May is usually known in the art community as the month of the Mermay challenge, where you're supposed to make one mermaid a day during the whole month.

Last time I tried, I only managed to make it to day 20. So this year, I tried again and created 31 mermaids on small A6 paper.

I hope you will like them, I sure enjoyed coming up with different creative designs each day. You can also check more of my works on Bored Panda here and here

More info: Instagram | Facebook | behance.net | Etsy

For sure the challenge was a success. My goal was to paint a total of 31 little illustrations and I did! Of course, there are some that I like less than others, but the intention of making one painting a day was achieved.

 I love monthly challenges as it allows me to focus on one particular theme and explore it each day.

After Mermay 2020, I participated in Inktober 2020. I chose the theme of Tarot cards, and started painting one card a day of a typical tarot deck. Since I had a lot of fun and liked the designs, I decided to continue the rest of the deck (78 cards) after the challenge. It's still an ongoing project (I'm at 52 cards) but I hope to finish it soon! I've attached a picture of the challenge.

#2

Day 21: Manta

Day 21: Manta

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#3

Day 13: Leaves

Day 13: Leaves

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I would say the most challenging part was to find a new type of mermaid to make each day. When we think of a mermaid, we might imagine the more traditional type of mermaid, a human body and a fish tail, so to have 31 very different characters, I started mixing in different animals, playing with clothes and pop culture characters.

I'm not fascinated by mermaids specifically, but more by the fantasy world in general. I like fairies, dragons, goblins and mermaids just as much, which are all a big inspiration for me.

#4

Day 4: May The 4th

Day 4: May The 4th

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I've been drawing for as long as I can remember, but unfortunately couldn't afford to go to an art school so I am a self-taught artist. Instead I studied graphic design and motion design at an interactive media design school and am now working at a company where I create digital content.

Lately I've been trying to broaden my art skills outside of watercolor, so I started linocarving. Once the design is carved in the block, I then print it on paper or textile, which allows me to reproduce the artwork multiple times on different supports. Currently I'm in the process of making tote bags printed with this technique, which will be then available on my Etsy shop!

#6

Day 8: Pocahontas

Day 8: Pocahontas

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#9

Day 15: Octopus

Day 15: Octopus

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#10

Day 20: I'll Let You Guess Which Animal

Day 20: I'll Let You Guess Which Animal

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#12

Day 7: Zelda

Day 7: Zelda

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#14

Day 11: Leafy Sea Dragon

Day 11: Leafy Sea Dragon

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#15

Day 17: Halloween

Day 17: Halloween

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#16

Day 22: Mipha

Day 22: Mipha

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#17

Day 10: Koi

Day 10: Koi

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See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Day 12: Third Eye

Day 12: Third Eye

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Autumn Walton
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh I like this one a lot. She feels like a character I should recognize . . .

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#23

Day 28: Witch

Day 28: Witch

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Love Math
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the good witch ~ she's so pretty!

#25

Day 29: Matsuri

Day 29: Matsuri

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#28

Day 26: Ariel

Day 26: Ariel

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See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Day 25: Ramen

Day 25: Ramen

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Autumn Walton
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I not sure who this make me think of more, Naruto or Inuyasha. :)

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Note: this post originally had 31 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.