Li Ban The Mermaid

I was in charge of designing a mermaid who according to the legend, was an Irish woman turned into a mermaid after the flood that created Lough Neagh. The challenge was to keep some features from the reference but also to highlight the fact that she lived in a lake. I decided to keep away from the stereotypical sea shells and ocean-like visual elements and go more for an outfit made out of the real lake flora. Also due to budget restrictions especially when it comes to the animation part, having a long flowing hair would have been expensive so, I suggested the client to still keep the long hair but tied up in hairdo evoking organic, seaweed, vines.