Read this Wildlife Art Journal article

[EDITOR'S NOTE:  The late Stanley Meltzoff (1917-2006) was considered the finest [underwater) marine painter of the modern age. Meltzoff was a genuine character, a Hemingwayesque outdoorsman, a classically-traininged painter who was a famous illustrator, and a man who wielded a one of a kind personality.  He set the standard for saltwater fishing painting and had his work popularized in such magazines as Sports Illustrated and National Geographic.  The following is an excerpt from Mike Rivkin's new book, Stanley Meltzoff - Picture Maker.  It is based on an essay written by Meltzoff himself on the painting process and used here with permission.  For a review of Rivkin's book, which he co-authorized with Meltzoff and to see a wider selection of his work, click here].

By Stanley MeltzoffAn aged fish painter stares at his easel, remembering thousands of hours underwater and regretting how hard it now is to climb into the boat after a dive.  Memories of fish float over the empty panel on the easel.  I am well past the limits for nitrogen absorption and the time needed to be with the fish at twenty fathoms and somewhat short of breath.I am as clear sighted as a boy now that cataracts have been removed but diving has left me almost deaf.  The riddle of what to paint has been solved by my life.  My great adventure was not during the war at Anzio or Monte Cassino or seeing sharks and billfish alive in the water but learning how tomake pictures...