By Jia Lissa 
One week before San Diego Comic-Con, a titan of online cosplay transformation, Eleanor Barnes, more famously known as Snitchery, found herself in a familiar creative quandary: which fantastical persona would grace the convention floor on day one? The choice lay between the majestic, yet melancholic, Ice King from the beloved animated series Adventure Time, or the whimsical, albeit chaotic, Charlie the Unicorn from the iconic 2005 YouTube shorts. The internal debate – a dramatic cobalt blue gown versus a meticulously crafted prosthetic horse muzzle – perfectly encapsulates the very essence of her celebrated craft, as Barnes herself admits, "Honestly, that’s cosplay."
Barnes’s ability to manifest these elaborate visions, often with astonishing speed and ingenuity, has garnered her a devoted following of over five million across various social media platforms. Her content is a captivating blend of dramatic, transformative artistry and the resourceful practice of "closet cosplay," a discipline that elevates everyday items into extraordinary costumes. A prime example of her resourcefulness, a viral video showcasing her creation of Shai-Hulud, the colossal sandworm from the Dune film franchise, by ingeniously spray-painting a child’s pop-up crawl tunnel, earned widespread admiration. "You just made it look like the easiest cosplay," commented one follower, while fellow cosplayer Kiera Please lauded the effort as "insanely impressive."
The roots of Barnes’s passion for dressing up trace back to her childhood fascination with Halloween. "I’ve always loved Halloween," she shares. "As a preteen, I started seeing convention footage [on Tumblr], and I was like, ‘What the hell? People are doing Halloween all year long.’" This early exposure to the vibrant world of conventions ignited a spark, revealing a community where creative expression through costume was not just accepted, but celebrated year-round.
Barnes champions cosplay as an accessible art form, emphasizing that it transcends the need for professional artistic skills. "I immediately fell in love with it," she states, recalling her initial hesitations. "I saw these super labor-intensive costumes, and while it was something that I really admired, I thought it was inaccessible to me because I didn’t know how to sew." Her journey, however, demonstrates that a lack of traditional skills can be overcome with creativity and a willingness to experiment.
Beyond the technical aspects of costume creation, Barnes highlights the profound sense of community that cosplay fosters. "It’s the least judgmental community," she asserts. "It’s really about having fun, healing your inner child, and openly being dorky and in love with shit." This inclusive environment allows individuals to embrace their passions without fear of criticism, creating a space for genuine connection and shared enthusiasm.
Over years of dedicated practice, Barnes has honed her abilities in sewing, taping, and gluing, seamlessly integrating materials sourced from her own home and local costume shops. Her distinctive artistic style is deliberately not about precise replicas; rather, it embraces a more "chaotic and unhinged and imperfect" aesthetic. This approach allows her to work at a remarkable pace, a feat made more impressive by her avoidance of advanced techniques like 3D printing. "I work pretty fast, faster than people think because I’m not 3D printing," she explains.
The Genesis of an Ice King: A Week of Creative Deliberation
The final decision for San Diego Comic-Con’s opening day saw Barnes dedicating seven intensive days to the creation of both the Ice King and Charlie the Unicorn costumes, a process punctuated by considerable trial and error. Ultimately, the regal Ice King emerged victorious for his debut. This marks Barnes’s fourth foray into embodying an Adventure Time character, having previously transformed into Princess Bubblegum, Lumpy Space Princess, and Marceline the Vampire Queen. Her affinity for the show, she explains, stems from a deep appreciation for its characters’ "outlandish" proportions. "Ice King has a very unique build that I can totally see being very funny to waddle around the convention in," she muses.
Crafting the Crown Jewel: The Ice King’s Distinctive Features
The meticulous construction of the Ice King costume began with a focus on capturing the character’s iconic details. "I don’t want it to look like I’m just a blue guy in a robe with a crown," Barnes emphasizes, underscoring the importance of the mouth and crown. The Ice King’s signature mouth was ingeniously fashioned from cardboard and modeling clay, cleverly attached to the back of her beard with Velcro for seamless integration. The regal crown, a crucial element, was constructed from foam, adorned with shimmering jewels crafted from glittery construction paper.
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The Silhouette and the Beard: Building the Ice King’s Form
Achieving the Ice King’s distinctive bell-jar silhouette involved draping a voluminous blue cloak over a large hoop skirt. The character’s most prominent feature, his voluminous beard, which dominates his physical presence, required a unique approach. "He’s like one big beard," Barnes observes. To recreate this iconic element, she utilized white fur-lined fabric, salvaged from an older costume, to fashion the hair for both the head and face. These elements were meticulously anchored to the top of her head, concealed beneath the crown and her custom-made mouthpiece.
The "Hot Girl Twist": A Glamorous Take on an Elderly Monarch
Barnes’s approach to makeup for the Ice King costume is a masterful blend of character accuracy and her signature "hot girl twist." "We’re still going to go glam from the nose up," she explains. "Everything else will just be a ridiculous old man, but I will get a couple of inches of like, ‘Ooh, there’s a baddie.’" This juxtaposition of age and allure creates a unique and memorable interpretation of the character.
To prepare her skin for the extensive application of makeup and airbrush paint, Barnes relies on a carefully selected skincare regimen. She begins with Glow Recipe Watermelon Peptide Moisturizer, ensuring a hydrated base. This is followed by Kopher Curepair Solution, chosen for its hydrating properties and its ability to mitigate skin sensitivity caused by the frequent use of airbrush paints and removers.
The application of the electric blue base layer for the Ice King’s skin is achieved with an airbrush, using Hybrid Pro Aiir Airbrush Colors. Once this layer dries, Barnes transitions to more detailed facial artistry. She employs shades from the Kryolan Coloring Vision Palette in Vivid for her eyes, adding a touch of dramatic flair. Her cheeks are accentuated with the One/Size by Patrick Starrr Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio Palette, bringing a vibrant flush to the character’s face. The ensemble is completed with Ardell 213 Lashes, enhancing the "hot girl twist" she envisioned.
Battling the Elements: Ensuring Longevity in the Summer Heat
The practicalities of convention wear, especially during the peak summer months, present a significant challenge. "Tell me why conventions are in the summer," Barnes jokes. "Someone is literally praying for our downfall." To combat the inevitable heat and ensure her intricate makeup and costume remain intact throughout the day, she employs a robust setting strategy. A liberal application of Mehron Colorset Setting Powder is followed by a light misting of One/Size Powder Melt Spray. These products are crucial for locking everything in place, maintaining a fresh appearance amidst the crowded and often warm convention environment.
The Convention Experience: Embracing Imperfection
Barnes typically limits her time on the convention floor to a few hours at a stretch, returning to her hotel for breaks or necessary touch-ups. However, she maintains a pragmatic outlook on the inevitable wear and tear of convention cosplay. "When it’s 3 p.m. [at a convention], and everyone’s been there since the morning, we all look a little ragged," she acknowledges. "There’s an understanding that you’re creasing under the eyes. I’ll do touch-ups when I can, but there’s definitely a bit of acceptance there." This relaxed approach to perfection underscores her philosophy that the experience and the joy of embodying a character are paramount.
The Ritual of Removal: Unwinding After a Day of Transformation
The process of removing such elaborate costumes and makeup is a necessary, albeit sometimes challenging, part of the cosplay experience. Barnes relies on a combination of Garnier Micellar Water and dish soap to effectively dissolve the airbrush paint. "Dish soap has been the most helpful in dissolving the airbrush," she notes. While acknowledging the effort involved, she finds the ritual of removal rewarding after a day immersed in character.
The Enduring Appeal of Play: Reclaiming Childhood Joy
Ultimately, Barnes’s dedication to cosplay is a profound act of reclaiming joy and self-expression in adulthood. "Adults don’t get to play," she observes. "We really are bogged down by all the responsibilities that come with being an adult in a very scary world. I want to use my free time to allow myself to be silly even as a 30-year-old because the world’s not going to give it to you." Her artistry serves as a powerful reminder that embracing one’s inner child and finding moments of uninhibited play are essential for well-being, especially in a world that often demands constant seriousness. The vibrant community and creative outlets that cosplay provides offer a much-needed sanctuary for this playful spirit, allowing individuals to connect with their passions and with each other in meaningful and joyful ways.
