found a prop to make and share with us! BTW, YES, you should make the swords.

[@williamblankenship8209]

Yes please do the swords. I actually just got in from my shop where I’m making them! The swords are done I am finishing up the scabbard now. But I would love to see how you make them because it will be a lot better and help me learn even more.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Did you make them out of metal?

[@williamblankenship8209]

I Like To Make Stuff Ah no sir, I did not. I decided to make them from wood and cover them in thin aluminum tape to make them appear metal but still be cosplay friendly. The guard is made of different kinds of plastic everything else is wooden. I did this so I can cosplay Prince Zuko and carry them to cons whenever we can safely have cons again.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Bob, it turned out great! 😃👍🏻👊🏻 ....... Definitely make swords!

[@MikeLtm32]

Your kids must be so happy to have a father who can make cool costumes for Halloween ;)

[@thomaspigg306]

Yep! Yep! Yep! I think you should make the swords!!! Nice job!!!

[@TheSalemCrow]

This was one of my favorite episodes of a series I love, and the mask came out great for what you admit was limited reference and supplies. I'd love to see the swords and scabbard done in a future video if you ever consider it.

[@BearMaked]

You should absolutely make the swords. I've been meaning to watch that show, heard good things.

[@nicotronics]

you definitely has to watch the show, it has EVERYTHING!

[@pebbleman54]

I think it's on Netflix now

[@Warhawk76]

Probably the best animated show ever made, hurry up and watch!!!!!!

[@Sadallen]

Everyone is tryna get you to make swords, why is no one asking for Aang's glider lol?

[@Boggey3000]

And glider 2.0; Candy dispenser!

[@Matt-ux8hh]

Definitely make the blades. Awesome video Bob!

[@DanDeLaiarro]

Bob's new COVID mask...I would love to see a video of you food shopping with that! :)

[@dr.rotwang]

Very nicely done. If I may offer one suggestion when working in foam. I learned the hard way building cosplay items in foam that to really make it look not like foam you need to sand down all the edges. Round them all over. It makes them look much less like cut foam and more like worked metal.

[@michaelhopper9945]

Make Aang's second staff--complete with snack compartment!

[@domsooch]

YES!

[@manpritsinghkang9969]

Yes I would enjoy watching you make the swords!!

[@yohannlopez]

You shouldn't even ask the question for the sword! Of course we'd love to watch it! The mask is awesome! Stay safe, you and your family :)

[@firehawk7773]

Awesome work! This video would've helped a ton when I was making my Soundwave cosplay, and I'm glad it's here for many makers to reference! Bonus points for including one of my favorite A:TLA characters. :>

[@jdblick1002]

Awesome! There are many ways to make this. But this, this is how Bob makes!

[@sirmakes-a-lot4728]

That was amazing, you inspired to make my own channel about making stuff!! Thanks BOB

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That is awesome!

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Very Cool looking Blue Spirit Mask from Avatar The Last Airbender !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FireheartSamurai]

ATLA is really good show imo. So no spoilers for those who haven’t seen it/finished the show. And I can see why many of the subscribers see you making the Blue Sprit swords from the show.

[@kaminmiller]

The first video I saw from you was the hardwood flooring katana build. So yes, a Blue Spirit sword video would be awesome.

[@swapnilrana5849]

i think the swords would be an awesome idea. but i see one problem, because its two swords combined to make one, the tang in both swords would be off. ud have to put the tang at a 90° angle in order for it to stay but also to make it so that the blades meet up in the center. idk if any of that made sense but anyways keep up the good work!

[@joeyhochgesang1391]

Team up with alec steele to make the swords!

[@davidlfort]

But then we would have to wait through 90 episodes before the finished product...

[@DawnMontgomeryAuthor]

Please make those swords! I love this project. How inspiring!

[@kittymictur8600]

Just the thumbnail made me so happy 😁 thank you so much for this video!!

[@mercedeswinter7902]

Aang’s glider would be super cool, also sokka’s meteorite sword would be so cool

[@joeyyoshizumi]

I know it’s a long process but my mom and I made a panda suit growing up. It looked so good that all my friends have had to make them as well. Great for creating a cool Halloween costume.

[@viktor1893]

That mask brings so many memories

[@saintignatius714]

Definitely make the swords! His twin dao are perfect for wood working since they're very geometric

[@gabsmith1]

I love how the wooden katana is still in your shop to this day! Great video as always!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It's our primary means of security. :)

[@georgegotjokes]

Of all the things to make out of wood, can’t believe you didn’t for this LOL!

[@JPEricksonYouTube]

Bob how did you know I’m also rewatching the whole series!?!?!? What makes this cartoon so perfect?

[@Warhawk76]

What makes it so perfect? Complex and well written/developed characters. I dare anyone to watch the show and not fall in love with the main characters right away. We feel their pain, failures, and their successes. The characters are very easy to become attached to. And of course the fight scenes are AWESOME!

[@Raquor]

The swords would be cool but it would also be cool to see you make another mask and apply what you learned from making the blue spirit. Perhaps the fire soldier helmet?

[@timkramer572]

Avatar is one of the best shows ever made😍 Would be so cool if you could make kind of a prototype of Aangs Airbender Stick😊🔥 And the swords would also be very very cool

[@harmanpreetsingh3407]

Yes...Bob... Go for swords 👌👍👍👍

[@benhightowerv]

Dude, yes! I just started watching this again, have my kids watching it too. Definitely make the swords!

[@eadsk99]

This. Is. AMAZING. Now you NEED to make the swords too!

[@clarabrandaog]

I love how the world waited until I finally watched this wonderful show for the first time this week to start an Avatar renaissance

[@perutubes]

It is gonna be awesome to see you doing the swords

[@dstoker51]

Heck yeah the blades are sweet. Your forge may or may not be big enough to forge them for real but even prop swords would be cool.

[@DragonEye435]

You should definitely make the swords and scabbard to go with this mask! that would make such an awesome cosplay!!

[@reesejr1]

My kid looked up at the end after not paying attention to any of the rest of the video and said, "WHOA! THE BLUE SPIRIT!" I think you did a good job on it. Also, you should make the swords.

[@SpecificLove7]

Looks good to us

[@grahambrick4724]

yes please make the swords in another video. and you actually gave me an idea for a couple of masks i wanna make as well.

[@omnomthepanda]

You should buy some of that sculpting putty foam its like clay, you can work with it and use water to smooth it out until it dries it should help with projects like this

[@chron0dude]

Bob you *HAVE* to make Aang's winged quarterstaff. I mean, if your kids don't love it (doubt it) I sure as heck will.

[@TheDmDark]

I like the way you went for it and made the mask, but if it was up for me, i would actually make the base of mask to match the shape exactly like that print you had there. And knowing myself, i'm a perfectionist so i would make the white parts on top of it flat/pressed against the mask to make it looks flat but at same time make it stand out too, just to match the design on paper. It looks great though! I'm actually curious if you could do this but with 3D printer.

[@blake_t_smith189]

The swords would be awesome, you should also make angs fold out glider and maybe sokkas boomerang.

[@dnooch2147]

Swords 100%! Maybe a revisit to the mask too in the future. Would Definitly like to see how the nose would be popped out (also the blue is a little darker than should be)

[@hansiejansevanrensburg291]

That mask came out great!!

[@jameshuot3706]

idea for the mouth: breathable black fabric with thin foam teeth. it’d make it easier to breathe and speak, and might be more comfortable than a big block of foam pressed against your mouth

[@vincemoser4636]

Yeah a sword would be cool. John Heisz just made a Katana and I liked the way it came out. Would love to see your version of it too

[@MikelangeloPhoto]

avatar is awesome... nicely done. and and also swords... yes.

[@rubenvanviegen5638]

Definitely make tho sword(s)! While you're at it, you could also make sokka's boomerang and Aang's staff too!

[@Roroxane]

Ooouuh, that last beauty shot with the katana was scary ! Well done !

[@xDutchCat2131]

This man seriously made something from my Youth omg

[@medunco]

I’d love to see you tackle Aang’s staff!

[@leandromol]

You surely must do the swords as the very next project as a matter of fact! (and the outfit too!!)

[@figrollin]

Sokka's black meteorite sword would be pretty neat!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It would! They made it on the AWE ME channel a few years back and it was awesome!

[@SenseiJaq]

Yup, you should definitely make the rest of the outfit!

[@Livinglethallife]

Yes, please make all the Avatar props!

[@Psyblade007]

Your work is great! This made me think of the modern Red Hood from Batman. I would really like to make that mask and when I saw the double cuts on the top it's shape on top reminded me of that helmet/mask. So if you can make the Red Hood helmet/mask that would be AWESOME!

[@DaveMcAnulty]

YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO MAKE SWORDS, YOU HAVE TO CATCH THE AVATAR ! ! !

[@jcsanti222]

12:52 that was awesome btw yes make the swords

[@thekingofmeeps]

I am pretty sure the mouth is open but it doesn't matter though cause it is so good!! :D

[@shadowdrev6561]

Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well

[@danielwardle9126]

We use barge all the time at work. Over time it does thicken as it dries out but put some acetone in there and give it a swirl, let it sit for a day then swirl again and it’ll be as good as new. Does not affect the adhesive nature of it at all

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good to know! I did finally get some thinner, but haven't tried it out yet.