How Realistic Mermaid Tails Are Made | Art Insider
Matthew Quijano has been in the mermaid industry for over 10 years. His company, MerrowFins, builds custom mermaid tails for models, hobbyists, performers, music videos, and event companies. Creating mermaid tails is a long and exhausting process that involves sketching, sculpting, molding, pouring silicone, gluing, and painting. The tails are airbrushed with metallic paint, which mimics the appearance of fish scales.
For more, check out:
www.merrowfins.com/
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Featured mermaids:
/ oceansirensmermaidmariah
/ merman_pisces
/ _mer.manda_
/ storm.siren
/ mermaidcrosslyn
/ missmermaidkkiss
Boat provided by:
/ aquathor_spearfishing
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How Realistic Mermaid Tails Are Made | Art Insider
Can we please appreciate the fact that he started doing these for his back then boyfriend? That's so sweet!
can we not appreciate that? he’s gay🙄🫥🫡
@@abbylee-dq7rm what has his relationships to do with you? Just let people be happy. Other people being gay doesn't harm you in any way :)
@@abbylee-dq7rm I'm sorry you're lonely.
@@abbylee-dq7rm ah right, because being in a healthy relationship with your partner doesn't matter if it's the same sex right? Being happy shouldn't be allowed when you have a same sex partner, right? Talent shouldn't be recognized when you are gay, right?! Is it about religion again and how it's a sin??? Mind you, Jesus died for our sins, he forgives and also the bible never said gay is a sin. If it's not because of religion than it's still is illogical, irrational and rude to act this way just because of who he LOVES! Loving people is the purest thing out there and your ruining it
@@abbylee-dq7rm lmao jealousy much?
His scales are so unique- and the metallic paint looks so shiny. Very pretty tails 🖤
Heck ye they are, Dax! I love mine so much.
Fhhhyjn 🦊☃️😋🥶💯💦
@@SireneKalypso how much do they cost
@@gronkykong7863 1500 and up
@@SireneKalypso eek.
I think swimming in one of these would freak me out from the limited mobility. I'd be afraid to drown. Props to the people who are brave enough to make it look this gorgeous
There are fabric and peratial tails as well! Those are less scary as you can learn how to easily kick them off in case of emergencies, but it will obviously still limit your mobility. Even though it seems fun to swim in a tail, getting tangled up or dragged away by water currents scares me too much to actually try it out. (That's what classes are for though)
They have someone else with them when swimming to ensure their safety
You’ve never done the mermaid?
@@KwehShiro they can't protect you against currents if you get into one(atleast a decent one). well unless they have ropes and a boat or such. but I assume they do it in waters where they know the currents well or where there are no dangerous currents nearby. manny of those long shallow clear waters are quite safe as long as you stay away from places where it suddenly changes like a trench or dropof or such. there are many famous rather safe diving spots, almost all famous diving spots have info on them, and most such people will stay to such places.
it is really easy to swim in honnestly. I heard many people talking about it being difficult but it is more easy than how humans and similar form swim normally. if you are afraid then first try to use flippers, if you can use those you should be okay. you can then try to use them together like one just to be sure and so you can learn the basic movement more rapidly(start with normal flippers, many monofins are quite expensive and not really made for speed or durability or such( a athlete could either break many of the famous ones in the first use, or get it's feet wounded since many of them aren't made for high power high speed swimming, and neither for long use, if you can you might want to try some first, or just make sure to get a really good one.), also it might make you feel more safe.
the sound it makes when he pulls the silicon out of the mould is so satisfying
That’s asmr my friend
Reverse bubble wrap
Forbidden gum 😳
Once a mold is made is that reusable or is just a one time thing? As a costume designer I can appreciate the work that goes into these beautiful pieces. I hope that he gets paid well for his craft.
I figure it would be a one time thing because the mold is specific to the customer’s size. I mean, of course he can reuse if the person orders again? I’m just surmising.
@@kookieskookie3729 the mold doesn't have to fit any size. The fit comes after the sewing.
@@Vizible21 ... you don't sew it's silicone
You could see the mold scales breaking as he was peeling then silicone so I have a feeling it’s a one time use
@@vincentgeiszler3749 but that was the initial making of the molds. You saw later where he dragged his nails up it and it held, and the tails have to be strong to stretch onto them, so they're made to last a while.
All I wanted was to be a mermaid for like the first 15 years of my life and now tails are easily available everywhere.... so heartbreaking when I have nowhere to wear a tail now 😭 at least others can enjoy the love of mermaids and continue the fascination ✌❤
I could never afford a sillicone tail, but find it facinating watching other people who can swim in these tails
Same!! 😩
You could wear it at home.
I just bought one. I’m wearing it to the local pool. I’m in Colorado too! Also 31 years old. The kids love my tail lol many adults ask about it to. I wish I had done this earlier in my life but I was worried about being embarrassed. Once I get better in it, I may try it in a lake. You could wear it in a tub if you want. If you have the money, so worth it in my opinion.
@@TheBre1491 lol I'm turning 33 in a couple weeks so I feel ya there. I dont have good pools or natural water options here unfortunately. Id also wanna get the Covid winter body whipped back into shape but it can still be a fun goal 😁
I love how mermen look in the water. 🥺💙 After seeing only mermaid performers, the mermen performers look so beautiful and other worldly to me! 😣💙 Just amazing!
They might look great, but no genitals.
Hell yes. Swimming in the water is so elegant and those tails are aesthetically pleasing. Who says only women get to be mermaids!
My favorite tails are the extended ones that go past the toes. The ones they use in H2O and Aquamarine. Those ones are the most realistic, and I’m kinda surprised I don’t see those types of tails used more often in movies, TV and events.
Is mostly because they are super heavy and apparently kinda difficult to swim in a lot of practice would be needed
They are harder to control, if the feet aren't in the end of the tail it's much harder to navigate with them
Extended flukes, better looking indeed as they hide the ankles, but harder to control. Swimming in mermaid tails is not easy either way, so not actually having your feet in the monofin makes it even harder
Yes the h2o tails are the most beautiful tails I’ve ever seen, even with the small fluke
Mermaid Aquata from France makes the extended tails like you mentioned, which she called it "longfish tail."
“Who are buying these?” If I had money-me. I would. I’ve only ever wanted to be a mermaid since I was 5 years old.
tbh same, i had a really big hyper-obssession with mermaids since i was like 5 until i was probably 11 and that obssession is still not fully over
They have some less expensive ones on Amazon. I had one when I was about 13 or 14 but I used it so much I wore it out. It'd basically a monofin and a cloth "skin" that goes over it and they are about $70. I'm probably going to get another one since I loved my first one so much lol.
Same, and I swim mermaid-like anyway too (with legs together going wave-wiggly like in h2o just add water xD) all I’d need is the tail and some extra strength
4:06 Blue Fantail Mermaid
@@fueledbypaintwater Amazon tails are not only dangerous but Chinese knockoffs of other mermaids art.
I love the sound of getting the raw material off the molds 😅 so satisfying and the endproduct looks so awesome
ASMR mermaid tail production
That is pure art. I've seen the tails people buy and you can tell they're just so happy about it. It's magical and looks so amazing. I'd love to get one someday. It brings me joy everytime I see someone in one.
The closest we get to real mermaids 🧜♀️ 💙
Nuh, uh. I'm a real mermaid, it's even documented in celtic history.
Im a failure.
If you believe you can see! 💃🏾
@@slugsarecool_really what the hell is a hamster?
The Vacation Island Atlantis has Mermaid performers Fun Fact They used human performers for the two Mermaids in Tetris Effect
Though I'm sure it can be dangerous if someone who doesn't know how to mermaid swim property and or gets panicky when they're legs are tied together. But I'm sure it's great fun and absolutely fantastical to feel like a fantasy creature.
Though exactly the same
It can be, I recommend starting with just a monofin and maybe a fabric tail before getting a full silicone. It felt fine to me when I first swam in my full silicone tail. Also, I’m so fast in it and love the way it moves that I didn’t notice much else. You also should never swim alone. It’s best to start in water that isn’t very deep. I can stand up everywhere in the pool I often go to, and yes you can stand in the tails.
@@TheBre1491 fin fun mermaid tail is a great place to start
I hope anyone would realize that they need to learn to swim properly before attempting this..
Was searching for this comment, it made me so nervous watching them in the ocean!!
I appreciate the skillful craft, but how do we know what's a _realistic_ Mermaid Tail?
Easy. We simply ask a real mermaid, after she makes a deal with an evil sea witch in order to temporarily become human to fall in love with a prince. Duh!
Easy mermaid aren’t *real* they’re fantasy!
idk, fish exist. so we just. make it look like a fish's tail but adapted to a semi-aquatic humanoid. one half fish, the other human. if it can look like a fish's tail on it's own. then i think it'll be realistic enough.
The way ot looks like real fish.
It says realistic, not accurate
I would love to see a mermaid's tail inspired from betta/Siamese fighting fish😍
I think I saw one on Yt, just watch mermaids compilation 😉
the one at 0:46 reminds me of one
@@JI04what is the title?
I would be scared of drowning swimming with a tail like that, but my God, they're beautiful. It's the childhood dream from when I was a little girl. Just amazing.
Ever since I first watched H20 just add water as a preteen, I’ve always wanted my own mermaid tail. It happens in phases but I would love to try and get at least one tail at some point when the time is right
I’d say just do it :) it will make you very happy I’m sure :)
This was my dream when I was like 13 and honestly, still is to this day. I've always loved swimming and the thought of mermaids. I would absolutely adore to be able to have one of those These tails are so beautifully made You are a real artist ♡
It’s not as easy as it looks, and me with a bad back it would probably be a death sentence, you’re basically using your spine to create the ‘wave’ motion. Not to mention squeezing both your legs into a ‘tubelike’ structure. It has to be skintight to prevent water from seeping in
@@leociresi4292 that's why you have to be properly prepared and trained before wearing and swimming with one of these
I loved how he stylized the tails because it reminds me of a fish swimming in a tank, which is another of my fancies (known as being inside a pool). Most especially, many shapes and texturing of the silicone tail are quite outstanding. The styles and aesthetics remind me of my youth. People who embrace themselves in the water as if they were merfolk provide me with joy and comfort.
The part thats a bit meh is everyone you see who designs these tails always go for these fantasy fish styles. I'd love to see smooth stules featuring various species of dolphins and whales. I grew up with mermaids with dolphin shaped tails.
They are custom, that's just what people ask for, if you ask for a dolphin-shaped tail they will do it
This person in particular is "The Mer-Tailor" he specializes in making custom tails and Although he sells pre-made ones in that style, he has made tails that are based on several different species of fish including members of the mammalia family.
@@theesky No. This person is NOT Mertailor. This is Merrowfins. Mertailor no longer does silicone unless it's for his close friends or a single color tail that he sales for a ridiculous price. Also the premades you're thinking of are fabric, not silicone.
look up siren tail, nerdmaid faith had a video of it. the coolest and most realistic tail ever. tbh ive seen quite a lot of realistic tails but it's true most ppl like this fantasy tails more, bcs you can get more creative and create more unique looks with it
@@peachbooks3199 I would still class nerdmaid's tail as more fantacy. I mean one thats designed after a real life dolphin or whale. That's what I would love to see and find for myself but I would need to see some examples of what has been made and not just blindly commission such and end up with something that I wouldn't even call close.
My bestie loves anything and everything about mermaids. This would be like a dream for her if she could afford one.
"Art, beauty and happiness all around" what a beautiful thing to say 😁
This is so beautiful 🧜♂️ it brought me much joy just watching,thank you!
I noticed almost everyone swims by bending the knees. I’ve never swam in a tale so maybe it’s a bad swim move. But I remember H2O behind the scenes the had a insert or something to present the knee bend, and then extended the tail from the foot to the fin with a wood to make the “bending” at the end of the tail. It looked so much more realistic! But obvious they had a whole team working non stop making these things. Very cool
It might be a dumb question but I wonder if attracting fish is a concern because of how metallic and shimmery the tails are. I'd never wear one in the open ocean.
I would think it isn’t a problem. You are probably too big and scary.
@@TheBre1491 Fair enough for most animals; when I say "fish" I mean the likes of tiger sharks and marlin, both of which have dolphins in their diet. It's so unlikely that an opportunistic shark or curious orca will try something, but on the off chance one does you don't have full mobility to fight and swim in underwater skinny jeans.
I just remembered Humboldt squid exist. Look at all the hell naw.
A shark might think you are a real fish
Heya. I've swam in the ocean with one of these Merrowfins tails. 1. I don't know why people are so afraid of sharks. 2. Groupers will attack you faster than a shark. 3. Sharks are curious but dont care. 4. We're too big.
As an artist and a mermaid fan, this is beautiful.
So much work but how nice they are. Very beautiful!!👍💐💐💐
i would love one of these !! its a shame our waters here in Finland arent clear enough to see anything properly, it would feel kinda like a waste if u couldn't get any good photos T^T
They can be used in pools as well. 🖤
These tails look beautiful but the only thing that breaks the illusion for me is when the material ‘bunches’ as the person swims. Other than that, they do look super realistic!
Lol. Skin bends and "bunches"
@@SireneKalypso Lol. Not in an unnatural, plastic way it doesn’t.
@@pumpkinpatch5 bend ya arm. Squinch your eyes. Sit down. Oh no. You're bending and bunching
One question I’ve had is if this is okay for the environment? Since the paint over the tail is filled with metallic particles 🤔 it looks stunning btw, I was just wondering…
i imagine theres some kind of sealant, so that the tail colors dont chip and degrade, since they are so expensive, hopefully they are built to last
I was wondering the same. I am also wondering if the silicone and resin is not leaving harmful chemicals in the water?
I love the sound of the silicone tail peeling off the mold
I'm sure I would drown if I tried swimming down in one of those. Major respect to those who are capable of making and using these beautiful things.
Wearing one of these tails would've been my dream as a kid. Ok, I won't lie, it still is. Fins for the Wins!
Looks really cool. Though I get the feeling that since you look a lot more like a fish, your chances of getting attacked by a shark increase as a side effect 😅😅😅
I was wondering about that as well too
😂😂
fun +1000% shark attack +2%
Actually according to mermaid Melissa - since the tails make you look bigger, the sharks are more likely to leave you alone.
Technically, sharks can smell if you are q fish or not. Unless you are intentionally rubbing fish oil on yourself and splashing the water, the shark will never attack you. The reason sharks even mistaken us for fish is because its mostly people on surf boards who are above the water which they cant actually “taste” if you are fish or not. Most people wearing these are underwater, which actually makes it easier for the shark to tell that you are human.
Years later after watching his videos and I'm still a merfan finding his video on KZhead as a kid filled me with wonder at the time I only got from dinosaurs but I've always loved the Sea and to see someone waring a tail that looks so realistic makes me feel so happy 🧜🏽♀️💞
I got the video in youtube recomendations, he sure is talented. Plus the talking the scaled silicone out of the mold made such a satisfying noise.
3:05 I haven’t seen so many people get into them but every time I do or just think about it I feel bad about the struggle of taking them off Like imagine doing performances in them and you’ve been in the water for a while but it isn’t that warm and you get out the water and you’re freezing and then without being able to dry up and warm up you need to struggle to take it off worrying about breaking something so expensive I could never do this for that exact reason
I just got one and getting it off is the easy part. Getting it on can be tricky especially since my hips are bigger than my stomach. The big thing is to not use your nails and to put a towel down on rough surfaces. Silicone is pretty tough though but it’s good to be careful if you want it to last a long time.
They are actually easier to take off than to put on, in my experience. That said, listening to your body's limits is important in this niche. So it is always best to get out of the water before the situation gets bad. That said, silicone tails are relatively durable and can be repaired is damaged (in most cases) 🖤
Awesome Art 🙂!
Very very clever can see how much work there is, hope people appreciate how much work goes into these
The process is so satisfying
Awsome :D Ngl might even buy one-
Wow amazing ❤️❤️❤️
Such stunning work 🤩
I may never own one this beautiful, but be still my little heart. This is truly a work of art.
To anyone saying they cant afford this-- there are fabric tails!! Yes, not as realistic or shiny but still cool and they go for around 40-80 dollars (:
The fabrics start at 350$and go up to 1000$ lmao.
@@SireneKalypso finfun is relatively affordable (and safe, recommended company!) with the skin being around 30-60 and the monofin adding up to about 100!
There's also less expensive cloth mermaid tails, they don't last as long as silicone from what I've heard
Those are great too! Neoprene tails tend tend to last longer than standard spandex ones- but you're right! silicone can outlast all if properly cares for. 🖤
Yes I had one in my early teen years bit it only lasted me about 2 summers before I wore it out. I also used it a ton since I had a pool at my house, so I was probably using it more than it was intended to be used.
Gorgeous work, gorgeous hobby!
They are so beautiful!
Ever since I was a kid I have always had a thing for the ocean, and mermaids. I think it's because of my name (my name is Lorelei) and there are many legends of The Lorelei, Temptress of the Sea and I think it's awesome. So I will hopefully be buying a tail one day!
nowadays, things you wanted as a kid is fully available as a grownup. i would pump money into this to relive my fantasy of being a mermaid as a kid lolol
Do it.
When the patterns were done that thing was CRISPY
Wow great work! Thank you for showing your progress! Love it! 🥰
love the mono fin built in. A quick idea from a non expert. It appears to me that the swimmers have slightly unnatural swimming form when wearing the tail because of the buoyancy . Adding a few small weights distributed throughout may improve the swim experience!
Some do wear weighted belts. The costume itself is neutrally buoyant, but each individual's body makes them more or less prone to floating 🖤
Does the paint slowly come off off the fins? Are they safe?
I’ll be mad if I’m paying over 2k + for a tail and the paint starts peeling. If they’re not a bogus company hopefully they assist w any concerns.
The paint can rub off in areas that experience lots of friction overtime. Ex: butt and heels. But usually the underlying silicone's color is tinted to match the paint, so it isn't super noticeable. That said, they can be easily touched up at home with silpoxy glue + pigment or the proper silicone ("dragon skin") thinned to a paint consistency with added pigments. Some tailmakers offer repairs/ repaints for extreme damage too.
Amazing work,these tails are beautiful 😍
This is beautiful!
this man is a fairy godmother
That’s so cool, they’re so shiny
These are gorgeous omg
I can't describe HOW AMAZING THIS IS
This takes me back to tiny me when I really tried to make my own mermaid tail so poorly made it's funny to think about... And I think I brought it with me to public swimming pool and it fell apart before I even attent to swim in it. Yeah. Good Times huh.. What this guy is doing is what my tiny brain thought was doing. His creations are out of this world
I'm sorry but I love how people are talking about " but real mermaids look like X" it's amusing to say the least
They are so beautiful
I love the sound when he pulls off the tails
We all know that mermaids and mermen are tales. But seeung these realistic tales is so so satisfying. So life-like.
If i got one id never take it off
Same
this is a really good step by step demo for how to get into this type of craft and what goes into it thank you
This is so beautiful 😍
What if a humpback whale tries to eat someone thinking is a real fish 😮 Beautiful work by the way
Humpback whales only eat krill and small fish.
Whales eat krill..?
And small fish, but humans are a lot bigger than even some of the *largest* fish
@@asterope3738 Yes. Humpback whales and the largest whale, the blue whale are filter feeders. Even the largest fish, the whale shark is a filter feeder. It's the sperm whale that you should be worried about.
I wanna be a merman tooo
The world could always use more mermen 🖤
This is so cool to see. When I was younger, I wished to make silicone mermaid tails, too. I love the colors and the patterns of scales and creativity. To hear about some of what you went through to get to where you are at is eye-opening. Thank you for this video, and good luck on your journey. : )
This truly makes my mermaid spirit delighted! I hope I can own a glorious silicon tail at some point in my mermaid lifetime
Some of you totally used to be fish and became people
That last person in the shiny silver, wow, what a pretty tail!
ripping those scales out of them moulds just sound so satisfying...
Wow! Beautiful work! 😍🧜♀️
You're absolutely incredibly talented my aunt Did costumes in Vegas I couldn't believe the work that went in to just one headrest much less the whole complete outfit this just is incredible she would have absolutely loved to do a mermaid.
WOW! ITS AMAZING! CONTINUE AT THIS WORK!
A new mermaid/man every day. Beautiful work
omg i need to buy one these are so pretty!
They're so gorgeous. I have a friend who uses them. So cool!!
Beautiful.
One thing i know I don’t need but want soooo bad! These are just so beautiful!
Well, I didn't search for this but that was quite interesting and I'm glad it popped up in my recommended videos!!
these tails are awesome 🤩
This stuff is beautiful!
its hilarious but really epic at the same time, love the diff color variations
Very awesome and thank you ^^ ive been planning on doibg a similar process for my scalie cosplays 🐉🖤🌌 . . . Ty for the advice
Mermen are gorgeous 😮
Wow! Beautiful!
pure talent!
these look so pretty and fun oh my goodness
So satisfying when he pulled off the silicone
Wow, he is amazing ✨
They are beautiful
Sublime réalisation magnifique 😍😍😍😍
Amazing Art! 🧜🏾♀️
Incredible art!
You are an amazing artist. :D
Just marvelous.