This mer-fish creature is one of the predecessors of the Mermaid, and a relative of the Siren.
Background on these sly creatures who lured sailors to the deep...... The word is a compound of mere, the Old English word for "sea", and maid, a woman. Much like sirens, mermaids sometimes sing to sailors and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing them to walk off the deck or run their ships aground. Other stories depict them squeezing the life out of drowning men while attempting to rescue them. They are also said to carry humans down to their underwater kingdoms. In Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, it is said that they forget that humans cannot breathe underwater, while others say they drown men out of spite.
(5 years and 3323 days ago)
I agree with Nator, the sky and ship look great. I like the way you got the ships reflection and the waterline. Cool "mercreature"
Rasta fish !! Cool man......
This is a great image! One thing confuses me: where's the transition between the surface, where the ship is reflected, and under the surface?
Thanks Bob, and I realize this is an awkward transition, so by extending the canvas vertically - and having to use a drydocked boat (best shot I could find of a hull and I liked the rust), the transition is simply in the center (above the boot), shortened for the site. And yes, I realize the proportion of the rope's thickness is also off due to this. I used artistic license.
Edit - now tweaked, see next comment.
Distorted reality is part of the charm of this image. Nevertheless, I think having the boat end of the rope realistically thin would be a good thing along with showing some signs of life on the boat. I would also eliminate the 'oil slick' thingies in the center of the image as that should just be the unencumbered transition area between the surface and the under-sea portion. The water line of the boat could be a tad more curved following the shape of the hull and the reflection of the prow should extend as far out as the actual prow does. The turtle really distracts IMO.
Made some tweaks per your suggestions, Dan. I flew in my re-con gull, and he's reported that indeed that boot was the last link to any life aboard. The crew must be in Davey Jones' locker, he said. I 'skinnied' the rope, eased back on the 'oil slick', and worked on the waterline. However, if you are referring to the right side of the image as the prow, that's the stern (see original image). The prow, or bow, is on the left. I did add some darkening of the water off the stern, tho. And the turtle has scooted off to other waters - no sense fighting over one old boot.
Well done ... great image
nice creative work author...good luck
This is a fabulously fun entry! I've watched it since its debut, and I love your changes! Most of all your creation is so full of imagination, as are your replies with the re-con gull.
And I do think removing the turtle was a good thing. Plays more into that aquatic diva. Good luck!
good work..... nice and interesting image.... gl
Howdie stranger!
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