Mermaid Update


Look! After 2 years of gathering dust, I've got my easel out of the corner and I'm using it again! It's been a long time since I've worked with acrylics, or done anything on this scale and at first I almost gave up in frustration. I'm become accustomed to clean bright washy watercolours and if a splash is made, (I'm very messy so a lot of splashes are made) then a splash of watercolour is easily remedied. NOT the case with acrylics as I was reminded the first day I was using them when I dripped a LARGE LOADED brush of bright red paint onto my cream rug. And it bounced.

(!)
What is a cream rug doing in a studio you may wonder.
My 'studio' is also our bedroom and I'd had rather a lot of acrylic accidents in the past, which didn't matter because the floor was vinyl. When I decided that watercolour was now to be my medium of choice I covered up the paint-stained vinyl with a new cream rug, what luxury! Needless to say I've now moved the rug well away from my painting area so brushes are safer to bounce.

Getting back to what I was saying, I found this painting frustrating at first because acrylic is so very different to watercolour and not just mess-wise. The brushes I used to use were bristly, large and to be truthful ,very cheap! I've had to use a couple of my older sable brushes for this painting and it did made life a lot easier. I need to buy some more small softer brushes because it's fun using acrylics again!

As for the mermaid painting, as you can see above it's getting to the final stages, with just the shells and flowers in her hair to do and I might put some scaly texture on her tail.

Extra Edit.....I was looking at this post and I realised it might look odd that the fish are doing a nose dive. They're not really, this is a bath panel so the design will be on it's side when the panel's back in place! :o)

Comments

My studio is in the corner of my wee little livingroom. My music room is in the other corner with guitars, piano and the like. My art supply storage is in a third corner. My "livingroom" furniture is in the middle of all of this. I always love to hear where artists work. We're a versatile bunch I think!

Were I to have my studio in the corner of my bedroom I'd never get any work done because I love to sleep a little too much;-)
By the way.....I LOVE your mermaid. The size is wonderful! Go big or go home I always say;-)
Mia said…
Oh it´s gorgeous, I love your art!
Rosie said…
It's going to look great. My "studio" is a small room with four guitars, two mandolins, two computers, one bookcase and a pair of castanets and a cupboard FULL of paints, paper, wool, fabric, glue, beads, short stories, embroidery and wool dyes. I live in this room.
Jess said…
I love rooms that are filled with life! :o)
Nicola said…
wow Jessie I don't think I've ever seen you work with Acrylic before, the is lovely and I love her face!! I struggle with using water colours now as I'm so used to using acrylics, it's funny what you get used to! this is a lovely painting and the size is great, can't wait to see it as a bath panel how cool!!

My workspace is in the corner of my kitchen at the moment but we're in the process of organising renovations and so I"ll hopefully have a nice new work area soon yay!!!
clairedulalune said…
That is the best bath panel I ever seen! Beautiful!
Karen said…
It's wonderful Jessie!
Your bathroom is going to look so good!
xx
Can't wait to see her finished and up in the bathroom...hmmm, I think our bathroom could do with some similar brightening up! My studio is a small mezzanine floor over our family room, and it is currently so full of art supplies and books and paintings, that I can't actually work up there and have taken over the dining room table downstairs!
Dear Fireflies said…
What's an artist without dripping paint and blotches on cream colored rugs, right?? Hahaha, it all sounds too familiar! Well, your mermaid looks absolutely gorgeous... I haven't worked on that kind of size for a LONG time, so two thumbs up to you!! oxox
Jess said…
Thankyou! :o)
Wow, beautiful, so delicated... Your work is amazing.
A big hug...
Joshy and belle said…
Hi Jessie
thanks for popping to my blog and leaving a comment! I love your mermaid, it will look fab in the bathroom! fliss xx
Cori Lynn Berg said…
How fun and lively! I want to dive in to the magic waters...
Jo Potter said…
Hi Jessie,
I also have a small space to work. I sit at the kitchen table to illustrate and bead... It sometimes drives me mad!:(
I wish I had a large art studio.
I love your mermaid painting. It is very vibrant and striking. Great work! x:)
April Jarocka said…
Hiya Jessie..long time no tweet honey? Love the painting. Will love it even more when it's done. Good luck with it!!!
Annette Q said…
Hi Jessie! Its so great to see your work on such a large scale. Its something I'd love to do but find a bit scary! Your mermaid is really really beautiful and I love the idea of having it as a bath panel...wow!
My studio corner is my dining table at the moment...not ideal because it makes my home look rather messy but sometimes theres nothing better that a big creative mess! :-)
Anonymous said…
she's so lovely!!!

your post made me smile :o)

warm hugs xxx

sumea
Jo Potter said…
Hi Jessie,
I am sure I left you a message here before... Oh well, I will leave another comment again!:)
Your mermaid painting is beautiful and I love the vibrant colours. It looks like a huge picture.
I also work in a small space, at my kitchen table, so I understand how awkward it can be sometimes.
Happy Creative Hols.x:)
Anonymous said…
hi sweetie

just dropping by to wish you a magical easter weekend xxx

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