Non-circle scales

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Originally Posted by Theobromine

The Finfolk scales are indeed individually sculpted from clay. They do actually vary in size, it's just hard to see in that photo. There are actually four different scale sizes that get bigger as they go up the tail. I have progress pics of the clay scales the girls sent me when they were making my tail, but I don't know if they'd want me to post them without asking first. Anyway, what I assume they did (what I would do if I had the space to make my own tail) is to mold one scale out of clay, then create a mold of it (a negative) that you could then push more clay into to make an identical scale much more quickly. That way, you can make a bunch of clay scales and lay them down into a big scale sheet. You can make a few different sizes and have four or five individual scale molds so you can vary the sizes as you go up the tail.

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I agree. My engineering brain set to work on this and had come up with the same basic idea... hand make one or a few, then mold them.

I couldn't tell if they were different sizes, as I was looking on my tiny phone.

I like the idea of sculpting the entire tail...it might take a lot more time and effort, but I would have my dream tail

Hey I know it's been a while, but I was looking for different kinds of possible scale designs and I came across this, just scroll down and look on the side. I think the "Nautical" shell one looks nice, and then at the very bottom there are "Mums" and they come in different sizes. Mums one might look strange, but just a thought :) I hope your tailing progress is going well!

http://www.michaels.com/Silicone-Mol...astewartcrafts

Actually, I followed the link before reading your post and I also thought the mums might look interesting. :D
If you do try it, let us know how it looks.

I would love tear drop shaped scales :drool: *sigh*

You can mold/cast anything!!!!

OK, well theory has become reality.

I originally wrote while I was still in Korea and only planning this. Now I am in the US and started.

I'll post pics in stages.

First I sculpted a single scale in three sizes. Here is one:

Attachment 16255

Then I made a mold of of it:
Attachment 16256

Made a few copies and then made a mold of several:
Attachment 16257

And then I melted my clay, made copies en mass, and started laying them out. (these are the small size scales):
Attachment 16258

Maybe I should start a new thread as this progresses. :)

THESE ARE WONDERFUL! :jawdrop:

I love them, I really do. I was going to go with an arawona shaped scale pattern, but decided to go with a textured wide oval.

I have some photos over on my tailmaking thread.

So unique! This will look wonderful!

They use foam circles and they have to make a scale board. Then they use shell shock, then pour silicone.