Relax With This Simple Watercolor Koi Fish Tutorial

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Paint this pair of koi fish in real time with me using a loose and relaxed approach.
Download the free traceable line drawing here: pixabay.com/photos/koi-fish-k...
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Here are the supplies used in this video (US links)
🎨 Daniel Smith Indigo ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Holbein Marine Blue ➡️ bit.ly/3y0hGm6
🎨 Holbein Scarlet Lake ➡️ bit.ly/2wY0v85
🎨 Winsor & Newton Transparent Orange ➡️ bit.ly/3aBFQFi
📜 Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Pressed Paper Block 5x7" ➡️ amzn.to/47RVrhI
🖌️ Silver Black Velvet Round Brushes Size 6 & 10 ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Mijello 18 Well Palette ➡️ amzn.to/3R0iiAT
Fine Mist Spray Bottle ➡️ amzn.to/49moydR
UK/Worldwide Shipping (Jackson's Art Supply)
🎨 Daniel Smith INDIGO ➡️ bit.ly/3gvX21H
🎨 Holbein MARINE BLUE➡️ bit.ly/2QhJY50
🎨 Holbein SCARLET LAKE ➡️ bit.ly/34riW3G
🎨 Winsor & Newton Transparent Orange ➡️ bit.ly/32iHaKK
📜 Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Pressed Paper Block 5x7" ➡️ bit.ly/3hmQkvW
🖌️ Silver Black Velvet Round Brushes ➡️ bit.ly/32SS9uE
Check out my amazon store! ➡️ www.amazon.com/shop/emilyolso...
Please note, some of these links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating helpful and entertaining free content! I only recommend products that I use and love.

[@blackbat908]

Hey Emilyy! I'm 14 and learning how to watercolor from all your videos. Just wanted to say thank you for all the help you do! You helped me improve a lot! ♥

[@JonaInesFritz]

Thank you for this relaxing 20 minutes! What you demonstrated here was more like painting a certain mood (than a certain motive). I like it a lot!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michelleannette7994]

Thank you for sharing everything. Not just your beautiful painting, but your feelings, which I think a lot of us share. It helped to hear that someone I admire so much also faces some of the same fears in painting as I do. Bless you❤

[@di4352]

Awesome, I like the narration and how the picture came together in the end. Watercolor is such a rewarding medium to work with.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@josiezambrano585]

I enjoy watching you work and your discussions of water movement. I am happy to hear you talk about depression and feelings of inadequacy. Its helpful to hear this from artists as I continue to paint and very seldom like the end result. I always enjoy the process and find your enjoyment infectious

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’m so glad the video resonated with you! Thanks for the nice comment!

[@lindagio83]

Dear Emily, and all who is struggling (so basically EVERYONE really), You are not alone, you are needed, you are one of those beautiful vase which is chipped here and there and maybe it is missing a big piece, but the time will put the pieces together and add some gold on the missing pieces and on the cracks, so our vase will be whole again, but waaayyy more beautiful... Let's not forget this: all of us! ❤❤❤

[@joannefeeney5792]

🎨💛👏

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

Yes, Emily. You have such a following. I learn so much from all that you share about your personal process, and from each lovely drawing and/or watercolor video and voiceover unfolding from you. Complicated personal process here since childhood regarding visual and literary connection with art, albeit rather awkward now, continues despite a lot of artistic flailings. Emily, you do encourage, by way of your so meaningful sharings of so much of your many artistic explorations. P.S. Horses are near and dear here. If you'd return to sharing your artisic magic and technocal savvy in that direction some time, oh how grand. Thank you.

[@Megamoosecaboose]

Ms. Emily, your work is beautiful as always. But I want to say thank you so much for having better help as a sponsor and talking about depression and mental health. As someone with anxiety, your art and lessons have had a tremendous impact on my post partum journey. Thank you so much!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad this was helpful and encouraging!

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

Emily, you inspired me to take up this medium after losing the fine motor skills in my dominant hand. I loved ornate calligraphy and oils. I did many kinds of art and window displays where I created the scenes, monthly. (Like the sets for a play.) People would drive by and sit in their cars and watch me transform the blank space into a pleasantly visual experience. I decorated beautiful cakes plus nursery murals. I appreciate your mentioning the mental aspects that can affect us all. It was a huge loss and after 20+ years, I've been painting a little here and there. I struggle with inadequacy but my friends, family and neighbors love my work. I also struggle getting started. And Art was always "play" to me - but I can't seem to get that back...I'm very detail oriented and need control.. unfortunately, I stay in bed a huge part of the day. I have chronic pain. I know I can do this. I have bought all the things to do so ... and you and others here motivate me. Life is often a struggle for us all. Especially, during these changing times. Your Koi fish are lovely. Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge with us! You're a beautiful soul. 🌹

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of this. The struggles with inadequacy are no joke. I am glad you are finding joy in creating! 💕

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Thank you Emily and because of your encouragement yesterday - I got up and finished 2 hares in the snow and started on a nuthatch on a shaggy, rustic fence post. I love birds and I feed them all year. I have multitudes of forest and local birds. Birds bring me joy. 💕 You never know how you can change someone's day - just by being transparent and kind. Bless you.

[@joannefeeney5792]

We are alot alike! As I switch from exact, detailed, controlled painting to loose, not copying an image...has helped the negative self talk ! Peace to you 🎨

[@martyb1006]

This is so beautiful Emily! Thank you so much for the encouragement. I definitely experience discouragement at times but enjoy your classes in watercolor mastery so much. I can’t wait everyday to make time to go to my art desk and practice and learn from you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome, and thanks for being a member! ❤️

[@maryjotannehill7849]

Thank you for a lovely painting. And for the reminder that we can have feelings that are not happy, but that we are okay.

[@teriandrews-murch7334]

I really enjoyed this video and painting along with your wonderful instruction. Great way to start my day, thank-you

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@kerrimckenzie4594]

This was really interesting, in many ways xx thanks

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

*technical, sometime (corrections to recent comment of appreciation of Emily, who is so superb in her art and in her enthusiasm about life and the process). Such wonderful videos and voiceovers. Again, thank you Emily.

[@annejameson3425]

Really love this! I have followed you for a long time and love your style, in particular your animal paintings. Thank you!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@joannefeeney5792]

I just stumbled here today and so grateful I did...can't to watch more from channel. This is my happy accident of the day😀

[@fuzzydragons]

koi fish can be so calming to paint😀 dont need a lot of detail, just some colour and some simple shapes really

[@sanjilee6148]

There are a lot of ink that are water based and if you sketch with the ink it will disappear but I guess it wouldn’t work with wet on wet.

[@VizardKusa]

Thank you! I have been feeling a lot of that frustration lately... I knew where I wanted my journey with watercolor to lead me when I started. I knew where I wanted my goal to be. And while I expected the roads to go up and down, and wind side to side with the learning path of the craft... I think they've been taking the long way around mountains, we are in the bottom of the sea at the moment, and we are lost.

[@roxannerosecrans4441]

Great painting! Koi fish are really very cool, no two alike.😊

[@AlliListArt]

Lovely Emily and thank u for your line drawing, saving my anxiety and time! love Alli and Bella XXX

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Most welcome!

[@RogerEhinger-tg1hv]

A number of painters in our senior art club have done Koi and Koi ponds. They are a popular subject, some do watercolors others acrylics, some even paint them on smooth stones. I'm looking at your sunset lighthouse next. I love Pacific Coast scenes, especially sunsets.

[@susanbeaumont9478]

A lovely video, Emily, to inspire everyone! A perfect subject to explore the wonderful qualitie of watercolour!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@carolinapalacios7982]

You are a great teacher and artist.

[@sealand000]

I find this video very Bob Ross-esque.

[@cassieb1860]

Love those earrings!

[@ChantelleArts]

Fantastic tutorial, this is amazing ☺☺☺

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@TalArt777]

Nice 👍🏼 👍🏼

[@sanjilee6148]

I purchased a watercolour pad from Michaels and it sucks for wet on wet. 😣I’m just learning and I watched your video on journal pads and I will be purchasing a few that you recommended.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Paper makes a big difference! Have fun exploring! 🖌️

[@beadpookie]

Thank you for the video, it looks like fun! I’m intrigued by your sponge, where did you purchase it?

[@amybiebel7234]

Love this !! Excellent choice in sponsor. January is a difficult month for me personally and hey…”It’s ok to NOT be ok” Learning to let go and let it be. It’s a process of finding ways through moments in time when everything drops…Pause, just keep on keeping on ! Small celebrations are key to finding progress. Watercolor will always be my joy, gratitude, forgiveness, truth, faith, love and so much more. Emily, honey you NAILED the tails under water ! “Keep it up buttercup. You’re doing great” !!

[@barbaragross7460]

I am looking forward to painting this. Can you please tell us where to purchase a sponge like yours?

[@sharonmorelli6056]

Do you let the paper a bit before you drop in the paint?

[@dianepetersen2961]

MS. Emily... I have been studying and training to do portraits... but i want to set up a transparent pallet to use...can you tell me the best transparents to use.

[@madhyahusta8470]

Emily, can you share what fine mister did you use?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yep! Just added the link in the description!

[@madhyahusta8470]

@@EmilyOlsonArt can't wait to try it. Thank you! BTW, I really loved how you started the video by helping us to let go of worries and comparisons and just enjoy. I know you tell us that often, but something in the way you did was just liberating.

[@Maxellera]

I love your work and find it so helpful in learning watercolor. I'd love to sell some of my work as tote bags to friends and maybe on local fairs. Would it be okay if I'd sell my rendition of these fish as well? (I'm based in the Netherlands). I have no idea how copyright works if you paint something based on a tutorial, so I thought it would be best to ask the creator :)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes, go right ahead!

[@Maxellera]

@@EmilyOlsonArt that's amazing, thank you so much!

[@hyukiru]

Hey Emily, I commented once about fading pigments in Daniel smith like Moonglow, I see you use it every time, aren't you worried about fading? Also I saw another lightfast homemade test where the pr177 did not fade, other colors did tho, would you suggest me to just trust Daniel Smith rating since these tests don't seem to prove anything really?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hello! Just curious if you watched the video? I did not use moonglow.

[@hyukiru]

@@EmilyOlsonArt i did watch the video, just asking for some suggestion because daniel smith feels like a more complex brand to understand pigment wise... im scared about my painting faiding and i wanted to know your expirience with those colors that some people say are fugitive (when the brand says it's an astm I lightfast) and some other say that they're lightfast... your art is great and i always tought you as a knowledgeable person, so i tought to ask you the question directly. the koi fish are incredible and thank you for reminding me about enjoying my art, and taking artist liberty to make it my own, without always seaking presicion in my artwork!

[@FallaciesDetective]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@anntansey8577]

I can’t find the drawing so I can trace. Help!!!

[@hollyzessin2886]

Under the title of the video is a more in bold lettering, clicking there takes you to a drawing link. Hope this helps.

[@anntansey8577]

@@hollyzessin2886 Thank you!!!

[@lindadavis-ys1cf]

I have lost a son.

[@FallaciesDetective]

🙏🏻🖤