View Full Version : Nyx's Neoprene Tail! (Pic heavy . . . eventually)
AH YES, I have long ago given up on my first tail design (didn't like it much) and now I am moving on to a new tail/tale (badpunsIknow)
I'm making a hybrid tail between Vaporeon and a mackerel!
(to those who don't know what those look like) :
http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/f/fd/134Vaporeon.png/200px-134Vaporeon.png http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYJyXuXXTImZ-HNI8b1l0pJxpl2sQeMdYldgEDCir2GF46dUJD_g
Woo! teal all over!
and here are my materials so far:
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I got Neoprene (Royal Blue) from Foamorder, Jacquard paints (Neopaque, lumiere)
and of course monofin! Do keep in mind it's actually a lot longer than that
Because of the angle it looks super short.
I will be also adding fins with vinyl, and a few sequins to make it shine here and there!
The hardest thing now is getting accurate measurements and sowing
I lack experience in both.
I'll be posting as much as I can about the process (mainly to keep me on track)
shimmygoddess
05-10-2013, 03:54 PM
what did you use to extend the fluke to shape it where the tape it? This has been my dillemma
I foolowed Jadestone's technique. I glued zip ties to the fin and layerd long strips of ducktape on the fin and zip ties. Then i cut the shape out.
Jade explains it a lot better though XD
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Pattern and first side cut!
shimmygoddess
05-11-2013, 07:39 PM
thanks! Good luck with your tell. Can't wait to see it when it is done
Jadestone
05-20-2013, 04:09 PM
Oh man! I love Vaporean, can't wait to see what you do with this design :)
@shimmygoddess thank you!
@jadestone that's my favorite pokemon > w<
Mermaid Allie
05-21-2013, 04:24 PM
Awesome so far! This tail is gonna be so cool!
Woo! Tail sown!
Soon I will add a waistband and the fins!
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@mermaid allie thank you!
starlite
05-22-2013, 03:16 PM
great job ;-)
Mermaid Momo
05-22-2013, 05:15 PM
looking good! Have you checked to see that it fits before you add the fins and waistband and have to redo those?
yeah!
I actually sowed it together while it was on me so it fits like a glove :D
Mermaid Allie
05-25-2013, 05:06 PM
Looks perfect!
SO I FINISHED IT
ish
I rushed a bit so that I could use it for my local Anime con
I will be fixing a lot of things but here is what it looks like:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/05/26/2919868/first-look-anime-fans-invade-raleigh.html
it's the 13th 14th and 15th photos :>
http://media2.newsobserver.com/smedia/2013/05/26/20/26/1kFChQ.AuSt.156.jpeg
http://media2.newsobserver.com/smedia/2013/05/26/20/26/HHs4E.AuSt.156.jpeg
http://media2.newsobserver.com/smedia/2013/05/26/20/25/1pWEYG.AuSt.156.jpeg
Merella
05-27-2013, 01:05 PM
Well I'm super jelly. Your tail came out very nicely!
Mermaid Varshana
05-27-2013, 01:14 PM
That thing looks amazing!
Jadestone
05-29-2013, 09:02 PM
It came out BEAUTIFUL!!
Do you have any more pictures of the design you put on the back?? It's so pretty! I love how unique your tail is :) Did you add sequins to the back or is the paint just extra shiny in that second picture? :)
Thank you!
I have a bad webcam one
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I actually have to fix it, the stripe is not evenly down the back XD
The shining is made by a lighter paint color!
I was actually surised it made that effect XD
I do plan on adding a few sequins later on though
Mermaid Tula
05-31-2013, 05:20 PM
So cute! I seriously am in love with your tail, even if the strip isn't even down the back! I love the 'shining' scales. So pretty!
Thank you!
Wooo it's been a while, but I started to repaint it now that I have more time
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Mermaid Varshana
06-17-2013, 01:17 PM
DAT FLUKE!
Jadestone
06-17-2013, 11:45 PM
Wow! I LOVE the shading there. Looks awesome!! Can't wait to see finished pictures of the whole thing with you in it :D
Mermaid Kalliope
06-18-2013, 12:08 AM
*o* THAT FLUKE! *jellified*
Man, I need to practice my fluke painting skillz... Haha Even though I'm getting a full silicone tail, I still want to make cosplay neoprene tails for conventions! ^_^
You are awesome!
Mermaid Allie
06-18-2013, 10:36 AM
OMG YOUR FLUKE NYX!
Spindrift
06-18-2013, 10:45 AM
It's really pretty!! Congratulations on finishing it!
Fathom delMar
06-18-2013, 05:03 PM
So pretty! What are the little tassels along the edge of the fluke? And what are your fins made of? Just extra neoprene sewed in at the seams and painted?
Jgzjtshfxjgxjgxtkj omg guys thank you so much! > w <
Bith the tassels and the fins are made of shower curtain plastic/vinyl
The top fins are made stringer by gluing zip ties between two sheets off the vinyl!
@kailani I really want to try my hand at silicone and latex, but its far too expensive for me, and I don't have much experience
I'll be sticking to neoprene fourth a while XD
Mermaid Varshana
06-19-2013, 12:39 PM
Yeah, I'm totally a vinyl fringe mergirl. Been in love with the effect since seeing Hannah Fraser's tails.
Fathom delMar
06-19-2013, 03:04 PM
I always wondered what Hanna Fraiser used! That's awesome :)
I'm back again! With the almost finished front!
So, somewhere along the way my tail's design took a life of its own
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It changed quite abit from what I first had in mind, but I like it still.
Thank you for all the comments guys, I really apriciate it ; u;
Christopher Chandler
06-24-2013, 12:44 PM
Looking good!
Little_Orca
06-24-2013, 01:48 PM
Beautiful work :)
Fathom delMar
06-24-2013, 03:11 PM
That looks awesome! What do you use for your paints?
WOO It's been long!
Sorry for my absence but here is an update!
and this is what the finished product of the back looks like!
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here is a link to a video of the tail in action~
http://mermaid-nyx.tumblr.com/post/57980213252/my-first-few-swims-with-my-tail
@fanthom delmar
I used jacquard fabric paints
More photos later~
Mermaid Kelda
08-08-2013, 04:18 AM
The video isn't showing up for me, but HOLY CARP those are some seriously beautiful fins you're sporting there, girl. I looked from the picture, to the name of the thread, back to the picture, back to the title, thinking, "there's no way that's neoprene... it must be silicone, right?"
You've given me reassurance that maybe I can make a realistic fabric tail after all!
Thank you so much Mermaid Melania! I changed the link to my fb, hopefully I can upload the vido correctly later.
Wow but thank you so much for the compliments >w<
Im glad to hear i'vwpe reassured you! ^ w^
Mermaid Caspiana
08-14-2013, 02:56 AM
You are too awesome! I want this sooo bad! It's beautiful! I still can't believe it's neoprene!!! How did you get it to look like that! My gosh! I hope mine ends up looking as realistic as yours! Amazing job!!!
Aww thank you! I guess my best advice is to use a variety of similar colors with slight variations. For example I tried to make a transition between darker blues and shimmery teals, and added a bit of green to make it pop!
Mermaid Caidence
08-23-2013, 01:22 AM
Very beautiful! :jawdrop: What did you use to make the scale pattern?
Toxotes
08-23-2013, 05:27 PM
Amazing tail, Nyx!
starlite
08-23-2013, 05:37 PM
great tail !
Mermaid Citrine
09-03-2013, 02:50 AM
Great Job ! I love how the duct tape extensions made it so floppy at the end. Beautiful tail !
AnnaAbyss
07-25-2015, 01:02 AM
That is so realistic. The patterns make it look like a real mackerel. :swoon:
Weaslet
03-22-2016, 08:24 PM
Apologies for digging up this thread, but I came across it looking for info on how to make a neoprene tail. This one is amazing! I love the paint job :D
Quick question; did you heat set the paints? I was wondering if it's possible with neoprene or if you just have to leave it as it is. Did it last well?
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