fish
3/18/2010 07:09:00 AM Posted In fish , ink and colored pencil Edit This 18 Comments »
I'd like you to meet my new fish. I've been wanting some fish for a long time ... don't ask me why, it just seemed like a good idea. It's been a cold winter here, and I've been waiting to get them because I thought that transporting them home in the cold weather would not be such a hot idea (even tho they'd be in the car, still it's been a tad nippy). So about 2 weeks ago, I brought 2 goldfish home during a warm spell. In preparation for their arrival, I bought a punch bowl to keep them in. See, after finding out that each goldfish needs a gallon of water (yes, a Gallon Each!!), I didn't want to spend the $$ on an aquarium, so I bought this 2 gallon punch bowl at a second hand store - clear glass with "pressed glass" flowers around it. I brought the fish home, put some gravel in the bottom of the punch bowl, a few plastic plants, room temp water, and then introduced them slowly to their new digs. They freaked out and hid among the plants. They stayed that way for days .... wouldn't eat, didn't swim around, just hid in the bushes. It finally occurred to me that what scared them so was that looking thru those pressed glass flowers distorted their view so much that it scared their little selves half to death.
Another problem (I know this is long, but I can't help it) is that we're going to be gone for 5 days and I worried that they might starve while we were gone. Then I found this magic fish food block that you just put in their bowl and it lasts for 7 days! But, it works best if the water is moving. So, back to the pet store to buy an aquarium, the fish food block, tubing, a pump, and a bubbler thingy. (Now my $2.00 fish have cost me about $30). I set them up in their new home, and guess what? They're Happy!! They swim, they come to the top when they see me, and they eat like little piggies! I'm happy, too!
Here they are .... colored pencil drawings (which I'm not very good at and which I did on paper with too much tooth for colored pencil).
Another problem (I know this is long, but I can't help it) is that we're going to be gone for 5 days and I worried that they might starve while we were gone. Then I found this magic fish food block that you just put in their bowl and it lasts for 7 days! But, it works best if the water is moving. So, back to the pet store to buy an aquarium, the fish food block, tubing, a pump, and a bubbler thingy. (Now my $2.00 fish have cost me about $30). I set them up in their new home, and guess what? They're Happy!! They swim, they come to the top when they see me, and they eat like little piggies! I'm happy, too!
Here they are .... colored pencil drawings (which I'm not very good at and which I did on paper with too much tooth for colored pencil).
18 comments:
I had goldfish when I was little and that's exactly how they look like :) Those fins really do make it look graceful... I just wished Malaysia isn't that hot. Goldfish needs super cold water
These are very nice. You are amazing me again.
So, are you going to make a terrarium out of the punch bowl? Or is it going back to a second hand store?
xoxo
I love the different views of your fish - if they escape, you will be able to recognise them! They will be a lovely subject for lots of future sketches.
Nancy, Your post is very bittersweet for me this morning. Earlier this week the heater in our little outdoor garden pond went crazy and, as my brother put it, I fried all the fish alive. Whoops! He said when he went up to the pond to remove the dead fish some frogs jumped in the water and immediately jumped out again! But you have painted your new pets beautifully. I hope you have better luck with them than I did with ours.
Well observed! I like fish. Especially pan fried... or maybe grilled...
The different perspectives are interesting--I really like the colors too.
Beautiful fishes! And I enjoyed your story, too.
I couldn't help but chuckle at this story...we had an almost identical one about two months ago when my middle school-age son BEGGED to have some goldfish. I caved, the "bowl" got so dirty so fast we had to get the whole aquarium deal with bubbler, etc. He still has to change the water quite frequently, but not as much as before! For as pretty as they are, they sure do mess up a tank pretty quick! Nice sketches, btw!
You'll love having the fish. You just needed to learn to talk their language.
Yes, pets tend to take over slowly our lives and pocketbooks, but they are such fun and comfort. Lovely sketches. Look forward to seeing more.
Beautifully drawn - I'd say you're good with colored pencil! We have a 55 gallon aquarium with lots of fish in it - they are our only pets at the moment. They are fun to watch - but I'm also looking forward to getting a puppy and a kitty this spring - you know, something you can pet.
You rendered these fish beautifully!!
I do love a fantail goldfish - they are so graceful and you've captured that perfectly.
My last fish was a spotted Danio (white, with a black spot on his side) that I named Fishysoise (like the cold potato soup, except, fishy). He lived for YEARS!
They look great! What's $30 dollars if you've wanted the fish for so long. It doesn't compare as $2 fish:$30 aquarium. It is rather $32 fish and home:pleasure of having fish!
Nice sketch! I think you'd make a great fish psychologist, too. I can relate to your expansion in project scope, too. Always something.
These fishes are lucky to have such an attentive aquarium designer. Did you show them their pretty portraits?
Adorable fish, Nancy! I loved hearing the story of how you purchased them too.
saw this the other day but I was rushing through blogs and had no time to comment..I think you captured the fish well, and their tails are definitely soft and feathery just like the real thing.
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