Modern Folk Art: Drawing and Painting fish

Identify simple materials for drawing and painting fish, including pens, pencils (0.2, B, 6B), gouache, watercolor paper, sketchbooks, washes and detailing brushes, plus color palette with water containers; download resources.

Develop confidence in freehand drawing through continuous-line exercises, drawing without lifting the pen or erasing, and exploring lines, shapes, and space relations for fish forms.

Study the form and structure of fish using reference images and Pinterest boards, then practice simplifying shapes and sketching from references to create your own fish forms.

Explore four ways to design fish forms from your drawings, exaggerate shapes, mix elements, or add geometric details and florals, while keeping body parts functional for stylish folk art.

Explore gouache techniques for painting fish, using fresh creamy gouache with water for washes, layered textures, and graded effects demonstrated through practical fish examples.

Divide the painting into four parts—base color, second layer, inner forms, and finishing details—and use washes with crimson red, lemon yellow, and ultramarine blue to craft and finish expressive fish.

Sketch your composition by drawing a rough rectangle, decide the number of fish, and place supporting forms and flowers. Use continuous lines to imply motion and consider symmetry.

Paint a composition with a single fish surrounded by flowers, using a black background and crimson red washes to build layered, expressive lines.

Thank you for taking this class and embracing the lessons guiding your journey in modern folk art; enjoy the process and share feedback and projects.