Another newbie silicone tail - Paisley

[LaNyah]

A lifelong dream is finally in the works!

At first I couldn't decide what colors to go with but on a vacation to Thailand I saw the Rainbow Parrot Fish and fell in love.

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This is a better example of the colors I saw:

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So, here is the plan:
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[MerEmma]

Very gorgeous design! Mermaid Varshana (spelling? can't recall at this moment) had a neoprene tail made like the parrotfish.

[jazz2453]

I LOVE that everyone is making silicone mermaid tails now. They are soo much fun XD Good luck with all and a Parrotfish will come out beautiful! The design looks great!

[LaNyah]

Thank you. :)

I decided to make custom scales and here is how it's going:

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5778-Non-circle-scales&p=101110#post101110

I made a test mold with a few of them, then cast it to test out the silicone:
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[jazz2453]

Looks GREAT!

[Mer_Adella]

i'm curious how does one go aobut and make the custom scales? i think i see clay in the back ground. my problem is i dont understand how you get the positive into the clay to make a negative in the plaster

[Jessica]

Beautiful scale shape!

adella, you sculpt a scale (or several)out of clay, them pour shell shock or another mold material on top of the clay scale. When you pull the clay scale out, you have a mold for a scale. You can then put more clay inside the mold to make more identical clay scales for your scale sheet, or pour silicone in the mold and have a silicone scale (like above)
Hope that helps :)

[Mer_Adella]

It kind of does. I just never knew how these talented ladies and men made positives with clay and lots of them!

[PearlieMae]

Wonderful! I love how it's coming along!

[LaNyah]

Because the clay is more rigid, I used a platinum silicone for the mold. (Rebound 40 from Sooth-on) That way the mold would flex to release the clay copies. Didn't need mold release for these at all. They just popped out.

The clay is Monster-makers brand. Once I had the mold I used a small crock pot to melt the clay into a liquid, then I poured it into the mold. Easy - tedious and repetitious!, but easy at that point.

As for making the original, I made a shape on paper to guide the size. I then made the clay into a thin sheet - like you would roll out dough. then... just experimented with how I wanted it to look - flat part, lines, bumps, etc. - until I got a look I liked. Repeated that part of the process for a couple more sizes.

[LaNyah]

Couldn't really work with the chemicals in the recent ice storm in TX, so I started sculpting some fins. Trying to mimic the shape of the Merfin fluke.
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[carmelasmith]

Really loved its rainbow colours, you have been to lucky see it

[LaNyah]

Well, haven't had the opportunity to update in a while so I thought I'd catch it up.

I made a full scale sheet:
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I poured the mold using Shell Shock, but I ran out! So I tried to then use resin to make up the difference. It didn't work out great. I also used petroleum jelly to hold the scales down. It worked, but I used too much. lol It took some time to clean it all out:
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I sculpted my fluke:
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I made a duct tape double and a fabric pattern:
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I had no trouble with the scale sheet, so it is now all seamed up. (what a pain!!!)
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The seams are more toward the back:
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Now it's ready to paint. Going to paint the fluke first. (off the monofin since it's the rubber merfin)
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Lessons learned so far:
-make the scales thinner
-use less vasoline
-make certain to have enough product on hand
-give the resin FAR more time to set - 24/48 hours. (despite the fact that the can says 2 hours. )
-when using the pins to make seems, don't push them all the way down if there is any chance of contact with wet silicone.

[Ilyena]

Ohh...looks so awesome, I love the scales. Great job :D

[Nicoseamus]

It looks so awesome already! I love reading about people making their own tails, it's so creative. :)

[Rogue Siren]

I'm in love with those scales! <3

[Mermaid Oshun]

I am so thoroughly impressed with your tail. It is beautiful Paisley777!

[Mermaid Dottie]

Looking Beautiful, Girly!

[LaNyah]

Thank you guys! Now for color.... :rainbow:...:gah:

[Fifi Tigg]

Wow what a great job! Can't wait to see it finished :D

[PearlieMae]

This is so great! I LOVE your scale shape!!!

[Mermaid_Dominique]

You scales are really unique, nice work!

[LaNyah]

Thank you!

I'll add more pics soon. Had to resculpt and recast the fluke, so got a bit delayed. :(

[LaNyah]

Update:

I have been busy both in life and mer-creation life. lol

Mostly I have been learning to paint, making some mistakes, and having some success (I think).


Here is the nearly fully painted tail. *Since I have a rubber monofin I am painting the tail in sections. That's why the fluke isn't attached*

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My fluke mold became warped because I didn't let it cure long enough. So I made a new fluke sculpt:
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I am left with a debate: should I leave the tail painted as is or tip the scales in pink like the original pic and the real fish? :confused:

Thoughts?

[Kishiko]

Do the pink tips! I think it'll add that perfect splash of detail color!(:

[teeth4u]

Wow! I love the scale shape and color of this tail! You've done an amazing job, can't wait to see more :)

[PearlieMae]

That's beautiful! I love it! I think tipping the scales would be perfect! But then again, I have about half a pound of glitter in my tail! I think pink or gold would be stunning, but so would a pale green! :)

[MerEmma]

Wow! It looks great. :D

[shimmygoddess]

love it...love the scales and the color...the pink tips would be pretty,but it looks gorgeous as is too

[Shaylee Moon]

oh wow! Its looking absolutely great! I absolutely love those scales too!

[shimmygoddess]

what paint did you use? and did you mix it with the silicone? I just finished painting my neoprene tail, but I want to attempt a silicone one this year and still dont have a full grasp of the process

[Shaylee Moon]

How much has making a tail costed so far, if you don't mind me asking? Because Seeing all of these people making tails is making me want to give it a go but money is definitely an issue

[LaNyah]

Shimmygoddess (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?640-shimmygoddess) - I used the PearlEx pigments. They really go a looong way! Yes, I mixed them into the silicone then I used a $16 spray gun (not the little art airbrush) to paint.

Shaylee Moon - If I had not made mistakes, it would have been about $1200 (payed more for extra clay to make all those scales. Would have been less with foam circles). More like $1400 cause I had to buy more silicone. Good news is, I have lots of extra silicone now for a second tail!


Check youtube as well as this forum. You will learn so much - including the mistakes I made. :/

[Shaylee Moon]

Ah well okay. I just look at some of the threads here, I think I might get my dad to help me make one once I have more money~

[lynsea]

WOW, the craftsmanship on this tail (especially for a newbie) is fantastic!

[Mermaid Ellowyn]

Beautiful, Paisley! I think the pink tips would give it a perfect something extra :)

[LaNyah]

Wow! Thank you guys for the compliments.


I guess I'll be adding those pink tips. :D

[Fifi Tigg]

OMG! That is amazing! We have another talented tail maker on our hands :mermaid kiss:

[LaNyah]

Hello all

Been a looong time. I was in the process of getting ready for the end of school (I'm a teacher), a breakup, moving apartments, moving states, moving to Thailand for a few months, and... oh yeah!... finishing the tail.

I really loved doing this and can't wait to start the next one when I return to the US in October.

So, here are a few pics of the painting in progress, finished but languishing in the desert, and frolicking in Thailand.

Not sure how to add video or I would.

[jazz2453]

Neat! The scales with the scale tipping remind me of Finfolk tails! :)

[Mermaid Galene]

I love this tail; such vibrant pastels! I agree, pink tips!

[PearlieMae]

Awesome work! The pink tipping really gives it depth!

[Raayvhen]

So you're going to become a new tailmaker right? That is such a gorgeous first attempt. I'm seriously blown away.

[LaNyah]

Yes, I'd certainly love to be a tailmaker. I have been a professional costumer for for more than 25 years. This was the first opportunity I've had to learn this medium. The creative options are really inspiring!

[Ariel-Starfish]

wow those scales look really cool! :) I'm couring silicone atm on my tail part :D

[teeth4u]

Wow, this is amazing! You did a great job!

[MerEmma]

I love the second photo! You should be so proud of yourself--the tail looks amazing :D

[Mermaid Meko]

Your scales are super beautiful lady!

[Mizuko]

wow what a beautiful tail! :D I love the colours!

[AnnaAbyss]

So pretty! *-*

[Mermaid Meko]

Gorgeous !

[Mermaid Sam]

I have a hard time believing that is your first attempt. That tail is amazing!! You definitely could make money selling them.