Topless top scales latex

[Mermaid Miradis]

Hello! :)

So I saw this thread where someone made an astonishing bronze stick on scale top.
I would like to take this a step further and use liquid latex + colour + pros aide to create this 'scales come out of skin' look. I just have some questions:
What liquid latex would be the best?
What brand/type of colours are the most covering/best to blend in with skin?
How many layers of the latex should I use?

Thank you for the help! :)
If you have another idea how to create this look, please feel free to post.

Mermaid Morgain

[PearlieMae]

Not sure you're going to get much help, hardly anyone uses latex anymore. Have you thought about picking up a small batch of Dragonskin to test?

[Mermaid Wesley]

I can see liquid latex making a really cools prosthetic but Pearlie is right most people here don't have much experience with latex prosthetics. There are a few though I couldn't tell you who


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[Mermaid Cataleya]

Hello! :)

So I saw this thread where someone made an astonishing bronze stick on scale top.
I would like to take this a step further and use liquid latex + colour + pros aide to create this 'scales come out of skin' look. I just have some questions:
What liquid latex would be the best?
What brand/type of colours are the most covering/best to blend in with skin?
How many layers of the latex should I use?

Thank you for the help! :)
If you have another idea how to create this look, please feel free to post.

Mermaid Morgain

if you end up wanting to sell them let me know

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I wouldn't recommend costume store quality liquid latex unless it's one-use only. All latex degrades in the sun, but costume-store liquid latex especially. I used some for repairs on my tail and it basically melted after a few uses. (Got all sticky and gummy and wouldn't firm up again.) If this is just one-time for a photoshoot or something, go for it!

Generally, for re-usable swimmable pieces, get good casting latex. Most use the stuff from Monster Makers or from Burman Industries. These generally require molds, but you can get something to mix into the latex to firm it up. Alternatively, Blick art supplies sells a variety of latex that is thicker and brushes on better.

Latex generally dries into a fleshy peach kind of color. I believe you can mix powdered makeups into it to make a better skin-tone match. I've found that liquid latex (the kind bought at halloween stores) is more translucent than casting latex, so it would take more layers to cover.


Another idea you might try is to make a spandex base, then brush the latex over that. I used that method to make these gloves.

35323


There's a large group of people out there that make custom latex clothing (mostly for fetish wear, be careful what you google), so doing a bit of digging might turn up better advice.

[Mermaid Miradis]

Thank you for helping me! :)

I will have a look at blick art and dragonskin. What would you recommend to mix with the other to firm them up?

@PaWaterFish: I'll have a look how it works out and how durable this is (don't want to sell damaged things). If it is not too much time and cost consuming I could think about selling more of it. :)

Do you think that this could cause cancer or something similar? (Sorry if this should be a stupid question, I never worked woth latex on skin)

I found this:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/artmolds-407-latex-casting-rubber/

Would there be a fast drying mold out there, I would like to use it to make a replica since this latex takes 12?h and I don't think that I would like to lie there for that time.

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

Yep, that's the stuff from Blick. It's more expensive than other latex's, but it is less runny and more firm. (I use it mostly because there's a Blick in my city and I can pick it up without having to have it shipped)

There's also a few different Latex Thickeners featured in this old thread about latex tails. http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?3838

Casting latex is pretty safe to work with. (I will warn that it smells like ammonia, though.) This is the same latex used to make rubber masks, movie props, and all that. The only real danger is that some people are allergic to latex.

Latex cures quickest in plaster molds, though something small like this would probably do just fine in any sort of mold. I've only worked with plaster before.

[Mermaid Miradis]

Ok so I tried to order it and since I'm from the UK I can't order it. Is it possible to get it somehow else or is there something similar available for the UK?

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I don't know about this exact product, but I'm sure there's companies that sell casting latex in the UK. (I also think Monster Makers ships internationally.)

Googling "slip casting latex UK" or "mask making latex" got me a number of results. (Mostly for mould-making latex, which would probably also work.) Here are a few

http://www.maragon.co.uk/arts-and-crafts.html#Init (search for "latex")
http://www.mbfg.co.uk/liquid-dipping-latex/latex.html
Looks like these guys resell Monster Makers stuff. http://www.mouldlife.net/rd-407---maskmaking-1219-p.asp
http://www.sheffieldfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/shop/4572905646/Liquid-Latex


Sometimes, things just take a little digging. Unfortunately, not many people in the mer community work in latex. I don't know of anyone that's used something other than Burman Industries, Monster Makers, or Blick. If you do end up trying something bought in the UK, be sure to post about it.

There's a pretty active group of folks who make latex masks out there, you might see if they know any good UK latex sellers.

[AptaMer]

Hey Maighdean-Mhara,

Maybe this page would interest you

http://www.instructables.com/id/Using-Liquid-Latex-to-Create-a-Scaly-Effect/?ALLSTEPS

Her technique for using liquid latex to adhere the scales looked pretty good to me, although I've seen better scales.

Also, you can get liquid latex at a pretty good price from Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Latex-Liquid-Rubber-1-Litre/dp/B0053WYFF6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454974277&sr=8-3&keywords=liquid+latex

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mehron-Liquid-Latex-Special-Effects/dp/B00KINHR4G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1454974277&sr=8-5&keywords=liquid+latex

My experience is that spirit gum adheres things much more strongly to skin than liquid latex, but you can't just pull it off like you can things stuck on with liquid latex. If you decide to try spirit gum, also get a skin-friendly brand of spirit gum remover (unless you want to go around as a scaly mermaid for several days until they come off of their own accord)

[Merman Lir]

the major advantage of latex over silicone is that it can be painted directly onto the skin, so it is easier to create a seamless illusion, so if you made a slip cast breast plate with a scale texture, you could adhere it to the skin with spirit gum or another skin-safe prosthetic adhesive and then use a liquid latex to blend the transition. Ben Nye makes a liquid latex that is close to a skin color (at least for Caucasian skin, I haven't ever looked for other shades). It also takes make up well so you can make it disappear into skin.

Silicone can also be glued to the skin, but i don't know a way to blend it in.

the disadvantage of latex is durability, it is not as sturdy as silicone and not as glossy when finished.

[Rogue Siren]

I'm in love with Dragonskin and Skin Tite for prosthetics. The Skin Tite is an amazing adhesive and can be painted over the edges to smooth out seams. <3

http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-an/c2_1115_1193/index.html

[PearlieMae]

Have you used the Dragonskin FX yet? It's SO soft!

[SummerRogue]

I usually buy latex for prosthetics from eBay, Scarva liquid latex. From pottery discount shop. It's really good and thick, totally skin safe and stretches really well without tearing. I'm in Scotland but I think the shop is based in Kent or something. It does dry a kind of yellowy peach colour, I'll try to find some pics for you, usually I paint my prosthetics before any pictures


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