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Here we have the last of the shiny metal sisters — although I won’t rule out a platinum cousin just yet. (Here’s the copper-tailed sister, and here’s the sister with the golden tail. And don’t forget, you can just hit the “Mermaid Monday” category for all my mermaids.) This mermaid’s tail is silver, and she wears a top made with tattered fabric. You might expect to find more tattered fabric under the sea, but it is actually a design element these days, and not a consequence of water damage. The mermaids use the profits from pearls, coral, sharkskin and rayskin to buy most of their fabric from the elves, who specialize in the delicate, embroidered fabrics that the mermaids adore and have also mastered waterproofing techniques for cloth destined for the seas. The technique has evolved over the years, and now the best fabric treated in this way is still as light and delicate as untreated fabric. It is expensive, of course, but as far as mythological creatures go, mermaids are quite well off; with the exception of their natural predators, they rule the seas and command all the treasure underwater. They also have an amazing pearl-farming setup.
To the mermaid, intentionally tattered clothing such as the shirt the silver-tailed mermaid wears has a sort of romantic, yet melancholy feel. A mermaid waiting for her beloved so long her clothes disintegrate is a common motif, as are the tatters of the martial mermaid battling sharks, or the image of ancient generations of mermaids. This mermaid is part of her kingdom’s Anti-Shark Militia, and she loves to don her favorite frayed shirt for training, her silver tail glinting as she wields her trident.
Mermaids rule!
And I love the tale that goes with the tail. :-)
Thanks! It’s fun to think about my mermaid kingdoms and their lives….
You should do the precious stone sisters- Ruby, Emerald, Aquamarine and Amethyst!
Haha, don’t tempt me ;) Since I just finished up the shiny metal sisters, I don’t think I’ll start another “set” like that for a couple of weeks, so I can do some other things in between, but I do like the idea…
Sigh. I just love stories about mermaids. You have done such a lovely job!
I’d like to see a bridal mermaid….
Thanks, Jill!
And actually, if “iridescent” keeps on being the top poll choice, I was thinking of doing a bride mermaid with an iridescent tail… I’m kind of scared that iridescent will win, though, I’ve never drawn anything iridescent. Come on people, you’ve got a week to vote for “Bleen with Grue Accents”…
Do a gothic one! Or a grim reaper mermaid!! Scary! Vampire!
I like the idea of this mermaid being a warrior; Anti-Shark Militia — Genius!
I like this, actually, a lot more than the mermaids that stare in the mirror for hours… then again, Mulan always was my favorite Disney princess…
In my mermaid world, there is a lot to do, and too many dangers for all but the courtiers and actresses to spend countless hours on their hair. Most of these mermaids do love their primping, but think anything over two hours a day really quite indulgent. ;)
Actually, Lizzie, I like the idea of the gothic mermaid, but I think in this world, the interpretation of a relationship with death and romance may be a mite different… you’ll see. ;)
The mermaids’ personification of Death… now that should be fun…