Jessica's Second Dragonskin Tail

[Mermaid Adriel]

I really love how it's coming out *.* very good job! <3

[Theobromine]

I just have to tell you this looks amaaaaaaaaziiinggggg

[Jessica]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see pictures of Eva in her tail. My goal is to finish the tail up this week and get it mailed to Eva by Monday/Tuesday.

I finished trimming the scales for this side and started painting the point/end where the body will attach to the fluke. The dark green still needs another layer, but this side will finished up tomorrow!

[MermaidMyrthe]

Omg Jessica! This tail is absolutely AMAZING!!!! Im so jealous of you! I think i will suck at making tails like these!

Good luck!
Kisses Mermaid Myrthe

[Mer_Adella]

Wow jessica, contgrats on having a whole mermaid pod following this thread lol. I appricaiate all the information that you have given me as far as how to go about making my own, as well as getting to watch your progress. it looks beautiful, eva's going to plotz!

[Jessica]

Thanks mermaidmyrthe and adella!

mermaid myrthe,

I'm sure you could make a beautiful tail! There are so many tutorials and threads on here to show you how silicone is tough to work with, but fabric tails are very easy and fun to make! I made several before I started working with silicone

I'm working on sealing the fluke together right now and I will start painting the other side of the tail today. I really love this fluke, but you would not believe how hard it was to get all these teeny cuts in the edge lined up right! I'm "babysitting" the fluke right now as it cures to make sure nothing is slipping!

Pictures coming later today

[PearlieMae]

Quick question...did you seal your fluke sculpt clay before making your mold?

[Jessica]

Quick question...did you seal your fluke sculpt clay before making your mold?

No. I used monster makers clay and it works just fine with shell shock. You don't even have to use a release agent (Mizuko didn't and her molds turned out great!) but it does make it easier to get the clay out if you do.

However, you do use release agent make sure you clean your mold thoroughly! If any is left in the mold, it can get on your silicone fluke and prevent silicone from bonding to your fluke. This is a real problem if you're going to paint!

I know you're using a different clay so you should do a test to see what works best! Are you trying to reuse your sculpture? I have to peel and scrape the clay out of my molds so the actual sculpture is totally ruined during the process.

Hope this helps!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks!

I poured a test with resin that is like Shell Shock (Smooth-On makes it under our label, so I don't know if the EXACT same resin) but I haven't pulled it off the clay yet. I won't be using a mold release, the clay is oily enough.

Naw, not going to reuse the original sculpture, the clay is way too soft for that.

Has anyone sculpted their original in paraffin, I wonder?

[Jessica]

Hi pearlie,

i dont think anyone has used parrafin before. Do you think it would melt before the shell shock captures the detail? Shell shock heats up so it could be an issue.

I finally finished assembling the fluke. I had to redo it a few times because of the ridges on the edge of the monofin. They were much more visible than I wanted and it took a few tries to get it right. I'm still working on fixing one side where the edge is more visible.

I also turned the tail inside out and reinforced the seams from the inside.

fluke pictures!

[Azurin Luna]

Looks very nice Keep up the good work

[PearlieMae]

Beautiful work! The fluke is wonderful!

Thanks, re paraffin. I will have to try it. I have paraffin, beeswax, and jeweler's wax. The resin I'm using heats up, too, but it sets its shape well before it gets hot enough to melt anything.

Off to the lab!

[Jadestone]

Ahhh it's beautiful!! I LOVE these colors I can't wait to see it fully assembled!

[Mizuko]

WOW! <3 seriously beautiful!

[Jessica]

Thanks azurin luna, Pearlie, jade and Mizuko! I'm so excited to finish this tail!

pearlie, let me know how the paraffin works!

I've been painting the back side of the tail and things are coming along well.

the colors are still light and need another layer at least:

[Mermaid Cecelia]

Oh my goodness! Jessica, that tail is gorgeous! Eva is one lucky mer!

[Kae]

It"s beautiful!

I thought of using wax myself but haven't tried it yet, I'm very interested to know if it does!

[mermaidCrae]

if you start your own business you should send each tail with a little sea horse the shade of thier tail like merbella does with thier tails

[Jessica]

if you start your own business you should send each tail with a little sea horse the shade of thier tail like merbella does with thier tails

^ such a cute idea! I love it!

Thanks cecelia and Kae!

I've been painting again today and the back side is almost done! I'm also getting ready to attach the body to the fluke. Things are finally coming together! More pictures coming soon

thanks so much for all of your support! You all inspire and motivate me!

[PearlieMae]

Are you airbrushing or hand painting? Looks amazing!