The Proposal

Why wouldn't an octopus propose to a mermaid? And why wouldn't she accept?

My first official digital art piece, done with Gimp.  Not satisfied with the overall appearance of depth - I used transparency of layers to simulate depth.  Also struggling with the shadows.  I understand that practice will make better art, but if anyone has specific technique suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Yes, my mermaid is purposefully lacking eyebrows, for a slightly "exotic" look.

This is my first time attempting to link to stock resources, so if something doesn't work right or I appear to have not mentioned a source, please let me know and I will rectify the situation.

A huge thank you to all stock providers!
mermaid body & face - modeled by myself in makehuman
final water texture - PublicDomainPictures texture with CCL
background - tigers-stock.deviantart.com/ar…
all aquatic plants (except the background kelp and grass) - frostbo.deviantart.com/art/Aqu…
individual grass - s1088.deviantart.com/art/Free-…
realistic corals - aswad-hajja.deviantart.com/art…
rendered yellow tube coral - darkadathea.deviantart.com/art…
rendered green coral - darkadathea.deviantart.com/art…
rendered red stick coral - darkadathea.deviantart.com/art…
mermaid's seashells - aswad-hajja.deviantart.com/art…
mermaid's crown - roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Headp…
rock column - roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Rocks…
octopus - roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Giant…
ring halo effect - frostbo.deviantart.com/art/Gim…
engagement ring - roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Jewel…
anemones - wolverine041269.deviantart.com…
crab - wolverine041269.deviantart.com…
school of butterfly fish - wolverine041269.deviantart.com…
school of angelfish - wolverine041269.deviantart.com…
grass patches - wolverine041269.deviantart.com…
jellyfish - roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Giant…
mermaid's tail - mlauviah.deviantart.com/art/Me…
mermaid's necklace - mom-espeace.deviantart.com/art…
mermaid's hair - liska250.deviantart.com/art/Ha…