The Clearwater Dolphins Trail is a joint promotion between the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City of Clearwater. I have been commissioned to design a dolphin in this series to be displayed on Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60. Here are some pictures that show how to paint a fiberglass sculpture. First I cleaned and sanded the sculpture, touching up with primer, any areas where the primer had scraped off. The next step was painting the dolphin himself, in natural colors, which is my style. I used artist acrylics, mainly Faux Effects, Golden and Liquitex. When the dolphin was good and dry, I sketched the mermaids on using soapstone marking sticks. These sticks leaving marks that easily wipe away, and show well on a dark surface. On a light surface I would recommend willow charcoal instead.
Then I painted in my mermaids, using photos of models that I took as references. The idea was that the mermaids appear to swim alongside the dolphin. I finished the painting with the logo for Pier 60.
Lastly, I varnished the dolphin with Colorseal from Faux Effects as a barrier coat. A barrier coat protects the artist paints from the potential of the more aggresive sealer to follow, from damaging the work. I followed that with 3 coats of Plex Seal, sold by Porter Paints.
Clearwater’s Dolphins Trail is a public art exhibition of 6′ fiberglass dolphins individually themed and decorated. Visit the locator map and visit them all!
