When it comes to canvas painting, my personal favorite medium is acrylic. Normally I’ve color different shaped and sized canvases (from 44 inch to 34 foot). But my most favorite one is round shaped. I prefer round more than classic rectangular ones because the round shape gives the art a lively vibe. It feels like the art is real! It will pop out the frame in no time!
I haven’t painted any canvases for a long time. And this round blank canvas was with me for more than a year! Yesterday, I felt pity on it and thought why not decorate my wall with this one? So, I took this piece and cleaned it!
For preparing canvas, I start with white plastic emulsion. I give a nice coating to the canvas with the emulsion. And put it under the sun or fan for 1 or 2 hours. This process will help me to minimize the color wasting. Also it helps the paint adhere better and gives the surface a nice texture to work on.
I don’t know why but I have a little weak point for painting koi pond. I have never painted any but I always wanted to. There’s something incredibly soothing about the gentle ripples of a koi pond, the graceful glide of colorful fish, and the beauty of waterlilies. Capturing this calm scene on canvas has always been a dream of mine. So this time, while I was brainstorming what to paint, the koi pond came to my mind.
The first step in creating my koi pond painting was envisioning the scene. I closed my eyes and imagined a peaceful pond surrounded by lush greenery. Koi fish of various colors swam lazily beneath the surface. Elegant waterlilies floated gently on the water.
To make it perfect, I also went through pinterest and gathered some references. When I had the clear enough idea, I went for it!
First I went for the background. I wanted to make the background special. Normally koi ponds have a greenery effect but I wanted a blue one. To add depth, I blended darker shades for the deeper areas of the pond and lighter hues where the water was shallower.
Acrylic paints dry quickly, so I worked swiftly, blending the colors while they were still wet to achieve a smooth transition. So when I am done with the background, it was giving more of an under ocean vibe rather than a pond! The colors blended so nicely that I wanted to keep it as it is!
Then in the second phrase, I painted the waterlilies. Waterlilies add a touch of elegance to the pond. I used shades of pink, white, brown and peach color for the petals and green for the leaves.
To create a realistic look, I layered the colors, starting with the darker shades and gradually adding lighter tones for highlights. I paid close attention to the way the light hit the petals, giving them a soft, three-dimensional look.
Next, it was time to bring the koi fish to life. I wanted to paint orange koi, so I chose vibrant oranges, reds,and whites to capture their striking colors. Using a small brush, I painted the fish in various poses, some swimming towards the viewer and others gently gliding away.
With the koi and waterlilies in place, I stepped back to see how the painting was coming together. I added final touches to the water with white color, creating reflections to give the pond a sense of movement.
When everything is done, I observe the painting closely. And a satisfactory smile slipped through my face. This is the perfect one, and what I wanted!
Then I let the painting dry completely. Acrylics dry quickly, but it’s always good to give it a little extra time to ensure everything is set. Finally, I applied the acrylic medium gloss (from mont marte) to protect the painting and give it a nice, glossy finish.
Here is my final outcome!
I’m not an expert but I want to give a little advice. Remember, the beauty of art lies in the process as much as the finished piece. I find calmness while doing the painting, more than looking at the final piece. So, gather your supplies, let your imagination flow, and immerse yourself in the peaceful world of koi ponds and water lilies. Happy painting!