How to Paint Koi Fish in Watercolor (Step by Step Tutorial)

In this tutorial I want to show you how to paint Koi fish in watercolor using a glazing technique. Koi fish are incredibly decorative Japanese fish and are well known for their variety of colors and markings. The delicate patterns on these fish are perfect for painting in watercolor using a glazing technique.
★ W A T E R C O L O R L E S S O N S
Grab my free watercolor course here ➜ watercoloraffa...
You can download the outline sketches and reference material for this painting here:
watercoloraffa...
Full-Length Video Lesson here ➜ www.watercolor...
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✎ A R T S U P P L I E S
Daniel Smith Hansa Yellow Deep shrsl.com/2sspz *
Daniel Smith Pyrrol Scarlet shrsl.com/2ssq6 *
Daniel Smith Prussian blue shrsl.com/2x59p *
Daniel Smith Paynes gray shrsl.com/2wmrw *
Arches watercolor paper shrsl.com/2st2p *
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Hello! I'm Anthony. An independent artist and illustrator based near Paris in France. Watercolor painting was my first passion. So a few years ago I took out my old paints, and rekindled my love for watercolors. I decided to start charting some of my watercolor experiences in the form of my blog, “WatercolorAffair.com” (and now through my KZbin channel). My objective was to start sharing some of my hard won knowledge in the hope that it will help and inspire others to paint with watercolors!
Thank you for following !
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D I S C L A I M E R
This video is not sponsored!
Links marked with '*' are affiliate links! This means I get a very small commission if you buy one of the products mentioned here at no additional cost to you.

[@alexeydyakonov8210]

Nice fishes. Good work. Excellent tutorial.

[@lynnehopkins1996]

I now have a better understanding of using watercolor paint.

[@carolinaras9946]

Thanks a lot for this excellent tutorial Anthony! I’ve been looking for some cois like these but I imagined it would be much harder than this! You make me feel like painting is an absolute pleasure easily achieved with your guidance. And the fish under water is such a calming image. I’m such a fan of your work!

[@WatercolorAffair]

Thanks Carolina - have fun painting this :-)

[@chiarasola826]

So beautiful and well explained! Thank you!

[@marthabennettjackson146]

Anthony, thanks for the Koi techniques tutorial. I found it informative and fun. Can't wait to get my brush out and start!

[@francoisederocher]

Very beautiful and full of movement.

[@Andrea-eg6ro]

Great tutorial Anthony, thanks! Very detailed explanation of the processes, I can’t wait to try this one!

[@WatercolorAffair]

Have fun with your watercolors Andrea !

[@sharonschuyler6800]

Thank you for the very special tutorial. How interesting and useful. Can't wait to try it.

[@cathieproffitt6432]

Yay! Beautiful subject, beautifully rendered. Your instruction is fabulous, thank you!

[@WatercolorAffair]

Thanks Cathie :-)

[@Ling16888]

Thank you for sharing!!!!

[@alejandrapalacios6525]

Thank you for this master class !!!!

[@WatercolorAffair]

:-)

[@SZH3]

Thankyou fot this tutorial.. Love it..

[@travelvibes3656]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial!! This seems doable even for me.lol You rock!

[@WatercolorAffair]

Give it a try :-)

[@Profhedy]

@@WatercolorAffair Fabulous drawing! How do I get the worksheet? I don’t see a link.

[@annewatman677]

Thank you! I definitely want to try this. I get your emails, and I’ve really happy to see you here on KZbin! Yes, I’ve subscribed!!

[@lauriepeterson8441]

I was just attempting this on a card I got lost on how to proceed thank you for your video was a big help.

[@WatercolorAffair]

Happy to help Laurie...

[@alexandraanisimova3567]

Amazing picture! I used to stitch coi fish , but now it s a great chance to draw them in such a beautiful glazing technique! Do you use only two complementary colors, like orange and ultramarine?

[@WatercolorAffair]

Hi Alexandra - the blue is Prussian blue, and the orange is a mix of Pyrrol scarlet and Hansa yellow deep. You'll find links to the exact supplies i used in the description above (click "show more")

[@Barbara-fo9zk]

Which brand brush did you use in this painting?

[@WatercolorAffair]

Hi Barbara - i used a Rosemary & Co Kolinsky sable series 22 brush (size 8)

[@Barbara-fo9zk]

@@WatercolorAffair thank you very much. Beautiful practice. And thank you for sharing.