Cutting through coastal waters at over 60 mph (100 km), this 200-lb (90-kg) sailfish, a relative of the swordfish and marlin, launches into the air to capture a flyingfish. Then, folding its dorsal fin sail tightly into a groove on its back, it dives down to join other sailfish in herding smaller fish into a tight group. Attacking with side-to-side slashes of their long bills, the swordfish stun their prey and swallow them whole.
A single female can spawn several million eggs, but countless predators sharply reduce the number that reach adulthood. The newly hatched sailfish, at ⅛ inch (3 mm) long, gives little clue that in a week or ten days, the bill and sail will appear, and that in a year it will be around 6 feet (2 m) long.
You will need:
- Sketch paper
- Canvas panel
- Masking tape
- Brushes: #12 flat, #6 round, #1 round
- Acrylics: blue, green, burnt sienna, white, red
- Palette
Begin sketching your sailfish with basic shapes that fit attractively onto the size canvas you have chosen for your painting. After you are satisfied with your drawing, tape the top edge to the top edge of the canvas. Use graphite paper to transfer your drawing to canvas. Fold the sketch back, leaving tape in place.
On your palette place green, blue, red, and white paint. Add a little water to your paint, and use your #12 flat brush to lay basic colors onto your canvas.
Mix blue and white with a touch of green for a second layer that blends your background. After this is dry, you can fold the sketch and graphite paper down to replace any details that have been lost.
With your smaller brushes, use black and blue to sharpen details on the sailfish.
Blend burnt sienna and white on the body, taking care to avoid harsh lines.
With your smallest brush, add black lines on the sail and gills.
Add the flyingfish.
Finish your sailfish by applying black dots to the sail. Place the markings along the fish’s back.
With your #6 brush, paint white foam in the water. As you go, use a wet brush or fingertip to gently scatter and “splash” the foam. Practice on scrap paper first.
