Night King Costume Guide

DIYing the Night King costume requires a lot of investment, time and skills. If you still feel like crafting it yourself, this is how you can do it:

Cracked, Ancient Armor

• What You Need:

  • Black or dark gray base layer (long-sleeved shirt, leggings)
  • EVA foam or cardboard
  • Primer in gray or black
  • Acrylic paints (metallic silver, black, gray, hints of ice blue)
  • Paintbrushes
  • Hot glue gun or strong craft adhesive
  • Velcro strips or snaps for fastening

• How to Do It:

  1. Create the Base: Start with your base layer. Dark colors will help the armor stand out.
  2. Craft Armor Sections: Sketch armor shapes onto your foam or cardboard (chest plate, shoulder pieces, upper arm guards). Cut them out carefully.
  3. Add Texture: Create a cracked texture by scoring lines into the foam/cardboard and gently bending or lightly heating to warp slightly.
  4. Prime: Apply a coat of primer to help the paint adhere.
  5. Paint: Start with silver as the base. Layer black and gray washes to add depth and an aged look. Accentuate the cracks with black. Dry brushing with a touch of ice blue provides a frosty, otherworldly effect.
  6. Attach: Secure armor sections to your base layer with glue or fasteners for flexibility.

• Bonus Tips:

  • I've found that using a mix of foam and cardboard adds interesting textural differences to the armor.
  • Reference images from the show (or look for quality Night King cosplays online) to nail the cracked, irregular pattern.
  • Weathering with sandpaper or a bit of fake dirt can make your armor look even more battle-worn.

Icy Crown

• What You Need:

  • Craft foam or thin thermoplastic (Worbla)
  • Scissors or craft knife
  • Primer
  • Acrylic paints (same colors as above)
  • Headband or flexible wire/plastic base
  • Hot glue or strong craft adhesive

• How to Do It:

  1. Design: Sketch your desired crown shape. Aim for jagged spikes that protrude upwards from your head.
  2. Cut and Shape: Cut out your shapes from the material. If using thermoplastic, heat it to soften and mold into curved spikes.
  3. Prime and Paint: Apply the same painting techniques as the armor to achieve a cohesive, ice-like look.
  4. Attach: Secure your finished spikes to a headband or create a base by wrapping craft wire or thin plastic with black fabric.

• Bonus Tips:

  • Consider adding a layer of semi-transparent blue or clear cellophane behind the spikes for an extra eerie glow.
  • If you're short on time, pre-made ice spike props are available online or at some costume shops.

Signature Ice Weapon

• What You Need:

  • Clear plastic tube or PVC pipe (approx. 4-5 feet long)
  • EVA foam or cardboard
  • Translucent blue or clear cellophane
  • Spray adhesive
  • Acrylic paint (same colors as above)
  • Hot glue gun

• How to Do It:

  1. Blade Base: Cut a jagged, spearhead shape out of foam or cardboard.
  2. Attach to Handle: Securely attach the spearhead to your tube or pipe handle with hot glue and reinforce as needed.
  3. Icicle Effect: Wrap strips of cellophane around the blade loosely and attach with spray adhesive – this will add texture and a frosty sheen.
  4. Paint: Use the same wash and drybrushing techniques as before to give the blade and base an icy, weathered look.

• Bonus Tips:

  • If you want a glowing effect, consider inserting a battery-powered LED strip inside the tube before attaching the blade.
  • The thinner the pipe, the lighter (and easier to carry) your spear will be!

Piercing Blue Eyes

• What You Need:

  • Ice Walker colored contact lenses (consult with an eye specialist before purchasing)
  • Basic white face paint
  • Makeup brushes/sponges
  • Setting powder (optional)

• How to Do It:

  1. Safety First: Always follow the instructions included with your contact lenses and ensure they are safe for your eyes.
  2. Pale Base: Lightly apply white face paint around and beneath your eyes, subtly blending outwards towards your cheekbones.
  3. Accentuate: If desired, add subtle hints of blue and gray around the eyes with eyeshadow to enhance the otherworldly effect.
  4. Set: Using a translucent powder will help prevent creasing and ensure your eye makeup lasts.

• Bonus Tips:

  • Experiment with photos of the Night King in different lighting to understand how the paleness and eye color change with shadows.
  • If contacts aren't an option, dramatically pale makeup and bright blue eyeshadow can still create a chilling impact.

By now, you have the key components of the Night King's intimidating form! With his armor, weapon, and chilling features in place, you're well on your way to becoming this iconic Game of Thrones villain. Next, we'll dive into his stoic movements and the icy power he exudes.