In this article we paint Koi and Goldfish using an Asian style with watercolor brushes, Sumi-e black ink and watercolor paints. I love sharing my tips and techniques for both loose and illustrative methods of creating fun fish images!
Illustrative Goldfish using Sumi-e ink and watercolors by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn include:
differences of Asian brushes vs watercolor brushes
painting on rice paper vs watercolor paper
using Sumi ink for rich blacks and light greys
using rice paper for sketching warm-ups
the magic of a rigger brush
loose (impressionist) vs tight (illustrative) painting styles
quick watercolor paint mixes
and more…
Colorful Koi Fish watercolor painted on rice paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Royalty-Free Images
Here are 2 of my favorite royalty-free image websites for finding koi and goldfish (or any type of image you would like to paint!):
https://pixabay.com/images/search/koi%20and%20goldfish/ https://unsplash.com/s/photos/koi-and-goldfish
Asian Fish Watercolors Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my live painting session. The paint and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
00:00 - Intro To Fish Artworks
03:37 - Art Supplies
10:01 - Artist & Books Inspiration
24:36 - My Practice Fish on Rice Paper & Watercolor Paper
28:36 - Discuss Brushes
32:48 - Fish Chapter Review in Chinese Painting Techniques Book
34:55 - Rice Paper Fish Sketches Warm Up
1:01:56 - Watercolor Paper Koi Fish Illustrations
1:37:15 - Loose Playful Goldfish and Lily Pad on Watercolor Paper
2:06:20 - Illustrated Goldfish on Watercolor Paper
Florida Crappie Fish in Reeds Sumi-e ink and watercolors painting by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Here is the Instagram account of the artist I used as part of the inspiration for this workshop:
https://www.instagram.com/snoogsandwilde/
The computer program I used to edit photos of my fish paintings for creating prints is Canva.com. The features I find helpful for editing my images in Canva are:
Background Remover
Magic Eraser
Marker Tool (to add signature)
After creating the edited images in Canva, I download them to my computer for printing on an Epson printer using Epson photo and matte presentation papers.
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Illustrative Chunky Goldfish Sumi-e ink and watercolor painting made during the live workshop by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Supplies List for Asian Style Fish Painting
Here is the supplies list for the Asian painting books, sumi ink, watercolors, brushes and accessories shown during my live video. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Amazon.
Book - Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors by Lian Quan Zhen 2000 (Paperback) - https://amzn.to/3EXF3mT
Book - Painting Chinese Watercolors by Lian Quan Zhen 2009 (Paperback) - https://amzn.to/4k2rbXl
Book - The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting as Taught by Ukai Uchiyama by Kay Morrissey Thompson 1960 (Hardcover) - https://amzn.to/4iP5uJo
Book - The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting as Taught by Ukai Uchiyama by Kay Morrissey Thompson 1997 (Softcover Paperback) - https://amzn.to/3GFxr9a
Book - Complete Sumi-e Techniques by Sadami Yamada 1966 (Hardcover) - https://amzn.to/3GAfedc
Book - Complete Sumi-e Techniques by Sadami Yamada 1984 (Softcover Paperback) - https://amzn.to/3F12YBN
📙📘📗
Kristy Rice Watercolors Portable Tin with 12 Colors - https://amzn.to/3ET4UfL
Winsor Newton Winsor Orange Watercolor Tube 5ml - https://amzn.to/3Yvmyga
Holbein Watercolors Peacock Blue Tube 15ml - https://amzn.to/4m2p1IZ
Empty Plastic Watercolor Half Pans Set of 48 with Magnets - https://amzn.to/3ENFsID
Yasutomo Black Sumi Ink Liquid 2oz Bottle - https://amzn.to/3Y7UCPe
Yasutomo Black Sumi Ink Liquid 6oz Bottle - https://amzn.to/444bkmi
Yasutomo Pale Gold Watercolor in Porcelain Dish - https://amzn.to/3EUPzv5
Dr Ph Martin Bleed Proof White 1oz Pot - https://amzn.to/4jFeQbI
Copic Opaque White with Fine Brush Applicator 6ml Bottle - https://amzn.to/3ETBG0e
Stone Weights Blocks For Rice Paper Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/42pWG7F
Yasutomo Hosho Sketch Paper Rice Paper Pad 6H Weight 9x12in 48 Sheets - https://amzn.to/41Uy6fd
Canson XL Watercolor White Cold Press (Lightly Textured) Paper Pad 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/4kBBhPU
Felt Sheet 36" x 18" Various Colors Available - https://amzn.to/42rAs5i
Kristy Rice Travel Brush Set of 3 with Carry Pouch - https://amzn.to/432tfHQ
Princeton Velvetouch Brushes Set of 5 - https://amzn.to/4jKsydo
Calligraphy Asian Painting Brush Set of 10 + Bamboo Drying Roll Mat - https://amzn.to/3DPiyAb
Yasutomo Fusion Brushes Round Set of 5 - https://amzn.to/4cds24V
5 Layers Stacking White Ceramic Watercolor Mixing Trays - https://amzn.to/43SxmIX
Mini Square Butcher Tray Palettes for Paint Mixing - https://shop.stlartsupply.com/products/mini-enameled-steel-butcher-tray?_pos=1&_sid=280c58ee9&_ss=r
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
🎨🎨🎨************************************
If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Loose Playful Bubble Eye Goldfish watercolor and Sumi-e ink painting by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade marbled & collage papers as well as finished gift and art items on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Chunky Goldfish watercolor and Sumi-e ink painting by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Where to Find My Links
Sign up for my Artsy Newsletter here:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/newsletter 📜
Follow my other social channels for cool painting hints and tips:
https://www.instagram.com/dietzart/ https://www.pinterest.com/dietzart/ https://www.facebook.com/TristinaDietzArt/
Check out and purchase my artworks on Etsy here: 🎨 https://www.etsy.com/shop/TristinaDietzArt
If you found my information helpful, I always appreciate tips at Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for your support.☕
https://ko-fi.com/tristinadietzart
Happy Arting! 🎉