A Mermaid
Published by Mulgam,
Although I have zero knowledge-base on art history, I frequently search old masters works online, and admire their works. One of the painting I liked most was "A Mermaid" painted by John William Waterhouse in 1900. When I started this hobby about 1.5 years ago, I wondered whether there were miniatures that are inspired by the historical painting. There were not many by my search, but I found that Golem Miniatures were creating miniatures based on old masters' paintings in Kickstarter, so I suggested them the Mermaid for their next miniature. Surprisingly, people voted for it, and they created the miniature, and I got one! It was delivered several months ago but I dared not start painting it until now. Still, I partially regret my premature decision, but I painted it anyway.
If you never saw the masterpiece from Waterhouse, try to visit the following site for the full view. I'll just sharing the thumbnail of the work here.
Until now, I've been dealing with only 28mm or 30mm miniatures. It's my first 80mm scale miniature. There were some gap between parts, and I tried to fill the gap, but it was not very smooth. I sanded it and re-primed, but still it is clearly visible. I should have spent more time to prepare the model.
Priming, Golden Gesso White and Black + Liquitex Acrylic Gouache Yellow Ochre
Base wash, Open Acrylics: Burnt Umber + Carbon Black
Base wash, Open Acrylics: Paynes Gray
Hair: Open Acrylic, Red Oxide, Pyrole Orange
Border of eyes: Gamblin transparent earth red
Iris: Gamblin Paynes Grey, Ultramarine Blue
Reflection: Gamblin Ultramarine, Titanium White
Palette for the skin tone: Cadmium Yellow Light, Ultramarine, Cadmium Red Medium, Burnt Umber and Titanium White. Ran out of Cadmium Yellow Light in the following photo.
For the fish body and fins, Gamblin Payne's Grey, Silver, Alizarin Crimson with some hint of Ultramarine and Cadmium Red which were the left over from the previous skin painting session. Also some hint of Williamsburg Inteference Green and Violet.
Painting is done, awaiting for curing.
Now, it's completely cured. I mixed the varnish little bit, so that it is somewhere between matte and satin varnish, considering the mermaid is always wet. Now the final photos.
