25 Watercolor Drawing Fish Ideas to Inspire Your Artistic Creations

Hi everyone!

In this post, we will explore 25 Watercolor Drawing Fish Ideas. This style of drawing is full of colors and beautiful movement. It's not as complicated as you think.

So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, it is worth a try!  

25 Watercolor Drawing Fish Ideas

I include many helpful painting tips and techniques in my list. Your job is to pick one of my ideas and then paint a fish by yourself!

Angelfish

Angelfish have such beautiful shapes and patterns, which is why I love drawing them. I can draw their lengthy fins and add vibrant color splashes with a few easy steps.

You can combine colors using the wet-on-wet technique. This will give your fish a delicate and vibrant appearance.

Plus, angelfish works well for artists of many levels. Whenever I'm looking for something joyful and calming to paint, I will return to angelfish.

Beta

No doubt! Beta fish is my big favorite (and can be yours as well). They always look so stunning due to their vibrant hues and flowing tails on paper. 

I often begin with a light sketch, then form the fins with gentle brushstrokes. The wet-on-wet method gives the fish's body a glowing effect. 

This idea is perfect for beginners and kids, too. The best part is that beta fish drawing allows you to play with colors you like. 

No matter what colors you pick, it will bring a special personality to your fish. 

Butterflyfish

I love to paint butterflyfish because of their vibrant stripes and graceful movements.

The vivid hues of orange, blue, and yellow make these fish stand out every time. Then, I use wet-on-wet techniques to blend those colors nicely. 

You can see that the paint flows together beautifully here in my fish artwork. 

You will find it joyful and enchanting when painting these marine creatures. It’s a joyful and colorful subject to paint every time, for sure!

Discus

Do you know about discus fish? It has round shapes and swirling patterns, which are very fun to paint. 

To highlight their iridescent colors, I start with a light sketch and gradually build up to gentle washes.

My tip is to play with both blended tones and sharper edges to make my fish stand out. Even beginners can try to draw this watercolor discus fish.

Don't hesitate to try different color combinations with this fish. It's a great method to practice watercolor movement and texture!

Jelly Fish

Jellyfish always look so magical in watercolor!

I like to use gentle purples and light blues to create some jellyfish (maybe 3 or 4, like in my pieces). You can see that they seem to be gently floating in the seawater.

It's quite joyful to experiment with drawing those glowing tentacles. You will have a great chance to practice blending and create smooth movement. 

This idea is very forgiving, and anyone can try it. You can find simple templates online to get started. 

It's a lot of fun to play with movement, color, and shape in one painting!

For Kids

This happy fish drawing is sure to make your kids smile.  

I enjoy using vibrant colors to make it stand out. See, those big, round eyes and a joyful face really take the spotlight. 

This is a great project for young artists, particularly those in kindergarten or elementary school.

They can experiment with blending and brush control in a playful way with watercolor.

Plus, there are free printable templates, and you can print them to start painting right away! It's a fun way to learn and develop the creativity of the kids.

Abstract Shapes

I find it so fun to draw something abstract, like this fish. To give each fish a unique vibe, I enjoy experimenting with strong lines, geometric designs, and vibrant shades.

Above all, you can draw without any pressure. Use your creativity and put it into your piece.

Thus, this idea is an excellent choice for both beginners and children.

There are some helpful step-by-step guidelines available, particularly if you're just starting. I love how this style allows self-expression through playful watercolors.

Next, let’s move on to the delightful world of Fish in A Coral Reef!

Coral Reef

This “Fish in a Cora Reef” is truly attractive with the burst of colors. I use bright strokes to create the happy fish swimming through the colorful coral. 

What I want to achieve in this drawing is the beautiful motion and magical vibe of the underwater world.

I use soft watercolor layers to paint coral textures and show how the fish glide by. You can add cute details like bubbles and coral in various shades (like in my piece). This makes your work turn out even more charming! 

Even children can enjoy creating their own little ocean scene!

Machine

Can you imagine painting a mechanical fish with a steampunk vibe?

Think about metal fins, tiny gears, and gleaming bolts beneath the sea—it's such a cool twist.

To achieve that, I use light and shadow properly to bring out the sparkle in those metal textures.

It looks a little hard to draw this fish. However, there are simple tutorials that can help you in creating this style.

If you want to try something completely different, this is a cool project to take.

Gold

Shimmering scales and flowing tails – that's why I love to paint gold fish. 

I always feel peaceful when watching a gold fish swimming, and watercolor is perfect to capture that beauty.

Goldfish are a great idea to practice blending vibrant oranges, reds, and touches of gold. It's a relaxing and rewarding project for any level of artists.

I often use step-by-step tutorials to guide me through the process. This makes it very simple, even for beginners to follow! 

Sometimes I also use templates, especially when I paint with kids!

Great White Shark

Sharks may look fierce, but what I like to focus on here is creating graceful movement in the water. 

I begin with deep blues for the ocean and add soft greys and whites to build the shark's shape.

This idea allows you to practice light reflections and create motion with just a few brushstrokes.

Watercolor helps me show how the shark glides with power through the waves.

Koi Fish

I always enjoy painting koi fish because they are colorful, graceful, and full of meaning. 

Their patterns are so unique, and I get to play with bright oranges, whites, and even blues.

I like painting a group of koi swimming together because it makes my art feel peaceful and moving. 

There are a lot of easy online tutorials that can help beginners with each step. Sometimes I just play and mix up the colors for fun. 

It's a great way to relax and be creative with watercolor!

Lionfish

The special features of lionfish are their bold and spiky fins. They resemble royalty beneath the sea because of their flowing spines and striped patterns.

I can highlight each element with watercolor by using vibrant oranges, reds, and delicate shadows.

Before adding colors, I normally follow a step-by-step lesson to ensure that the shape is right. Regardless of your level of experience, painting marine life is an enjoyable project.

I feel as though I'm bringing something truly exotic to life on paper every time I paint a lionfish.

Mandarinfish

Well, mandarinfish is one of the most colorful fish you'll want to paint! 

I use green, blue, and orange shades to achieve those vibrant and sparkling patterns.

You can mimic the fish's glowing appearance by gently blending the colors with paint. To give the fish more depth, my tip is to apply layers of paint, particularly around the scales.

It's a lot of fun to play around with smooth gradients and rainbow effects.  Every time I work on this mandarinfish, my sketchbook comes to life with color!

Moorish Idol

Moorish idol has a sleek shape and striking black, white, and yellow stripes.

Smooth color transitions are my main goal when working with watercolor, especially where the bright yellow blends into white.

I love to add subtle details to the fish's beautiful swimming among coral reefs in the background.

There are some great beginner tutorials online in case you need some help. It’s a perfect addition to any underwater art collection!

Nemo

Well, this is an excellent idea for both kids and beginning-level artists. This cheerful Nemo fish is super easy to draw with bright orange and white stripes.

I love to add some playful bubbles around it to bring a fun vibe. I like using step-by-step tutorials to get the shape right. Then, I continue adding color with light washes.

If you want to create some happy moments under the sea, draw a Nemo!

Nemo fish drawing watercolor 2

Parrotfish

I love painting those lovely parrotfish because of their bright blues and greens. These fish appear to be right out of a tropical paradise!

To make their scales pop out, you should apply vibrant colors and blending techniques.

All skill levels will love this project, and even children will enjoy painting it with the help of basic templates.

You can paint one or a whole school of them. Parrotfish will always bring positive energy to your artwork. 

Rainbow Trout

One of my favorite freshwater fish to paint is rainbow trout. 

To achieve that shimmering appearance, I usually start with light pinks, greens, and silvers and combine them gently.

Watercolor is the ideal medium since its colors shift with the light. I use an easy-to-follow guide to draw the pattern and shape of the fish.

This project is beginner-friendly and also fun for kids. Each brushstroke helps bring this glimmering fish to life.

Salmon Fish Leaping A Waterfall

You can see my salmon fish piece here is full of action and energy! I try to show a salmon fish rushing river with strong brushstrokes and splattering blues.

Step-by-step instructions make it simple to sketch the salmon's sleek, powerful body.

I love the contrast between the white and the bright pinks and grays of the waterfall. 

This makes this idea enjoyable for anyone to add movement to their watercolor art.

Sea

I love using watercolor to draw sea fish. You can try to draw a vibrant orange fish swimming among smaller ones in a deep blue ocean.

Adding little silver fish gives the setting a sense of life, and the orange fish stands out against the sea.

Newbies can easily follow the tutorials to draw sea fish. Even kids can paint these colorful creatures.

Seahorse

Seashores are surely the favorite of kids (and adults, too!). They are so graceful with curled tails and gentle shapes. It's perfect for watercolor art, especially in soft blues and greens.

Moreover, the final seahorse artwork always turns out gorgeous without asking for too many painting techniques! 

I use subtle brushstrokes to highlight their delicate, translucent appearance. You can also add highlights and shadows that make things come to life.

This is a creative and beautiful project that even children can enjoy!

Star Fish

What color will you use to paint a starfish? I love to choose bright oranges or reds to make mine pop on a sandy ocean floor. 

Don't forget to add some cute decorations like tiny dots or gentle shadows to make the whole setting even more lively.

The technique I apply here is wet-on-wet. It will help you to blend colors beautifully for the starfish’s arms.

Anyone can try to draw this starfish. You can practice brush control and painting skills at the same time.

And honestly, try to paint a starfish with any color you like. Just let your creativity grow on the paper! 

Tetras

I adore using watercolor to draw tetras. Their fins can be bright red, orange, blue, or even neon, and their small bodies can shine with silver! 

It's just so awesome to paint something colorful like that.

Tetras are easy to draw and totally perfect for beginners. You can easily draw one by yourself by following an easy guide. 

Children can also learn to paint tetras by using printable templates. Even though they are quite small, they are a good inspiration for any watercolor artwork. 

Tiny Guppy

Have you ever watched a little guppy fish swimming in the tank? Guppy fish are tiny, but they have beautiful, soft, and flowing tails.

Plus, their bright colors like orange and blue make them breathtaking in any watercolor piece.

I love to paint them swimming in soft ripples of blue water. They’re ideal for both kids and beginners to try. 

Guppy fish are easy to draw, fun to paint, and always full of personality. You will love how watercolor brings out the gentle, delicate feel of these tiny fish.

Whale Shark

Working on a watercolor painting of a whale shark is like creating a masterpiece. It is a peaceful giant fish with spotted skin – just perfect for detailed brushwork.

I like to illustrate its movement through water by combining gentle blues and greys.

Nice blending will help you to get the iridescent quality of the skin. The whale shark is an interesting subject for artists of all skill levels.

It might take some time and effort to complete this idea, but it will be worth it! 

Conclusion

You've walked through the list of my 25 Watercolor Drawing Fish Ideas.  Even very tiny fish (like guppies) can become a great inspiration for your artwork! 

So, it's time to add some beautiful underwater creatures to your sketchbook! Happy painting time!