Back again for another exciting round of the Doodle Magic drawing challenge. This time the reference shape is this really interesting, deep red curve with a broad, swirling base that tapered up into a thinner neck, finished off with a sharp, distinct point kicking out to the right side.
Usually I spend some time rotating these abstract shapes, looking for a hidden face or an object. But with this one the moment I saw that swooping, fluid motion and the energetic twist of the point, I did mot have to guess at all. I immediately saw the powerful yet graceful turn of a mermaid's tail just as she is diving down or could be twisting in the water. The shape already had so much movement and potential in it that I knew I had to build a character that could embody that feeling.
So, I decided to let that original red silhouette dictate the entire pose and color palette. Used that exact shape as the absolute foundation for her tail. I love how the deep rich red color provides a strong base for the character and the way the shape curves naturally which suggested a twisting motion for her lower body. On the other hand I was thinking that tail has feet do you see them? That sharp point on the right became the perfect feet like structure, giving the tail a sense of propulsive power without needing to draw any individual fins.
Once the tail was established, I had to build the rest of her upwards from that curve, making sure the transition felt natural. Added a simple, rounded torso in a light, neutral skin tone, following the line of motion started by the tail. I think that little belly is cute and fits her persona. I wanted her pose to be dynamic to match the energy below, so I drew one arm raised high maybe she is waving to a friend or reaching towards the surface and the other arm is curved down and back for balance. Also she could be posing before a camera.
To break up the large areas of flat color and add some personality, I decided to give her a little open vest so small such that it does not hide the belly I love. I chose an earthy olive green for this, and I love how that natural tone contrasts with the deep red of the tail; it gives her a bit of a practical, sea-adventurer vibe rather than just a typical princess look. For her hair, I went with a deep, almost navy blue in a fun, upward sweeping, spiky style that mimics the motion of a wave or maybe a dorsal fin. Finally, added a simple string of white pearls around her neck for a touch of classic elegance, which also helps define her neckline against the hair and vest.
It really perfectly showcases my love for clean lines and flat, simple color blocks. There are no individual scales drawn on the tail, no complex shading on her skin or muscle definition, just big, confident shapes that tell the story clearly. Even without gradients, you can feel the movement in her pose just by how the shapes are arranged and interact with each other. The tricky part was definitely making sure the upper body felt connected and balanced with that very distinct, heavy tail shape, but I think the final figure has a great sense of flow and personality.
