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