"Concept Sketch: Lionfish Merman"

This sketch was the first design concept I had for illustrating a merman. I love the look of the Lionfish, so I incorporated some of the elements: the tiger stripes and the barbed fins along the back. I only wish that I had drawn the tail as well... that would of been cool. I did give him one of the basic elements of merfolk that I think would exist... gills in the throat for taking in oxygen. I didn't get to do the webbed hands with this design. Looking back at this... the trident would be the first thing that I would re-design.

Medium: graphite on vellum paper
Dated: 1995