I'm amazed at how much my life has been changed by my art and how influenced and helped by the online tribe I belong to. I'm awake early on a Sunday and diligently doing my Suzi Blu Siren class homework - sketching out some mermaids and familiarising myself with drawing a body and a tail! It's an absolute pleasure just playing with pencils and trying to form a 'realistic' shape. Neither sketch is perfect, but that doesn't matter - it's all the fun of experimenting and sharing those results with your friends online. It's all part of the journey... (gosh, I'm starting to sound like someone on a talent show...).
Mermaid 1 was based on a picture of a lady I found sitting clutching her knees in a magazine. She was in a bath and clearly dreaming of being a siren of the sea, so I indulged her in her fantasy. I thought a rear view might be an easy one to try (but it wasn't!). Adding a tail instead of legs was also 'interesting' and I ran out of paper as you can see, but I loved the idea of the mermaid looking out to see and dreaming... Perhaps she is dreaming of being a lady seated in a bath clutching her knees?
Ha! After posting, I realised she's missing something vital - her other arm!
Mermie 2 was proper Suzi homework based on her instruction. The interesting colour scheme leaked through from the other side of the page where I've been experimenting in background techniques! I think this creature may be a little wide on the hips. Perhaps she's been indulging in one too many oysters... I think the trick here is clearly to get your tail length in proportion, too short and she'll look stumpy and have trouble swimming away from sharks.
I think I should mention here that this is an Irish freshwater mermaid. Of course, you can't actually hear the music where you are, but I can. She's playing Riverdance and perfecting her Mermie moves...
Naturally, as it is Sunday and these are Sketches, I am posting them over on Sophia's site where you can swim along and take a look at what the other participants are creating with their pencils and pens...
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Both sketches are wonderful, in sketch one I just assumed her arm was hugged to her side and kind of in front, the second may be a little hippy but who says mermaids have to be perfect, humans aren't as you know we come in all sizes.
ReplyDeleteI love your mermaids,I have'nt done anything in suzi's class. I agree with marlene I thought the other arm was in front of her. I really like how you did a back view. I might have to give that a try.
ReplyDeleteI love your mermies! They are very loose and free, I have to practice that. I've been finding that it's easy to run out of paper when you are dealing with mermaid tails. Ha. Imagine HAVING that tail and trying to find room for it!
ReplyDeleteMermie 2 has a gorgeous tail! And she should just keep eating oysters if she loves them! Are those alcohol inks in the background? They are fun to work with, and very different from paint...
Gorgeous...they are such beauties..i love the hip-py one..she is vivacious and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShine on!
It is wonderful to see these. I love the feeling and colors. A freshwater mermaid, love your insight into her. I often run out of paper, I am in that situation right now, do I tear out the face, add it to wood or a bigger piece of paper...I have barely begun my homework for this class.
ReplyDeleteLOL I loooooove them..but you knew I would..as they are delightful mermaids. The second one though...I adore her...riverdancing giggle..wonderful hon!!! I am loving what you are doing!!
ReplyDeleteLisa...I agree a million% with you! I cannot believe what a great network of artist friends I have connecte d with and how it has changed me and my life profoundly. That Suzi class is sheer magic. I spent the whole 4 day weekend (no school for Jewish holidays here) hanging out with her and catching up on the videos. She makes me laugh so hard and I learn so much from her. She has helped lift me from a very dark place and it is starting to show in my work..I wa sup until 3am in my studio ! I just woke up!
ReplyDeleteMemraid one is lovely,. When I run out of paper, I rip the drawing out of the book and add paper to it...no need to stop or squish the drawing, just grow more paper! Mermaid two is so beautiful and who says Mermaids dont have hips? Mine are quite plump...why not, alittle fat helps keep them bouyant! and her tail is so stylish and bohemian. You inspired me this morning my friend! See you at Suzi's later!
I love it, practicing her mermie moves... so important!!
ReplyDeleteYou mermaids are great. And I love that you gave that lady her wish of becoming a siren.
ReplyDeleteThese are too cute Lisa! I especially like the scrollwork on the tail of mermie #2. It's fun watching what you do with this class. Inspires me to try new things too!
ReplyDeleteLaughed while reading your post, you are such a witty writer too.
Have a super Sunday!
Smiles
These are both so beautiful!! You did a great job on the back view for the first one, that is a difficult perspective. And I love the whimsical swirly tail on the second one, so pretty! That seems like a great class, I want to take one of her classes someday :) ~Lauren
ReplyDeleteWonderful mermaids Lisa!! Is the first one an elf mermaid (such cute ears!!)? I think her arm is there - it is just in front of her. In fact I can see her finger sitting on her mouth with the rest of her hand under her chin (holding it up), thinking but not quite ready to speak of her thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see mermaid #2 as a Celtic Dancer and feel the waves radiating from her! And such a pretty tail!
They are lovely!! Fabulous job!
I tried a mermaid for the first time for CED2010 this week where the theme is water. Is that course about mermaids?
These are wonderful... I love the rearview. It's great to see a different perspective - I know how difficult it can be :)
ReplyDeleteThe linework on the second one is beautiful (and I love all of the interesting bits you have going on in the background). As someone who is "wide in the hips", I think she is perfect ;)
p.s. I totally agree about the fun of experimenting & sharing with friends!
Love Mermies in general but Mermie 2, the Riverdance one makes me want to get to a pool and try the dance myself ! Great sketches !
ReplyDeleteWOW Lisa...fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI think both pieces are fabulous. I love that you have an Irish mermaid....that made me smile!!
ReplyDeleteWe love this mermaid - she is great! Irish fresh water - I need to learn more!
ReplyDeleteHi again Lisa! Beautiful to revisit!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thankyou for your lovely comment on my simplicity-post and no mail yet! I shall let you know straight away!I am so excited and cannot wait!! Hugs!
and a BIG Thankyou for your help and advice for photos , files and blogging..stuff i really dont know much about..you have been a super help! THANKYOU!
HUgs and sparkles
Victoria~
Wonderful mermaids! I think they are both great. I love how the first one has a very human pose, sitting like a human - I could picture her wishing she were. I love the swirls on the tale of the second one and I think she is fabulous! The stories always go so perfectly with your drawings/paintings. I look forward to your posts for both reasons! Thanks for sharing your talents.
ReplyDeleteYour mermaids are lovely...number two is my favorite. I'd love to go swimming with her.
ReplyDeleteYour sketches are very good. I love #2.
ReplyDeleteI love the way the ink came through from behind. Too wide in the hips?!?!!
She has nothing on me :)
xox
WOW.. your sketches are so cool. I love the way you tell what your thoughts and your process it adds so much to your art.. Ah.. to be free and swim the waters, I would love to know what great adventures your mermaids have had! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour sketches are soo beautiful! I adore mermaids. I think it's my first time visiting your very inspiring space here eventho we have been to the same flying e-course. Your work is truely amazing and i love love the colors that comes along with your work. I also adore your piece on inspiration avenue's simplicity! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love the new blog header and layout. really cool.
the mermaids are so fun. I love what you have done with mermaid 2 and her tail...that's ok, i think i ate too many oysters and lobsters this summer too, and I think my hips are looking similiar! mermaids are allowed to, right? really love them...and the colors and scroll work, too!!!
happy monday
xxoo
I love drawing and painting mermaids and I really love your take on them, they are beautiful and I hope to see a painting one day! Lovely pieces, my favourite is the one from behind, such a lovely pose!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay...have had a lot going on lately....forgive me.
ReplyDeleteI love your sketches. It has been wonderful walking by your side and watching you grow in your art. You are blossoming into something beautiful.
It's amazing how even your attempts are a shear delight to the eyes! I especially love he second one!!♥
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have found your blog! I followed you over from Kelly's blog. Love your sketches! These are great! I look forward to following your journey! :)
ReplyDeleteThese are so wonderful! I love that it looks like a watercolor painting. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh I can't decide if I should take mermaids. I'm still doing the second petite dolls. I really wanted to do the goddess and poet next. How much stylized face painting does she teach in mermaids? I'm wondering if I really need it and can just go onto mermaids.
How glad to connect with you through Sunday Sketches. I love your blog and your art. I'll keep coming. Your sketches are gorgeous. The color amazing. For me, this online friendship means a lot and like you my perspective of life and my work has changed! I am enjoying this new adventure!
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