---
title: Koi Illustration
format: 70-start
sort: 130
showcase: true
categories: ["Illustration", "Painting"]
intro: I created this illustration for a previous version of my website in 2007 with a pencil on paper and then brought it into Adobe Photoshop, where all coloring was done.
description: I created this illustration for a previous version of my website in 2007 with a pencil on paper and then brought it into Adobe Photoshop, where all coloring was done.
image:
  src: /assets/images/projects/thumbnails/koi-illustration.jpg
  aspectRatio: 4.35
more:
  text: See the “Making-of”
  link: /projects/koi-illustration/
---

<ProjectIntro>
I created this illustration for a previous version of my website in 2007. The inspiration for my illustration was the art of the Japanese tattoo, _irezumi_ (刺青). Most motives have a deep meaning, based on religion, history, or myths from China and Japan.

A lot of the motives are based on the Chinese novel [Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Margin) (jap. _suikoden_, engl. _Water Margin_), or are based on mythical creatures like the Phoenix, Dragons, or Koi.

I chose a motive from a legend, in which Koi, who swim against the stream of some magic waterfalls turn into a dragon. After 500 more years, they turn into a horned dragon and after 1000 years into a flying dragon.

The illustration was done with a pencil on paper and then brought into Adobe Photoshop, where all coloring was done (with the help of a Wacom tablet).

</ProjectIntro>

---

## Final Illustration

![Koi Illustration](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/cover.jpg)

## Making-Of

![Making-Of Step 1](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-01.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 2](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-02.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 3](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-03.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 4](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-04.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 5](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-05.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 6](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-06.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 7](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-07.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 8](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-08.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 9](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-09.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 10](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-10.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 11](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-11.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 12](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-12.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 13](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-13.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 14](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-14.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 15](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-15.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 16](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-16.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 17](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-17.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 18](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-18.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 19](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-19.jpg)

![Making-Of Step 20](/assets/images/projects/koi-illustration/koi-making-of-20.jpg)
