plate no. 9219

The Goldfish

Paul Klee, 1925

oil, watercolor, paperExpressionismanimal paintingfishwaterplantsaquatic lifeseaweedabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages experimentation with abstract representation of natural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a dark background on your surface.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes of the fish and plants.
step 03
Apply a base layer of yellow to the main fish, gradually adding orange and red highlights.
step 04
Paint the smaller fish with varying shades of red and purple.
step 05
Use blue and white to create the wavy water patterns.
step 06
Add details to the plants using thin lines and dots of blue and white.
step 07
Create texture on the fish by dabbing and stippling paint.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · blue · black

secondary · white · orange · purple

Mix yellow and red for orange highlights on the main fish. Use white to lighten the blue for the water. Mix red and blue for the purple fish.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·stippling
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Not allowing the layers to dry properly.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the fish and the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Canvas or paper
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Water or solvent
·Paper towels
·Easel

optional

·palette knife
·medium (for oil paints)
·varnish

Use a dark-toned canvas or prime your canvas with black gesso for best results. Consider using a mixed media approach with watercolor and acrylic for interesting textures.

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