Mixed Media Mermaid: Pt 2
In Mixed Media Mermaid Pt 1 , I talk about how I got this illustration mapped out and started. The plan was to do all the color rendering digitally, print it, then add some embellishments on top. I was really happy with how it looked on the screen. I love the flowy movements and brilliant pops against the murky water. I love that she’s at home with these beautiful yet dangerous stinging sea creatures. I researched bioluminescence in aquatic animals. The phenomenon is a little bit of magic. I worked towards a moody and mysterious vibe with the color to add to her story.
But let’s go back a step…..
Digital Painting
I really enjoyed how the digital painting came out. But when I got the canvas print back, I was genuinely angry about how the color turned out. It wasnt even the color or the quality of the print or the canvas that was the issue. It was just waaay too dark. And it was my fault. I misjudged the contrast and brightness after working with this on a backlit screen for ages. I had sent in a too damn dark file and had to accept it.
But I wasnt about to send files back and forth trying to get it right. I was going to paint some texture and details in anyway…I figured I’d just repaint it in acrylics. I essentially painted this entire thing over again. I had to. You could barely see the tail or the plants at all in the print. Just a beautiful floating torso.
But this gave me a chance to experiment further and make some changes that I think worked really well. In some cases, much better. I hadnt worked with the figure in acrylic since my tiny self portrait on paper. It really sparked the desire to go analog with wet paint and self portraits that I’ve been seeing in my mind lately.
So yeah! Once I got over my missteps and got to problem solving, I enjoyed the one thing i was trying to avoid. I went in thinking digital painting would be more convenient and efficient because it’s portable and I can skip drying time. But painting this over again ended up making being the most pleasurable, inspiring, and successful part of the process.
Finishing Touches
I did end up adding some mixed media embellishments. Some tiny Swarovski crystals in select places, some gold flakes here and there, some translucent reflective mica slivers on the scales, and some shallow bubbles made of resin. I’m struggling to capture the magic of it all on camera. But when I do, I’ll be sure to share it.
The process of getting all the drawing and some underpainting done digitally then printing and painting away on top of that came with some valuable discoveries. Next time I give this a try I’d like to incorporate some collage.
