Howto Make Scales More Realistic (silicone scale molds)

[Prince Calypso]

So going over a few things for my longer H2O style mermaid tail blah blah blah
and I came across a little snag...well not really a snag really so much as a tiny little issue that just popped up out of my head
How to make the most realistic scales?
i mean scales as close to fish-like as possible
and how to go this with a scale mold for a silicone tail.
i mean ii've looked at a few pics and yeah you would think it looks really simple
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but then I start noticing all the little details and the odd shapes and iridescence! ALL THE DETAILS!!!
then there is the fact that an actual single fish scale is not the easiest shape to come by when shopping for stamp punches and stuff
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so how would i go about making a realistic scale sheet.

[ShyMer]

you might have to make each scale individually... but that might take forever, and you wanna make sure the scales don't vary too much in size and shape as you go along. it's going to be a lot of work to make it look that realistic, but the results could be worth it.
you could try molding each scale with clay. I'd suggest starting from the bottom and working your way to the top so they overlap properly. also try to use tools instead of your fingers as much as possible so it doesn't look lumpy as much. maybe cover your work too so there's no chance of it drying out on you.
I would also suggest trying a different kind of mold making material, as you won't have a master to continue to make molds of if the mold breaks our starts to disintegrate.

[MermaidHyli]

I noticed these things too! I used clay to make my scales...vicious process but you can really capture that detail. It took me about two weeks none stop to finally finish my scale sheet.

[mergirl22]

The H20 tails scales are actually made from small individual pieces of plastic. It would get you a really realistic scale pattern but would take a lot longer

[malinghi]

I can't answer your question, I can only commiserate. When I was working on my silicone tail I spent forever trying to figure out how to make them look more realistic. After looking at a lot of photos and some salmon I bought at the grocery store to examine, I was amazed at how much more complicated the way scales reflect light was than thought. I ultimately chose to make the scales dark at the tips and shiny gray in the center, but it still far short of actually looking realistic. I have no idea how to reproduce it.

Also, I think fish scales are much less raised up than they look. Like most people, the scales on my silicone tail are made from 1/16 inch thick EVA foam. That's a lot thicker than most fish scales, which actually lay very flat against the next scale and form a really smooth, only slightly bumpy surface. At least that's what I found with the scales I looked at.

[Mermaid Alea]

I think so far the most realistic looking scales I have seen were done by Freshwater_Nim: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?11528-Nim-s-Tailmaking-Disaster-Diary