How to Draw a Koi Fish in Photoshop

Step 26

Now duplicate this group 4 times and resize the groups so that it looks like the image below.

Step 27

Now we will add a drop shadow to the ‘Petals’ layer of each group except the last group. Apply these settings

Step 28

This is how it should look

Step 29 Part 3 – Koi Fish

Create a new document. My canvas is 1000px x 1000px.

Step 30 – Add a gradient to this background layer

Type your instructions here.

Step 31

Next we will create the body of the fish. I used Adobe Illustrator to create my fish since for me it’s easier to control the pen tool. Fire up Illustrator with the same size canvas 1000px x 1000px

Step 32

Start creating the different parts of the fish like I did in the following images.

Step 33

Now ‘drag and drop’ the fish parts you made and arrange them like so in photoshop. Note: I have outlined the parts to show where I have placed them (no need for you to do this.)

Step 34 Back Fin

Now that all of your layers are in Photoshop makes sure to name the layers acording to the parts of a fish (i.e. head, body, back fin, etc). First we will start off with the ‘Back Fin’. Also whatever layers I’m not working on I make them invisivle by clicking the ‘eye’ icon. On your ‘Back Fin’ layer grab your burn tool (61px soft round brush, Range: Highlights Exposure: 73&) and burn the area like in the image below

Step 35

Make a New layer and grab paint brush tool and make some wavy lines on the fin. I used a 5px hard round brush #d43911.

Step 36

Now we will smudge these wavy lines. Grab your smudge tool (22px, strength: 36%) and smooth out the lines

Change the layer to Linear Burn

Step 37

Create a New Layer and grab your paint brush tool (59px soft round brush #9b733f) Paint in the area at the place where the fin connects to the body.

Change this layer to Color Burn with an Opacity of 68%

Step 38 Fin Highlights

Now we will add some highlights to the fin. Create a New layer and name it ‘Highlight 1’. With your paint brush tool (#FFFFFF, 46px soft round brush) create some highlights at the tip of the fin. Change this layer to Overlay and an Opacity of 63%

Step 39

Repeat that last step but keep the layer at Normal with an Opacity of 100%. Take all of the layers pertainning to the ‘Back Fin’ and place it in a group (the folder icon below the layers).