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Taniira
01-31-2013, 07:41 PM
So I've gotten this idea in my head to do a swimmable mer-creature based off of Giger's art (he created the Xenomorphs from Aliens most notably -- WARNING: If you search just him, a lot of his art is NSFW and generally creepy). Here's an example of a Xenomorph in case you haven't seen Alien/Aliens/etc. (Not my image, found on Google Search)

9393

This is going to be a very long and very slow project (mostly because I have 9 other projects going on and limited funds), but I'm really excited about it.

I'm planning on doing a neoprene tail -- I'd prefer straight neo, but I don't think in the long run that's going to happen. I think it'll end up either neo/latex or neo/silicone (most of the guys that costume as xenos in my group are latex IIRC).

I'm still working on coloration ideas because I don't want any flesh tone at all in it, but I really don't think there's any makeup that's going to last well enough to swim in as far as covering my whole face black, so we're toying with the idea of full-face prosthetics or at least just whitening my skintone with makeup and doing a grey/silver scheme, but I'd really like to be as dark as possible. Not worried about that just yet.

Anyway, my biggest issue at the moment as I'm in the design stages is that I want to do dorsal tubes similar to a xenomorph (either a single row straight down my back/tail or a double row from shoulder to shoulder and meeting at the tail to then go into a single row) but before I commit to a design, we're trying to figure out how possibly to do it.

I want them to be sturdy enough not to flop over completely when I'm out of water, as I want to be able to use it dry, too, but at the same time I want them to have a bit of movement in the water. They also can't be terribly positively/negatively boyant as I don't want them pulling me to the surface/pulling me down.

What would be the best material for this? Should they be hollow to fill with water or solid (or capped/hollow so they're air filled)? Can anyone help me?

PS: I'll also be consulting with my friend who costumes as Abe the Alien but I don't think he's going to be much help in the "but I need this to be waterproof!" department.

PPS: I totally referred to ya'll as the "mermunity" when I told my boyfriend I was just going to ask you guys for help :D

Alice
02-01-2013, 02:08 AM
O.O OMG this makes me so happy another mer who isnt sitting on rocks combing their hair i'd love to see a design
I'll do some research and get back to you on this

Alice
02-01-2013, 02:10 AM
btw their is a way to make chlorine proof body paint

Mermaid Danielle
02-01-2013, 08:28 AM
Hmmm, for the tubes, I think a lot of it depends on the material you end up using and the design of the tubes. Are they like plumbing tubes, where they will be open at the top, or are they supposed to appear solid all the way through? Assuming you are using silicone or latex, and they are going to be open at the top, I'd say do a half filled, half empty structure- slanting it so that the closer you get to the top, the thinner the filled material is. I'll draw out what I mean and post a picture for you. Good Luck!

Mermaid Danielle
02-01-2013, 08:42 AM
9397

Hope this helps!

Taniira
02-01-2013, 10:07 AM
Alice, I'm into the happy frolicking mermaids, too, but I tend towards the traditional predator view. That's not to say they haven't evolved into today's mers :) I'll have to do some research on chlorine proof body paint! Thanks!


Danielle, that does, thanks! Traditionally on that specific creature they're hollow, but it doesn't really matter for mine. Would a half solid/half hollow tube in silicone or latex be sturdy enough to keep some shape/stiffness/sticking-out-ness when it was out of water? I don't have any experience with working with them yet (though the BF does). I'm under the impression that silicone is pretty floppy though.

Aino Revontuletar
02-01-2013, 10:26 AM
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this idea and I'm really excited to see your progress on it!!! You are going to look INCREDIBLE!!! :jawdrop:

Mermaid Danielle
02-01-2013, 11:45 AM
Taniira, you're welcome, and I'm not really sure. I haven't worked with either, so you'd probably be best asking your boyfriend. I do know however, that there are varying types of hardness. If you get something harder, it might work as a skeleton backbone for it. :D