March has passed by like a breeze, bringing in the scents of spring and a new semester. With the start of the Spring semester, came what I’ve been waiting for since applying to the Art Academy: our Independent projects. It began with an idea, like the best of things do. As I stressed and pushed for a concept, one hit me in the gut. The Contrast (or Dark side, I suppose) of Fantasy. The socially acceptable versus the original concepts of the mythical creatures prominent in our society. Mermaids and fairies and dragons took shape in my head as I tried to piece my ideas together. The beauty of the mermaid against the shark-toothed siren, colourful fairies made warriors protect their home, vicious dragons showing maternal instincts, and unicorns gone feral… all according to the various myths from which they surfaced. And now, halfway through this project, I realize I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Don’t get me wrong, I love how my paintings are going and am super proud of my creative genius, but I’ve hit a creative block. Maybe it was spending an hour on one fairy wing, or three hours designing dragons, but time has slipped away faster than I realized. There’s this quote by Guy Lombardo that I finally understand; “It’s later than you think.”, and it is. What started as a funky idea has turned into a severely time-consuming, complex project. I know I can’t rush now, though, as extreme detail in half of my series while the other half is simple would look sloppy. Though I am behind, I have faith that I’ll have this series finished on time, no matter how much coffee I have to drink. My first painting is called ‘Maiden of the air, Siren of the sea’. It is painted using acrylic paints on a 16 by 20-inch canvas. Facing vertical and split in half, this painting contrasts mermaids and sirens as well as warm and cold colours. Above the surface (upper half), the mermaid lounges on a rock. Her skin, hair, part of her tail, and the sky behind her are shades from red to yellow, with an occasional pop of purple or green. The rock is a pale grey, but grows dark near the surface of the water to showcase the splashing of the waves. Under the water is where the ‘mermaid’ transforms into her true self. One siren is partially in and out of the water. Her tail is warm colours above the water, but turns to dark greens and blue as soon as she is below the surface. All the sirens showcase different shades of cool colours, from green to purple. Their skin is dull, often greyish hues in their colour scheme, their hair is dark, and their tails grow a bit brighter. The surrounding water is a blue that I watered down to make it pale to keep attention on the sirens themselves. Sea plants grow out of the rock and the bottom of the canvas, which is above the seafloor. I fixed the messy spaces by the sirens the best I could, but the only picture I have of the full painting still has gaps. My second painting is called ‘Warrior of the Forest’. It is painted with acrylic paint on a 16 × 20 inch canvas. This painting is number 2 of 4 of my series. It features a peaceful background of mushrooms, leaves, and a tree's lower trunk. In the foreground are a few large mushrooms. The larger one has a tall fairy sitting on it. They face the side in a slouched-over position, looking unhappy. A smaller fairy looks away on the lower mushroom, holding a spear. Their wings are ripped, and they seem to have a neutral expression. On the tree in the background, some fairy silhouettes are in various positions. Currently, I’d say I am about halfway through this painting. I need to paint the tree and mushrooms and fairy figures in the background, the rest of the actual background and the fairies’ skin and weapons. I spent a lot of time on the fairies’ wings and leaves, and am proud of them. Yes, I am excited to finish this painting, but mostly am relieved to be almost done. Painting three has no name yet. It will be painted with acrylic paint on a 16 × 20 inch canvas. So far I have only completed the sketch on the canvas. This design is small dragons protecting eggs in a nest. Painting four is just an idea right now. I am thinking this one will be a unicorn as seen in some earlier myths; with goat-like and horse characteristics. Unicorns are described as beautiful but dangerous, protective and feral beings, so I want to highlight the ‘dangerous’ and ‘feral’ parts. I will paint the unicorn as beautifully majestic as possible but give it red eyes for the feral parts, and blood. Violent unicorn, yay! I’m playing with the idea that this unicorn was also protecting something, maybe a person they like or a baby. I’m excited to continue my series of Contrast in Fantasy. Writing this gave me a little more motivation and made me more anxious to see the final products! I will update you all with possibly a ¾ progress note, or maybe just after the project is finished. Stay safe, drink some water, and do something you love. Issy ❤ "Maiden of the Air, Siren of the Sea" "Warrior of the Forest" Acrylic, 16" x 20" canvas(Almae Draconis)
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AuthorIssy ❤ Archives
January 2024
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