Dolphins tick me off

Seriously. They make me so mad. For some reason I cannot seem to make one actually look like a dolphin. Even my silhouette dolphins in a tropical sunset scene look like some kind of arrow or something. I have looked at numerous step by steps but to no avail. There has to be some kind of secret that I don't know about. Tips?

I hate dolphins too. Let's get 'em!!!
I've decided I'm just going to get a stencil, sponge with a light base colour and paint over adding detail, shading etc.. to make it my own.

Ughhh I hate stencils so much. Nothing against anyone who uses them, don't get me wrong, but I always felt like using stencils is "cheating", even when I was painting furniture and things like that. That's just me. No offense to anyone, please. Maybe I need to just get over myself and get a stencil. Sigh.

Oh and I "liked" you on facebook!

I found this video very helpful for dolphins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptCP989vUf4

Thanks, Amy! Love your avatar!

Oh yeah that IS a sweet instructional! I will be trying that technique and thank you again!

Wow, sounds like stencils tick you off more than dolphins do!
I've never used a stencil before but I dont see the harm in using it for the basic outline to make sure the shape is right on something before painting free-hand over it.
Sure, I wouldn't use stencil shapes as stand alone designs but I figure they're a tool that is available to use where needed to enhance a design. Much the same as if I needed to make a scales pattern I might use a bag from a bag or manderin oranges or if I needed beard stubble I could use a stipple sponge (I actually use a potato scrubbing brush). I'm not free-hand painting there either but I wouldn't consider it cheating.
Just to be clear, I haven't taken offense and dont intend to cause offense... just responding to your view point with my own

Suzy, thanks! That dolphin is adorable!!! Lol @ 'muzzle thingey", that's pretty much what I call it too!

Justine, no offense taken, I appreciate your viewpoints. I use a tangerine bag for scales too, all the time, so you are totally right. I just never thought of it that way.

I do a 1 stroke dolphin using a 1" filbert brush.

These were done with a prisma cake but can be done with any blue and white split. Using a filbert #12, I put the body down first .... just a big teardrop curving down, I add the tail with two flicks of my brush.
Put the fin towards the back, the more further forward it is the worse it looks... add the white belly with a #2 round and then go back with the filbert and put in the bottom flipper.
These dolphins took like 3 mins if that.... I hope this helps... it gets a lot easier when they are broken down into strokes.

Damn - it's huge so much for the 640 resize....
I forgot to say I do the nose when I do the tail bits.

Tash!!! You're a genius. I LOVE that! Thank you, I will try it tonight!!!

You saw the dolphin challenge thread...right? Lots of good step-by-steps.

D.

http://www.facepaintforum.com/t5943-post-submissions-here

Had to giggle...glad I am not the only one. I have NEVER done a dolphin that
I have liked, (though others like 'em). They just always frustrate the dickens outta me...and make me wonder who the painter was who put the first one on a child's face...