Hi! I’m trying to design a mermaid based off Chinese carp fishes. Is there any way I can improve this character sketch or make it fits more into comic aesthetics? I would love to see what is your opinion, or you guys can draw over my original manga panel. Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰
I'd suggest either looking for/making a brush for the scales on the tail or simplifying it - it does look like something that would be a pain to redraw over and over again
I agree with simplifying the design. Also, the tail looks a bit rounder than it should be to me. I would recommend making the merperson's body more streamlined since they would have an easier time swimming that way
I like the koi fish influence with the rounder mermaid tail. Some other koifish mermaid Ive seen are just normal skinny-tailed mermaids with koifish color, which is boringgg
Simplifying the design, but that’s been said. This one is just an opinion but the tail looks a bit short compared to the torso?
I mean, there could be a balance. They don't have to have stick-tails but it doesn't have to be so round either
Yeah it’s hard to make her look like a koi fish. Idk if you could draw over it’s fine to showed what you meant. 🫶
I'll give it a try, sure ^^
Okay thank you so much!
Here are the pointers I had in mind as I drew:
It could be cool to have the spots bleed upto the torso instead of having a clear line
No need to draw all the individual scales. Just the colorful spots are enough imo
The tail should look sleek but curvy
The fins should feel more like curtains or the hem of a dress: flowy instead of sharp
Also, the fins are too small in my drawing, it should be bigger
Edit: This made me want to draw a mermaid. Would you mind if I drew one, too?
Floating hair strands
Thinner than normal torso
Scales all around
Fins where the arms are to add onto the speed
Curtain-like tailfin
...I tried
I like it round. It's the best thing about Koi fish!
That's fair haha
if they want to make it look less "stubby" they could also add a long wispy tail I think
That's a good idea. This is what I meant by curtain-like tail by the way Looks beautiful
Yeah no problem! Just look up your favorite fish and add their features that you love! I happened to like koi fishes so ️
The problem is that my koi fish girl doesn’t translate well and she just looked like a western mermaid lamoooooooo
Here are some references and tips I found and saved on pinterest
