Amy's Dragon skin tail..nervous beginings!

[Mermaid Leira]

So I now have nearly all the bits and pieces to start my Dragon skin tail, dragon skin ordered, scale board for sheet made, studio det up, pearl ex on it's way, tons of resin and glass matting purchased, mountains of foam, clay to pick up on the weekend, dozens of tests done with the materials I got in trial size, and I have dedicated a room in my house to the production of all things mermaid. Starting a thread to keep myself on track!

I'm going in with the attitude that the creative process always goes as follows:

1. This sucks!
2. I am terrible at this
3. hhhhm maybe This isn't so bad
4. actually I mught be ok at this
5. This is freeking awesome!

Wish me luck! Pics of progress to follow!

:)

[ShyMer]

Good luck! I look forward to seeing your progress!

[TattedMerman]

good luck hun

[Mermaid Galene]

It's an adventure!

[Drake]

lots of luck, Amy... very looking forward to watching the progress

[Mermaid Adriel]

Good luck Amy! I'll follow it :)

[MarkF]

Just see the steps in your mind and you can do it.

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks everyone :)

[Mermaid Leira]

So My Hydra finally arrived :) Yay! Was going to use my Mahina. But decided otherwise due to the rubber and thick sides I didn't care for in a silicone tail, here's my studio I have set up with some of my tail and accessory making gear I have accumulated over the past few months and some little scale tests I have been doing J24632 246332463424635
24632

[Mermaid Leira]

This is my new scale sheet method for those who have been painstakingly cutting out circles, try tracing your scale shape onto foam sheets and cutting around the lower half of the shape and then cut this into strips, saves heaps of time cutting and sticking and theres no risk of undercuts and little hole in the sheet as you can leave a bit of extra space between rows. I've tried tests with this in foam and with resin & dragon skin and it works a treat : ) I'm goind to have gradient scale small at bottom getting larger, cut a few rows at lunch today, using this method, you could knock a whole sheet over in an evening if you were keen 24636

[Harpress]

Great to see an aussie Mermaid at work!
Can I ask if you are getting your silicon from the supplier in Adelaide or from somewhere else? It's very expensive here! Whoa
Can't wait to see the finished masterpiece! :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Harpess I got my smooth on stuff sent from Adelaide http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Liquid-Silicone-Rubber-Compound-Smooth-On-Dragon-Skin-10-Medium-Trial-Kit-/291056462749 bought in trial kits, have 5 not sure how much I will need as yet, monster clay and a few other things I ordered from Barnes, they are very helpful and shipping is free wohoo! http://www.barnes.com.au/

[Harpress]

Oh great :) Thanks Amy!

I could possibly attempt to make a shell bra to see if me and this moulding/silicone process are friends before getting too ambitious with an entire tail haha.

On your shelf you have little boxes with a yellow triangle on them.. What is that Amy? Is it a product?

[Mermaid Leira]

That's the Smooth on Dragon Skin 10 Medium silicone :)

[Harpress]

Ah gotchya :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Postman has lost my Pearl Ex :( But in the meantime I have gor out my monster clay to play with, it's much easier to use than I had predicted made a cute little fin for practice in a couple of minute, wondering if anyone has used lino cutting tools (like tiny chissles with a chanel in the blade ) to carve the clay, to get rid of those little "chocolate curls" of clay? Also have drawn about a hundred different sketches for the fluke but I think ill use my basic outline and freehand the rest, it's hard to translate from a 2D drawing to a 3D sculture and have it look the same. getting excited!

[Harpress]

Go Amy! This certainly is exciting! Looking forward to following the progress of your masterpiece :)

[Mermaid Leira]

24772 little fin practice :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Harpress, feeling much more confident about the sculting now :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Rough sketch of final fluke idea

[Mermaid Leira]

24775

[Mermaid Leira]

Little mini scult I made at lunchtime 24776 Thoughts? I might make a mini tail while I'm waiting on a few things for my tail

[Mermaid Leira]

Had inspiration from the fighting fish and my tattoo's with the feathery edges, the color scheme I will use is based on one of my favourite marine fish, the Lunar (or moon) Wrasse :) 24778 24779 the main color with be pearlecent teal green and have blue, purple highlights and stripes and a yellow highlight in the fluke 24780

[MarkF]

That is so cool.

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Mark, :) I think I've settleted on this basic design, will be easier to get better detail in the full sized sculpt!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

That's incredibly amazing *.*
I'm sure your tail will be a beauty!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Kassandra:)

[Mermaid Melanie]

beautiful mini fluke sculpt ! x

[Azurin Luna]

Looks nice, good luck with the full-scale fluke :D

[Harpress]

Eeeeeee!!! It's Beyond Beautiful!!! and I adore Fighter Fish too Amy :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Melanie, Harpress and Azurin , Melanie, good luck finishing off your tail, your fluke is beautiful! I'll be watching you progress x

[Mermaid Joie]

I love your fluke design! I have had several Beta(fighter) fish in my childhood. Would your color scheme look kind of like this maybe? Sorry I don't know how to make the image appear.


http://l.yimg.com/lo/api/res/1.2/cFvejMO2WlE5AusYWtlP7g--/YXBwaWQ9eWlzZWFyY2g7Zmk9Zml0O2dlPTAwNjYwMDtncz0wME EzMDA7aD0zNzQ7dz01MDA-/http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3431/3790680285_60c0a15f8c_z.jpg.cf.jpg

[PearlieMae]

Wow! So many posts, how did I miss this until now???

You've got a great start, Amy! I am excited about following your progress! Good luck!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Joie, I'm using a lunar wrasse as my color inspiration, I'll color a scetch and post today, that color scheme of the fighter is is just magic though! I'd love to see if if you used those greens and reds!

Thanks pearlie,! and if you didn't mind I had a question? since I'm sure you have done more research and tests than anyone, I know you use a single scale method, but when tail makers se a traditional scale sheet method, do they pigment the silicone matt white to gove a good base to pick up color and make the pigments vibrant? It looks like it from some inside and edge pics of tails but I' not sure ta

[PearlieMae]

Hmmm...I couldn't say, but dragonskin is a milky white to begin with. I would imagine adding a nice scoop of Micro Pearl Pearl Ex into your dragonskin will give it a luminous base to start on. Pearl white is nice but can be swirly, but micro pearl is really bright.

Scale sheet makers want to weigh in on this?

[Mermaid Wesley]

i would pigment it the color of your primary color in case of scraping. ;)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Pearlie :) I might send Firemaid a message, her tails in particular look done this way, and the colors are fantastic, thanks Wesley, I hadn't taken that into considderation! :) x

[Mermaid Lorelei]

If you don't pigment your silicone scale sheet, it will come out a base creamy white color. It's slightly translucent, but not see through.

[Mermaid Leira]

Yeah my tests came out milky clear this just made me think some start with a matt white base

[Mermaid Leira]

24785 24786

[Harpress]

What's your mold cast made from Amy? It looks incredibly neat. So tidy! :) And it looks soft..

I once seen a vid of a finfolk tail before being painted. Whilst the fluke was the plain translucent silicon, the scale silicon was pigmented a skin colour.
I tried to find the vid' but had no luck and I can't remember where I seen it.. It was definitely a finfolk tail though with a loreena Fluke.

You're flying through this like a pro Amy I have to say ;)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Harpress, I'll check it out, :) Do you mean the mini fluke sculpt? or the scales? I must reiterate that last two pics ARE NOT mine I was showing what I meant by a white silicone pigment, they are the Sirenalia crew in action, I still have losts of foam to cut!

[Harpress]

The scale mold you're spreading your silicon into looks sort of gummy.. and is so very neat and clean cut.
I just know this tail is going to be extraordinary! You might get orders hmm? :)

[Harpress]

Oh sorry.. I didn't read your message in full.. I thought they were your pics haha
Now I look silly.
Anyways, whoever that was.. Her scale mold looked to be made from a gummy type material.

[Mermaid Leira]

Not at all, just didn't want anyone reading this from the end this I was ripping off a tailmakers pics, people can get sensitive about stuff like that :) That is Firemaid she has this company, https://www.facebook.com/#!/Sirenalia
their work is beautiful, her mold looks to be made of fibreglass resin (hard and light resin platic) :) I'm using the same thing for mine you can get Diggers resin and the catayst at Bunnings :)

[Harpress]

Ah ok.
I just had a look. They're tails are lovely! I'd never heard nor seen their tails before. Thanks Amy :)

[-Annwyn-]

Bah! I just realised you're another Victorian, Amy! :) :) :) Hi hi hi! *Waves*

[Mermaid Leira]

Hi Annwyn, where abouts are you? Yay Victorian mers! Love to join a meet up one day :) x

[Mermaid Melanie]

Have you started the foam scales yet ? I did foam and I missed out a key step - ease release, but I found the clay de-molds so much easier - if you have enough id recommend doing clay scales - ill for sure do that next time ! Im just getting back to painting mine its the best part :P can't wait to see how yours turns out ! :D

[Mermaid Leira]

Yeah I'm about one third done, think I'll stick to foam, hoping I don't f up and forget the release lol what release were you going to use? I used vasiline on my small scale tests but want something else for my big sheet :) good luck seaming and sandwiching! X

[Trident True]

this looks good. love your fluke design one of a kind. i also get my silicone from the same seller on eBay :) all i need to do now is get my ass into gear and get mine done. deff be watching this thread... another Aussie Mer :cool:

[Merman Jamie]

Hope all goes well for you Amy in your tail construction

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks guys, thought I'd share my design, it will have some heel fins and maybe side fins too, it's colors are based on one of my favourite marine fish the Lunar (or moon) wrasse :) The green will be a touch more teal than in my drawing and the scales tipped with purple 25050 25051

[MarkF]

I'm again surprised with so many tail variations, you've created another beautiful version.

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Mark :) already have so many ideas for more, must stay concentracted on getting this one done!

[Merman Jamie]

Awesome design.

Should be a beautiful tail once its finished

[Mermaid Wesley]

Wow that's a GREAT design. Quality use of color and patten.


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[Harpress]

Agh, This tail is going to be extraordinary Amy! :) The design already is. Can only imagine what how gorgeous it will be as it comes to life!

Can I ask where you ordered your hydra mono fin from? I'm having trouble finding where to buy a mono fin in oz :(

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Jamie,Wesley and Harpress, :) mine came from Spain I think, came in less than a week, around $140 inc postage , I have a mahina that came from Byron bay :) I've 1/3 done my foam scale sheet but need more clay for my fluke and was considering doing it all in clay? Any advice anyone? It will cost me less than ordering pre cut circles and it takes soooo long to cut sheets and I have so little time :-/

[Mermaid Leira]

http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-clear-flow/31962/p

http://www.mahinamermaid.com/shop/merfins.html

[Harpress]

Thanks Amy! I appreciate the help :)

In regards to your scale sheet.. If you think it will cost less and be easier to sculpt in clay, I'd likely be leaning toward doing a clay sheet.

What's your hesitation Amy with going ahead with all clay?

Do you have pro's and cons for both?

:)

[Harpress]

Just as a weigh up.. You know.. and to help figure and nut out which one would be the better option for you.

[Mermaid Leira]

Hopefully my clay comes tomorrow, might take the afternoon off and smash out the sheet, clay should work great, just had half committed to foam, clay might be best in the long run just needed more materials and time :) all a learning proves, nature of the beast , I'll get there eventually :) thank you

[Merlia]

May I ask what kind of clay you ordered/use?
You used monster makers for the miniature fluke, didn't you?

Argh, it's very hard to find sulphur free clay or monster makers clay in Germany -.-:cry:

Where did you purchase your clay? :confused:

By the way, I love your fluke design and your tails color scheme, its so unique!

[Mermaid Leira]

Monster makers :) I'm in Aus buying from here from a company called Barnes, used nearly a tub on my fluke sculpt ( need to smooth and ad detail ) should get my other today I hope! And thank you!

[Harpress]

Somehow I do think it will be worth the extra time to pump out the clay sheet Amy. You're really good at sculpting and for most that doesn't come easy :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Got my extra clay in the post, I think I'll do is the clay sculpt way. Smoothed my fluke sculpt last night and started to add detail. I make the veins by rolling long sauges of clay then slicing them down the middle to make them flat on the bottom, I'll work on it more today and heat the bottom and underside of my add ons and blend them in so they are more organic looking before I add in the detail :)


Smoothing the clay was quick and easy using a hair dryer once I figured out how much heat and pressure to use with my thumb (I have a monster blister though!) I'm still unsure how the little flamy bits on the sides of the fluke will turn out? 25264 though!) 2526025263

[Harpress]

Ouchy wow wow Amy.. That blister!

It's all looking wonderful :)

I think the flame flicks look awesome!

[Merlia]

Oh my f***** gosh that flukes awesome!
I love it!

[PearlieMae]

Killer blister! Damn, girl!

I used a small glass cabachon (blob). like the decorative glass they use in flower vases to smooth my clay. Heck, in a pinch, you could use the back of a spoon!

Your fluke looks AWESOME!

[MarkF]

Amy I'm with the others, your consistency is great. I think it's unique also can't wait to see how it's silicone version comes out.
As for the thumb- that's icky!

[teeth4u]

This is really awesome! I can't wait to see more :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks everyone and thanks Pearlie, tried with tool but found it easier to be able to feel the clay, blister doesn't hurt just look awful lol it's warm here to so I'll finish my sculpt and practice clay scale and make something out of them for my secret Santa :)

[Mermaid Leira]

have smoothed the veins on my fluke and added more detail, cutting the veins at the top to accomodate intergrated scaled to join up to the tail body2547625477

[Mermaid Leira]

I have been playing around with peal ex and pigments, and scale shapes, not using this one for my tail but might make my first comission Ariel tail using this shape, will use my test piece to make an arm band. I smeard on some dry pigment with my fingertips to get a strong base color and see how this pattern (have washed it off now) and was planning on painting over a redone version of this dry pigment ideawith the thinned silicone and pigments to encapsulate it 2547925480

[Mermaid Wesley]

Looks great!


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[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Wesley, can't wait to knock off today and get home to work on my sculpt and full scale sheet!

[Merman Jamie]

Its coming along nicely Amy.

[PearlieMae]

Beautiful! I love your stylized scales!

You don't really need to thin the silicone to top coat it, but I have found that sometimes you can have a problem with the topcoat not adhering to the scales where you've drybrushed pigment on. I've had some scales separate because the sealing coat doesn't have anything to stick to, the Pearl Ex acts as a release. Just use the powders sparingly, and don't drybrush the edges to give the top coat something to grab on to. :)

[Mermaid Melanie]

looking awesome Amy ! :D them scales are beautiful ! and the fluke looks gorgeous doing great ! can't wait to see how it comes out !

[Ilyena]

That fluke!!!!! O_O :D

[Harpress]

Fabulous!

[Seatan]

Your fluke is gorgeous!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Ilyene, Jamie, Seavanna and Harpress :)
Melanie, I can't wait to see yours, it's going to be amazing! :)
Thanks Pealie, you have saved me test time, makes perfect sense! Sooooo many tests to do, it really is the time consuming part!
These are some inspiration I've used to make the scales for this tail, going to use a darker base color and highlight the scale cetres and scale tip some in purple to match the pattern of the wrasse
2549925500 2550125502

[Merman Jamie]

Very nice work there Amy.

Cant wait to see the finished product.

[Drake]

beautiful, Amy.... can I have just a pinch of your artistic talent? :hail:

[PearlieMae]

Gorgeous!

[Mermaid Melanie]

Wish I had sculpted my scales ! Ah well its an excuse to make another tail :P oh also if you have left over silicone when doing your tests you can use it to make little silicone accessories like shells and the like by pushing shells/ objects direct into the clay and then pouring the silicone ( best to pigment before pouring cuz painting things that are small will probs lose you details. )- I've made a bunch of really cute shell pendants just with the excess silicone I scraped out the cup ! While doing this I got some beautiful individual scales and it made me want to make a pearlie method tail lol

[Trident True]

Amy, your work is simply amazing, really it is, for someone that has never attempted something like this before. you deff got it down pat. I know, I know, its all of the inspiration and guides from others that have made your art look fantastic. I could't imagine what this would look like if Most of us didn't have the pro's and cons for making tails. knowledge is power my friend. and I speak for everyone and thank everyone for all of the ideas and hints and tips that we all put out there, if it wasn't for this then perhaps non of us would be sculpting like da vinci (https://www.google.com.au/search?espv=2&biw=1536&bih=746&q=da+vinci&spell=1&sa=X&ei=MtBxVILfPMTQmwXr34CwBg&ved=0CBkQvwUoAA) . I love your fluke sooo Unique. i look forward to watching your thread. I'm so excited :)

[Nyx]

Oh that is beeeaaauutiful!

[Merlia]

Gorgeous

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks so much everyone! I hope it turns out well, so much work! Sorry for the delay in reply, I've been chipping away at cutting and sculpting all my scales, here's where I am at today, these are just layed out for sizing not set out and sealed together properly as yet. I need a few more hundred, about 4hrs work I reckon, I'm getting quicker! 25742 25743 Not sure quite how big to make the sheet as I want to be able to use it to make tails for other people too. Things to do: 1. Finish scale sheet, 2. resin cast fluke and scale shee 3. Demold, clean and let off gas, 4. Make body dummy 5. Pour silicone, 6. Paint, 7. sandwich fluke 8. seam and finish off woweee!

[Mermaid Leira]

scales are the size of a wine bottletop they are really hard to take a good pic of in clay :) 25745

[Trident True]

hmmmm looking good, so basically the scales are done individually then placed in sequence or did you roll out the sheet first then start sculpting the scales. looks good btw, you can see the detail and dedication in your work.

[Mermaid Melanie]

Scales look awesome Amy ! Must have been a lot of work ! can't wait to see them in silicone, your doing a great job ! :D x

[Merman Jamie]

Its coming along nicely and looking real good.

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks guys :) and thanks so much Melanie! Did you have any trouble with your cast getting under your scale sheet? I might try on a test piece sealing the scales with vinyl spray paint I've hear that helps de molding :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Yes Trident True, individually then placed in sequence like foam would be :)

[Fifi Tigg]

Love those scales, beautiful :D xx

[PearlieMae]

This is going to be stunning! I can't wait to see it!!!

[Mermaid Lyra]

Just read thru.. Looks amazing so far! Love your color design!! keep it up!! Im currently sculpting my scales too!!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Pearlie and Alice, good luck for your too! Have been on hols and am needing some more clay to get into it again :) hoping to finish it over the chrissy new year period

[JamesGunnels]

Little mini scult I made at lunchtime 24776 Thoughts? I might make a mini tail while I'm waiting on a few things for my tail

Holy freakin hell that's awesome!

[JamesGunnels]

have smoothed the veins on my fluke and added more detail, cutting the veins at the top to accomodate intergrated scaled to join up to the tail body2547625477

What kind of material did you use to lay out the clay of the fluke mold?

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you :) I heated the clay in the microwave to make it pliable (careful heating moster makers, the middle melts first and can get super hot!) and rolled it out with a rolling pin and cut of the excess around my template :) Clay sculting tools are cheap and easy to use to add detail and different textures

[Mahi Mermaid]

Looking great! Have you started molding your fluke yet? I'm just starting with sculpting mine from monster makers clay--putting wax paper over my design, but wondered what the next step is? What do you cover the clay with to make sure the mold releases?(are you using fiberglass, etc?) would love to know! Thanks

[Mermaid Leira]

Yes :) , just need to do a layer of fibreglass matting on the back and it's de-mold and de-gas before pouring :) I used Diggers fibreglass resin, it is runny though, I've since read on a special FX forum car bog can be used to thicken the mix and spreat it more than pour it, this would help with undercuts and overspill getting under the mold etc, I'm thinking of trying polyurethane resin (dries like like a squishy rubber) for the scale sheet, see how the fluke turns out when I demold I guess! 26345

[Mermaid Leira]

What is the wax paper for? I didn't use a release, the oils from the clay should act as it's own, but used vasiline on my mold board around the endges to make sure I can de-mold without cracking it :) Good luck with the sculpt! I really enjoyed that part

[Mermaid Leira]

So It was super hot one day here (41 degrees celcious) between my layers of firbeglassing my fluke mold and it apprears the clay inside has melted fast to my board underneath in the middle gah! the edges are free and as I only have a could of layers on the back of my matting im worried I'll snap it trying to demold, fuck! Any advice from anyone who has had this issue? I'm thinking heat gun and a long metal ruler or heat gun and have the board suspended so the weight of the mold pulls itself away?? Thanks in advance! :)

[Elle]

metal ruler and a heat gun. You could try pouring some boiling water over the ruler so it helps with the separating.

This may have been why wax paper was suggested? Don't know.
I used contact (book covering) when I did my moulds but it reacted funny with the resin and have little bubbles all over it. When I get round to making my fluke mould I'm going to try using cling wrap to go underneath

[Mermaid Leira]

aaah Thank you, I was thinking Mahi meant over the top! Definately using polyurethane resin for the scale sheet, this mold has bit me twice! super sharp on edges! I was so worries about stopping the resin sticking to the board (and it didn't ) that I didn't thing about the clay, ehat a duffa, I'll post once it's de-molded, any tips on the best way to clean out clay like should I hake it cold to try to pull out in once piece of softer so it doen't tear?

[Elle]

if you're wanting to reuse the clay as it is....honestly I wouldn't know. Most people seem to heat it so they can just pour it out - but you do end up losing some of the clay all up.

[Mermaid Leira]

Nah not how it is, I'll use the scraps for sculpt if it's in good condition, just trying to cut down on mold cleaning time but figuring out a way to peal as much out in a piece at possible :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Going t use a hair dryer and thick fishing line :)

[Elle]

best of luck! :D

[Mermaid Leira]

Ta! Got it off, now to heat up the clay with a hair dryers and clean my mold :)

[Mermaid Leira]

It took an hour to clean out most of the clay, wasn't as hard as I thought, another hour using a stiff scrubbing brusha cloth and some solvent and I should done, 26532anyone have a recomendation for off-gas time for a mold this size when using fibre glass resin? Also I'm not sure what base color to tint my silicone, because my fluke mold includes the start of the scales I want it to be consistant with the scale sheet, would the colors I have work ok when painted on later if I used a light teal base color with some white pigment? :)26531 Also anyone have scale sheet mold material recomendations other than shell shock or resin? Han anyone done a sheet with Urethane? or can recomend one that won't inhibbit the cure of the Drgon skin and has a thick viscosity?

[Mermaid Wesley]

I think urethane is a great option that you should try for sure. :)


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[Mermaid Leira]

I think i'll do it, resin is sharp, brittle and and super smelly, I'm going to email smooth on and get their thoughts :) How is your tail project going Wesley?

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Amy, let your mould degas for a week, that was what was recommended to me by my smooth on distributor :) I know it's hard to be patient for that long!
All of it is looking amazing so far :)


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[Mermaid Leira]

It's been 5 days and the smell has gone so I did a test patch, still need to finish wipping out mold with alcohol but it worked fine :) 26583 appologies for the shit photo quality 26584

[Mermaid Leira]

There's a slightly better shot of the trial piece up close the final will be much thicker and with pith the clay mold residue of course

[Elle]

they look awesome. Very excited for you

[Merman Jamie]

Awesome Amy.

[Mermaid Leira]

271542715527156 Played with some pigemnet on a test patch of scales, Ive ordered the right clolor now the puple will be more magenta and I will on tip some scales in a sort of stripe formation down the sides just like the wrasse has.

Airbrush came today yay! Can't wait to play with that, Urethane and more pigment on their way, all scales sculpted sooo many 27153

[Mermaid Alea]

I love the scales and the purple edge!

[MerQueen Nerissa]

Your scales look amazing! I can already tell your tail is going to be stunning. :)

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[PearlieMae]

Wow! Great work!

[Mermaid Momo]

Looking good!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Guys : ) I purchased a few thick bean bag style pool noodles today too to wedge into stockings and put my body form around to support it- if any aussie mers neew any they are half price at $10- each from Clark Rubber and you only need couple

[Mermaid Leira]

sort of like these but thicker and come with the beans- http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pool-Noodle-Bean-Bag-7-Dia-BLUE-Bean-Bag-Swimming-Pool-Deluxe-Noodle-Shell-/321032279100

[Merman Jamie]

coming along very well Amy

[Ashton]

Looking good!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks everyone! Got my air brushes and compressor in the post, now to se it up,
first side of fluke silicone is curing as we speak and scale sheet is sealed and ready to make a mold from tomorrow yay!
Casting from it in a few days after off gassing- I'm usings builders / car bog mixed with diggers resin, my tests came out brilliant.
I might have it ready to take to the Phillipines!

[AnnaAbyss]

Wow this is so exciting and freaking awesome! Also YAY, another Victorian mermaid!!! :swoon: :eyepop:
I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna make my own silicone tail because the process is so confusing. >^<

[Mermaid Leira]

Yay! where are you from Anna?

[Mermaid Leira]

27360 yay first side worked awse :) this is all much less daunting than anticipated :)

[Merman Jamie]

Nice Amy. Progressing well

[Atlantisblue]

Looks great :)

[Dreadful Mermaids]

Amazing. I love how the casting came out. Can't wait to see the fluke all put together. Cringing with excitement. I'm saving to make my own silicone tail. Haven't gotten a monofin yet though. Any suggestions?

[Mermaid Leira]

27495 27496 Can't wait to cast my scale sheet tomorrow yee! getting close, put a couple of test patches up on my body form so you get the gist :) very happy with ,my fluke cast, it line up perfectly :)

[Mermaid Leira]

I'm using a Hydra, first tail I have made so I'll let you know how it goes :)

[Mermaid Alea]

Great progress!

[Elle]

can't wait to see all your scales

[Dancing Fish]

Omg that fluke is gorgeous!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to cast them! :) How is your project coming along Elle?

[Elle]

Slowly. We see to be having lots of rainy, windy weather so I can't go anything at the moment

[Little_Orca]

Looking good! :) Those scales are lovely!

[Mermaid Galene]

Wow, Amy, that fluke is beautiful! Looking forward to the rest of your build.

[AnnaAbyss]

Yay! where are you from Anna?

Aireys Inlet, which is along the Great Ocean Road. :3

[Dreadful Mermaids]

I hear great things about the hydra. Amy did you end up getting the hiflex easy flow 60? Or did you use something different to cast the scale mold?

[Ashton]

That looks great~!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks everyone :) Awesome Anna, only a couple of hours away (3.5 hrs drive ish) I actually ended up using a mix of fibre glass resin / cloth and builders bog, as my smooth on distributor advised againts the urethane, it worked bloody awesome, got the hot tip off a special FX forum, much less brittle and sharp than resin alone and cheap and I didn't even need a mold box! :)

[Dreadful Mermaids]

That's awesome. It's crazy cause my smooth on rep told me the same but there are ppl on here who have used it with no issues. I don't know. Lol glad you had a great turn out with the resin

[Mermaid Melanie]

WOW ! I havent been around really past few weeks and I just saw these updates ! LOVE your scales they are so pretty ! really excited to see how this turns out for you , great job ! xx

[Mermaid Leira]

oooo making progress! 276062760727608

[PearlieMae]

Your tail is coming along beautifully!

[Seraphina Suds]

Oh, how gorgeous!!

[Mahi Mermaid]

Looks so great Amy! And professional :) May I ask how your doing your seams?

[Elle]

looks great Amy, I'm excited to see what you do with the paint job

[OceanRose]

So extremely lovely!!

[AnnaAbyss]

Stunning!!!

[Mermaid Danielle]

This is so beautiful! I can't wait to see when it is finished!

[Ashton]

How has your progress been?

[JamesGunnels]

Dear lord! this is gorgeous!

[Merenneito Nerissa]

wowww...just.... wow

[malinghi]

Wow, it looks great!

[Mermaid Eliina]

So beautiful!

[Mermaid Wesley]

did you cut a competitor? How did that go?

[Elle]

Amy is using a hydra (I'm 95% sure)

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[Trident True]

she sure is.

[Mermaid Leira]

Yes a Hyra, cut is with a dremmel drill cutting wheel no probs, I'm still not finished, I was in Boracay for a couple of weeks and didn't finish it in time to go due to it being too big after seaming, it was a bastard to pull apart again. I could have rushed but after so long I fugured just finish it after I'm home, used a Phillipine mermaid school tail whilst I was away instead. Pics coming soon :)

[AnnaAbyss]

YAY!!! I'm really excited to see your finished tail!

[Mermaid Abalene]

how is the tail coming along?
:cool:

[Mermaid Leira]

Sorry for the long hiatus! Getting back into it today! Had a lot on the go and my poor tail took a back bench :) stay tuned! Xxx

[Mermanda]

Can't wait to see more progress! This is turning out really lovely!!

[Harpress]

I have not been on here for Soooo long!!
Your tail is looking amazing Amy!!! Can't wait to see more :-)

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[MermaidBrandie]

this is looking lovely! :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Ok so after a trying year and other responsibilities getting in the way I am finally ready to get back into the tail project- getting back into Mernetwork will keep me motivated - If anyone on here has experience with airbrushing layering colors etc- (I know the basics with the thinner / silicone / pigment) you advice is welcomed! I need to make a new body form and re-seam- puling the seam apart was heartbreaking and I shelved the whole thing for a while , now to completion!

[Keiris]

Good luck to you!

[PaolaMF]

hello, how the process of its tail? that technique you used to glue flap silicone to monofin? thanks

[Mermaid Keena]

Amy! this is a gorgeous tail!! I LOVE the moon wrasse too, just found it recently and thought it was gorgeous! Cannot wait to see how your tail turns out! Also I love that another Aussie Mer is making a silicone tail - its heaps easier for me to find the same products HAHAHA!! Just one question - what is builders bog?? <3 <3

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you! Beautiful fish! I didn't glue the mono fun to my hydra but I reinforced the fluke with power mesh ☺️😊 I have a trip coming and time to finish this back benched project had come, making a silicone tail for the first time can get all consuming! In the meantime I made a mini tail for my friends little girls doll ☺️☺️I'll post a pic

[Mermaid Leira]

36626 Mini Tail : )

[Mermaid Leira]

36627 Airbrush kept clogging on me so I had to start hand painting gah! Not happy with the first coat, some of the detail has been lost, I will clean the airbrush and try a thinner mix of silicone with the naptha ....so annoying!

[Luna Dreamtide]

The little doll tail is so cute and I love your fluke design.
Good luck with your airbrush.

[Mermaid Alaria]

I can't believe I missed this thread til now! Avidly following.Beautiful work Amy...