Sea Turtle above a Coral Shelf

A sea turtle glides above a coral shelf, with sunlight falling through clear blue water and small fish moving between branching coral. The turtle's patterned shell gives the center a broad rounded shape, while pale sand, orange fans and dark reef gaps break the lower half into separate groups. Light rays soften the open water without leaving it empty.

Begin with the shell plates, head and long front flippers, then use the coral shelf as a lower frame. Keep orange, yellow and blue reef pieces in separate groups until their branches line up. Fish make small moving accents that help connect the water around the turtle. Leave the pale sand and sunbeams for later, once the reef has established the depth of the picture.