Mermaids: a venture into fantasy
My daughter is obsessing about mermaids at the moment. They are a fascinating topic for a four year old and as I’ve been meaning to do some artwork for her room for several years now, I thought they would make a fun subject.
Which is okay, except for the fact that I have never really done any straight illustration in paint before. So challenge! I started with a sketch yesterday and once I’ve finished my chilli painting from last week (I’m working on it now, it is a beautiful day out there today), I’m hoping to get my claws into this new topic.
The composition is faulty, so I’m planning to remove the octopus (I like him, but KJ doesn’t want an octopus in her paint ::rolls eyes:: ), move the castle thing closer to the mermaid and make the composition more rectangular than square.
I’m thinking of using sparkly media like glitter and iridescent medium in this. I’m planning to lose myself in the waves of hair and sparkly scales. It will be interesting. While I’ve done a bit of cartooning, I’ve never really done much illustration (despite studying it at college yonks ago).
Anyways, this is my submission for Sunday Sketches this week as I stumble outside my comfort zone. Don’t forget to go visit all those fantastice artists over there.
Best wishes,
Liz
(now back to my purple chillis :D)
PS: Edited to add…
My chilli painting…I haven’t done much, and what I have done took most of the day in between Mum duties, but I’m getting excited about my painting as there is a hint of success there, despite the long way I still have to go.
Here’s last week’s piccy…
And here is this week’s….I had to show both as the changes are quite subtle.
I focussed on the leaves in the centre today. They are one of the main reasons why I am attempting this painting. I’ve done flowers many times, but each time I do, I focus madly on the flowers and leave the leaves (excuse the pun) as an after thought which can stuff up a painting. This painting forces me to focus on the leaves and I’m learning lots. Still a very long way to go yet, but I’m getting happy none of the leaves are finished, but a couple fo them are starting to look like leaves.
Liz
(who probably won’t get another chance to paint until next weekend 🙁 )
How freaky, my playing today ended up as a mermaid. Must be something in the air
Mynx recently posted…Arty farty Sunday (or what I do to avoid the housework)
Hey, Mynx.
Definitely something in the air. I love your mermaid, but I adore the fish even more. I love how you have them emerging from the background with that impressionist feel. Some lovely colours too.
So do you think your mermaid might have sisters? I was toying with mine having relations, too, but I want to get this painting finished before I start thinking up others…though at the moment I’m considering giving the octopus his own painting. Octopus skin has some beautiful patterns and textures I could play with 😀
Best wishes,
Liz
Liz Powley recently posted…More oil pastel experiments
This is wonderful! I love the details in the sketch and the octopus is so cute, pity the boss has spoken and he will be exed 🙂 I hope you post a finished version it sound like it will be really lovely with all the sparkly medium.
Jehanne recently posted…a blog flyer on Sunday
Hi, Jehanne.
I’m now thinking of giving the octopus his own painting. I could have some great fun with the patterns and textures on an octopus’ skin.
But you are right, I know who is the boss in this house, well, one of two bosses 😀 and the octopus will be axed from this painting. I wonder if Izzy would like an octopus painting 😀
Thanks for your kind comments and happy Sunday Sketches!
Best wishes,
Liz
(who should be heading to bed, but wants to paint)
Liz Powley recently posted…Phantasmal Poison Dart Frog – Sunday Sketches
Hooray for mermaid art–love the scale detail here. I also love the castle-like structure in the background.
Thanks, I’m hoping to flesh it out soon.
Liz
Liz Powley recently posted…Autumn wind, my current WIP for Paint Party Friday
loving the mermaid’s tail and her friends have adorable faces!
i know it will be amazing with your colors!
It was really weird to trying for cute. The mermaid resembled some serious life drawing activity at one point and I had to demuscle her, trim her waist, enlarge her head…let’s just say that there are a lot of smudges on this drawing because of all the eraser usage 😀
Thank you for your kind words 😀
Liz
Liz Powley recently posted…Autumn wind, my current WIP for Paint Party Friday
Your drawing is great! Love all the details! Your chili painting is lovely! My little sister wanted to be a mermaid when she grew up, right when she was around your daughter’s age.
Love your sketch for your mermaid daughter ~ excellent ~ and painting is marvelous ~ namaste, Carol ^_^
Carol recently posted…SKETCHES and PHOTOS
I love your sketch of the mermaid!
The painting is beautiful!
Have a lovely Sunday!
Eva Ason recently posted…Chevrolet
your mermaid is lovely, such a sweet gift it will be.
your chilies are wonderful too.
Woo look at that chilli – is purple hot? I draw a lot of mermaids… something about them…. must be their singing!
Lisa WrightStuff recently posted…An outpouring
Love the mermaid…what a shame the octopus is being axed, he’s fun.. your chilli painting is coming along a treat… beautiful 🙂
Catherine Constance recently posted…Mother’s Day. . .
Your mermaid is very good and I LOVE your octopus!! 😀
Thank you for joining us again. Hugs
Sophia recently posted…Sunday Sketches
This will look fantastic in colour and the tail is great… lucky daughter… the chillis are looking great too and you the leaves you worked on look perfect now…xx
Tracey Fletcher King recently posted…Something Green Sunday Sketch
The mermaid looks great! Wonderfully fun sketch – too bad she doesn’t like the cuddly octopus…
Loving those leaves! It is looking fabulous so far.
EVA recently posted…Sunday Sketches – Sketching with Sharpies
Really cute, the mermaid is so whimsical!
Shealynn recently posted…5 Pieces from Art Class
we had so much fun in our mermaid times! still love them! love the painting sitting smack in the middle of life! 🙂
Lenora recently posted…Optimism