Merman Marinus SLOW Extended Tail Project

If I could make money on Patience I would be a millionaire by now. Patience is just one quality one needs in order to do most things in life. the longer one takes on a item or how much time you put into the piece will determine the overall result.

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Originally Posted by Trident True

If I could make money on Patience I would be a millionaire by now. Patience is just one quality one needs in order to do most things in life. the longer one takes on a item or how much time you put into the piece will determine the overall result.

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I couldn't have said it better myself! [emoji1434]


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It's looking fantastic. [emoji178][emoji178][emoji178]


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Originally Posted by Marinus Mortimer

Today i finally got to sit down and work on doing some detail work on my biggest size of scales ive gotta say im happy with the result
Here is a picture of my first one,
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9718b71bba.jpg

And heres the reference picture [emoji7]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a1b87f5778.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bdbe9cfdd3.jpg



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I love those scales very fan like. :clap::highfive:

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Originally Posted by Hydra1337

The fact that you can sculpt that well is impressive let alone the fact that you have enough patience to do it, IMO.

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Ditto

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Thanks guys!
So I started to place them in side the mold circle lol I'll fit as many as I can and mold them wish me luck!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f79279fe9e.jpg


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I like the texture of you scales.

Not that the mold shape matters much but it's refreshing to see one that's not rectangular.

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Originally Posted by Hydra1337

Not that the mold shape matters much but it's refreshing to see one that's not rectangular.

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I know right i was going to say i was making my mold box but that didn't fit lmao [emoji23] im glad i picked that up on my way home when i did!

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Originally Posted by Ashton

I like the texture of you scales.

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Thanks alot, its such a tedious process but it pays off in the end, especially when your as obsessed with small details like i am!


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I probably mentioned this before I will be doing the lateral line on my mermaid tail so to do that I have to sculpt the dot on the scale which when you stack them up in line becomes a lateral line already drew out on paper where I'm going to place the line obviously on the side but there's like a shape to it so depending on the fish it kind of shifts so once everything is cast the whole scale placement will be based on this line

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...19a349d9a9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1b52a817d5.jpg


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Picture update.

The lateral line scales are the ones in the middle, i gotta say i love the individuality of these scales! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3eb5d3ed7c.jpg


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Looking good.

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Originally Posted by Marinus Mortimer

Picture update.

The lateral line scales are the ones in the middle, i gotta say i love the individuality of these scales! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3eb5d3ed7c.jpg


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I absolutely love how they are coming along. It makes me wish that I had made wider scales.


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Im glad you guys like them as much as i do [emoji7]


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For some reason I feel like the wider scales will look more realistic and cohesive :thinks: that's really cool. I'm excited to see the finished product. :)

Those scales are incredible...

A little bit of advice on working with plaster:

Make sure you don't mix the plaster too thinly, otherwise it'll break a lot more easily.

You should have roughly two parts plaster powder to one part water. Add the water first, then sprinkle the plaster over the surface. It'll sink as it goes. Stop when you get islands of plaster starting to form and give it a quick mix. Then do the same again.

Use your hand to mix it and work all the lumps out (preferably with a glove - I'll openly admit I don't bother with one, but that's not recommended...)

You want the mixture to be noticeably thicker than water. Not too thick to pour, though. A bit like pouring cream.

Give the tub or bucket a good hard tapping to encourage the air bubbles out before pouring.

Pour it relatively slowly, again to help with air bubbles.

If you can, you want to tap the mould to get the air bubbles out after filling it. You don't want to risk collapsing the clay walls, though!

And I would definitely embed some form of cloth over the surface before it sets, as that will really help strengthen it.

The colder the water, the longer the working time before the plaster starts to set.

Then make sure you're very careful when you handle the finished product!

You can use wet/dry sandpaper to smooth over any rough bits (use it wet).

If you need to fill in any holes, cracks, etc. mix up a small amount of plaster as before. Use warm water to speed up the setting. As it starts to set and becomes more like a thin buttery consistency, use a palette knife or the like to work it into the cracks, and then wet your finger and smooth over it.

With all of this, I would strongly recommend having a practice on a small test fin first!!





Edited to add: another option to strengthen the cast would be to use plaster bandage. You can buy rolls of plaster bandage from craft stores.

Measure out strips of bandage to lay across the back of the cast, making them about three sheets thick. Cut enough to cover the back lengthways, and then a few strips to go across the width for added security.

When the cast itself is either partially or fully set, wet the bandage strips and smooth them across the surface.

If it's fully set, the bandages may peel off afterwards if you're not careful. If you're doing this while it's only partially set, just be careful not to press too hard and distort the shape of the cast underneath!

I hope at least some of that helps!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by LouLouBelle

Those scales are incredible...

A little bit of advice on working with plaster:

Make sure you don't mix the plaster too thinly, otherwise it'll break a lot more easily.

You should have roughly two parts plaster powder to one part water. Add the water first, then sprinkle the plaster over the surface. It'll sink as it goes. Stop when you get islands of plaster starting to form and give it a quick mix. Then do the same again.

Use your hand to mix it and work all the lumps out (preferably with a glove - I'll openly admit I don't bother with one, but that's not recommended...)

You want the mixture to be noticeably thicker than water. Not too thick to pour, though. A bit like pouring cream.

Give the tub or bucket a good hard tapping to encourage the air bubbles out before pouring.

Pour it relatively slowly, again to help with air bubbles.

If you can, you want to tap the mould to get the air bubbles out after filling it. You don't want to risk collapsing the clay walls, though!

And I would definitely embed some form of cloth over the surface before it sets, as that will really help strengthen it.

The colder the water, the longer the working time before the plaster starts to set.

Then make sure you're very careful when you handle the finished product!

You can use wet/dry sandpaper to smooth over any rough bits (use it wet).

If you need to fill in any holes, cracks, etc. mix up a small amount of plaster as before. Use warm water to speed up the setting. As it starts to set and becomes more like a thin buttery consistency, use a palette knife or the like to work it into the cracks, and then wet your finger and smooth over it.

With all of this, I would strongly recommend having a practice on a small test fin first!!





Edited to add: another option to strengthen the cast would be to use plaster bandage. You can buy rolls of plaster bandage from craft stores.

Measure out strips of bandage to lay across the back of the cast, making them about three sheets thick. Cut enough to cover the back lengthways, and then a few strips to go across the width for added security.

When the cast itself is either partially or fully set, wet the bandage strips and smooth them across the surface.

If it's fully set, the bandages may peel off afterwards if you're not careful. If you're doing this while it's only partially set, just be careful not to press too hard and distort the shape of the cast underneath!

I hope at least some of that helps!

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thanks so much that was very helpful I'll get the cloths

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by LouLouBelle

Those scales are incredible...

A little bit of advice on working with plaster:

Make sure you don't mix the plaster too thinly, otherwise it'll break a lot more easily.

You should have roughly two parts plaster powder to one part water. Add the water first, then sprinkle the plaster over the surface. It'll sink as it goes. Stop when you get islands of plaster starting to form and give it a quick mix. Then do the same again.

Use your hand to mix it and work all the lumps out (preferably with a glove - I'll openly admit I don't bother with one, but that's not recommended...)

You want the mixture to be noticeably thicker than water. Not too thick to pour, though. A bit like pouring cream.

Give the tub or bucket a good hard tapping to encourage the air bubbles out before pouring.

Pour it relatively slowly, again to help with air bubbles.

If you can, you want to tap the mould to get the air bubbles out after filling it. You don't want to risk collapsing the clay walls, though!

And I would definitely embed some form of cloth over the surface before it sets, as that will really help strengthen it.

The colder the water, the longer the working time before the plaster starts to set.

Then make sure you're very careful when you handle the finished product!

You can use wet/dry sandpaper to smooth over any rough bits (use it wet).

If you need to fill in any holes, cracks, etc. mix up a small amount of plaster as before. Use warm water to speed up the setting. As it starts to set and becomes more like a thin buttery consistency, use a palette knife or the like to work it into the cracks, and then wet your finger and smooth over it.

With all of this, I would strongly recommend having a practice on a small test fin first!!





Edited to add: another option to strengthen the cast would be to use plaster bandage. You can buy rolls of plaster bandage from craft stores.

Measure out strips of bandage to lay across the back of the cast, making them about three sheets thick. Cut enough to cover the back lengthways, and then a few strips to go across the width for added security.

When the cast itself is either partially or fully set, wet the bandage strips and smooth them across the surface.

If it's fully set, the bandages may peel off afterwards if you're not careful. If you're doing this while it's only partially set, just be careful not to press too hard and distort the shape of the cast underneath!

I hope at least some of that helps!

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Wow this would've been helpful months ago! Great advice Lou!

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Wow that scale sheet is going to look so gorgeous!!!!


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Originally Posted by Shaylee Moon

Wow that scale sheet is going to look so gorgeous!!!!


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Heyy Bonbon great to see u here! But no it wont be a scale sheet i just placed them together to see how they look but the tail will be with individual scales.


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