Starting a second more realistic tail.

[Raayvhen]

So I'm itching to make a more realistic tail, full silicone this time. Hopefully using the individual scale method. I've been playing around with a longer fluke idea lately for a more floppy fluke with a more powerful monofin. Any suggestions on a more affordable fin that offers decent propulsion?

[PearlieMae]

Excellent! Good luck! :)

[Raayvhen]

I'm pretty sure I've read your thread four times in the past few days.

Sent by Jellyfish

[Seatan]

I will tell you this just from my experience with the FinFolk long fluke, floppiness make it really hard to lift over your head and slap on the water. It also makes you more likely to strike the pool floor with it while swimming--but I think it's worth it for the flowing beauty of it! :) I really like your design--just make sure you take those into account. I remember when Cara got the first Loreena fluke she was a little shocked by the extra weight of the fluke coming (sort of) far below the monofin--but obviously she overcame that quickly and looked gorgeous!

[Mermaid Saoirse]

Definitely following this! I enjoyed watching the progress of your first neoprene tail.
Good luck, I'm rooting for you!

[Mermaid Akiko]

Hi Raayvhen! I noticed in you last thread that you used GE Silicone Caulk on your tail to seal it, have you noticed any chlorine wear/yellowing on it? Thank you, and good luck with your new tail! Huge flukes are gr8

[Raayvhen]

Wow its been a long time! I guess life just gets in the way really easily.
I've got a new fluke sketch that I love even more. I'll be posting it soon. I also have a color scheme. I did use a merbellas template but that's because it was just easier to get the coloring down. I'm not the best at sketching...

Anyways, its going to be white with gold, pink, and black accents. The white will be mixed with interference pigments and the gold will be metallic.

26589

[Seraphina Suds]

That's so pretty!

[Raayvhen]

Thanks! There's just something about white tails that really gets me. Also, mixing the white into my scale sheet means I'll just have to paint the pink, gold, and black.

[Mermaid Wesley]

make sure you get enough pigment in there! you dont want to have see through problems

[Raayvhen]

So I just ordered my foil. I'm going to go buy scale sheet materials today as well.

Also, fluke design.
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[Raayvhen]

Okay. So. Here's what I need for my tail:

Silicone. Obviously. To be priced later.
Finis Foil ✓ (Tax&Shipping brought it to $62.62
Cardboard. ✓ (Free! We have so much laying around!
Clay. Air Dry. $8.99 ($4.50 with coupon) for 2.2 lbs. I'm assuming I'll need around 10-15 pounds. Who knows, I could need a LOT more.
Pearl Ex pigment, Pearl White. $6.83 x2 on Amazon, Sparkle Gold. $6.58, Salmon Pink. $6.19, Carbon Black. $6.62
Pearl Ex Interference Blue ✓ (Already have)
Gloss spray paint $4

Will finish this list later. I'm procrastinating on schoolwork.

[Yulia]

That fluke design.
http://black-celebration.net/1/fungifs/tumblr_l2mh1eYxMI1qaqps8o1_500.gif

[Raayvhen]

Thank you! I was doodling in class yesterday and it just happened. I really can't wait to get started. I do really want the tips to be long though.

[Yulia]

Just when you thought that all flukes hade been made, someone makes something completely new.
Your color design is cool too, it reminds me of some kind of deepsea creature.

[Mermaid Ellowyn]

Wow, that fluke design is super gorgeous and I love your color scheme! Also, thank you for pricing this out as well, it gives me a ballpark idea of what I will need myself :) Really appreciate that! I can't wait to see this come together.

[SIF]

You never answered Akiko about the GE silicon... I am planning on using GE's tube silicon for my new project. Does it Yellow or wear with the chlorine?

[Raayvhen]

Mine hasn't yet.

[Raayvhen]

My foil is being delivered today and I'll be testing it on Tuesday after my class, since I can swim on campus for free.

I did not go out and buy my clay yesterday, I'll be doing that today on my way to work.

[Raayvhen]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/15/87061c20d4da1fbca9f5d576e6567b05.jpg
Its so flexible....http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/15/8aca3b43182e3e914a43bd53b7b48618.jpg

[Raayvhen]

The footpockets are the perfect length, and much more comfortable than my merfin, however its a bit narrow. I'll see how it feels when swimming and then potentially cut some holes on the sides of the footpockets. You can see where my bones are pushing the sides.

[Seraphina Suds]

I love my foil but it cuts into my toes something terrible. Let us know if you end up cutting it and how that works out. I wanted to cut/shave my foot pockets but never got around to it.

[MermaidBrandie]

I'm debating using a foil in the silicone tail I eventually make but I'm not sure about the way the feet set, you'll have to let us know! Makes for such pretty floppy flukes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Raayvhen]

I made my decision after seeing Mega Rapidash in action.

As far as the positioning of the feet I'm slightly pigeon toed so having them pointed inwards is really comfortable.

[MermaidBrandie]

That's what made me think of it too haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Raayvhen]

So finally getting off my butt and starting this... http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/09/a4f5d221ae65025d13fb42c635b2102b.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/09/463f5b58264bf663b2a4aae566040aed.jpg

[Echidna]

Good luck with this project!
I don't know of anyone who has a primarily white silicone tail yet.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Meridian's tail is totally white. Its stunning in pictures! good luck.

[Raayvhen]

Fluke clay, foam, and a circle cutter have been purchased.

[Raayvhen]

So the circle cutter didn't work.

I broke down and bought all five packs of the precut foam circles that Michaels had. I have plans for the football shapes too.

http://www.michaels.com/creatology-foam-stickers-sports-balls/10350194.html

These ones...

[OceanWhisper]

How's this going? I saw this thread ages ago and have wondered if you've done anymore? :) if you have, can we see pictures please? :sad eyes: