An artist friend whose opinion I respect suggests that the values are too similar. Another thinks the mermaid should have shells in her hair and more highlights. I originally painted the fish much brighter and think I’ll go back and repaint them, as bright fish were part of the joke.

This winter I seem unable to focus on a large, money-maker project, so I’m experimenting, painting from my head, from photographs, from life, using watercolors of several types, acrylics, and pastels. Nothing really hangs together. I’m at the looks-futile-dump-it stage, but experience has taught me hang tough and finish a long-term project. For it is, actually, a project after all.

I’ll just turn my Global Warming to the wall for a while.

Later…okay, I redid it…as seen in this image. In addition to the above ideas, my son suggested that I brighten the fisherperson. At first I resisted but he was right. I ended up taking everyone’s suggestions and now I like this painting. This often happens to me: I ask for help but then I reject what I get. I know, however, that this is a mistake and I know better than to ask for suggestions and not even try them.
Click on any image to enlarge it.