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 |
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Design Considerations for Water-Safe Costumes
- Basic Tail Design Considerations
- Tail Marking Design and Adding Fins to Your Design
- Blending Human and Tail: Belt Methods
- Designing the Human Half: Tops, Bracers and Accessories
- Sea Creature Parts: Extra Scales, Gills, Ears, Teeth and More
- Making Tentacles and a Swim Dress
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