A Mermaids' Tale/Tail

 Mermaids...

Strange to think that something so lovely can also be seen as terribly deadly.

The part of our memories where fear lurks, tells us that these females can lure men to their watery graves if they listen to their songs.

You would think that these ladies had better things to do with their time...?

You would be right.

No one would want loads of human corpses floating around the seas when there are so many other human things floating around to clean up.

 

As you can see, my mind is doing thinking stuff.

Which makes my art do thinking stuff too.

So, I was thinking about the beautiful coral seas and how they need to be protected.

(Along with all of the other seas)

And this idea of a beautiful strong female found her way into my sketchbook.

Along with some of these other scribbles... 

Can you guess which one she is?

So I started painting her, well that was the idea...

But she didn't look right to me, her tail was wrong, it was too chunky. 

I also didn't like the angle of the tail.

The hair looks a mess right now but I have plans for that, so it doesn't concern me too much.

Just that chunky tail.

Time for some repainting...

 

Now, I have to confess here that I forgot to take more pictures of her being painted.

So I'll try my best to describe my actions...

I did all sorts of daubing and scraping and mopping of brows.

I did layering of paints and then wiping off the same paint because it was horrid.

I even did hair styling!

After lots of chocolate and many cups of tea...

I think she finally looked how I saw her in my head.

(Although paintings are never really as good as the ones in your head!)

Here she is, finished, along with her story.

 

 

'Coral Sea Guardian'

This lovely mermaid is one of the Guardians of the Coral Seas.
She swims many miles in the beautiful water each day making sure the reefs are safe.
Sometimes she takes a little rest and gives the coral a (careful) hug.
She is caring and protective and tries to ensure that no one harm the precious sea bed in any way.

(Painted in oils size 12 x 16 inches or A3

 

The Water is Lovely, Dark and Deep...

 Oh my, it appears that I have been absent long enough, so I thought I would show some of my work in progress.

As you can see, I change my mind many times while I paint.

It will also show some of my horrendous mistakes! 

I had an idea for a mermaid/siren, floating (see what I did there) around in my head.

She started as a rough sketch as usual, like this

I'm not sure red is my colour...

Here she is as I start the painting.

The first layers of paint make her look a little creepy!

 

The water is lovely, dark and deep...

 

 

 I think she is a little too skinny for my idea...time to give her a little more flesh...

Also, something needs to be done about that hand!

 

After a few snacks  😀

That's better...she has some fingers and flesh.

Now the part where I leave the painting to fend for itself whilst I get on with other 'important' stuff. 

(Like looking on ebay :o) )...

 

Some time later...

After buying tacky items which Oscar Wilde would love...

(I'll show and tell one day, just so everyone can laugh at my taste).

 

She now has a little more colour...not too much as I want her to look fishy.

Just a dab here and there with the makeup, and maybe a new hair do.

Because she's worth it...

Almost done...now is the hardest part of painting.

Everything in the early stages is just blobs and changes and big brushes and daubs.

When you get near to completion it is so much harder.

Small brushes, tiny strokes, lots of mistakes to cover.

 

Then comes the time when you have to ask yourself if it will ever be finished...well, will it?

I do not think that I am ever truly happy with a painting.

They are just never as 'good' as the painting inside my head!

They never will be either.

But that's the thing which drives you on.

Never being quite good enough.

 

So here she is, along with her story...

 

'Sea Guardian'

 

'Guardian of the Seas'

The sea is so vast and so precious.
We need to protect it any way we can.
This is how I envisage the Spirit who guards and protects the waters of this beautiful planet.
She may be a Mermaid.
She may be a Siren.
She may be a Nereid or Naiad.
She goes by many names and in many guises.
She loves the waters and keeps them safe for us all to share :o)

(Painted in oils size 12 x 16 inches or A3)

Hope you enjoy your next visit to the beach ;o)

- Cee