Deep Dive into Painting a Clownfish.

Every artist knows inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. For me, it was a deep dive into old photos that ignited the spark for my latest piece.

The Inspiration:

Sometimes, the best ideas come from the least expected sources. Recently, I found myself scrolling through photos from years past and stumbled upon a somewhat blurry yet captivating image. It was a picture of a clownfish I took at an aquarium five years ago. But what really caught my eye wasn't just the fish; it was the ethereal glow lighting up the reef, casting a near sci-fi aura that I just knew I had to capture on canvas.

The Process:

Starting with a pink primed canvas and a purple wash, I began sketching out the scene. It was all about quickly capturing the essence of the moment, then gradually defining the lights and darks. To be honest, I didn't have a clear roadmap at first. It was more about instinct and layering colors, letting the painting evolve organically. The real challenge? Trying to replicate the translucency of the clownfish and its anemone home. It's a tricky thing, capturing something so delicate and almost see-through, in a medium that inherently feels solid and opaque.

For a clownfish – he’s not that funny.

Conclusion

In the end, this piece was a journey - not just in painting but in learning and discovery. It's one of those things about being an artist; every brushstroke teaches you something new, and every canvas is a story waiting to be told. While I still have a ways to go in mastering the art of translucency in oil paints, I'm excited about the path ahead. Who knows what the next deep dive into my photo library might inspire?