Akula's freshwater hybrid tail! [Archive]

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Akula

08-15-2017, 06:54 PM

Hello Mernetwork!

It's been almost exactly a year since I got my first monofin and started making fabric skins for it. I *love* mermaiding, and I love my fabric tails! But late last year, I had my first tail-swim in a chlorinated pool, which turned out not to agree with my painted spandex tail. It was silvery white with metallic red accents, but post-chlorine it's... well, just slightly off-pink with metallic red accents. Even though I rarely swim in chlorine, and never in saltwater, I decided I wanted a tail that at least wouldn't bleed when exposed to a pool.

Now, I'm not yet in a good position to try and make a full silicone tail. I don't have the space to work on such a thing, really, and while I could technically afford the materials, it would be a stretch. So instead, I'm making a hybrid (neoprene and aquarium silicone) tail.

The method I'm planning is a little of everything that people have tried: I'm going to paint the neoprene body, then scale over it by piping silicone on a little at a time, keeping it thin so the paint shows through and the weight stays fairly low. I have a thiner fabric that I'm going to paint and coat for accessory fins. And I'm also going to experiment with a couple of things. My fluke will be removable, and open along the bottom edge, like some fabric tails. I know I'll be sacrificing some realism, here, but I'm not a pro, I don't generally get close enough for inspection, and it's worth it to me to be able to take out (and even switch out) my monofin. I think what I'm going to do is put in industrial-strength velcro in the shape of the rays of the fin. I'm hoping that will stay closed well enough for pictures, while leaving plenty of space for water to drain. We'll see how it works!

SO! The fun part! My finspiration! I'm a freshwater mer, spending at least 90% of my time in a lake. I wanted something based on a freshwater fish, and I had a few ideas, but I landed on this guy: Apistogramma cacatuoides, the dwarf cockatoo cichlid.

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So we're looking at a simple lyre-shaped fluke, a silvery body (though my patterning is going to be different) and some really killer, brightly colored, spiky, neon-stained-glass fins. I'm really excited to get started!

Rebela Hunter

08-15-2017, 10:07 PM

I'm excited to see what you come up with !!! <3

Mermaid Saoirse

08-16-2017, 01:09 AM

Wow! This tail's going to look amazing when it's done! I love love love your fish you chose? It's got such a personality. :mermaid kiss:

Keiris

08-16-2017, 12:56 PM

What a great little inspiration fish! Good luck!

Akula

08-16-2017, 05:35 PM

Thanks everyone! I'm super stoked for this!

I just finished a test patch of my materials that I'm pretty happy with, but first, mandatory PSA:

The aquarium silicone I'm using is inert when fully cured. It is safe for all marine applications, including continuous submersion. BUT it releases very dangerous chemicals as it's curing. If you're going to use these materials, PROTECT YOURSELF. Work outside, AND wear a respirator and gloves! The first time I used this stuff, I thought I would be fine because I was outside and it was a two-minute test, and I DEFINITELY felt the effects of the fumes. Fine scaling required me to be inches away from my work surface, inhaling this stuff, and I wasn't expecting it to be as potent as it is. I almost blacked out. Learn from my mistake and exercise caution. I'm very confident in this material for a finished tail, but I will be giving it the recommended 14 days to fully cure before it goes anywhere near water--and if it still seems to be off-gassing, I'll give it longer than that.

Remember! Cool kids protect their brains and bodies!
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Akula

08-16-2017, 05:44 PM

With that out of the way, here are some pictures from my scale test.

First up, a little corner of my neoprene. I bought it in a color similar to my base so I don't have to worry too much about coverage with the paint--if a little bit shows through, it won't be obvious. This is before and after a modest layer of paint. I used Jacquard Lumiere in metallic silver (the lighter color), pewter (base coat for the darker color), and then Jacquard Neopaque in black (dry-brushed over the pewter because it wasn't dark enough for me).

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I didn't stretch the neoprene out to paint it, but I did give it a few good stretches in either direction while the paint was wet to let it soak in between the fibers of the backing to reduce the risk of cracking.

Once the paint was fully dry, I took the patch outside to scale it. Here are my materials:

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So, what I did was I started piping on silicone in shallow, rounded v-shapes. I used the smaller, pointier palette knife to sculpt the scales, and the rounded one to smooth them. This created a pretty cool effect! The scales are sort of delicately textured in the direction I smoothed them. They're more realistic than I was hoping for!

Here's a picture of the partially-finished patch, with a couple of unsculpted scales piped on:

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And here's the patch fully scaled:

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I'm really happy with how this came out! I have one more step I want to try to make the color seem more integrated. Stay tuned!

Cyrena

08-16-2017, 06:50 PM

Yes! That's Awesome this was my approach to a DIY tail..silicone scales on a bought spandex tail.... I'm a Total noob though. Your detail is impressive!

Sent from my LGMS428 using MerNetwork mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=95032)

Akula

08-17-2017, 03:12 PM

Boom! Last step for this test. I added a translucent topcoat of thinned silicone with a tiiiiiny bit of silver Pearl-Ex. I think the silvercoat adds a ton of dimension and makes the paint underneath look more like it's integrated into the scales.

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It also brings out the detail on the scales, which is not very forgiving! You can really see the one in the upper middle part where I didn't do a good job of smoothing it. I'll have to be careful. That said, it gives me the cool idea of including a scar or two on the body of the tail.

Mermaid_Izzy

08-17-2017, 03:56 PM

That looks so cool!

Sent from my ShellPhone using Tapatalk

lotusauriel

08-17-2017, 08:45 PM

Can't wait to see that done! Looks awesome! I do have a question. What kind is and where do you get a respirator like yours? Love that hot pink!

Akula

08-17-2017, 10:19 PM

Can't wait to see that done! Looks awesome! I do have a question. What kind is and where do you get a respirator like yours? Love that hot pink!

I picked it up at Home Depot! It's a 3M. Here's a link to the product page through Home Depot, and I bet you could find the same thing on Amazon or whatever is convenient for you:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-House-Hold-Multi-Purpose-Respirator-65021HA1-C/202080143

The important thing to look for is that it has "at least 99.97% filtration efficiency." They also have a model for "professional use," but this one seemed good enough and I can say that it's been very effective while I'm using these materials.

lotusauriel

08-17-2017, 10:28 PM

I picked it up at Home Depot! It's a 3M. Here's a link to the product page through Home Depot, and I bet you could find the same thing on Amazon or whatever is convenient for you:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-House-Hold-Multi-Purpose-Respirator-65021HA1-C/202080143

The important thing to look for is that it has "at least 99.97% filtration efficiency." They also have a model for "professional use," but this one seemed good enough and I can say that it's been very effective while I'm using these materials.Thank you so much!

merman caspian

08-18-2017, 05:10 AM

Your tail will be flipping amazing when it's done

Merman Caspian

Mermaid Arietta

08-18-2017, 09:05 AM

That'll be so cool!

Sent from my LG-H830 using MerNetwork mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=95032)

Rebela Hunter

08-19-2017, 11:11 PM

It's looking great so far!
I love your attention to detail - those scales are masterfully made!
< 3

Akula

08-20-2017, 03:16 PM

So, I haven't been able to work on my tail this weekend (weekends are a madhouse for me, they're when the jousting happens), but I did doodle the design for this tail.

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So, yeah, I've decided to translate the dorsal into side fins. I have a dorsal on one of my fabric tails, and I found I'm just not crazy about sitting on them... but the dorsal is the best part of this fish, so I had to include it somewhere!

Akula

08-20-2017, 05:12 PM

Also, the side fins will be shaped more like the actual dorsal. Should have glanced at my reference a few times while I was sketching, lol

Rebela Hunter

08-21-2017, 02:49 AM

Also, the side fins will be shaped more like the actual dorsal. Should have glanced at my reference a few times while I was sketching, lol

I think it looks fabulous either way !!!
It's such a creative and beautiful design !
<3

Also, your art is fantastic !

Akula

08-21-2017, 02:17 PM

I think it looks fabulous either way !!!
It's such a creative and beautiful design !
<3

Also, your art is fantastic !

Thank you!! I don't have as much time for visual art as I'd like, anymore. Mostly I just get a few minutes here and there to sketch out doodles like this, and I keep a sketchbook, but there was a time when I was churning out paintings on a weekly basis. These days a lot of my creative energy goes into writing, instead, which is good, but I miss having the time for both.

KayNS

08-30-2017, 09:11 AM

This method looks really promising! I look forward to the final results.

Akula

08-30-2017, 05:04 PM

Fins are in progress this week!

I made a template for the side fins and traced it onto some orange nylon, then painted it on both sides. I'm leaving the nylon intact so I have a bigger surface to spread my silicone on. I'll cut them out when that's done so I can trim them to shape with greater accuracy. I painted the orange-yellow-green gradient on first, then went over it with the black patterning (this isn't quite finished, I think I'd like more detail in the black).

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I'm not sure whether I'll use the nylon for the fluke, too. We'll see how the side fins come out with the silicone, first. I have a feeling the nylon is going to be pretty thin for a fluke.

Mermaid_Izzy

08-30-2017, 09:37 PM

Akula

09-07-2017, 02:15 PM

Fins are painted! One of them has also been siliconed. I'm keeping the texture subtle--really just veins along the top of each section--so the paint still speaks for itself.

Here's a picture of the painted fins side by side, featuring Hywel.
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Akula

09-07-2017, 02:23 PM

Also, with one fin coated on both sides, I have yet to use up my original tube of silicone. Scaling the body is going to use the most, for sure, but making everything out of fabric first has definitely cut costs significantly. So far I'm looking at a projected $120-$140 for materials, though that doesn't include the monofin.

Speaking of monofins, I mentioned at the top that I want them to be interchangeable in this tail. A big part of that comes down to practicality. Right now, I have a Mahina (which I'm going to cut so it fits in my lyre-fluke), and what I love about it is that it is indestructible. I swim in a rocky lake and I'm generally rough on things, and I love that I don't have to worry about parts breaking or blades snapping. That said, I definitely want to be able to upgrade to the power of fiberglass. This fluke is going to open so that I can pull my Mahina out and put in a Shooter when I get one.

Neerai

09-07-2017, 04:11 PM

Wow, I love the colours!! <3

Akula

10-06-2017, 05:12 PM

I'm back! Sorry for the radio silence.

And I've made significant progress on this tail. I always knew the hardest part for me was going to be sewing the body together--I'm awful at sewing, and it shows. I based the pattern on one of my spandex tails, and my neoprene punished me for my mistake (spandex it ain't). I had to let the body out in the back with some scraps, but I made it work.

Here's a picture of the sewn-together body and fluke:
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It took me a couple of days to paint it because it's been super rainy here and the humidity was inhibiting the paint from drying. I started to get worried about the silicone, so I bought a dehumidifier for my studio, which will hopefully help a bit.

Once the paint was finished and dry, I pinned and caulked the side fins to the body:
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Note for next time: make the side fins out of stretch fabric. Major oversight. They'll be fine for now, but they would sit better in the side seams if they had more give.

That aside, I started scaling the body yesterday and have now finished the front side:
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Once the silicone has set to firm, I'm going to go in and touch up a few little spots, then put a smooth coat up to the waist. I think I can get the back done tomorrow, and then on Sunday I'll apply my silvercoat! Then all that's left is the fluke!

Mermaid Kane

10-06-2017, 05:57 PM

This is literally the best hybrid tail I've ever seen. :0

Akula

10-06-2017, 06:02 PM

This is literally the best hybrid tail I've ever seen. :0

Holy shark, thank you!! There are definitely some that I think are more sophisticated, but I'm pretty proud of this so far!

Mermaid Kane

10-06-2017, 06:23 PM

Holy shark, thank you!! There are definitely some that I think are more sophisticated, but I'm pretty proud of this so far!

The fins though! xD Let me spend my money on you.

Akula

10-06-2017, 10:40 PM

The fins though! xD Let me spend my money on you.

I am insanely flattered! I mean, I'll let you know if I ever open to commissions. Right now I don't know that it's in the cards. I don't have a lot of spare time and I honestly don't know that I haven't made any terrible mistakes. So I'll see how it swims and then consider opening a few slots next year if my schedule allows!

Mermaid Kane

10-06-2017, 10:45 PM

I am insanely flattered! I mean, I'll let you know if I ever open to commissions. Right now I don't know that it's in the cards. I don't have a lot of spare time and I honestly don't know that I haven't made any terrible mistakes. So I'll see how it swims and then consider opening a few slots next year if my schedule allows!

:) Keep me in mind and update me on anything.

Neerai

10-08-2017, 10:42 AM

Wooooooooow! It's just great!! I love it!

Mermaid Kane

10-08-2017, 11:37 AM

I cannot wait to see this thing in action, haha.

NomadicMermaid

10-08-2017, 01:43 PM

Looks beautiful! Can't wait to see the final tail - it's going to be smashing!

MermaidSasha

10-09-2017, 11:40 AM

Looks really cool!

Akula

10-09-2017, 08:13 PM

Body: finished and curing!

I scaled the back on Saturday, touched it up yesterday, and applied my silvercoat today. Here's the back side with the silvercoat on--it doesn't make a huge difference in pictures, but in person it's so fishy and shimmery. I love it. Also featured: my makeshift tail stand, made of a stool and a broom.

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I'm painting the black details on the fluke right now and it should be finished tomorrow! How exciting!

This tail is definitely not perfect, but I've learned so, so much making it. In two weeks, I get to take it up to a resort in Vail and see how it swims in their heated pool. I can't wait to see how it looks in the water!

Mermaid Kane

10-09-2017, 08:28 PM