How to Draw a Koi Fish in Photoshop

Preview of Final Results

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Download the PSD

Koi Fish.zip | 6.18
Download from FileSonic
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Koi Fish Photoshop Tutorial

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Resources

• Fish Scale Patterns - Brusheezy
• Swirl & Flower Brushes - Deviant Art

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Step 1 Create a New Document

In Photoshop create a New Document (File>New) My canvas is 500px x 500px but you can make it any size to suit your needs.

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Step 2 Flower

First we will create one of the flowers. Start by adding a Gradient Overlay to the first layer (name it 'Background')

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Step 3 Petal Shapes

Create a New layer and name it 'Petal 1' make an outline of a petal like the image below using your Pen Tool.

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Step 4 Fill the Petal

Right click the outline of your petal and then>Make Selection or on your Paths tab right click then>Make Selection. Fill this petal with a purple color.

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Step 5 Add Contrast

On this same layer grab your burn tool (61 px soft brush, shadows, 100%) make your petal look like the image below. I used a combination of Ranges: Shadows, Highlights and Midtones to achieve this look.

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Step 6 Petal Highlight

Create a New layer above this one and name it 'Petal 1 Highlight'. Grab a 42px soft brush #E5BA2A, with a Flow: 73%. Erase any areas that goes outside of the petal.

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Step 7

The third thing that we will add to this petal is a darker shadow. First make a new layer above your 'Petal 1 highlight' then make a selection of your 'Petal 1' layer. Once you have done this contract it. Select>Modify>Contract by 5px like the image below.

Paint in this area with a soft brush using #2c0024 Note: Name this layer 'Petal 1 shadow'

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Step 8 Repeat Petals

Repeat these steps to create the rest of your petals. I have provided images of how the process looks.

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Posted in: Photoshop