Swimming next to a whale shark (AI) (scuba diving, underwater world, spotted shark, deep sea) by Natalie Bruns

This watercolour painting shows one of the most impressive encounters you can experience underwater: a diver swimming side by side with a whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the world. They can reach a length of up to 12 to 14 metres.
They often migrate along coasts where there is plenty of plankton in the water. Because they swim slowly and often come close to the surface of the water, snorkelers and divers can sometimes see these giants up close.

The gentle play of sun rays penetrating the water's surface illuminates the blue depths and beautifully highlights the whale shark's dots and stripes. Small details such as the subtle schools of fish moving around the scene add vibrancy to the work.

The use of colour consists mainly of shades of blue and turquoise, with light accents suggesting sunlight and water movement. This combination creates a cool, serene atmosphere, but at the same time a sense of awe at the overwhelming grandeur of the ocean.

This work exudes both serenity and adventure: the stillness of the water versus the excitement of an encounter with an ocean giant. The painting can evoke memories of travels, snorkelling or diving experiences, or simply a fascination with the beauty of the sea and its inhabitants.

This painting is part of a series of nine watercolour works on the theme of scuba diving and underwater world. The collection includes a plane and ship wreck, a manta ray, whale shark, and scenes of swimming in caves and open water.

My snorkelling adventures in Australia (Great Barrier Reef), Egypt and Greece inspired me to create this series using AI.