Watercolor Painting - Koi Fish in a Bulb

About this course

Koi Carp in a BulbCourse OverviewIn this course, I like to show you an artistic journey to create a stunning watercolor painting featuring a red-orange koi carp swimming inside a light bulb, complemented by dynamic teal splash water.The course was designed to guide you through each step of the painting process, from initial sketching and image transfering, to the final touches of vibrant watercolor.Materials Used1. Technical Pencil - for detailed sketching and outlining.2. Fountain Pen - for creating bold, defined lines.3. Black Ink - used with the fountain pen for sharp outlines and details.4. Mop Brush - for washes watercolor and smooth color transitions, using glazing technique5. Arches Paper (Rough, 20x30 cm) - premium watercolor paper providing texture and durability.Steps and Techniques1. Sketching the Design:    * Begin by lightly sketching the outline of the light bulb and the koi carp using the technical pencil, transfering the reference image with an App to the paper.    * Focus on capturing the proportions and the flow of the koi’s fins and tail.2. Inking the Outline:    * Use the fountain pen with black ink to outline the koi carp and the bulb.    * Add details to the koi's scales, eyes, and fins, ensuring the lines are clean and precise.3. Applying the Watercolor:    * Start to paint Wet on Dry the blue and teal water splash at the bottom of the Koi Carp    * With the red-orange hues for the koi carp. Mix and blend the colors to create depth and vibrancy.    * Use the mop brush to apply broad washes of teal around the koi,     * Layer the colors gradually, allowing each layer to dry before adding more to avoid muddying the colors.4. Final Touches:    * Enhance the shadows on the koi to give it a more three-dimensional

Course objectives

• Guide students step‑by‑step from sketch to finished watercolor piece
• Demonstrate color mixing and layering specific to glass and water textures