I started this a while ago, and am already on my second attempt at the fluke mold, so I'll post what I've done and tell the tale of woe and renewal. lol My husband got me started on supplies in December, then I purchased a bit more of what I'd need each month since then until I could get started in late February.
My plan: Monofinless fluke and the PearlieMae method of tailbuilding. Why? I have a Finis Wave, and honestly, I just don't like how it feels. I have narrow size 6.5 feet, and even with neoprene booties, my toes slide forward, and it's very uncomfy. I've been toying with the idea of a monofinless tail for a while, as I don't plan on taking it in the ocean and I like smaller flukes (such as what you'll see in Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, see my profile pic for that mermaid tail). I also really like the look of no monofin, smaller heel bumps, smoother ankles. So heck, why not. Then I decided I will make the fluke as a monofin itself first, with a strap, and then build a tailbody to attach to it. That might be too ambitious, and I might end up attaching it permanently.
While I have played with making scales, this is the first time I've sculpted a fluke. It's so much fun! And meditative, too.
Onward to the pics!
So it began. I had a piece of Lexan on top of the vellum my fluke design was drawn on, because vellum is very slippy and the clay would not stick, at all. I used vellum because I had a roll of it already and it's easy to trace through for doubling the half-design I drew first. My clay is Plastilina. I used a clay conditioner to soften the clay, and an extruder to create the long, snake-like pieces for the outline. I wanted it to be very even to begin with.
I built it up.
I textured it, and added scales to the foot pocket area. The texture here was before refining.
Built up a wall, and then made sure it was laying flat on the ground outside, by using a level and stir sticks to even it out.
And then I mixed and poured the fiberglass resin. Woe and behold, it did not turn out well. Within 15 minutes, a crack appeared. Then, the San Andreas opened up. I had followed instructions and the weather was ideal But it did not work out.
A friend of mine who works with fiberglass often said it was probably too much hardener. I told him I'd followed instructions exactly. He then said, "The best thing to do with the mix directions is throw them out! Temp, humidity, elevation, and elves always change how it turns out." WELL. ELVES. Okay, then. I won't be using fiberglass resin again. I see most people have success with it, but this experience has soured me. And the smell. OMG. Even outside, with the door closed, it stank to high heaven.
Such a shame though, because I can see the detail was really captured.
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