stamping scales?

[Merman Lir]

hey guys, I'm making a latex tail for a friend. neoprene backed with slip cast latex over it. (not Alex+, actual mask making latex). anyway, in the past I have made scales using the metal mesh stamping method. But I've been thinking if it might be possible to make a stamp by casting a small hand held scale mold (foam circles lined up then cast in plaster). would it be possible to hand stamp semi-cured latex this way? I don't have the space or budget to make a full sized scale sheet mold. thoughts?

[Mermaid Wesley]

(I was trying to answer you on my phone and almost banned you on accident AHH!) that sounds like a really interesting idea! I haven't worked with latex before but I think it's worth a small scale (ha) test!


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[Celaeno]

I haven't tried it out, but I've wondered if layering scales around a length of pvc pipe to make a scale-textured rolling pin would work to stamp scales.

[Merman Lir]

Oh I love that Idea!

[Celaeno]

Oh I love that Idea!

I figured it'd really cut down on the time it takes to make a scale sheet. I thought about making a few different sizes so I could go from big scales down to little scales by the fluke. If you give it a go, I'd love to see! I probably won't be making a tail until next year anyway, so I'm not gonna get to play with the method any time soon.

[Theobromine]

Like this but for scales! http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-3083-Springerle-Rolling-Pin/dp/B0000VLY7W/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1440702079&sr=1-1&keywords=springerle+rolling+pin

[Celaeno]

Exactly!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

I've thought about this myself for imprinting scales into clay, and the only real obstacle I can see is that the scales will have to be in reverse on the rolling pin (where you want the latex to be high, you need an indent in the stamp etc.). I'd be very interested to see how it turns out if you decide to give it a go though!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

You can buy lino sheets from an art supplies store and cut your own scale stamps. The beauty of lino cuts, is that you can make very fine to heavy details with it.

[Merman Lir]

I've thought about this myself for imprinting scales into clay, and the only real obstacle I can see is that the scales will have to be in reverse on the rolling pin (where you want the latex to be high, you need an indent in the stamp etc.). I'd be very interested to see how it turns out if you decide to give it a go though!

this is where I got stuck too!

[Celaeno]

Yeah, I was considering it more for making silicon scale sheets, so it wouldn't need to be reversed like that. I'm not sure how to make one that is reversed to let you emboss the latex with the texture.