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Siamese Fighting Fish 🐠 Demo Pt. 1 (Patreon)

Published:
2024-06-10 21:12:46
Edited:
2025-10-20 17:13:16
Imported:
2026-10

Content

By popular demand, I am exploring various marine subjects for an upcoming tutorial series. This real-time recording includes my full painting process of the Betta fish and columbine flowers, along with a list of materials below. Black and white outlines, photo reference and step-by-step photos are also attached. I am working on another composition featuring a fish flower - this will become a full class with narration and a streamlined palette coming out later this week. 🌷 Enjoy!

NOTE #1: there is no voice-over provided for demo compositions as they are just my own creative exercises,  containing too many experimental pigments and techniques. You can explore narrated tutorials by browsing Tutorial collections, including Botanical, Birds and other compositions: https://www.patreon.com/c/AnnaBucciarelli/collections

NOTE #2: I tested several blues, yellows and reds here - simply to test them. You don't need this entire range; for the fish, I would stick to Quinacridone Red, Quinacridone Coral, Hansa Yellow Deep and Perylene Violet. For the flowers, Dioxazine Purple and Phthalo Blue with the some yellow would be enough.

🎥 CHAPTER LINKS:

Part #1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/105953131/

Part #2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/siamese-fighting-106271025

Part #3: https://www.patreon.com/posts/siamese-fighting-106506489

🎨 MY WATERCOLOR SUPPLIES: 

PAPER:  Arches cold pressed 140lbs block 10 x 14: https://amzn.to/3QGcmwc - 

BRUSHES: Escoda Chronos & Winsor & Newton Series 7 in various sizes: https://amzn.to/3QHPs7I 

🎨 RECOMMENDED COLORS: 

Quinacridone Coral from Daniel Smith

Quinacridone Red from QOR

Quinacridone Violet from Winsor & Newton

Carmine from Daniel Smith: {PR 176} https://amzn.to/4aSCGMy

Scarlet Lake from Winsor & Newton

Winsor Orange Red Shade from Winsor & Newton

Perylene Violet from Daniel Smith {PV29}: https://amzn.to/3CLm8HC

Dioxazine Purple from QOR by Golden: https://amzn.to/3Xf4uoF 

Hansa Yellow Deep from Daniel Smith {PY65}: https://amzn.to/49fhK0U

Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue from Daniel Smith

Phthalo Blue Red Shade from QOR

Files

Comments

Diane

My husband asked why there were flowers in with the fish. That question didn't even occur to me... I was so struck with the beauty of the painting!

Shehnaz

I was waiting for this fish for a long time 😍

Anna Bucciarelli

My husband used to asked me the same thing 😊😊😊 I am like.. why not?! They are both colorful 💕 back in 2014-2017 I’ve painted sooooo many fish-flower arrangements!

Anna Bucciarelli

Enjoy! 💜 I am working on a different one now for a tutorial 😊🐠🐠

Shehnaz

Thank you 😊. I have a question, from where I could send you my drawing so I could have your opinion on It?

Elaine Bruckman

Wow! Amazing! My husband was walking by as I was viewing the lesson and he said, Siamese Fighting Fish. Is it?

Anna Bucciarelli

Yes!!!! That’s another name for Betta! They are soo colorful and fun to paint because of their flowing fins 😊

Sammie Bryant

When you begin painting the fish,you mix two colors, can you remember what they are?

John

I just traced the outline onto the top sheet of my watercolor paper block and feel like I'm about to venture into uncharted territory--this demo looks like a lot of fun. Thanks, Anna!

Lynn Muster

Quick question: For the glaze over the fish (eyes, scales, mouth), did you combine Perylene Violet with Quin Red or Quin Coral? I’ve painted this once and want to do it again. I don’t feel I got that color right…..thanks!!

Dianne Carpenter

Anna, thank you so much for your video with the tips for growth. I’ve been so stuck and frustrated and I’ve been painting for awhile. I’ve been doing it all wrong, jumping from subject to subject and trying to follow several artists at one time and it has killed my creativity! I love painting the subjects you paint, but I need to slow down and go back to the beginning to do a series like you suggested and paint the study several times to gain the confidence to continue. The fish is exciting, as well as birds and flowers. I want to gain confidence to paint all wildlife and botanicals eventually. So, I’m beginning again and savoring your tips! ❤️

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Dianne! I am glad some of the advise was helpful. I am cross-posting an ad-free version of this video here on Patreon today as well:) Have a wonderful day!

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Lynn, I only used diluted Perylene Violet.... Perylenes can be a bit tricky and "heavy" looking when not fully diluted. Another good option for these glazed shadows are Quinacridone Burnt Orange or Quonacridone Scarlet - those are light and fully transparent. I am using them in the next tutorial. I've learned to recognize your stule from Facebook posts and i think you will definitely enjoy the lighter feel of quinacridones and get the best out of them in glazing. Give it a try if you have a sample or a full tube. Also, honestly, Quin Violet, especially the brownish version from QOR, can work fine although it will give you a cooler effect so I would dilute it as much as possible...Another option is a regular brown if you have any or even Permanent Alizarin Crimson {again generously diluted}. Let me know what you like best! PS: you results are always amazing!!!

Lynn Muster

Oh Anna, thank you for the kind words! I may have to paint this 3 times now lol 😁

Ramona Furst

This is such a silly question but I’m not tech savvy!? How do I transfer the outline onto the watercolour paper? Once I get a print from my computer? I’m more familiar with hot press but can both sides of the cold press be used? I do have Arches. I’m a newbie although I’ve been sketching and using pen and ink for a number of years.

John

This stumped me, too, until I saw someone doing it. Take a pencil and shade the back side of the computer paper completely. Then place it backside-down (printed side up) onto the watercolor paper and go over the outline carefully. You're pushing the lead onto the watercolor paper. It helps to tape one side of the computer paper so it doesn't move, and so you can lift the free edge to make sure it's working.

John

I'm really enjoying this demo. I've finished one full glaze of the fish and the colors took a strange turn toward purple in places, which is ok, just a surprise when I looked back at the model and realized what I'd done. My paper is too small for the flowers, but I'm tempted to add underwater sword grass behind the fish to compliment the red and orange (thanks Anna for the lessons in color theory you've given us along the way).

Michele Drews

I actually use transfer paper and trace the outline on. I’ll use a kneadable eraser to pull some of the graphite off the paper by rolling it over the outline.

Sammie Bryant

I actually print the outline on computer then I find a large window on a bright sunny day. Place the arches paper over it and tape with masking tape. I just use little pieces of tape in the corner, I am then able to easily trace the outline. I’m also fairly new but this works even on large, intricate outlines. Good luck, hoped it helped

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you all for your recommendations - all of these work! I also made a video a few years ago on how I trace when I need to trace, basically using the method that John described: https://youtu.be/-U-gFLFblMg

oriole adams-harris

Is there a line drawing for the Siamese fighting fish? I can't seem to find it.

Rebecca Eichstadt (Beckie)

You mentions doing a full tutorial that would be released the end of july. This this still in process?

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Rebecca, I painted another fish, but switched up the schedule a bit to finish the Toucan & hibiscus tutorial because I was getting so many requests for that bird for over a year. I am keeping the other fish recording and will definitely do a tutorial this fall. Thank you for your patience - editing takes much longer than painting.

Nalda Paterson

no downloads be great to have verbal guidance

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Nalda. Sorry, I am not sure I understood … do you mean you are unable to find downloads?

Nadine V.

I'd love to see a tutorial. Is there a tutorial now? :) I couldn't find one so far.

Nancy Swan

Thank you for yet another beautiful painting tutorial. I finished this fish on less expensive, 100% cotton paper I purchased online, but even on the first wash it left pieces of lint. So, I will chalk up the hours I spent as a lesson. I'm sticking with Arches and brands I know will produce the results I want. Just thought I would pass it on.

Kim Scales

i can't wait for more like this, more animals with botanical things, lovwe all of your work ,

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Kim! I am working on a fully narrated tutorial for a similar fish right now - with a different color scheme:) I think you will enjoy it! 💜