Making scales? Bright Silver Scales, How?

[MarkF]

So many people know a whole lot more than me. Somebody's gotta know, how do you make silver scales?
There's this one picture of Mermaid Melissa in a silver tail "actually a couple". It's almost chrome.
I've seen lots of silicone molded tails with molded in scales and the PearlieMae's molded individual scales. The h20 / Mako method using individually glued on plastic scales. Did they just spray paint silver? Does that last?
I love the PearlieMae Scales, so you just spray them? All that work it's gotta last.

23059

[Raayvhen]

Pearlie mixed the pigment into her silicone.

[MarkF]

Thanks Raayvhen, how can I do Silver? Do they have a silver pigment? I couldn't find it in the forum or web. I'm not sure Silver would work as a pigment. Does it?

[Raayvhen]

http://www.amazon.com/Jacquard-Pearl-Ex-Pigment-Silver/dp/B000AP54B0
You just have to play with ratios to find what appeals to you.

[PearlieMae]

Pearl ex had bright silver and antique silver, and while they are definitely silver, they don't have that chrome brightness. Try adding a bit of micro pearl, it makes any color really shiny!

[MarkF]

Thanks Raayvhen, PearlieMae, I like the idea of mixing it into the silicone. It seems like it would be a whole lot more durable.
This is what we are talking about, right- Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments I love your scales PearlieMae of course they are beautiful but that they can move naturally. It just adds that much more magic!

P.S. I design and prototype and build stuff for a living and seldom something for myself but nothing remotely like this. Before Mernetwork, I've never met so many creative people in my whole life-

[PearlieMae]

I would love to design and prototype for a living! A bucket list/dream job would be to work at Jim Henson's Creature Shop!

All my art education, lifetime of crafting, and a family of artists and inventors, I feel it's all been leading up to this!

[MarkF]

PearlieMae, you could handle it.

[Mahi Mermaid]

Did you mix in the pigments in your silicone to get the colors in your tail pearlie mae? Yours is stunning :) And Mark, Createx has chrome/metallic colors I wonder if the metallic silver was used for this tail?

[Mermaid Wesley]

I do know (from a secret source ;) )that any metallic pigments will make your tail get harder faster than other pigments because of the ingredients, but we're talking years down the road.

[MarkF]

Krystal- Ooooh, chrome! "A must have" I think I'm going to make some groupings for a color test. Definitely going to try the silver and the chrome.
Wesley- I like the PearlieMae scales for the movement and if they harden it will be even better. It's more like, will the glue give out or the scales dry and rip off. "Hopefully years later or until the second tail pops-up.

[Aquarianne]

I would love to design and prototype for a living! A bucket list/dream job would be to work at Jim Henson's Creature Shop!

All my art education, lifetime of crafting, and a family of artists and inventors, I feel it's all been leading up to this!

If you'd like to try out for season 2 of the Jim Henson Creature tv show, I can put you in touch with the casting agency that casts for it! The top prize is an apprenticeship with the Creature Shop. I tried out for season one...got all the way to the final round, but didn't make it on. I suspect you would, because you have much more experience than I do!! :D

I'd like to try pearl ex mixed into regular paints for my latex tail. Big q: i know mixing metallic paints into latex is a NO because the metal bits will cause friction and heat, but why is it safe to put them on TOP of the latex? Wouldn't that also rub against it? or am I nuts? I dont want to ruin my new latex tail by painting it with jacquard metallics! D: