Watercolor and Ink Fish

Let's mix mediums in this colorful and fun composition. Feel free to use other photos of tropical fish as references to make this project more unique.

Ages 8 and up.

Supplies:

  • Watercolor paper (9" x 12")
  • #2 pencil with eraser
  • Set of pan watercolors
  • Large watercolor brush (size 8 or larger, round or flat)
  • Medium watercolor brush (size 4 to 7, round or flat)
  • Black permanant markers, fine tip
  • Jar or can of water
  • Paper towels
  • Photo reference of tropical fish (see below or use your own)
  • Black construction paper
  • Glue stick

 

Instructions:

1. Paint a colorful design on your watercolor paper using bright colors from your watercolor set. Use your large brush for this step. (Avoid using black, brown, tan or gray.) Work quickly so that the colors will bleed into each other. Have fun and be creative! Allow to dry completely. (Use a blow dryer if necessary.)

2. Lightly sketch the design of the tropical fish that you choose on the dry paper using your pencil.

See directions below for drawing this design.

3. Using your black marker, outline the fish and rocks. Use short strokes (called "hatching") to fill in dark areas.

Detail
4. Once the ink is dry, paint some shadows on the undersides of the fish and rocks using watery yellow paint. Use your medium-sized brush for this step. This will make the fish and rocks stand apart from the background a bit.
5. Optional: Instead of just trimming your painting, why not try tearing the edges to create a more organic look?
6. Mount your work onto black construction paper with a glue stick for a finished look.

Photo Reference

Courtesy of the USDA

To print, right click on photo and choose "Print".

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Steps for drawing the Yellow Perch:

 

Draw three circles as shown for the bodies.

 

Add the pointed mouth area to each circle.

 

Erase all "inside" lines.

 

Add eyes and fins.

 

Add the stripes.
At this point, you can add other underwater elements such as seaweed, rocks, or shells.

 

© Karine Bauch 2008. All rights reserved.

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