the drawing
the painting
I have shown you one of these before. I do a simple continuous line drawing in a one to five minute study at life drawing and then trace it off onto watercolor paper with Saral and just have fun inventing something with paint and whatever skill I can muster up. It feels as though it’s half me and half the paint and I like that. It offers up a great way to explore a medium’s gifts and a fascinating way to get in touch with your own personal skills. I was so intrigued with the missing eye and arm. The eye, lips and hand were my focus.
Leslie White 
4 Comments
I love the colours in the skin, very rich. Definitely not your standard babe with a tail painting this. Your approach takes guts and practice I think – but letting the watercolour do their own thing has got to be the way to go. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank-you for your comment. I know she’s not the usual mermaid. I like to think of her as a “survivor”. Since I have created this, I have thought of several reasons for the missing eye and arm. Not all of the reasons are bad ones. Thank-you again for commenting on this piece.
Thank you for the link Leslie, this is amazing!
I struggle so hard with the artistic side of art, even if I start with a simple continuous line drawing, I have a hard time sticking to that through out the painting. This is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!
You are so kind, Ryan. Your work brings with it a freshness and an appreciation for beauty that I, at times, have not the skills to render. It is so interesting this activity we call art…bringing forth images to our own completeness. I love your mermaid! http://asmalltowndad.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/mermaid-of-the-sea-watercolor/
You have brought beauty to the “deep”.