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Delightfully Bizarre
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI have been a fan of Nick Derington since his run on Doom Patrol with My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way. I have been keeping an eye out for Nick to open a commission list for literal years. So when Felix finally opened a list for Nick about three days after I returned from OAX 2025 I didn't hesitate, though I felt like I should have. What I found super interesting was that this was the first commission list of Nick's entire career. I don't know what was preventing him from opening one previously, but I'm glad he finally did.Where to begin with this piece? I think the colors are the obvious choice. The dappling effect seen in the blues of the water give it a hazy, smoke-like texture. Stingray's cape goes from solid red to a darker reddish-blue, and all the way to white in the highlights. Nick's use of light and shadows is masterful, almost putting Stingray in a literal spotlight. Even the rocks and aquatic critters have color gradations and believable lighting that ground them in a three dimensional space. Nick's style veers toward an animated look without ever being cartoony. Stingray strikes a heroic pose as he surveys the depths. Meanwhile, the actual stingrays are CUTE. Especially the one that looks like it's about to boop Stingray in the face. Watch me unbox this one as part of the End of Year Art Unboxing Extravaganza! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Alex Johnson 
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
One of your very best! Congrats.
Nick Forst
Member Since 2023
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
Winner winner, Stingray Dinner!! This is epic. It has an embroidered or tattooed look to it that provides so much texture. An epic piece. A jewel in your collection! Well done my friend.
Duke Fleed
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
It might be because I am in the midst of Stranger Things or maybe I am a bit hungry, but the cape really feels like a thin cut of beef. Beautiful work by the way. Congrats!
Newell T aka Stingray
Member Since 2017
Posted on 12/29/2025
Duke Fleed wrote:
It might be because I am in the midst of Stranger Things or maybe I am a bit hungry, but the cape really feels like a thin cut of beef. Beautiful work by the way. Congrats!
Are you saying that Stingray is draped in beef curtains?
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
Dang that's a beaut! I love the darker colors/pallette, especially for the water. Fantastic commission, really blown away by the pieces I've seen from Nick's first commission list (your Stingray piece and the Two-Gun Kid that ComicArtBoston posted come to mind as both being incredible illustrations!). congrats on the killer result!
Corey Rust
Member Since 2023
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
When will you get sensory overload on all these great commissions?
Hopefully you never do!!
Newell T aka Stingray
Member Since 2017
Posted on 12/29/2025
Corey Rust wrote:
When will you get sensory overload on all these great commissions?
Hopefully you never do!!
NEVER!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/29/2025
An absolute beauty. The colors and textures are outstanding!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/30/2025
The deep seas demand the deep colors! Majestic work by Derington who felt the high pressure of doing a Stingray commission.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/30/2025
This is a beautiful piece, Newell, in every way. Colored commissions don't always turn out very well but this is astoundingly good! Many congrats!
Rick W
Member Since 2017
2 - Posted on 12/30/2025
Feels like he's exploring an underwater galaxy. Amazing stuff!
Tom McDonald
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/31/2025
Amazing work especially on the cape (or is that a giant gill that he uses to breathe??)
Carl Choi
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/31/2025
So good it's not even fair! Congrats Newellington!!!
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/2/2026
I strongly suspect that I'll run out of superlatives before running out of things to say about this one, Newell. :) This piece may very well be the crown jewel of the frankly -astonishing- batch of commissions Nick just completed. The level of subtle touch Nick achieves with his watercolors here rivals the level of execution he has with those blessed color pencils of his, and it stymies the senses just as effectively; the lighting on Stingray's costume is phenomenal, but no less impressive is the pallete given to the coral reef and sea life. I'm bowled over by how Nick simultaneously puts us into (and then deliberately draws us out of) the setting here. Rather than using a wavy or "current-y" backdrop behind Stingray, if you stand back or blur your eyes a bit, the mottled style Nick employs for the watery background gives a sense of space and infinite horizon, like staring into the night sky, with the phosphorescent algae the stars, and the manta ray the crescent moon. It draws an immediate and direct parallel (and equivalent) to other cowled protectors who stand (or crouch dramatically) as sentries over their domain. It is -STUNNING-. It's obviously a commission request that Nick sunk his all into (so to speak) to produce something incredibly special and unique. Just BRAVO, Newell! This is spectacular!
Newell T aka Stingray
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/2/2026
Jason Hussa wrote:
I strongly suspect that I'll run out of superlatives before running out of things to say about this one, Newell. :) This piece may very well be the crown jewel of the frankly -astonishing- batch of commissions Nick just completed. The level of subtle touch Nick achieves with his watercolors here rivals the level of execution he has with those blessed color pencils of his, and it stymies the senses just as effectively; the lighting on Stingray's costume is phenomenal, but no less impressive is the pallete given to the coral reef and sea life. I'm bowled over by how Nick simultaneously puts us into (and then deliberately draws us out of) the setting here. Rather than using a wavy or "current-y" backdrop behind Stingray, if you stand back or blur your eyes a bit, the mottled style Nick employs for the watery background gives a sense of space and infinite horizon, like staring into the night sky, with the phosphorescent algae the stars, and the manta ray the crescent moon. It draws an immediate and direct parallel (and equivalent) to other cowled protectors who stand (or crouch dramatically) as sentries over their domain. It is -STUNNING-. It's obviously a commission request that Nick sunk his all into (so to speak) to produce something incredibly special and unique. Just BRAVO, Newell! This is spectacular!
You're 100% correct about the pose and overall composition being reminiscent of say Batman squatting on a gargoyle, down to the way the cape is hanging. But the idea of the ocean as night sky and, even more so, the ray acting as the moon? MIND BLOWN! I already adored this piece, but that interpretation makes me love it even more!!!
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/2/2026
I think you could argue that Derington's character form is one of the best of current artists today and that is on full display here. The perfect composition and color help create a finished piece that is quite easy on the eyes! This has to go so much harder in person too. Congrats on this beaut!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 1/6/2026
I'm woefully behind on my CAF comments due to the holidays, but I knew I wanted to get to this piece. Nick knocked this out of the park, out of the solar sytem, and into the ocean on a far distant world that is fantastical enough for a piece like this to exist. I can only imagine the colors and impact of this in person. You've given Stingray new life, and now he needs his own title - and you're well placed to provide variant covers for many, many, many issues. Amazing.
Newell T aka Stingray
Member Since 2017
Posted on 1/6/2026
M L wrote:
I'm woefully behind on my CAF comments due to the holidays, but I knew I wanted to get to this piece. Nick knocked this out of the park, out of the solar sytem, and into the ocean on a far distant world that is fantastical enough for a piece like this to exist. I can only imagine the colors and impact of this in person. You've given Stingray new life, and now he needs his own title - and you're well placed to provide variant covers for many, many, many issues. Amazing.
It's getting to the point where I'm going to have to pitch a series to Marvel and write it myself.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/18/2026
Love this painting by Nick Derington! The colors just pop off the page!
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