First tail, a hybrid adventure

[Reef Fish]

Hi everybody,

I decided to embark on a tailmaking adventure. I wanted something that I could make quickly (for a pending photoshoot) but would look somewhat realistic. I love the look of silicone tails but was hesitant to jump straight into dragonskin (I'm from AUS where it's prohibitively expensive at the best of times) so I decided to go for a neoprene tail with a caulking skin. After consultation with Theobromine (she thought you guys would like to see this) here are some progress pics and the results It's not 100% finished yet. I'm going to be sculpting, painting and attaching some external fins next weekend.

My inspiration fish was a Yellowfin Tuna (example image borrowed from google)



After much consideration I decided to go with the Hydra monofin for two reasons. 1) I wanted a fluke that was translucent when held up to the light like a real fish tail. 2) It was cheaper than a Finis to get here and if I stuffed up the build I wouldn't feel so bad if it only had a Hydra in it.
When the Hydra arrived I took it for a test swim and was happy with the power it gave when compared to the FINIS Trainer I also own. Functionality wise having the Hydra in the tail also meant more room between the ankles for pulling up heel straps, though aesthetically wise I do prefer the look of tails with ankles that are closer together.

When picking neoprene I looked at a few things. 1) the colour, so that if it showed through after painting it would compliment the colours I wanted to finish with. 2) The thickness. I didn't want alot of extra bouyancy or bulk. Also I live in tropical Australia, I really didn't want the extra heat that it would generate in summer so I went with 3mm.



I got my boyfriend to measure me while wearing the hydra as my ankles wouldn't be together. I then made a pattern. However. I still didn't feel confident with this, not sure how the seams would join up together. I cut extra around the pattern just in case. I then somewhat abandoned that idea and instead had him pin the neoprene together around me and then cut the seams. I should have stuck with the original idea of making a pattern and cutting it I believe as the pins stretched it tighter in some areas than others and the end result I find now that it is finished is that it could have been tighter in some areas and I would have been happy with that. I also could have taken the time once I got the seams done to repick and resew but rushing towards a deadline figured it would be fine. Although the end result is fine, I have learnt what I could do better next time (I can't believe I'm even contemplating a next time when this one isn't finished yet :P ).

The neoprene is joined and triple strengthened. Internally I used neoprene cement to join the two sides, then a strip over the seam, then I sewed the outside seam with embroidery thread and finally as I applied the silicone scales outside it covers and strengthens the hold again



Mucking around with the caulking while waiting for other supplies I found I could make detailed and translucent fins. This method (which I won't go into in detail at the moment) was how I ended up crafting the fluke of the tail (though I took more time and effort on that).



I glued the neoprene to the monofin. It was very important to me again that the fluke remained somewhat transluscent when back lit so the neoprene only extends far enough to cover/make a footpocket around the monofin. It doesn't cover the monofin or extend into the fluke itself. I then joined the two sides of the fluke around the monofin and neoprene and attached the back of the monofin to the fluke. I siliconed the fluke to the neoprene. Once this was all solid I created the footpocket and drainage vents at the bottom of the fluke joining it all up with more silicone.



I applied the caulking scales to the neoprene and shaped them as I went. I debated about whether to pigment as I applied but decided I could get a more consistant tone by applying then painting plus would save on pigment (pearl-ex) overall. Here's the colour swatch I did to test my colours. The benefit of applying the scales to the tail meant that my neoprene seams would be hidden and also the seam between my fluke and the tail body.



I did slightly pigment some of the scales on one section of the fluke as I found it difficult to see where I had scaled previously when they were the same colours as the base silicone. Here's a close up of the texture and you can see the coloured scales here.



It took HOURS to scale both sides. I forgot to take a picture of it when I finished scaling (dang).

Painting time! I mixed my pearl ex pigments with caulking silicone and used mineral turpentine to thin it to the point that I could apply it by electric spray gun. I wanted to cover large areas and get a good finish so was glad that this method worked. I bought the electric paint gun from a hardware store (the cheapest I could find incase I gummed it up). During the painting process I gummed it up twice but thankfully the model I bought can be fully disassembled and cleaned so I returned it to functionality with minimal fuss. Sorry for the obnoxious upcoming watermarks but there has been a bit of image stealing going around and I worked hard too hard on this baby for someone to take the credit/images

Silver base coat


First coat of gold plus some plastic to get ready for stripes on the ventral



The dorsal side all painted up



ANNND here is the end result at the photoshoots. I didn't get time to finish the external fins. I did make some quick fins for the first (beach) shoot but didn't like the result so removed them before the second (fresh water) shoot. Thanks to Mermaid Jessica Pearl and Mermaid Amelia for the photos/edits.
All in all pretty happy with this as a first tail.





I also took it for a couple of swims to see how it would go and vent. Happy days it all works!


More pics will come after I finish the other fins and attach them. I also plan to delve into a matching top made from dragonskin. Thanks for viewing and happy swimming everyone

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Gorgeous! You've done an amazing job

[Theobromine]

I would just like to call everyone's attention to how INCREDIBLY REALISTIC AND DETAILED THIS TAIL IS!!!!! Seriously one of my favorite tails I've seen in a very long time!! Realism A+++
Theobromine-approved, two fins up

[Reef Fish]

Oh. I forgot the closeup shot of fin ray bones of the fluke. Here ya go

[Luna Dreamtide]

That looks great! Awesome job on it. Ditto on what Theo said, great job on the detailing.

[Theobromine]

This tail has more detail and realism than a lot of fully sculpted and molded Dragonskin tails I've seen. I seriously freaked out when I first saw it.

[Luna Dreamtide]

I love your photos too! The above shot in the water is gorgeous!

[Mermaid Momo]

So pretty! Will you ever go into how you made the fluke?

[Reef Fish]

Good question Momo. I plan to product test it on myself a bit first. Iron out any kinks. Then when I'm completely happy with it I may update you all with my findings It also doesn't hurt to keep a few tricks up the sleeve incase in the future I ever wanted to do this as a business. So we'll see I will tell you it's a cost effective but time expensive process.

[Mermaid Momo]

Awesome! I'm trying to figure out the best way to make my fins and fluke since I'm using caulking too, and you're has been the only one so far with veins of a sculpted fluke.
hmm. Maybe I need to get a tube of caulking for tests especially since I don't know anything about silicone

[Reef Fish]

That's how I stumbled upon it! Caulking is cheap enough I recommend playing with a tube I did learn about thinning it from youtube and that presents another interesting idea. I have seen in other threads how people use silicone over fabric to give it depth? Thinned caulking spray applied to fabric would probably seal it and lengthen its lifespan. Plus would be a very cheap way to protect it somewhat and make it more water tight.

[Mermaid Momo]

That's how I stumbled upon it! Caulking is cheap enough I recommend playing with a tube I did learn about thinning it from youtube and that presents another interesting idea. I have seen in other threads how people use silicone over fabric to give it depth? Thinned caulking spray applied to fabric would probably seal it and lengthen its lifespan. Plus would be a very cheap way to protect it somewhat and make it more water tight.

Would I be able to work with the caulking in say my dorm room? with the door open? or the area in front of my room? Everything's covered in snow right now so there isn't much space to work (and I'm only doing small tests too so that should affect it right?)

[Reef Fish]

Small amounts maybe if you set up a fan. The fumes will sting your throat and eyes if you aren't careful. It will continue to be fumey for about 24 hours as it cures so be wary. Wear good Personal Protective equipment and look after your health. Once it has fully cured it doesn't smell much.

[SeaDragon Mermaid]

LOVE IT!

[AniaR]

wow amazing job, your tail reminds me a lot of the ones owned bu sugar baby that were made by a professional fx company and used in movies! So way to go.

[Luna Dreamtide]

I'm curious - how much silicone did you need for the whole thing?
Did you just buy from Bunnings?

[Reef Fish]

Thanks for the compliments As a marine biologist/zoologist I tried really hard to replicate nature where possible. I studied pictures (like the eg below) to make sure I had the right shape for the fin rays and scales. Those tiny details to me may be lost under the paint to a point but I am proud to know that they are at the heart of the construction


In response to Mermaid Leina, I would estimate about 30 tubes. The break down for that I would put at about 10 tubes for the fluke, 6 tubes in painting and the rest in scales. Yes, I just purchased from Bunnings. By the second time I went in there I started buying it by the box instead of by the tube :P

[Keiris]

Your hard work paid off! Beautiful attention to detail!

[Reef Fish]

Thanks Keiris. I love your hybrid tail and have stalked your thread many times

[Keiris]

I'm flattered and honored, Reef Fish.