Jessica's Third Dragonskin Tail: Predator [Archive]

Jessica

01-01-2014, 07:20 PM

Hi everyone! I've been hard at work on my latest project :) This tail is completely different than my first two tails, and I'm very excited to be working on it!

This is tail is for Alice and is a predator tail.....scary, spiny and with an awesome design that's sure to scare away all the fish! This design is going to be a challenge...it will have ankle fins, hip fins, a dorsal and a new custom fluke ;) I'm beyond excited!

Here is Alice's original design: (a few modifications have been made...ankle fins instead of calf fins, and a little change in the fluke design)

jazz2453

01-01-2014, 07:45 PM

This is going to be super cool! Can't wait !

Mizuko

01-01-2014, 07:50 PM

Oh, I cannot wait to see the process of this one! :D Its going to be amazing!!

Jessica

01-01-2014, 08:15 PM

Thanks! Here's a few pictures....I made the new fluke mold right before Christmas (I'm still cleaning it out!) and these are the ankle fins:

Mermaid Julz

01-01-2014, 09:33 PM

Wow...Jessica, you just never stop....way to go on starting your third tail!

Aino Revontuletar

01-01-2014, 10:18 PM

Wow I love the jagged edges on the fluke! It is going to look incredible!

Blondie

01-01-2014, 11:05 PM

THis looks so edgy! I'm already excited to see it underwater.

Jessica

01-01-2014, 11:15 PM

Wow...Jessica, you just never stop....way to go on starting your third tail!

I stopped for about three days after finishing Eva's tail....I was climbing the walls! My boyfriend told me I needed to start another tail ;) I like to stay busy and I'm having so much fun! I'm planning my next tail for myself too :)

Thanks blondie and aino! We're going for ripped/just got in a fight/scary mermaid edges :) I can't wait to see it in silicone :)

Alice

01-02-2014, 12:13 AM

I'm super stoked about this <3

Mermaid Adriel

01-02-2014, 07:06 AM

I can't wait to see the final result! I'm sure it will be another masterpiece :D

Have you ever thought about opening a tailmaking company?

mermaidm

01-02-2014, 07:24 PM

So exciting! I love following your tail making stuff, its so inspiring!

Mermaid Esther

01-04-2014, 12:13 AM

I have been waiting sooo long for this thread I found you were busy because you didn't answer my emails

Merman Arion

01-04-2014, 02:33 AM

Wow! This looks great so far!
I predict a lot of cool things from this tail! :D

Alice

01-04-2014, 10:43 AM

Im just so happy that People Like my design :3

Mermaid Oshun

01-04-2014, 11:05 AM

Jessica this fluke looks a lot like your other fluke but with some tattering going on the edges. Did you have to sculpt it again to add the tattering or were you able to find a shortcut to make that modification on the fluke?
I want to add some fork streaks on my Merdiva Basic but would hate to have to sculpt the whole thing over just to do that. Any ideas?
I had thought of pressing clay in its fiberglass mold, flipping it out and then enhancing it and making a 2nd mold of the improvements.

Alice

01-04-2014, 11:20 AM

Jessica

01-04-2014, 12:32 PM

I can't wait to see the final result! I'm sure it will be another masterpiece :D

Have you ever thought about opening a tailmaking company?

Hi claudia!
I love tailmaking and right now I'm just taking it one tail at a time! I might open a tailmaking business one day :) I'm so excited about Alice's tail because it's so different than anything I've done. My tail and Eva's tail are so girly....I love how challenging this is going to be with all the extra fins and awesome design :)

Alice,

this design is so awesome! Who wouldn't love it?! ;)

esther, its been so hectic here! I sent you a pm :)

thanks mermaidm and arion!

Golden pearl,

This is a totally new fluke. It does look similar to Eva's fluke, but if you look closely you will see that Eva's fluke has a lot of delicate, thin, wavy ridges and this one has thick, sharp ridges. Also, the tattered edge is very different! It's hard to tell in the pictures, but the tattered edge on Eva's tail is very delicate and the cuts don't go very high...maybe about an inch? Alice's fluke has cuts that range from 1-4 inches. They are much more defined and angular....I really wanted to make it look like alice got in a fight and had to fight for her life!

I'm not sure the best way to modify your fluke sculpture......maybe you should call smoothon. I think a really good release agent might work to get melted clay back out of your mold so you could modify it but other than that, I'm not sure what else could work. Good luck! I hope you find a solution!

I'm still working on sculpting the hip fins and dorsal! It's been slow going though...my clay is as hard as a rock! I've been using a blow dryer to heat it up, but it cools so fast....my heat pump has completely died and my house is freezing! I'm getting a new one installed Tuesday, but it's supposed to be about 5 degrees Monday night! :(

Mermaid Oshun

01-04-2014, 01:49 PM

try to stay warm. Its cold here too. Thank God for a fireplace to help the heat some. I want to move where it is warm!

Jessica

01-04-2014, 02:02 PM

try to stay warm. Its cold here too. Thank God for a fireplace to help the heat some. I want to move where it is warm!

I grew up in Florida so living here is torture! I'm going to borrow a kerosene heater from my mom. Hopefully it will help a little! I really want to finish getting the fluke mold cleaned out, but the clay is like a brick! :)

deepblue

01-04-2014, 03:53 PM

I love this fluke design. I haven't been a fan so far of a lot of side fin, but I'm really loving what the sketches look like. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Mermaid Adriel

01-04-2014, 04:31 PM

Hi claudia!
I love tailmaking and right now I'm just taking it one tail at a time! I might open a tailmaking business one day :) I'm so excited about Alice's tail because it's so different than anything I've done. My tail and Eva's tail are so girly....I love how challenging this is going to be with all the extra fins and awesome design :)

Those tails are amazing, but it's good learning something new :)

MermaidStormy

01-05-2014, 05:33 AM

Can't wait to see the end result exciting :D

Jessica

01-07-2014, 05:24 PM

Updates coming soon! I promise! I have heat again (who would have ever thought I would be this excited about a new heat pump!) so I'm getting back to sculpting! :)

Mermaid Oshun

01-07-2014, 05:27 PM

its too cold up north for me. Im moving South!

deepblue

01-07-2014, 06:42 PM

Thanks! Here's a few pictures....I made the new fluke mold right before Christmas (I'm still cleaning it out!) and these are the ankle fins:

This is so nice. It looks a lot like what I've been envisioning for my own tail, which is based on my predatory race of mers I'm writing about. But I haven't even reached the sketching it out stage. I look forward to the outcome!

Jessica

01-09-2014, 10:51 PM

its too cold up north for me. Im moving South!

I can see the headlines now..."cold snap leads to mass migration of mermaids" :)

deepblue,
Thanks! :) I'm really into the idea that mermaids could be predatory. Considering the way humans eat anything that moves, it just makes sense! Have you posted any of your writing yet? I'd love to read it!

Here's the dorsal all cut out and ready for sculpting! Its a good size...23" total length (only 16" attach to the body) and 8" wide at the widest spine/ridge. I might make a tail one day using these as hip fins or down the sides of the lower leg...

sorry for the fuzzy picture! My iPad doesn't have a flash :

Mermaid Esther

01-09-2014, 11:42 PM

lol

Jessica

01-20-2014, 05:53 PM

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of updates on this tail! I've been hard at work though and things are moving along well!
I went back and added more detail to the ankle fins and I just finished pouring the molds for the dorsal and ankle fins :) I have just one more mold to go...the hip fin! :)

the detail on the fins is very irregular and I think it suits the predator theme pretty well! :) I can't wait for these molds to dry! :)

pictures! Sorry the one of the dorsal is so fuzzy! It was taken inside and without a flash!

Mermaid Kelda

01-21-2014, 06:05 PM

Augh it's so awesome! This'd be great with a black & UV colour scheme, too!

LaNyah

01-21-2014, 06:16 PM

Really very great work. Such rough/tough beautiful details.

Mermaid Dottie

01-21-2014, 06:21 PM

Hohoboy, Jess! You have no idea how close this design is to the tail Hubby and I designed together for him. Keep it up!

Jessica

01-21-2014, 06:32 PM

Thanks you guys! I'm excited about how different this tail is! The rough details were so much fun to do :) I used the handle of a butter knife and literally just attacked the sculpture! ;) I was smoothing the fins (which is frustrating when you're working with hard clay!) and I just thought that it seemed wrong....I wanted to make the fins look like they had been through a lot of fights! Smooth extra fins just looked too perfect....

i have my work cut out for me cleaning out all of these molds! I'm dying to pour some silicone in them and see how they turn out! :)

dottie,

this predator style would be awesome for a merman!! You're so lucky...my boyfriend won't even consider putting on a tail! I would love to see your design sometime if you ever want to show it! :)

Mizuko

01-21-2014, 06:35 PM

I love seeing what you create, Jessica! :D So awesome!

Aziara

01-22-2014, 10:04 AM

dottie,

this predator style would be awesome for a merman!! You're so lucky...my boyfriend won't even consider putting on a tail! I would love to see your design sometime if you ever want to show it! :)
Yeah, I think my man would rather drown than wear a tail, lol. And he has perfect (almost negative!) buoyancy, I get so jealous.
I'm loving the rough texture on the fluke! It looks so awesome. Can't wait to see this in silicone!

Mermaid Kelda

01-22-2014, 05:54 PM

I feel you, my boyfriend sinks straight down in the water. It's not fair!

Seatan

01-22-2014, 06:02 PM

A tail fit for the mer of this world...

17679

*Celine*

01-22-2014, 06:03 PM

This looks awesome so far!!! I'm anxious to see the end result and love love love the details!!!

Mermaid Julz

01-22-2014, 06:23 PM

Jessica, every time I come and see what your working on you astound me. I am so happy how you are doing with this. Seems you might of found you new calling!

Jessica

01-22-2014, 06:48 PM

Seavanna,

that's perfect! :) that's the effect I'm going for! ;)

thanks so much everyone for all the support! It's so nice to have such a supportive community to share things with!

Julz,
I'm happier than I've ever been! :) it's really fulfilling to create again.....and I'm so excited and just bursting with new ideas! ;)

I'm working on cleaning molds! It's a lot of work, but things are looking good! Alice is sending me her measurements soon so I'll start pouring scales after I finish all the color tests!!!

Mermaid Danielle

01-22-2014, 06:56 PM

This looks incredible!

PearlieMae

01-22-2014, 07:44 PM

How did I miss this? This is wonderful! I love it!

Mermaid Dottie

01-22-2014, 08:37 PM

Jessica

01-23-2014, 11:06 PM

Cleaning out the ankle fin mold! I'm getting ready to attack it with a toothbrush to get all the teeny bits out! (Thanks to auntie pearlie mae for the tip! ;))

Jessica

01-31-2014, 10:06 PM

Working on an ankle fin :) the yellow is too pale here...I'm painting the silicone on in thin layers so the colors don't run together

PearlieMae

01-31-2014, 10:22 PM

That's cool!

Ilyena

01-31-2014, 10:23 PM

O_O....looking epic already. Love the fin shape, agree with the yellow bit though, but it's only the underneath. :D

Jessica

01-31-2014, 10:27 PM

Thanks pearlie and Ilyena :)

the yellow will be much more yellow soon! It's paper thin right now so it's way too pale! The colors here are silc pig from smooth on. I normally use pearl ex, but they didn't have the yellow and red I needed for this design.

MermaidStormy

01-31-2014, 11:31 PM

Looking gorgeous dear <3

Ilyena

01-31-2014, 11:40 PM

I'm sure you'd get the right yellow, from what I have read on this site is yellow is a funny colour to use >_<. Annoying pearl ex didn't have the colours you wanted

MermaidBrandie

02-01-2014, 12:18 AM

Can't wait to see this finished!

Trident True

02-01-2014, 06:28 AM

OH my, Ive been absent for 2 months and ive came back to all this Creativity. It looks fab it really does. I remember seeing this design on here. she is one lucky woman. :)

Aziara

02-01-2014, 08:20 AM

This is gonna be one scary looking fish! Love it!

Alice

02-08-2014, 09:41 AM

18313

New ref for Mermaid ginger

Eyes are Full black when Deep sea Iris is full black when on the surface
Webbed ears
Dreadlocks or long hair in Orange,black,or brown
Humanoid predatory teeth
Barncles on her right side and right shoulder
All fins are tattered
1 dorsal 2 hip fins and 2 heel fins

Jessica

02-08-2014, 03:07 PM

^^ I love it!!

Here's a peek at an ankle fin! It still needs to be trimmed :)

PearlieMae

02-08-2014, 04:53 PM

Ooh! Danger fish!

Ashton

02-09-2014, 03:50 AM

Have you ever thought of putting the silicone in piping bags (like they do with chocolate) and piping different colors in small steaks?
Its just an idea, you would def. need a helping hand for this [good things boyfriends double as assistants]

MermaidBrandie

02-09-2014, 09:49 AM

Ashton

02-09-2014, 07:19 PM

I think in theory it would work if you worked quickly and had an assistant/helper. If anything I think I'll test it out when my silicone comes :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jessica

02-09-2014, 07:22 PM

You would have to work quickly, but its doable! I just use a small paintbrush....silicone is very runny so if you put it on too thick, it will just run all over your mold! :)

jazz2453

02-09-2014, 08:17 PM

Ashton, I've been thinking of that for awhile and I decided to buy plastic bottles to put them in and test it out! Jessica, this looks great!

PearlieMae

02-09-2014, 08:27 PM

I use plastic squeeze bottles for making my individual scales and it works really well for small projects. Piping bags and cake decorating tips will work, but you end up with a good blob of potentially wasted silicone in the tip of the bag. You just can't squeeze out that last bit.

But I also use the slow set silicone. If you chill it once you mix it, it will slow the cure time. However, if you are trying to get a specific effect over a large area, painting the silicone with a brush is probably a better way to do it.

Ashton

02-09-2014, 08:50 PM

oh plastic squeeze bottles are a good idea.

Alice

02-14-2014, 02:40 AM

oh plastic squeeze bottles are a good idea.Sorry this is off topic Ashley we need to hang some time since your a local

Ashton

02-14-2014, 12:37 PM

malinghi

02-14-2014, 02:58 PM

Sorry this is off topic Ashley we need to hang some time since your a local
I assume you mean me. And sure! Lets hang out, if you want I believe that SoCal mermaid pod is doing a get together next weekend at the Long Beach Aquarium.

I just realized that there is an event page on Facebook in the California Merfolk Pod group, but I didn't make a thread for this here. Alice, you should totally come! And if you're not in the Facebook group let me know and I can add you.

Thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7335-SoCal-Meetup-at-the-Aquarium-of-the-Pacific-February-21st
Event page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/192858360924335/

Jessica

03-04-2014, 06:21 PM

So sorry for the lack of updates!! It's been beyond hectic the past few weeks, but I've been hard at work!

I tried the icing bag method (using a ziploc) and it works great for filling in ridges with tinted silicone! I use Q-tips to easily clean up any mistakes

Here are a few pics! I just started painting today so it isn't finished yet. The fluke mold is by far the most perfect one I've made and I really love how tattered the edge of this fluke is! It's going to be awful to match up, but it love it anyway ;) I put the predator mold next to the Eva mold for comparison...they're similar but in the pic you can see the differences

Jessica

03-04-2014, 06:23 PM

Here's the updated fluke sketch:

teeth4u

03-04-2014, 06:29 PM

THIS IS AMAZING!!! :jawdrop:

Alice

03-04-2014, 06:45 PM

omg they are perfect

Aperture_Platypus

03-04-2014, 07:00 PM

This is simply incredible!

Jessica

03-04-2014, 07:03 PM

omg they are perfect

I'm so glad you like it! It's so exciting to see it all coming together, and I can't wait to see it in the water!!

Eva,
thanks!! ;)

more pictures coming soon!

PearlieMae

03-04-2014, 07:31 PM

You are too freaking good at this! Wonderful work! No wonder you've been so busy, you are busy making waves in the tailmaker world! Can't wait for more!

Delphine

03-04-2014, 07:46 PM

Sweet! The "predator" idea for a mer is cool. Yay, more dragon skin tails! <3

Mermaid Dottie

03-04-2014, 10:42 PM

I'm excited to see this happen. :D

Sent from my C6916 using Tapatalk

Nicoseamus

03-04-2014, 11:06 PM

This looks super great! I love how the silicone is a solid color all the way through, it's smart protection against chipping! :)

Mermaid Clara

03-04-2014, 11:47 PM

that is turning out AMAZING! you are so talented, Jessica!!!
hope my tail(s) turn out a good as yours do

Mermaid Ellowyn

03-04-2014, 11:55 PM

That looks fantastic! I can't wait to see it underwater.

Ashton

03-05-2014, 12:15 AM

It kinda reminds me of the German flag.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Echidna

03-05-2014, 12:25 AM

pretty cool design.
yay for more predator mers!

Azurin Luna

03-05-2014, 01:34 AM

Wow! Love the colors and the shape of the fluke :D nice and firery

Starfrit

03-05-2014, 02:31 AM

I am so in love with this! The design, the colors, the way everything's turning out... Simply gorgeous! <3<3<3 That tail's going to look so stunning underwater!

Mizuko

03-05-2014, 06:37 PM

This is AMAZING Jessica! :D :D

Shaylee Moon

03-05-2014, 06:57 PM

Oh wow! It looks amazing! *O*

Alice

03-07-2014, 09:04 PM

i cant wait O:

Aziara

04-30-2014, 05:11 PM

How far along is the construction now? I think this tail is so amazingly bad*ss.

Mertara

05-06-2014, 10:19 AM

I'm a HUGE Predator fan!! I can't wait to see this finished! What a fantastic inspiration!!

Morticia Mermaid

05-06-2014, 01:45 PM

Gotta say, the fluke is awesome. And I love how the ridges aren't shiny :)

Sent by star fish

Jessica

08-15-2014, 09:49 PM

Quick update--this tail is very close to completion. All the fins are made and basically all that's left is putting it all together! It's been incredibly hectic lately and I've been awful about keeping this updated but I promise pics are coming soon! I'm really in love with all the extra fins on this tail--they've been a challenge but I'm really happy with how they turned out!