Happy National World Turtle Day! Blue Purple Mermaid with Sea Turtle & Fish Original Fantasy Painting...

 Happy National World Turtle Day!

"The Gift" Original 5"x7" #Painting NFS, Open Edition 5"x7" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

It was quite some time ago, but I still remember it vividly.  I was visiting a marine aquarium and this large sea turtle came right up to the glass.  I took a photo or two, but mainly I was in awe.  That turtle is part of this fantasy mermaid painting.

WIP Big Eye Snow White Waterlily Art Original Painting Work in Progress + April Sketches, Sketch 20 & 21, Rose & Green Sea Turtle...

In this original work in progress WIP big eye maiden painting I've been working on her hair.  It is darker now and has some highlights, but I am not yet done.  I need to add some wispies and possibly some more glazing.  After which I will work on some shading on her blouse and then comes the flowers...  Worry not, I have not forgotten the highlights in her eyes, this time I am leaving them for last.  This fairytale angel fairy with water lilies in her hair is inspired by Snow White.

This big eyed beauty is on an 8"x10" canvas 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:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

===================================================

I received a beautiful package in the mail last week.  I was the lucky winner of Alexandra Macvean's Sunday Sketches giveaway.  Alexandra is a wonderful and charming illustrator and hosts Sunday Sketches on Sundays.  I think sketches are one of the strongest foundations and it is a delight to see the art that is shared there.  If you haven't already visited or been a part of Sunday Sketches, I highly recommend paying a visit to http://alexandramacvean.blogspot.com/.

Thanks so much Alexandra for the lovely gifts and the sweet kindness you always exude!

====================================================

Here is a sketch of a rose.  I had Shakespeare running through my head as I sketched this...  "What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet"  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it... 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in April.  This is from day 20.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of an green sea turtle.  I love turtles, they look very wise to me.  I'm unsure if I'll paint him or not, but I did enjoy sketching him.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in April.  This is day 21.  

This is a rough sketch.  

WIP Iris Flower Floral Art Original Painting Work in Progress + March Sketches / Sketch 11, 12, & 13 / Angel Fairy, Icelandic Poppies, & Turtle...

In this original 8"x10" work in progress WIP oil painting of an iris, I've started on the second layers inthe upper right part of the flower.  I'm going to try to sand a bit that looks a little thick on the left side.  This is my second painting with the water soluble oils.  I really like their blendability; but on this panel, there are some drawbacks.  When I complete this painting, I'm going to try them on canvas and see how it goes.  I liked how they worked on the lilac rosebud I painted, but I'm not always in the mood to paint on wood...

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. 

============================================

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a beguiling gaze.  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  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 March.  This is from day 11.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of icelandic poppies.  I took my reference photos of them during a visit to Descanso Gardens.  I may be incorporating them into the hair of a maiden I am hoping to start once I've determined which flowers will work best for her, but I have quite a few more sketches to do before that is determined...

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in March.  This is from day 12.  

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a turtle.  He is sunbathing on a rock in a pond...  I'm unsure if I'll paint him or not, but I did enjoy sketching him. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in March.  This is day 13.  

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of a Turtle at Descanso Gardens + September Sketches Art, Day 14 Sketch, Big Eye Angel...

I took this photograph of this turtle at Descanso Gardens.  He was stretching and seemed to be posing, he held this pose for the entire time that I sat by the pond.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint animals, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has a veil atop her head and is glancing backwards...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  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 September.  This is day 14.   She is also face 14 for the 29 faces challenge in September. 

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of Two Turtles at Descanso Gardens + June Sketches Art, Day 29 Sketch, Gothic Mermaid...

I took this photograph of these turtles at Descanso Gardens.  I believe they are red eared sliders, but I'm not sure.  They seemed to be posing for me... I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

Although I've yet to paint a turtle, I love to paint animals, you may see some of my finished paintings at www.lisarusso.com if you'd like.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has long flowing hair that cascades around her.  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  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 June.  This is day 29.

This is a rough sketch.

A Photograph of a Turtle at the Norton Simon Museum of Art...

This photograph is of a turtle who was in the pond and garden area of the Norton Simon Museum of Art.  This is the only time I can recall having seen a turtle there, and he looked none too pleased at being spotted.  He seemed to be saying, "paparazzi please, this is my me time;" but he was so cute I couldn't resist taking a quick photo of him...