Dolphin Headboard

This is the photo I just received from a friend ...

her daughter just loves dolphins.

Her grandfather wanted to make her a headboard

as a Christmas present 

and I was asked to paint the details.

This is what I got ... completely sanded and base coated.

Just the way I like to start a project!

 (Personal Note: I haven't met "Grandpa"

but I would paint details for him any day ...

he did a fabulous job sanding and base coating this!)

And here is the photo I was given:

 This was a personal challenge for me.  I consider my style

to be more "whimsical" and less "realistic" ...

 and these are some seriously realistic dolphins!!

 

I started with a horizon line; 

(where the water meets the sky).

I base coated the dolphins with gray acrylic paint.

 My signature "dip dot eyes"

I say signature, because I am incapable

of making any other kind. 

Believe me, I've tried.

It's not pretty.  It's pretty scary ...

I used black and white to mix various shades of

gray for shading and highlighting ...

 ... and for the fluffy clouds and the suggestion

of waves, I used a wash of white.

I was concerned about these dolphins actually

looking like they were jumping out of the water;

and I was concerned about making the water

actually look like water ...

but I used a toothbrush to spatter white paint onto

the tails and "water" beneath,

and when that was completely dry,

I brushed several coats of Extreme Glitter over the water.

 I know I did the best job I could do ...

and I hear the recipient is happy so I'm

completely pleased!

Her happiness is all that matters in the end.

Challenge yourself!

I'll tic that off my own list as Lesson Learned!