Artwork by Ellie Yong

When legendary animator Tom Bancroft issued a challenge last year to artists to draw mermaids everyday for the month of May, little did he realise that the challenge would become an annual global affair.

Dubbed #MerMay, the challenge is now in its second year and there is a possibility it might be the next big thing after #Inktober.

In Malaysia, there is one artist who has been drawing gorgeous mermaids diligently everyday this entire month.

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 9, 2017 at 8:41pm PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 10, 2017 at 10:03pm PDT

Thankyou, mom, for sheltering me from what I could not. #mermay2017 #mermaid #mermay #blue #waves #ocean #mothersday #mother #art #instaart #sillyjellie #sketchbook #sketch #elliethopia #ink #watercolor #watercolour #illustration #character #characterdesign

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 14, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

Ellie Yong Sze Ching aka SillyJellie says she loves mermaids with Disney’s The Little Mermaid playing a huge role in her obsession for this mythical being.

“I haven’t been drawing them much before this, as I always felt that I can’t do the mythical creature justice. Quite pleased with the encouraging response so far,” the 24-year-old says to me through Facebook.

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 12, 2017 at 2:46am PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 14, 2017 at 9:29pm PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 15, 2017 at 10:05pm PDT

The Miri-born artist cum muralist cum illustrator reveals that the conceptual ideas for her mermaids arrive moments before sleep.

“Things such as movies, quotes, books, pictures, nature and the environment around me inspire me, consciously and subconsciously. Some of the inspiration can be quite apparent, some a bit more abstract. Sometimes, it’s just a feeling.”

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 22, 2017 at 9:31pm PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 18, 2017 at 7:44pm PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 20, 2017 at 12:33am PDT

She first sketches out her mermaids using a pencil and follows through with a Pentel brush pen.

“Then I colour them with Alpha Artists’ watercolours using a Pentel Aquash Water Brush. Sometimes I use white acrylic to cover the messes and water spray to go crazy on!” she says, adding that the project is experimental in nature.

“I’m not sure if this has always been my “style”. If you come across my portfolio, you’ll find that I’ve tried various styles throughout. I’ve certainly found a style I’m comfortable with at the moment.”

Ellie hopes to sell or exhibit these artworks.

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 21, 2017 at 1:37am PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 23, 2017 at 11:41pm PDT

A post shared by Ellie Yong (@elliethopia) on May 22, 2017 at 7:39am PDT

By the way, can you answer this question? 

How sensitive is this banned artwork by Pangrok Sulap, really?

Follow Ellie on Facebook, Instagram and Devintart! Have you been painting or sketching mermaids as well for #MerMay? Send us some samples to [email protected]