Skip to main content

Becoming a Mercreature: Introduction

 Summer has been going strong and I personally have started swimming more. And not just any kind of swimming, but mermaiding! 

Couch Surfing at the Moment
But now that I'm used to swimming with my commercially bought tail, I've been thinking how to make my own. Again, this series doesn't necessarily include tutorials that I have made, this is more of a design primer. It will include links to tutorials when necessary. 

Anyway, I didn't want to limit my imagination to just mermaids/mermen. Because some of the concepts I want to tackle are more based on cetaceans, cephalopods and sharks. Of course much of the process will include fish tail mermaids but I wanted to encourage some variety. 


Shark boi!

Precautions

The end goal is to create a costume you can swim in. However, there's always risk involved with swimming in general. It's doubly risky while wearing a mermaid tail. Keep these basic safety guidelines in mind when swimming in your costume:

  1. Do NOT swim alone! You have no feet and your legs are smushed together. You can't even walk by yourself! Most professionals have a spotter or "mer-wrangler" with them to make sure they stay safe or if they need to be moved for part of the photoshoot. 
  2. Know how to swim. This is not a safe costume for non-swimmers or people who can't swim well. Again, because your legs are bound together and a monofin can be unwieldy, you should know some basic strokes and have some level of endurance. Knowing the Dolphin Kick is key to swimming in a mermaid tail. 
  3. Do NOT swim in hazardous conditions. This goes for whether you are swimming normally or not. You have less control and maneuverability while in your tail. 
  4. Learn how to quickly get out of your tail in case of emergencies. This is also something to keep in mind during the costume design process. A "quick-release" method is important for safety. 
Before making your first mercreature costume, it's recommended that you purchase a commercially available tail and get used to swimming with it. They range in price depending on the material used to make the tail. So, if you are a beginner, get a fabric tail. Most people's first tail is a fabric one. To be honest, most of this series is about making fabric tails! 
For US readers here are a few reputable (safe) sellers: 
Knowing how to swim in the tail is going to be a journey but here's a really good playlist: How to Swim like a Mermaid.

Now, Here is what the series will cover: 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Becoming a Kitsune: Tail Design Considerations

The key element of a kitsune character is the tail (or tails in most cases). You'll need to determine what you want the tail to look like so you can determine the best method of attachment. The primary consideration for attachment is weight . The things that affect weight are size and materials. So let's get into it! Tail Shapes These are the common shape profiles I see for making kitsune-style tails whether it's a fur tail or crystal or unnatural.  A: Tube Sock - a uniform girth and rounded end. Close to reality.  B: Pointed Tube - a uniform girth that tapers at the tip.  C: Squirrel Style - wider in the middle rounded tip. Very much like an oval shape.  D: Pointed Barrel/Paintbrush  - the tail gets wider in the middle and tapers at the tip and at the top.  Tail Poses Another aspect of tail shape is how you want it to pose or hold in place.  Limp - a relaxed tail that hangs down loosely. It doesn't hold any pose.  C Curve - the tail is arche...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one.  Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon,  So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license.  Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers.  Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors.  This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions.  Color Like I said earlier, the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Duct Tape Dummy Alternatives

Duct tape Dummy or a Duct tape mannequin is a quick way to create a replica of your body for all kinds of projects. From being a dress form to creating a pattern, Duct tape dummies (DTD) are incredibly useful for all kinds of costume projects.  However, if you are trying to make a full body DTD, you'll need assistance to make it. It may also destroy some of your clothing in some methods. And you may not feel comfortable making one as it is restrictive.  The primary reasons for making a DTD are to make patterns for clothes or armor. Because it is easy to translate the 3D form into a 2D pattern.  Puppet head covering pattern. Personally, for things like gloves or boot covers, I have no trouble making a DTD of an arm or a leg. But full body I need a different approach.  Method 1: Silhouette Tracing As a kid, I remember having a criminal outline done on banner paper of myself. It is still a viable approach although now I may need to tape pieces of banner paper side by si...
Post a Comment
Read more