NOTE: I am trying a new email subscription service because the last one stopped working. Please accept my apologies if you get more than one email for this post, though I hope to avoid that. If you are signed up, you should still be signed up, but let me know if you don’t get an email for this post. And if you want to sign up, you can do so on the right side of this page. Thank you!
For “Ocean” at Illustration Friday, I offer to you a glimpse of the elusive Painted Bulbfish, a member of the order of Anglerfish. As far as scientists have been able to tell, the bulb-like lure which hangs from the forehead is not for catching prey, but for illuminating rocky growths on which the moss it eats lives. The distinctive pattern on this individual is due to artistic license, as no live specimen has ever been witnessed.
More items recently completed: two sunflower princesses.
The image of Leona is carved into the largest and most ancient tree stump in The Wonder Woods. She was a princess who captured the light of the sun on her skin and left a trail of glittering motes wherever she went, especially in the summer months. This artist has taken taken some liberties, as the image on the tree has not the slightest hint of its original color. To her right is an artist’s rendering of her daughter, the Sunflower Princess.
Lots of progress pics below. Thank you so much for stopping by!
[portfolio_slideshow size=large]
Bulb fish is very cute. He would need his light way down at the bottom of the ocean. I love his big lips.
STill smiling at the image of the bulbfish! Leona is lovely. I have a kitty named after her:)
I never thought this kind of creature could look so friendly! :)
The patterns of the Bulbfish are beautiful and I like the idea of the lure.
LOVE the fish
So, so, so beautiful!!!!
I’m glad there’s is light in the deep dark ocean! I wish for the fish that he really is so beautiful as you made him.
filaments! HA! love it. And you do really pretty eyes.
Holy mackerel! That is a gorgeous fish!!!
Cindy….still not getting posts so I resubscribed. Been having Slumbering Herd withdrawal!
Yeah….new and wonderful creatures! LOVE the bulbfish…..he’s really dazzling. Like the gradient effect background…..was that w pens or photoshoped?
Excellent light reflection in his eye and on his lip! I also like that you kept the rocky growths “illuminated”. Well done, my friend!
Wonderful use of color in Leona of the Sun! I love the look in the Sunflower Sisters face too. :)
Nice illustration. The colors and patterns look great.
Love the colours!
So fun to see the image’s progress :-)
Beautiful work, as always!
This fish has to be my favorite of your menagerie thus far! I love the vivid colors and wild-scale patterns.
An interesting fact I remember about Angler fish; only the female has the glowing lure and she is several times larger than the male. Several males may mate with a single female, attaching themselves anywhere on her, eventually fusing to her body and becoming just small bumps.
Awesome work, Cindy! He’s fabulous!
It has such beautiful rich colors and such a fantastic fish! I love all the patterns.
THIS is a great character!! Love the colours and and his “blub”. He strangely reminds me of the lamp lighter in the little prince who makes sure all the street lamps at lit each night.
The Bulbfish is beautiful, just imagine the bottom of the sea all illuminated by these creatures, it would be wonderful :)
Nice Cinders!!! One of my favourites of yours!!!
Wonderful illustrations and details! Love the big lips and glow in her eyes!!!beautiful work!love the sunflowers sisters too !!!
Gorgeous bulbfish, Cindy. I really like the symmetrical version of this you posted below. Very creative of you to think to do that. I have seen very few symmetrical versions that I like, but this works so well and brings a smile to my face!
I love your fantastic, fantastically beautiful bulbfish!
Beautiful patterns. Also real feeling of the depths of the ocean.
One of my son’s favorite types of fish to draw, so I had to ask the expert what he thought…. His response with big smiling eyes was “COOOOOOOL” I have to agree!
I adore the fish! The colors and detail are just spot on. The eyes are so soulful on the goddess and princess.
Oooh! how did I miss this one!? I didn’t get an email! (Though I did for myth!) Love this fish – the colors, the patterns, and those LIPS!! :)
Oh I love this one!The dark background really works well with the bright colours. They pop out!
Such a great character, awesome work as always.
Such fantastic character! Love the big lips. He looks pretty laid back.
The sun and sunflower princesses are gorgeous too!
Fun details on all three- I always enjoy seeing your work.
It makes me happy :)
More magnificently mesmerizing eyes…bravo on the detailed pattern work as well! It’s easy to see why Leona would inspire legends and tree carvings far and wide.
I know am opal miner who would love having an illuminated appendage like the Elusive Painted Bulbfish…handy mutation, that one. ;)