Project Delphine: A Silicone Tail

[Delphine]

Hey, merfans! The artist, again, just wanting to share about the project. For the tail itself, I plan on using Dragonskin 10 silicone rubber from Smooth-On. The Smooth-On rep I talked to recommended Dragonskin, a "fabric...called Power Mesh, a polyester/nylon, that can be laid into the silicone while you’re brushing it on to reinforce it" and Cast Magic: Pearly to give the tail an opalescent quality. A sculpture artist I talked to suggested using cheesecloth or muslin to do reinforce the silicone, instead. Any thoughts on these? Not sure if I need the Psycho Paint Silicone paint base, but I'll use Silc Pig silicone pigments to give the body of the tail (where legs go) a bit of white or peachy tint before adding the Pearly. I've decided on getting a monofin to go on the inside, and if my memory serves a Finis Wave will do nicely.

I checked out Dr. SeaWeed's Tail Guide and got a clay extruder and some sulfur-free clay for making the fluke tail. For the scales, I found some scale models I think will do nicely to make as a model for my scale sheet, and even one I could use for the hip fins. I'll probably have to reinforce them with foam core or cardboard. My thought is to create an additional fin, kind of like a dorsal fin that thins out and ends at the back of my knees, and use that to hide a zipper (so I can get in and out of the tail easier)? Does anyone have experience with this? Somewhere I read that they'd made 2 dorsal fins to cover a zipper.. Oh, Firemaid had recommended lace over the monofin to help adhere and spray painting the clay molds.

Project Delphine is part of my year-long senior thesis project, and I've been working on it since May. Funny enough, my research led here and since I kept returning I figure I may as well get involved. The other half (haha) of this work is my performance in the tail. I'm thinking to have it photographed or filmed, and leaning towards the latter over the former. There was some type of sealant against water that I saw bounced around here, but have forgotten what it's called, & am unsure if it's compatible with silicone..

And now for some images! Below is a my first duck-tape-&-paper model tail, some design sketches, my fishy models (a pearly Betta/Siamese Fish & a Goldfish) & me, trying out a sequin tail-base in my little studio. Love those sequins, they change from black to slate-blue-grey depending on which way they fall..

[AniaR]

keep in mind any light pigments will need to be applied and applied to be dark enough that the tail is not see through. Lighter colours take 4 to 5 times more. Also, try to keep the dorsal fin not right behind where the knees goes as it can disrupt swimming and make it difficult to bend .

[malinghi]

This sounds like a kick ass project. I love vicariously watching people make awesome tails.

[Delphine]

..keep the dorsal fin not right behind where the knees goes as it can disrupt swimming and make it difficult to bend . Ooo, didn't think of that, but you definitely are right, Raina!


As for the light pigments, do you mean even if I'm mixing them directly into the silicone, I'll need to buy more lighter pigments to mix in?

[Delphine]

Well, thanks malinghi. Haha, I thought so, too. I'll do my best to make it as awesome as I'm imagining it to be in my head. Hm, you said vicariously.. Do buy tails pre-made? I know there are some gorgeous ones out there, been to http://mermaidrentals.com/ and emailed Thom about tail-making. His fantastic tails are some of the first I'd seen as a kid in movies, like that Charmed episode.. A Witch's Tail.

[malinghi]

Do buy tails pre-made?

No, I made my tail, but it's pretty amateurish.

[spottedcatfish]

Good luck with this project!

[Mermaid Saphira]

good luck with your project! Betta fish make some of the most beautiful designs :)

[ShyMer]

I'm looking forward to watching your progress. Make lots of updates! :)

[Delphine]

To malinghi, glad you made your tail. Not that there's anything wrong with buying one of those beautifully crafted tails, of course! And as for being "amateurish", that's fine! We all need a place to start from, right? As an "emerging" artist, I can tell you without embarrassment I've made work on the level of total novice to more advanced, depending on the media involved. It's a lot of work and practice to become proficient and/or master any skill. I mean, who knows how my tail will turn out? I'm new to using rubber, but very hard working so I know I"ll do my best. And, I'll of course be sharing my results!

Greetings to spottedcatfish, Mermaid Saphira, and ShyMer and thank you three for the encouragement. Yes Mermaid Saphira, I've had a few pet Bettas. Rainbow "Bowie" lived a strong & wonderful 4 years. He was quite a sight to watch! I hope my tail will lend a similar effect. ShyMer, thank you & I'll update as much as I can. Which reminds me.. ^__^'

[Delphine]

Incoming: MASSIVE Updates!

This is what I've done thus far:

Researched mermaids, different types of waterfolk from Oceanids to Selkies, to mer-folklore from around the world, their meanings/what they represent in different cultures & to some of you! (See: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?3775-Why-are-Merfolk-important-to-YOU)
Designed a mermaid tail with a metallic opalescence and a costume, which adds to the realistic quality and be swimmable
Decided to do multiple performances, some will be outdoors at local lake or ocean, and others indoors in unexpected places.
Created a mannikin to get my measurements for the tail that's fully cured and ready to go
Been journaling as Delphine to get into character and develop her background, and specific species of merfolk
Received my monofin, pearls and shells through mail for mermaid-costume
Got the Press involved with Project Delphine:


[Melrose Free Press] http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/newsnow/x1783173605/From-Melrosian-to-mermaid?zc_p=0#axzz2Ctxtnw3B
[Melrose Photo Gallery] http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/photos/x1783173597/GALLERY-Melrose-native-becomes-a-mermaid
[The Malden Advocate] http://malden.advocatenews.net/local-artist-brings-fantasy-to-life-melrose-high-grad-smfa-student-transforming-herself-into-mermaid/
(http://malden.advocatenews.net/local-artist-brings-fantasy-to-life-melrose-high-grad-smfa-student-transforming-herself-into-mermaid/)


Participated in Senior Thesis Open Studios and shared my Delphine work with the public
Bought the most of my supplies
Did some scale-mold testing!


Scale test shot..
9382



Had many crits with friends & professors about Project Delphine
Been working on the scale mold (Haha, my studio floor is all scale-mold!)


9383



Begun creating Delphine's top & belt
Debating about cutting/altering my Wave monofin/having smaller fluke
Decided on looking less human, more fishy with theater makeup (for example, where the light touches, my skin will shimmer like scales)

[LittleTreasure]

Wow, your scale swatch looks gorgeous! I love the pearly white. I'll definitely watch this thread.

[Ashe]

So cool! I love it when mers make their own tails like this :) I love the scales so far!

[Mizuko]

This is awesome! :D Great updates! I cant wait to see more!

[ShyMer]

nice work so far! Keep it up!

[Mer_Adella]

I so wish that I could do what your doing right now...amazing

[lynsea]

What did you use as a mold for you scales? They are such an interesting shape!

[Delphine]

Little Treasure, Kalani, Mizuko, ShyMer, Mer_Adella, & lynsea thank you. I'm glad you like the look of my tests. Originally, I was going for more a opalescence, however now I'm leaning more pearly white/cream. I love shimmer! And shiny things (I'm like a magpie bird) & I also do metal- working sculptural pieces & jewelry.

Lynsea, the scales are individually.. well, pressed by 2 different sizes of clay tools to create the look of scales. Yes, I know I'm crazy. No, you don't wanna know how many hours I've spent on just the mold. XD There was definitely a learning curve, as I'm a varied artist & work with clay sporadically, I had to re-adapt to the medium. I'm not quite content with the look of them--the mold's almost where I need to it to be, in terms of aesthetics. I need to work more on it, before I'm content.

Mer_Adella, welcome to the crazy awesomeness that is art school. XD This is my personal project for Senior Thesis (a year-long artistic endeavor, mine is particularly intense, haha) however we're always doing wacky & fun things at SMFA. One day, last semester, in Bookmaking, we made edible books! Of course, I made mine about mermaids & dragons in cabbage, graham crackers & rice wrappers. P.S. I love the iridescence on your magenta tail!

[Mermaid Wesley]

ugh im so jealous! keep us updated! It looks fabulous! obviously since you hand formed the mold, your scales are going to be varied, but did you purposefully change the shape of some scales to be different? Thats what it looks like... SO beautiful

[AniaR]

very cool stuff

[Delphine]

MerHopefully & Raina, thank you! MerHope--Aw, don't be jealous. It's just a lot of hard work, that I force myself do, for some reason. .. which is likely my need to do Labor of Love. :doh: Anyway, yes, the scales will be varied, because I used 2 different-sized tools with different shapes for each. The smaller is rounder, the longer more almond-shaped. I felt that was more natural as opposed to my first couple small scale mold tests. I created them from a vacuum-formed mold & regular as a rungs in a ladder. Aka, Boring. So, influenced by my boyfriend I got tools to make my own scales. I am developing a preference for the the almond-shaped scales, & I'm still trying to get it just right, though I'm glad you like the look of them together.

Raina--Happy to hear you like the scales, too. Oh, the other day I found your mermaid tumblr & my best friend helped me make one for my art & fun stuff. So now I'm getting inspiration from you & other merfans on there, too! :yay:

[sugarpoultry]

This is very exciting! Can't wait to see how it all turns out! :D

[Delphine]

This is very exciting! Can't wait to see how it all turns out! :D

Thanks, sugar. It is exciting! Haha, me too. I really want the tail-part done so I can swim in it, but part of the fun is making all of these parts--the shell & fish net top & belt, the scale mold etc.

[Aino Revontuletar]

I am super excited to see more progress on this Delphine it is turning out fabulous so far! Thanks for posting this too, it will help when I get started on mine ^__^

[Delphine]

Rapunzel, thanks! I'm happy to hear you're into my project. I hope it helps.

[AniaR]

Delphine I got your email btw I've just been soooooooo extremely busy and ill on top of it all. I'm going to try and write back soon. <3

[Delphine]

Hi, Raina! Yes, I figured. Best fishes, feel better! Linden let me interview her last week, so one down. She's an awesome lady. I'll have to do some research to find some others willing to share their story, so take your time. And of course, it's entirely voluntary, so no pressure! One's health is pretty much paramount, no?

[Aino Revontuletar]

Rapunzel, thanks! I'm happy to hear you're into my project. I hope it helps.

No problem! Yours is probably my favourite out of all the projects I am following on here, especially since it is really quite similar to mine, and I absolutely love the colours you have picked for it ^_^ I really hope we can find where to get those glowing pigments, they would look amazing on both our tails. Don't forget to tell me if you figure out where to get them from, as I'm not up to the pigment-sourcing stage in my project yet :) Oh and if you haven't seen FlipTails yet,
they are listed under the tailmakers list on here. He has photos of the glowing tails on his Facebook. Maybe we could ask him? Couldn't hurt.

[Delphine]

No problem! Yours is probably my favourite out of all the projects I am following on here, especially since it is really quite similar to mine, and I absolutely love the colours you have picked for it ^_^ I really hope we can find where to get those glowing pigments, they would look amazing on both our tails. Don't forget to tell me if you figure out where to get them from, as I'm not up to the pigment-sourcing stage in my project yet :) Oh and if you haven't seen FlipTails yet, they are listed under the tailmakers list on here. He has photos of the glowing tails on his Facebook. Maybe we could ask him? Couldn't hurt.

You are right, our tails are similar, though yours are the vibrant version, with mine being muted! Yes, I think I need to do some more research. It never ends, lol. But, this is what I do. I make, I research, I test & it cycles over & over, again. I'd love to see some examples of Flip Tails! Yes, I will look into his work & message him. It never hurts to ask, I surprise myself how many doors can open with a simple polite request.

Aww, that's very kind of you to say. I'm glad to get some support on here from you & the others mers. Honestly, I'm not even sure how I wouldn't gotten this far without mernetwork & you all! <3

And GUYS! Guess what?! Just found out that Smooth-on, the company I got DragonSkin from, also sells a skin-safe glue! I think I can use that to do any scale top/partial scales on body/armfins I may want to do. It's called Skin Tite. Whoohoo!

http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-an/c2_1115_1193/index.html?catdepth=1

[Aino Revontuletar]

That skin rite stuff sounds marvellous! I am picturing making some elf-like ears with it :D

[Delphine]

Hey mers, I've been continuing to truck on with my scale sheet mold. I'm nearing the end! Hopefully casting later this month. The other day we got hit by a massive blizzard & stuck at home for a couple days without much art supplies, I worked on the top & belt. I also did a make-up test, with some of the wild new waterproof purple mascara I ordered online & mica powder etc. Delphine is supposed to look otherwordly, less human, more emphasis on the fishy aspects. I should be able to post some of the photos of that. Tomorrow I may be able to drill the holes in the shells for the top. I'm afraid of breaking them, so I'll have to be careful. Also, thanks Firemaid, I may have some glowing pigments to get the "flash" effect of opal!

http://www.riskreactor.com/Glow_In_The_Dark_Pigments/Glow_in_the_Dark_Pigments_Main.htm

May need to decide soon, as I'll have to order them before casting my scales. Or they could be painted on with more dragonskin after curing.. Hm..Any thoughts?

[maemermaid]

How can you sew silicone? Or do you sew it at all? Whatabout attaching the fluke? I'm so confused about how it all becomes one piece. It's so great though and I can't wait to see your finished product.

[Delphine]

How can you sew silicone? Or do you sew it at all? Whatabout attaching the fluke? I'm so confused about how it all becomes one piece. It's so great though and I can't wait to see your finished product.

Hi maemermaid! Silicone is a type of rubber, & I wouldn't suggest sewing it. The one I'm using is called Dragon Skin silicone from Smooth-On & is very, very soft, made to be similar to human skin. It would probably come apart at the seams--literally. It is a two-part rubber that you can pigment & mix together, pour into a mold, let it cure & it will cast. There are some tails out there that are made of neoprene (a type of wetsuit material, I believe) and have silicone parts. I'm not sure how those work, as I've been researching & working on a full silicone tail. To attach different parts together, as far as I know, you have to "glue" them using more Dragon Skin, as silicone only sticks to itself. I suggest looking up Dr. SeaWeed's or Kanti's silicone tail tutorials for a more in-depth step-by-step of the process. Those are ones that I'm using in my own work.

Haha, I can't either! I'm happy to hear you're into my project. I'm excited to be able to get moving on the actual making part of the tail, instead of all these (necessary!) steps that lead up to the completed Delphine tail. It's been quite a process this far, & I'm not even done, yet lol! :lol: Though I have done castings before, with metal, not rubber. Learning this new process is fun & nerve-racking, because I've never done it before.

[Ariel-Starfish]

how's your project going? :) any new pictures? ^^

[Delphine]

Hey, Ariel Starfish! It's coming along. I need to spend a couple more hours finishing up the mold, but am trying to find the bet day to do it. The other day I did Make-Up practice #1. Here's a little teaser photo from that: 9651

Wild & Wacky, huh? ^__^

[Koral]

AWESOME makeup!!!

[Delphine]

Aww, thanks Koral. I think my face turned out pretty intense too, but I'm not sure I wanna show that image just yet. XD It's purple, teal, & blue.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Hey, Ariel Starfish! It's coming along. I need to spend a couple more hours finishing up the mold, but am trying to find the bet day to do it. The other day I did Make-Up practice #1. Here's a little teaser photo from that: 9651

Wild & Wacky, huh? ^__^

Omg thats cool! Looks vry mysterious ^^

[Aino Revontuletar]

Ooooh love the makeup!

[Delphine]

Thanks, guys! I'll have to test out another make-up look soon, to see what Delphine needs to make her more real.

[Delphine]

The Scale Sheets are cast! I thought I'd share this fantastic news. I also finished the belt (need photos still), & the top! Feel free to check out t my documentary photos of my process here: http://iwstudios.deviantart.com/gallery/40399623

Tiny Teaser shot: 9895

I also ordered my glow pigments. I plan to do a surface treatment once the tail is completed, so those will be towards the end of the tail construction part of Project Delphine.

[MerEmma]

Looks amazing! <3

[Delphine]

Thanks MerEmma! Check out the nicer photos on my gallery. I figured they'd be too big, & too many to post directly on here.

{Project Delphine Gallery}
http://iwstudios.deviantart.com/gallery/40399623

[Kanti]

Delphine!
That looks AMAZING!!! :'D

[azaiya]

Really, really impressed with what you've done with the scales Delphine! They've got a fantastic shape, I can tell you spent a lot of time on them! I like how they get smaller as they go down your tail (or, sheet for now!) Always excited to see updates on this. Great attention to details.

[MerAnthony]

Just asking but how did you get a sheet like that? did you make it?

[Aino Revontuletar]

Oh my goodness, that looks AMAZING!!!!

[Delphine]

Just asking but how did you get a sheet like that? did you make it?

MerAnthony, that's fine to ask. I took about 4 blocks of Plastina (sulfur-free "claytoons", animators clay) which are 4.5lbs each & with the help of my wonderful boyfriend we flattened them into clay slabs. These slabs varied in thickness, but we tried our best to keep them all about even (close to 1/4" I think). Then, I bought some clay tools (3 tools, used one for the small scales, one for the larger & the other for misc. uses). I started pressing the small tool into the clay at the bottom, & slowly worked my way up, connecting more slabs as necessary. I got to the point where my knees are supposed to go, & pressed the larger tool for bigger scales (I had to whittle this one down a bit so it was more rounded-almond shaped). I think uniformity can be beautiful too, however the tests I'd made with pre-made "scales" looked too industrial. I wanted a more organic look, & since I can't made straight lines if my life depended on it, the scales came out in really cool slightly undulating waves & some are deeper than others. It was a long process, however it made for a super-realistic feel that I'm quite satisfied with, now that I see it in rubber. Hope that helps! Please let me know if you have other questions about my scale mold etc.

[Aino Revontuletar]

I really love the look of your scales, I wanted to make mine all different sizes too, maybe even some different shapes

[Delphine]

Hey, Kanti & Punzie! Thank you! The larger images are better, but they're too big to upload here. I tried. TToTT Glad you both like the sheet. Punzie, go for it! I used different sized tools in a press-mold, but I've heard of other tail-makers (ei. Dr. SeaWeed) using seeds, many use foam cut-outs etc. in a scale sheet mold box. You could really use almost anything if you're willing to be inventive.

Azaiya, I'm glad you are impressed. Haha, I spent an ungodly amount on just the mold, which I am now taking apart/re-using to create the mold for my fluke. Yes, I like to transition, too. It gives the scales a more natural flow, like a real goldfish or betta. Well, I have another update to make, hope you can check that out, too. Funny you say that, I've always been highly detail-oriented. It overflows into my artwork.

[Aino Revontuletar]

I was thinking of going the foam cut-out method, making my mold box out of styrofoam and then cutting out the shapes of the scales individually, but the clay method sounds like a lot more fun! I love working with clay. I suppose it will just depend on how expensive the clay is. What are you using for your mold material? Liquid plastic?

[Delphine]

I was thinking of going the foam cut-out method, making my mold box out of styrofoam and then cutting out the shapes of the scales individually, but the clay method sounds like a lot more fun! I love working with clay. I suppose it will just depend on how expensive the clay is. What are you using for your mold material? Liquid plastic?

Either method (and most) will be time consuming. Others told me this & I'm also endorsing it: Take your time with your mold! You want it as close to your vision as possible, because that's what is gunna be cast. If you don't like a section, fix it before you finish the mold box. (Haha, I went back in & fixed things even on Scale Casting Day!) Hm, I feel like the styrofoam would have to be smooth (like take-home container boxes), otherwise it will be incredibly hard (perhaps near impossible?) to get the silicone cast out of your mold without destroying either parts, even with trusty spray release. Cutting out individual scales will work, you'll just have to glue them all down in a layered look.

The clay I used is called Plastilina claytoons (mostly used by clay animators), as it is was convenient for me, comes in 4.5 lbs. blocks (I used about 6 total, I think) & is sulfur-free (silicone-mold friendly!). It is expensive, though I just have a discount. Most on here keep mentioning this Monster Clay that comes in 5lbs. blocks. I'm not sure where to get it. Online? I used the Plastilina clay directly as my mold, pressing my scale shapes into flattened slabs, then poured the dragon skin into it, in 2 thin layers. Although many suggested I make a mold of my mold in case the first cast failed, I chose not to do plaster or liquid plastic. This is also because if I ever want to create another tail myself, I will likely want different scale shapes/sizes than from the Delphine Tail.

The clay method is grueling, physically. In my initial excitement, I overdid it on the first scale-pressing session. After that, I worked in short 1-2 hour sessions pressing scales with my knees on a pillow. So, if you do decide to go this route, please learn from my mistake & work slowly or you'll hurt yourself. It took about 4 weeks to complete the mold. This time frame may vary for you, depending upon how much time you can give to your mold-making process. Let me know what method you choose. If you go with clay, feel free to ask me questions! I may know the answer, or if I don't, I can ask one of my friends that works in the clay department. The benefits of being in art school, lol. :) Speaking of which, I'm off & back to class! -whoosh-

[Delphine]

For more (& the occasional cute animal or awesome artwork) following Project Delphine, here's my new art tumblr:

http://www.tumblr.com/blog/iridescent-wings-studio (http://www.tumblr.com/blog/iridescent-wings-studio)

<3

[Aino Revontuletar]

Ok cool thanks a lot! I was thinking of avoiding clay as much as possible because it is likely to be very expensive trying to get sulphur-free clay. Of course I will have to use it for the fluke and fins, but I was thinking of foam for the scales just because it would be cheaper and easier to get. I read in Kanti's tutorial that styrofoam works for a mold box. I was thinking of making a mold box out of foam, pouring liquid plastic into that to make my final mold, and then pouring the silicone into that. So did you just make a mold from clay, wait for the clay to dry and just pour the silicone directly into the clay, skipping the middle step with the liquid plastic?

[Delphine]

Ok cool thanks a lot! I was thinking of avoiding clay as much as possible because it is likely to be very expensive trying to get sulphur-free clay. Of course I will have to use it for the fluke and fins, but I was thinking of foam for the scales just because it would be cheaper and easier to get. I read in Kanti's tutorial that styrofoam works for a mold box. I was thinking of making a mold box out of foam, pouring liquid plastic into that to make my final mold, and then pouring the silicone into that. So did you just make a mold from clay, wait for the clay to dry and just pour the silicone directly into the clay, skipping the middle step with the liquid plastic?

Hi, Aino. Haha, yes it's expensive to go with the clay. I felt it'd be more for what I was going for, & foam can get pricey too. I think? Lol. Yeah, foam you can get at any art store. Anyway, for the mold box if you do any type of foam for the mold box, the smoother, the better in this case. It's easier to get your cured silicone out of a smoother mold. Maybe foam core would be good for this? Yes, I skipped the plastic altogether, as it was not necessary with the clay mold. Maybe I'm not good at explaining it, so looking at this photo will give you a better idea of my process.

10191

[Delphine]

Good afternoon, mers! Update time! I made the molds & cast the 2 flukes & pelvic fins during my Spring Break. Yesterday, my tech-friend & I seamed up the fluke halves, with the monofin inside. I had to sand & paint said monofin, too, as the silicone didn't stick to the unaltered monofin plastic at all. It peeled right off! The fluke is now cured, & I even got to try it on. It's HUGE! And heavy, but should be excellent for propulsion in the water. Hope the dragon skin is buoyant in the water! I've spoken with my photographers & the makeup artist, & have a few sites to check out for the photoshoot days. So basically, all the aprts are cast. I just need to do all the attaching, which is proving to be the hardest part. It's gunna look amazing finished though. I'm so close to being done with it.. I can almost taste the salty air! Well, chlorine, cuz I'll probably be in a pool. XD

[Kanti]

Super cool!
Can't wait to see how it comes out o_O
And huh that's interesting about the monofin coming off, I imagined it would at least stick a little? Perhaps not D:

[Delphine]

Super cool!
Can't wait to see how it comes out o_O
And huh that's interesting about the monofin coming off, I imagined it would at least stick a little? Perhaps not D:


YAY! Me, too. XD Yeah, it comes off ridiculously easily, as if I'd spray-released it!

[Kanti]

Wow!
What would you suggest, then, sanding it down and putting primer on it or something of that nature? o:

[Delphine]

Wow!
What would you suggest, then, sanding it down and putting primer on it or something of that nature? o:


Although I'm sure there are other ways to do it, yes. An added barrier, so that the dragon skin has something to stick to & cure properly.

[inactive account]

Those scales will look so real :O

[Delphine]

Those scales will look so real :O

Hello again, Neotail. Have you checked out my Delphine Gallery? I have more scale shots & details of her costume there. And, of course, thank you very much. :)

[inactive account]

Yeah I just saw the pictures OMG The scales are amazing they will look beautiful when painted :)

[Delphine]

Yeah I just saw the pictures OMG The scales are amazing they will look beautiful when painted :)

Aww, thank you Neotail. They are pigmented (opaque white & shimmer, to mimic an opal). Most who have seen the scales ask me about painting them, however the only painting I'll be doing is the glow-marks (will be like bioluminescence) for the opal-flashing at the very end, once the tail is fully completed.

[Delphine]

Also, wiggling starfishes!--the fluke's cured & is now attached to the tail base! It's a you-know-what to put on in my studio, but I've managed a few times now to check on its fit. New photos coming soon! Stay tuned.

[AniaR]

I finally had a chance to reply to your email, sorry about that. Anymore photos? I'm dying to see how it's coming along and my MC on deviantART is totally crammed :p

[Delphine]

I finally had a chance to reply to your email, sorry about that. Anymore photos? I'm dying to see how it's coming along and my MC on deviantART is totally crammed :p

Well, I spy an orange fish! Glad you're curious Raina. Haha yeah, my other DA account has literally 1,000 messages I'm avoiding looking at. So much to keep track of! I have some, I have to convert them & make sure my backers get sent the first round. I end up posting them on multiple places, so it's been hard to find time to do all of that. Today was Swim Test! (It's drying in my studio next to me, as I type this!) I was so exhausted after, but it was awesome! I have to attach the little hip fins & do the glow marks, & tail is complete. Let's see what I can do about some photos..

[Delphine]

PHEW! It takes a lot to shrink these guys down enough, but here are a few with captions...

Trying on the fluke, on my studiomate's table (realized I created a monster-sized fluke XD).
10722
Trying on the tail (front), before "gluing" the tail-base & fluke together, hadn't cut the tail-base transition into fluke, yet.
(Please excuse the messy studio!)
10721
And now, the back! Again, this is the unglued & uncut tail-base transition.
10723
Yesterday's Swim Test! (aka, my first swim in the Delphine Tail ever!!!)
10724

More coming!

[MerEmma]

Looks AMAZING!! Congrats!!

[Delphine]

One of my favorite above-water shots of the day! My fintastic boyfriend (also mertender & poolside-photographer for the day) took these, while my underwater photographer-friend was in the pool shooting & filming with me. I'm pretty sure I'm mid-flip here. I know it's hard to tell, because my tail is white, but the humungous fluke is beneath my head. And lol--didn't realize my hair had gotten so long! It used to be inches above my shoulders. Hm, I may get it cut before the Official Underwater Performance day comes around, so I can keep with my tradition-breaking. XD
10725
Just so you lovely mers can see how excited and happy I was, since you all understand the type of excitement that comes with the territory of one's first swim.. Also, I'm thrilled to say I've gotten many people, artists & non-artists excited about Project Delphine. Merpeople, it seems, is still universal enough to ignite a little cross-cultural, and cross-generation enjoyment. Thank god, because this project depends on it in many ways.. especially the end-result of the installation at the show.
10726

[Delphine]

Looks AMAZING!! Congrats!!

Thanks, MerEmma! I'm excited the test went so well. It was good practice and quite a workout! My shoulders are still sore from all of that yesterday morning. I think of it as victory pain. XD

[Delphine]

Delphine is getting bioluminescence! My tech-friend & I began doing a special treatment for the glow-pigments. We started with aqua-blue. The other colours Delphine will sport are violet, & teal.

[lasserine]

That looks good.

[Mizuko]

oh cant wait to see the colours! :D

[Delphine]

Thanks, lasserine & Mizuko. The glow-colours will be near invisible in daylight, they glow-in-the-dark. :)

[Mahi Mermaid]

Did you buy two orders of smooth on?

[Delphine]

Did you buy two orders of smooth on?

Hi, Krystal. Yes, I bought 2 gallons of Dragon Skin 10 medium (which comes as 4 gallons, 2 A-buckets, 2 B-buckets) from Smooth-On. It stretched surprisingly far, as I did all my scale mold tests, multiple fin tests, scale sheet, flukes halves, seams and sealings (using Dragon Skin as glue for itself) from just the 2 gallons! Though this may vary, as it definitely dependent upon how many "extra" fins you want, the depth of each of your molds, and your own measurements.

[lynsea]

Your seam looks spectacular! Also, I love how you blended the scales with the back of your fluke. It looks really natural.

[Aziara]

Did you have to treat the clay mold with anything before putting the silicone on? I'm thinking of doing something like this(when I have money for silicone, might be forever, might be never) except in 3-D... Lemme explain (if anyone wants to use this idea, I wouldn't consider it stealing. Have at it and have fun :))I would make a duct tape cast of my legs, overlap the edges a little to make it tight, then put plastilina clay sheets on it directly. I'm thinking of impressing the scales with a big garfish scale (they look like arrowheads, pretty cool). Silicone would be painted on top, then pealed off inside out to make a tube the exact shape of my legs.

would this work? It's just something that sounds good in my head...

[Delphine]

Your seam looks spectacular! Also, I love how you blended the scales with the back of your fluke. It looks really natural.

Really? Well, thanks. It was incredibly hard, so I keep recommending others to do 2 seams, as the one seam literally fights back! XD Oh, that photo is from a try-on without the tail-base attached to the fluke part. Now, it looks more like.. a scallop that's larger in the front, smaller in the back.


Did you have to treat the clay mold with anything before putting the silicone on? I'm thinking of doing something like this(when I have money for silicone, might be forever, might be never) except in 3-D... Lemme explain (if anyone wants to use this idea, I wouldn't consider it stealing. Have at it and have fun http://mernetwork.com/index/images/smilies/smile.png)I would make a duct tape cast of my legs, overlap the edges a little to make it tight, then put plastilina clay sheets on it directly. I'm thinking of impressing the scales with a big garfish scale (they look like arrowheads, pretty cool). Silicone would be painted on top, then pealed off inside out to make a tube the exact shape of my legs.

would this work? It's just something that sounds good in my head...

Aziara, I did not treat my clay mold. All I did was use spray release to help aid in removing the cast scale sheet. Do you have some options for funding for silicone? Can you put a portion of your pay into Savings for a Tail? Would you be interested in Kickstarter, or another crowd-funding website? Any Arts Centers in your community? Suggestion: Consider what you have at your disposal, that you can use. I did the duct-tape mannequin. Mine, unfortunately warped, however you may have better luck with it than I. I'd originally planned on using it to size my scale sheet, however was too warped & was too big. We had to literally wrap & clamp me in it on a table (students kept walking in, staring, wondering what the heck we were doing). You wanna be careful about the measurements, too loose--it falls off, too tight--it hurts. Especially, at the knees, for some reason mine is tightest at the knees, so I have to deal with it, but I'd like to cautioning others working on a silicone tail to learn from my mistake--Make sure you have enough room there! To test how much knee/leg room you need, have someone take your measurements with your monofin on. As for this garfish peel idea, well, it makes me think of this freaky photo I found (http://www.strangedangers.com/content/item/139928.html). HUGE! I had no idea these Alligator Garfish existed & that there's sport fishing for them. :/ Anyway, while your idea may certainly work out, I'm thinking the added thickness of the flattened Plastalina slabs will make your fit looser on your tail-base (I've been calling this this area where your body/legs go, as opposed to the fluke which is separate). Hm..

Also, as a general announcement: AS OF LAST NIGHT, THE DELPHINE TAIL IS COMPLETE! It's cured & ready to go. Now, to finish final touches to any accessories & do the final shoot. This is a big production, as now I'm having a makeup artists to help me turn tail & leave humanity behind for some excellent but temporary mermaidenry (aw). Wish me luck, you wonderful mers!

[Mahi Mermaid]

Delphine, you've just sold me on making a tail of my own from Dragonskin. I was already playing around with latex, but scared to make the jump into silicone (since it's so expensive) but now you've inspired me to make one!! Any tips/tricks things you'd do different would be much appreciated!!

[Aziara]

Yes, your work is very inspiring. Must...make...own...tail... Lol
Thanks so much for the tip about kickstarter! I had no idea anything like that existed.

[Delphine]

Delphine, you've just sold me on making a tail of my own from Dragonskin. I was already playing around with latex, but scared to make the jump into silicone (since it's so expensive) but now you've inspired me to make one!! Any tips/tricks things you'd do different would be much appreciated!!

Wow, Krystal! Truly, I'm honored that you are inspired by my Delphine work. Honestly, I've never used latex before (or any silicone before this year), however kept reading & hearing that Dragon Skin is the best. Thom Shouse, THE Tailman, even recommended it to me, so you know it's gutta be good stuff! :) Hm, I'd have to think about tips & tricks. Did you read my response to Aziara about sizing & stuff? You can definitely ask me questions & I'll do my best to help.


Yes, your work is very inspiring. Must...make...own...tail... Lol
Thanks so much for the tip about kickstarter! I had no idea anything like that existed.

Aw, thanks Aziara. I'm happy to hear you're also inspired by what I'm doing. Yes, you are quite welcome. Let me know which you do, and I can definitely help with Kickstarter stuff before you launch. I had a lot of help with mine from the presenter at my school, who kindly looked over mine, offered tips & later became a backer. I've helped a few fellow students with theirs & talked to Mermaid Star, who's currently launched a silicone tail project. Anyway, best of luck with the fundraising.

To the both of you, I'd recommend lots of research, & designing before you go out & buy supplies, & get started.

Today, I had my "official" underwater shoot, though my makeup is.. well, my makeup artist told me, "You look like a watercolour." I love it & will share photos soon. It's still on my face, I literally have a little water still in my ears & people started at me on my way back to school. I guess it's pretty intense, because even my schoolmates stared & many of us are used to the colourful performances here, haha. Anyway, I have to take a look at how they turned out & watch the video clips. Even when I saw the photos from the test shoot, I saw how animated they were. I am thinking to create a quick animation or a gif. Although I've never made one, I have seen some cool, swimming merfolk ones on MN. Even if it's just for me to keep as a little reminder. XD

[Aziara]

Please post pics when you can, can't wait to see the whole setup all together.
oh, I'm certainly doing my research. I've been lurking the forum, reading just about everything I can find on working with silicone.
I must ask though, how did you use the cast magic powder? Did you mix it with the silicone at the same time as the paint? I really like the shimmer it gave to the silicone.

[Delphine]

Please post pics when you can, can't wait to see the whole setup all together.
oh, I'm certainly doing my research. I've been lurking the forum, reading just about everything I can find on working with silicone.
I must ask though, how did you use the cast magic powder? Did you mix it with the silicone at the same time as the paint? I really like the shimmer it gave to the silicone.

Glad you're researching. You will have to do your own tests to get a real feel for silicone as a material, as that is probably the best way to learn, though researching all helps. You mix cast magic into part B, then part A & part B together & pour. There are directions on the Smooth-On website, & ones that come with the materials you buy. Another great resource is the techs. It took a lot of explaining to get the particular tech who was helping me into my project (a project such as tail-making is so complex & hard to explain in words--pictures & bringing in my monofin helped a lot!), but I eventually got him excited & was able to get some advice & tips. :) As my files are large & hard to shrink down enough to get on here, stay tuned, as I'll be posting some photos on my website gallery!

[Delphine]

Photos, thank yous & more, new photos!

http://iwstudios.deviantart.com/gallery/40399623

http://iridescent-wings-studio.tumblr.com/

[Aino Revontuletar]

WOW the pictures look amazing!! I love it! I wish I had the money to get started on mine! What's it like to swim in?

[MermaidBonnie]

Awesome job! :)

[Daphne]

That's really impressive! Saw the progress shots and was like
14090

Making such a tail sounds so intimidating with the extent of work and expensive materials involved — nevermind the other accessories. BRAVO for the progress on this — and very smart making this your thesis.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Wow! I am so excited to see this finished! It could just stay white and be amazing! But I am so excited to see what the colors look like!

[Miyu]

Oh man your tail is gorgeous! I love the huge fluke, and white! OMG white is so striking! It's so beautiful...

[Delphine]

WOW the pictures look amazing!! I love it! I wish I had the money to get started on mine! What's it like to swim in?


Thanks, Punzie! <3 The Delphine Tail has become my baby. ^__^- So much work & love (& blood & sweat & tears & more love etc.). KICKSTARTER or INDIEGOGO or something! I can do it that way, anyone can. Amazing! It's hard & wonderful. The monofin forces you to swim in the mermaid/dolphin-like way, or you sink or bob at surface (lol, a real sink or swim), and once you get going it's like flying. Powering through the water across waves is an amazing feeling. So excited for you to get there. And.... now that I think of it, I'd love some fellow Mers to swim with. Lol, why is there barely any NE Pods?!

(Getting in & out of a full-silicone tail, by the way, is hard & therefore totally ungraceful & awkward but worth it! Haha.)



Awesome job! :)

MermaidBonnie, thank you, thank you! Glad you like my work. It's great to see others are interested in this stuff as much as I am & can therefore admire with appreciation. :)


That's really impressive! Saw the progress shots and was like
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=14090&stc=1

Making such a tail sounds so intimidating with the extent of work and expensive materials involved — nevermind the other accessories. BRAVO for the progress on this — and very smart making this your thesis.


Haha, Thank you, Daphne. I'm laughing a little at this, because well, I LOVE that image--cracks me up & some kid I knew used to do a drawn-out version of that like, Daaaayyyyyyyyyuummmmmmmmm when he was surprised. XD Yeah, I'm really into sticking with a good project, very determined. You have to be if you make your own tail, even if you go at a slower pace, over more months. Mine was accelerated through my senior thesis but it worked for me. Aw, well I knew I'd wanted a full silicone tail for years, I just had no idea until 2 years ago what was involved, who to talk to, any clue how to create it etc. ^__^' It's been a learning process for sure!



Wow! I am so excited to see this finished! It could just stay white and be amazing! But I am so excited to see what the colors look like!


Mermaid Caspiana, thank you. Well, I get this a lot. The Delphine tail IS white. The look was inspired by a white opal, and pearls. It's hard to see in the photos, however there's a pearly finish to the top that you can see best in real-life. The scales are tinted white, with the purple-blue iridescent shimmer & the top has mimicked "bioluminescence" markings that glow in the dark after 15 min. sun or strong light exposure. :) I would say that it is "finished" as it will ever be (big, white with pelvic fins & glow markings), & you're inspiring me to think about some detail shots to capture these things I'm talking about.



Oh man your tail is gorgeous! I love the huge fluke, and white! OMG white is so striking! It's so beautiful...

Moonlight Mermaid, aww thanks! Lol, so huge & white many, many have told me it could be a wedding dress! That makes me smile every time, as it must have been subconscious or viewers are just reading into it that way! Big, pretty white thing = contemporary wedding gown. Go! XD You'd be surprised by how many didn't notice the "beached" mermaid while I did that recent shoot! Well, maybe not. I was amused many didn't notice the mermaid in the water, or on the sand, & even more so when they did double & triple takes when they finally did!

[Delphine]

For any who haven't seen 'em, here's the latest photos from the last outdoor swim of the season in September. I went out to a local beach, swim & perched on the rocks. Some locals passed by, & had quite the mermaid sighting! (It was funny, they couldn't help but smile.) Anyway, I hope you enjoy! ^__^

http://iwstudios.deviantart.com/gallery/40399623

http://iridescent-wings-studio.tumblr.com/

[PearlieMae]

Beautiful!

[Delphine]

Thanks, PearlieMae. It turned out to be a perfect day for that photoshoot.

[MerMarla]

Delphine! Your pix are awesome! I had no idea Rockport had any beach at all! The edge looked fairly clear! I loved the kids hovering over you!

Sometimes I do get to Gloucester to visit a friend during the summer. Hope the water was warm, LOL! Which pool were you in for the other pics?

Your tail turned out just beautiful! The white is unusual and I've only known a few Mers that have one! Lovely!

(((Hugz))) and Bubble https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/e/B0C'z
Mermaid Marla
Pepperell, MA

[Delphine]

Delphine! Your pix are awesome! I had no idea Rockport had any beach at all! The edge looked fairly clear! I loved the kids hovering over you!

Sometimes I do get to Gloucester to visit a friend during the summer. Hope the water was warm, LOL! Which pool were you in for the other pics?

Your tail turned out just beautiful! The white is unusual and I've only known a few Mers that have one! Lovely!

(((Hugz))) and Bubble https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/e/B0C'z
Mermaid Marla
Pepperell, MA

Aw, thank you MerMarla! Yes, I've been going with a friend to Rockport for years, though there are plenty of other beaches around (including Gloucester) I also go to during the summer months. The Sept. photos are of me in the water, on the rocks etc. The August ones have the other kids in them, around me. Haha, I was sort of afraid of accidentally knocking into the kids, because a couple of them were all up in my tail. XD

It was gorgeous weather, however the water in Sept. was actually bitterly cold! I barely swam, mostly posed for the shoot & my teeth were chattering by the time I was done. I'm sensitive to such things. The other times (underwater shoots) were done in a friend's pool in May.

Oh, thank you! From what I've heard I guess the white tail is unusual. I'm glad I made it iridescent & added the glow-markings. It makes Delphine stand out a bit, which is kinda cool.

Wow, you're more local than most of the other mers on here. That's awesome!!! (No offense to my far-away merfriends, it's just that I noticed very few are, at least on MN, near MA). Mermaiding seems way bigger in the south where it's warmer & you can swim year-round. Mermaiding in New England is sadly seasonal & I've yet to swim with others, though would love the experience of a mer-meet. I have a friend out in Pepperell, though I've never been, & heard it's lovely over there. =D