✨Magic Pearl ✨ Mermay #3 // WIP + Preview ! (Patreon)

Hi ! 🌞

I am back with another work in progress ! This one was tough, so I forgot to take pictures at times (especially at the end, when I really wanted to get it done !).
I liked the idea of a mermaid in the water, kind of in the dark, holding a big shiny pearl, but didn't manage to do what I wanted because I am still struggling with backgrounds and inks. I knew I wasn't good at it, but this illustration really opened my eyes and made me think of all the things I still have to learn !

S t e p  1
Sketch ! Using my light table (this one if you were wondering !), Canson paper and a Prismacolor pencil 

Newt approves !

S t e p  2
First layer of blue ink. I mixed victoria blue (which has purple tones in it) and cyan by Pébéo.

Then added some magenta on the mermaid's hair, pearl and tail.

S t e p  3
I used masking fluid (by Pébéo) to cover the clouds so I can paint the background and keep the clouds clean ! To take it off, you just have to peel if with your fingers or with an eraser.

S t e p  4
At this point I was too focused on the painting to take pictures, so here you can see that I peeled off the masking fluid, outlined everything, added some colors to her tail and hair with Promarkers but hated it, so I covered it with pink gouache.

S t e p  5
I added some white details with Winsor & Newton gouache. I wanted the pearl to be super shiny but the gouache wasn't opaque enough. I think I don't quite understand lighting as well, so I decided to stop before ruining the whole illustration ! 😅 I'll post this one on my Instagram tonight !

Details !

Thanks again for your kind words about the Mermay posts !
And welcome to my new Patrons !! 💗✨

Hugs,

Sibylline 🌈