Rubie's AW cowl modified

[Batfanman]

This has been sitting around for the past 2 years and I decided to have some fun and modify it to make it look more like Adam's cowl.

The photo on left is how it looked when I got it in 2013. I've since heard that later releases of the Rubie's '66 Bat costume have a differently finished (but same style) version of the cowl. The photo on the right has the eyes enlarged, eyebrows re-painted, front face re-painted with flat black and (harder to see in this photo) the remainder of the cowl shell re-painted in navy blue.

I cut out some craft foam cowl ears the same size as my CW cowl and considered using them until I realized that the shell area required for them to properly occupy was just a bit shy of what is needed. So I re-positioned the existing narrow-er ears and they work just fine.

I plan on doing some more fine tuning around the eyes and nose area plus re-doing one of the brows as I want it to match the other better, but thought I'd post this for all to see for now. Replacing the skirting with a navy blue material may be another part I'll do at a later date. Overall, I think it looks much better - thoughts/opinions/suggestions?

[Batman65]

Considering what you are working with, it looks so much better!

[Larry A.]

It looks a Gazillion times better!!!!
BTW, What type of paint are You using on the fabric? My Daughter got my middle Grandson a Rubies' Brave and the Bold Batman costume. Evidentally, my Grandson, who is 6, knew that the colour was too light. After thanking his Mom for the costume, He then asked her if "Poppop" (that's me) could colour the out fit in the right colour of Blue ( Seems He was being taught the colour palate (sic?) at school). I'm going to redo the cape and gloves, but I haven't used fabric paint in so long, I don't even remember where to look. Name Brands would be appreciated.
On behalf of myself and Grandson, Thanks in advance!
Cheers,

[Batfanman]

Thanks guys! Apple Barrel acrylic is what I used - got it at Walmart. Dries quick and comes in all sorts of colors. Hot glue was used on ears.

I'm pleased with how it looks. I think I was just so taken aback when I got it in 2013 that it took this long to consider that it might actually be something that could be improved upon. It can be a fun stunt cowl, I guess.

[Larry A.]

Thanks BFM,
I'm going to hazard a guess that the paint is in the Crafts department. I'll give it a try. What official color did You use?
Thanks in advance,

[Batfanman]

Yup, in the crafts aisle. Used navy blue for the shell, flat black for the face and approx. 2:1 ratio light blue / navy mix for the brows and nose line. Just keep adjusting the brow shade a little at a time until you find a shade you like.

[Larry A.]

Thanks, BFM!!!!! that information is perfect. Dick Sprang's Cowl was very similar to A.W.'s , but the nose did not have the outline that A.W.'s did. I think that my Grandson is really wanting me to make his Bat Suit to look like the one that He knows I am working on for me. That will be kind of neat, I think!!!!

I need to close for now, Thanks again and Cheers,

[Batfanman]

Here it is "in action"

[Larry A.]

That looks TERRIFIC!!!!!! Is the rest of the suit Rubies as well?
Before I forget, how did You get the fold out of the faceplate part of the cowl? Enquiring Minds want to know!!!!
Cheers,

[Batman65]

You actually did a REALLY good job improving the looks of that thing. I used the apple barrel paints on my Matty cowl mod as well. Small bottle, and really cheap.

[Batfanman]

Yeah, I never thought I'd ever really wear it but after modifying it, I'm pretty happy with the look. The skirting still needs to be longer (and changed to the right color) so it can go under the cape. It also needs to have a bit less material than what is there now; I have the excess gathered at the back. The creases in the cowl were many prior to painting. I smoothed them out a bit first and then the paint helped to fill them more. You can still see them up close but it is a marked improvement.

The rest of the costume is not the Rubies, the shirt is the Batman sublimination t-shirt you can find on the net and the cape & gloves are from other sources. It's no replacement for my CW cowl but I chose to wear this to a fun night time event for more practical reasons - temps were in the 90s (dropping to the 80s) and I stayed pretty cool - just had a thin absorbent towel lining the inside shell.

[Larry A.]

Hi BatmanFan,
Thanks for the info. I ran into a little problem when repainting my Grandson's "Brave and the Bold" Batsuit: The facemask part of the cowl was cut out off center, thus moving the eyebrows and indented nose out line off center. What I had to do was, while painting the mask part of the cowl, was to repaint the eyebrows to where they at least look centered, ditto the nose area.
My next question is: Are You still going to use the Apple Barrel paints on the rest of the cowl fabric? Hand or spray paint it? I didn't know that there was a long sleeve version of the "sublimination" shirt was even out there. I need to get myself one!!!! Thanks in advance, Pal

[Batfanman]

No, I won't paint the skirting, at least I haven't considered it. I would probably replace it because it is too short and flaring when not restrained. If I did paint it, I'd need a fabric paint that goes over polyester.

As for the shirt, it's not a long sleeve - you just can't see my arms that well. I'm also wearing shorts because, as i said, it was a hot August night, with the leaves hanging down and the grass on the ground --- wait, I'm digressing...

[Larry A.]

I understand BFM, I hadn't noticed Your bare arm in the picture before. Got Your reference, "Brother Love"!
Used that one a few times, myself. What's more scary, I had the live album.
Anyway, It does look good the way You've done it. I'm interested in any further changes that You make.

Catch You later, Brother Love!