Koi Fish Painting

Koi (acrylic on stretched linen - 68"X30")

Artist: John Potter

A Contemporary Painting with Layered Logic

Koi was completed in 2024 as part of my ongoing series exploring custom linear halftones. Structured lines create form, depth, and visual rhythm throughout the composition. This piece also demonstrates a recurring theme in the series. Two distinct images occupy the same space and can be read separately or together. A darker image anchors the composition while a lighter version is woven directly through it. The halftone logic remains visible and readable even after color is applied.

Two Sources, One Composition

The painting synthesizes two different references. A photograph of a hand and an original drawing of a koi fish were composed and layered digitally to establish balance and narrative flow. A custom halftone structure was developed from this composite and tested extensively in black and white. Only after the pattern functioned powerfully in monochrome did I begin digital color studies. Palette decisions were planned and refined before any paint touched the linen.

Airbrush on Linen

Most of the painting was executed with an airbrush. This tool allows exceptionally smooth gradients and soft edges while maintaining the precision required for halftone patterns. The brightest highlight on the koi is pure white set against a deep blue background. That contrast directly honors the graphic impact of the original halftone. The hand is rendered differently. Softer tonal transitions create organic warmth and a sense of realism that plays against the structured fish.

Two Patterns, One System

Two different halftone patterns operate within the work. The primary pattern defines most of the composition. A secondary inverted pattern appears selectively in the upper left and lower right corners. In those areas the visual logic is quietly subverted. Dark lines become light and light spaces become dark. This subtle disruption invites closer looking and challenges the consistency of the system I established.

Materials and Dimensions

The painting is acrylic on stretched linen and measures sixty eight inches wide by thirty inches tall. Acrylics were chosen for their durability and color stability. The linen substrate provides a professional archival surface suitable for long term collection.

What This Painting Offers

Koi appeals to collectors who value contemporary reinterpretations of classic subjects, technical facility, and work with layered meaning. The koi represents perseverance and good fortune. The hand suggests guidance or connection. Both symbols are framed within a rigorous graphic aesthetic that feels fresh and deliberate. The painting reads as serene from a distance and reveals increasing complexity on closer inspection. It would function well in a quiet living space, a thoughtful office environment, or any interior that balances calm with contemporary presence.

PAINTINGS:

PORTFOLIOS

• Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
• Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
• Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
• Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
• Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
• Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
• Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.