Friday, February 3, 2017



In this original acrylic work in progress WIP painting I am reworking a big eye mermaid.  I've been thinking about reworking this one for a while.  She now has a more defined cheek line and I've done some other adjustments to her hair.  I'm also planning on repainting her nose and lips, they are a bit off.  I was considering giving her a seahorse friend, but I think instead I will give her a starfish friend.  I have two more of these frames, I would like to do a couple more mermaid paintings on them at some point. 

This big eyed beauty has a 7 3/4” x 7 3/4” Image Area on a 11 1/2"x11 1/2"x1 1/2 Frame; she is painted directly on the frame in acrylics.


This is a work in progress, but I also usually post at least one finished piece on Tuesdays if you'd like to come to visit!  You also may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:


Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has a look of quiet determination and strength.  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a goddess or a mermaid.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.


I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February.  This is day 3.  

This is a rough sketch.  I am also participating in the February 29 Faces Challenge, this is face 3.

19 comments:

carol l mckenna said...

Painting is beautiful ~ so well done ~ lovely big eyed girl sketch ~ thanks,

Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful weekend ~ ^_^

Christine said...

Beautiful painting and a lovely sketch!

Fran said...

Thank you for your visit to my blog. I love your mermaid peeking to the porthole of a ship. Imagine the sailors surprise.

DVArtist said...

Ooohhhhh myyyyyy. This is beautiful!!! I love this frame it is perfect for her.

Jennifer Rose said...

the painting looks nice :) the frame suits the subject perfectly

Anonymous said...

The finished work beautifully toys with our imagination.
Looking forward to what imagination holds for the other maiden

Robin said...

Hi Lisa! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice and encouraging comment. I love your mermaid. The frame is awesome...and a couple more...could be a series of 3. It is a very unusual frame and I think painting directly on it was a great idea! I also think your sketch is so pretty. I am in 29Faces Challenge, ink drawings with a little paint or color and now I have a couple I may go back to and fully paint them, so I can understand the maybe's about it. Happy PPF and have a great weekend. Big Hugz, Rasz

Clare Lloyd said...

She is beautiful

Valerie-Jael said...

Lisa, this is lovely, and she really looks like she's looking out of window on a ship. Great sketch, too. Have a good weekend, hugs, Valerie

Laney said...

The mermaid painting in that frame is SO cool! Interesting to see how you are working on it. Happy PPF!

sirkkis said...

I think the mermaid is enchanting when looking outside the wonderful frame window. Love the sketch of maiden,too.
Have a happy week ahead ♥

froebelsternchen said...

Love that she looks out of the window ! Amazing sketch as well!

Lisabella Russo said...

Thanks so very much Carol, Christine, Fran, Nicole, Jennifer, Martin, Rasz, Clare, Valerie-Jael, Laney, sirkkis, and Susi!

Sue (this n that) said...

Hello Lisa, I think your mermaid is so sweet and is looking right at home in her beautiful frame :D)

Giggles said...

Wonderful job, I really thought her mouth was emoting powerfully! She seems passionate, annoyed and strong! Love her how she is!! Our faces do tend to contort when you are expressing in certain ways!!


Hugs Giggles

Lisabella Russo said...

Thanks so much Sue and Giggles, I still feel I can improve a bit on her nose and lips, I'm glad you like her though, I hope you'll like her even better when I fix her...

Lowcarb team member said...

Really like your mermaid in that frame.

All the best Jan

Magic Love Crow said...

It will be interesting to see how you rework this painting! I love it already! Those frames are so cool! Beautiful sketch! She is so pretty! Big Hugs!

Lisabella Russo said...

Thanks very much Jan and Stacy!