"Mermaid" by Kerry S. Boyd

I think you could get away with the great white coloring if you made the water greenish.

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "Hmm... I suppose that's true. The coloration probably won't be exactly the same as the shark, either, so I can manipulate the color of the mermaid a bit as well. "

If possible, I would make the shoulders broader to give her the ability to "hide" her arms behind them when she needs to go really fast. If you make the gills puffy (like you say you are going to) then that will work since all lungs and gills work on surface area to absorb oxygen. Little strands like that would be insufficient, but you know that already. I like this image, it is very imaginative. As far as coloration....that's a tough one. It would depend on whether she swims around on her "belly" most often, or spends a lot of time "standing" vertically in the water. If she swims around on her belly, then I suggest the standard coloration of lighter belly, darker back (bluish-grey for back and greenish-white for the belly). If she spends more time standing vertically...then I have no clue. That's a much tougher problem; though, I do not think it makes since for her to do that. So go with the swimming on her belly suggestion. Good job so far.

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "I'll give some thought to the shoulder idea; and she does swim horizontally most of the time, so standard coloration patterns would apply. Thanks for the appreciation and the suggestions. ^..^"

As far as the colour, i would give it a muddy gray, (assuming that it lives somewhat like the river dolphins in south america) i dont know much about them, but i do know that they have larger frontal fins, and have flexible necks...

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "Well, this is an ocean-dwelling creature instead of a river one, but since she's found primarily in the open ocean and only come nearer to shore during the breeding season when prey there is more plentiful, gray might still be a viable option. Especially if it's something like a blue-gray. "

Good job. It looks alot cleaner than the scetch. (i guess thats why they call it lineart) i cant wait till the coloured version is finished. I hope you act on my suggestion to make it colorful in the mating/birthing season.

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "Well the positioning of this picture isn't really conducive to the shallower water, so this one will depict its normal colors. I'll do a later one with a reef-ish background for their mating color pic. I'd need both genders in that one to show the dimorphic color patterns. "

hmm.. coloring.. I would think that if she swims on her belly.. her back would want to blend into the ocean. Because.. when she's hunting fish and things.. she wouldn't want to be seen now would she? But if she's mating.. then she would want to be vibrant.. but that could be a problem for feeding wouldn't it?hmm.. but if she stalks up on fish before mating season.. then she can get vibrant.. change back.. and still survive.. hmm... very very interesting.. hmm... I will come back when I think up a solution. It will hit me at around twelve o'clock tonight lol

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "Yes, during the rest of the year, they do blend in rather like sharks do. When mating season is coming, they are drawn to shallow places, like estuaries and coral reefs. Brighter fish dwell there, so they can afford to be brighter themselves, though they don't eat much during mating season. Once the season's over, their normal coloration returns and they go back to the open seas... and the females gorge themselves to provide for themselves and their developing young. The males do the same, but to replenish the energy they lost trying to impress females during the season. "

Hmmm... you seem to enjoy using the idea of changing colors in mating season, and I can't think of any "real' animals" (meaning animals that happen to be less ilusive then these ) that change colors like that. Do you know of any that do? Anyway, it's very refreshing to see a mermaid that doesn't have skin the color of bubble gum and blond hair!

Kerry S. Boyd replies: "There are many kinds of fish, and whole hosts of birds that change colors for mating season. Some reptiles and amphibians do also. "