ADVERTISEMENT

Hello fellow mermaid enthusiasts! About two years ago I decided to start a weekly drawing challenge for myself: To do one mermaid every week until I have a full 100 (and then make them into a book, but that's another story). As I am getting oh so very close to my goal (I'm at mermaid drawing number 97 right now!) I thought it was time to share this art project with you Bored Pandas out there.

All these cool drawings are created with graphite pencils and colored digitally. If some textures look like watercolor to you, though, then you are not wrong. Throughout the series, my process has undergone some slight changes, including drenching the mermaid images with liquid paint once in a while.

'But why mermaids', you ask. 'Are there not enough of them on the Internet already? Them mythological creatures with their luxurious hair and splishy-splashy tails?'

That is a good question, friend. I find mermaids a fascinating subject exactly because they are ubiquitous in fairytales and pop culture. We all have a certain image ingrained in our minds when we think of what a mermaid looks like, so it's not only a challenge to come up with new drawing ideas, but it is more fun since we all have some common ground to start from.

Anyway, this is really about the pictures, isn't it? So here are the first 40 of my mermaids! If you're interested in more of these beautiful drawings, feel free to check out my Patreon (There's no pay barrier for the mermaids).

More info: patreon.comInstagramWebsite

#1

My Zero Mermaid

My Zero Mermaid

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she's so beautiful! she could be a fairy mermaid. or a guardian angel looking over.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Serra Lubrica

Serra Lubrica

This mermaid is using her extraordinarily long tail to shield herself from outward influences and danger. Slime glands render her unappealing and poisonous to predators.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
alansaunders avatar
Alan Saunders
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwwwww...... Love this one! Mmmm...slime glands! I applaud your choice of names and your comments. Oh, and Jana - you're a wierdo! 8>

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Serra Medusa

Serra Medusa

Don't be fooled by this mermaid's delicate appearance. Her translucent tentacles are reaching far, keeping predators and nosy scientists at arm's length. Her touch can cause strong inflammations and death, earning her the name 'Black Widow of the Deep'.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow. 'black widow' fits her perfectly. she's one of the old ones, the younger ones come to her for advice.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Sedna Inanis

Sedna Inanis

This solitary spirit haunts the Northern Pacific and Arctic Ocean, restlessly collecting and stealing the souls of every animate creature she comes across, eternally trying to fill the void of her own existence.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'the witch that conducts black magic under the sea' holy s**t. she is PERFECT.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Serra Agnatha

Serra Agnatha

This sea floor dwelling mermaid has developed excellent tools for both feeding and protecting herself. Slime producing glands make her unappealing to predators, while her toothy mouth comes in handy when dismantling and eating her prey.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Sirena Sancta

Sirena Sancta

The locations of this species' sightings vary widely. The appearances never seem to last more than a few seconds and it has yet to be determined whether we are dealing with a single or multiple entities. Her ethereal and fleeting shape has led to the formation of the Siren's Church, a cult worshipping her as the embodiment of an angel.

Report

#7

Serra Communia

Serra Communia

It is highly improbable for this mermaid to survive on her own. At some point she has joined forces with a so far unidentified species of fish, forming what appears to be one creature. Evolution has taken on strange forms and this is surely one of them.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
cecelysheppard avatar
MoonChild
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of how male Anglerfish literally become a part of females during breeding ;0

View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Serra Hortus

Serra Hortus

Half plant, half mammal: This mermaid is an eco system in herself.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love her the most! the fact that she is an ecosystem and she is giving back to the world makes me appreciate more than any other mermaid.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Serra Monoceras

Serra Monoceras

Somewhere between humanity believing in unicorns and denying the existence of narwhals, this shy creature has been roaming the depths of the Arctic Sea for centuries, unnoticed and undisturbed.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
maike_u_sebastian_herschmann avatar
Maike
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that they are so different, real looking, and her posture is so gentle, touching. It`s like you captured a tought...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Sirena Quieto

Sirena Quieto

This mermaid is taking playing dead to a whole new level. Her skeletal, weathered appearance, cold blood, slow metabolism and barely detectable heartbeat will fool predators and prey alike.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Serra Papilio

Serra Papilio

Even though sightings have been rare, several varieties of this colourful species have been spotted mingling with the flora and fauna of the coral reefs close to the Chagos Archipelago. 
Nolarger than the span of a hand, this mermaid is easily mistaken for a brightly coloured fish or sea anemone.

Report

#12

Serra Teuthida

Serra Teuthida

This creature will make use of a heavy fog of ink to protect herself from curious eyes as well as to distract and poison her prey.

Report

#13

Serra Chlorophyta

Serra Chlorophyta

The hair of this mermaid produces a steady amount of oxygen in the water around her while also serving as a filter for small organisms.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the trees underwater. and every time i'm near a natural water body, i'll be thinking of her as the submerged trees. she is beautiful.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Gorgóna Gorgóna

Gorgóna Gorgóna

This mermaid seems to have sprung directly from Greek mythology, living in perfect symbiosis with snakelike water creatures that have attached themselves to her head. Sharing prey and predators alike, they are an effective combination.

Report

#15

Serra Ramosa

Serra Ramosa

Places where these creatures gather are known as 'siren forests' due to this mermaid's arboreal appearance. Her branches form a vital part of her life support system, supplying her with oxygen and nutritions.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Fiji Mermaid

Fiji Mermaid

The discovery of a living specimen begs the question whether Barnum's mummified body of a mermaid, long believed to be nothing but a hoax just as the copies which were in circulation after its destruction in the 1860s, may actually have been the real thing.

Report

#17

Sirena Velum

Sirena Velum

The dark bride of the ocean has a carnivorous approach to life, haunting the deep seas and feeding on smaller lifeforms.

Report

#18

Serra Crusta

Serra Crusta

The value of this mermaid's eyes has only been increasing with the steady decline of her species in recent years. Her shells may have proven to offer solid protection against natural predators, but lack effectivity in the face of human greed.

Report

#19

Sirena Volatus

Sirena Volatus

So far it remains questionable whether this sea creature is actually capable of flight. Instead she has been observed to use her wings for both protection and communicational purposes.

Report

#20

Serra Pellucidum

Serra Pellucidum

Due to her seemingly crystalline body, this elusive species of mermaid is hard to spot amidst the darkness of the deep sea.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Serra Sphyrna

Serra Sphyrna

Roaming the depths of the Indian Ocean, this mermaid is a skilled hunter and surprisingly nimble swimmer. Usually eager to avoid humans, she is only a danger to especially yummy stingrays.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she's a perfect example of 'don't judge a book by its cover', she looks harmful but is harmless to most. she could be a wise best friend.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Sirena Divisa

Sirena Divisa

So far this is the only species of mermaid known to have developed two tails.

Report

#23

Gorgóna Eucrante

Gorgóna Eucrante

Observed only in this rare Mediterranean variety of mermaid, research still has to disclose whether this curious application of hair tresses is biologically determined or a habit acquired over time due to circumstance.

Report

#24

Serra Servata

Serra Servata

This creature keeps a living supply of smaller fish and marine animals in a balloon like cavity, enabling her to travel long distances regardless of hunting opportunities and food availability.

Report

#25

Sirena Lucerna

Sirena Lucerna

Once in a while this deep sea creature rises to the surface to lure unassuming swimmers astray with its bioluminescent glow.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#26

Serra Teneris

Serra Teneris

There is no explanation as to what keeps this delicate mermaid alive or even keep its form. In groups of up to 200 individuals these beautiful creatures drift aimlessly through our oceans, leaving behind nothing but questions.

Report

#27

Sirena Somniculosus

Sirena Somniculosus

This mermaid has been responsible for the fates of a great many seduced sailors. Her tail is mimicking the shape of a human body to lure in prey. Having succeeded in her ventures she will then proceed to feed on the naive soul trying to mate with her behind. It is unknown why this species seems to have specialized in the consumption of human males.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about this one. At one point in my life I was a sex crazed sailor but never, ever, that desperate.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Serra Vela

Serra Vela

This mermaid's dorsal fins have developed in a unique way that enables them to catch the wind similarly to a sail. Thus she travels both underwater and adrift on the surface.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
shrutinaik797 avatar
Shruti Naik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow. just imagine what the sea would look like if an army of Serra Vela were about to fight in a war against their enemies. it would be magnificent!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Serra Gladius

Serra Gladius

This mermaid knows how to keep unwanted company at nose length.

Report

#30

Serra Macrourida

Serra Macrourida

This arctic deep sea mermaid dies shortly after spawning. Her corpse then serves as protection and food for her eggs and hatchlings.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
nawlesh_kushwaha avatar
Nawlesh Kushwaha
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Want to Join the family of real beautiful mermaid, You can actually become a real mermaid instead of buying or wearing of artificial mermaid tale. You can get a spell or wear a ring that can turn you into a mermaid at anytime you want to. contact email: joinmermaidfamily @ gmail . com You can explain to us how you want it, our child Melissa is a real mermaid and we have a huge family of real mermaid. 

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.