Bird & Sunrise photo

Bird & Sunrise photo
Because "someday" is today!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Trying to Capture a Mermaid

5"x 7" oil on "Gessobord" copyright 2012 Tina M. Welter
"Mermaid" 5"x 7"oil on "Gessobord" c. 2012 TMW
 I optimistically thought it would only take me a week to finish my second attempt at the Mermaid.  She wasn't so easy to catch.

 After looking at the palette choices for the first painting, I felt the ultramarine blue was just too cold.  I did some more exploring and mixing and found that the manganese blue mixed with yellow ocher made the nicest warm green I was looking for.  You  can see the new palette with my favorite mixes circled.  That was the fun easy part.

Manganese blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre & Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Sienna, Manganese Blue, Yellow Ochre & Alizarin Crimson.
I really struggled with getting the balance of the colors on the Mermaid and the background and the face in the shadows to all work together.  I repainted things several times, lots of layers.  Something that looked good one day didn't the next.  Also my lack of experience with painting people, I redid eyes and lips, I don't know how many times.  I wanted her to look more alive than the original statue, but also still otherworldly.

 Overall, I think the painting works and I am ready to call it a tie.  I agree with the old sailors, beware of mermaids, they are tricky creatures!


5 comments:

Wiglaf said...

Wiglaf said...

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Logan said...

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starting from scratch again said...

LOVE IT TINA!! :) I always enjoy seeing what you capture on canvas, paper or photo. and i thanks for keeping the pass port photo up, it makes me chuckle ;) i always learn a bit more about the process, which is sweet. love you Tina.

starting from scratch again said...

LOVE IT TINA!!:) I always learn a bit more about the painting process, when i read your post, i quite enjoy that and looking at what you capture :) whether on canvas, paper or camera. Thanks for posting and continuing, :) ROCK ON TINA WELTER. MISS YOU.