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View Full Version : Everyone, I need your assistance!



lewismassey
05-13-2014, 03:28 PM
Hi everyone,

I am an art student and plan on making a H2O/Mako Mermaids style tail... But where I am quite creative; this will be my first ever tail, and I plan on making the tail out of silicone, but I have my own method. Yet I still do not know when this will happen, or be complete as I am turning 16 on 30th May 2014. So, I have to save! :(

Basically here is my ideal method:

- Making a plaster cast of my legs, in two pieces... The front and the back obviously.

- I will be making my extended monofin out of a lexan, or nylon sheet, and cutting using finis zoomers, using the infamous method :) the monofin will be extended because of the cut, it will be a long shape then flare for the fluke shape.

- I then plan on creating a fibreglass cast of my legs by painting a few thin layers of fibreglass resin into the plaster mould

- Then on a wooden board or cardboard or something else... I plan on creating, COMPLETELY OUT OF LOADS AND LOADS OF MONSTER CLAY... A complete sculpt over my fibreglass body, and it will be to the exact measurements of my monofin making the clay quite thick to give the appearance of a thicker tail without using foam... Then do the same for the other half of my fibreglass cast, and leaving the clay with strips round the side for the seaming process.

- Plaster cast one half, then probably reuse that clay if all goes well. Then pour the cast with silicone, or before plaster casting the clay I could remove it from the fibreglass therefore getting a more accurate bend and thickness of the cast because if I plaster overt the fibreglass and sculpt the cast will be too deep to fill with silicone...

- Then seam the two parts and airbrush with the monofin inside, although I am aware that the tail will be heavy, I am an extremely strong swimmer, and have been using monofins for the past four years, and using fins for the past 10 years :)

Please can anyone give me some guidance and help? Or any other method? Or should I stick to the easier way for my first attempt at a tail?

Lewis ;)

PearlieMae
05-13-2014, 03:41 PM
FIRST: Read through the tailmaking threads on this forum. You'll find answers to many, if not most, of your questions there.

Good luck!

AniaR
05-13-2014, 05:21 PM
what Pearlie said. Every scrap of info we have is already neatly organized, you're not likely to find anything new by asking (though it doesn't hurt). Also, places like smoothon where people buy the silicone from, have amazing tutorials and videos and forums and even workshops you should check out.

sashiyoop
05-13-2014, 06:18 PM
Clam, this seems like a really daunting project! I wish you good luck in conquering it, and yeah, what they said. ^

Sent from my shellphone using Tapatalk 2

Keiris
05-13-2014, 09:02 PM
Good Luck to you, Lewis! Sounds like you have a plan which is half the battle. Hope you post pics as it will be interesting to see your process come to fruition. :cool:

lewismassey
05-14-2014, 11:22 AM
Thank you everyone!!!!!!!!! Since I've been a member, I have checked every tutorial and I know all about the different types of silicone tail making methods, I just like to be different! :lol:

Cant believe I've already had the two of the most famous mermaids comment on my thread! :jawdrop: Raina and Pearlie Mae! Very grateful for your advice, and I look forward to receiving everyones assistance when my project starts!

I shall keep you posted when the project comes to a start :)

PearlieMae
05-14-2014, 08:31 PM
I look forward to watching your progress!