A Quirky Sardine for Father’s Day!

Sometimes you just need a quick, playful painting to shake off the pressure—and that’s exactly what this little watercolor sardine was for me. 🎨🐟

This piece came together fast: loose brushwork, sketchy lines, and just a hint of whimsy. It’s perfect for a warm-up session or even a quirky Father’s Day card!

I wanted to create something fun and approachable—no stress, no need for perfection. Just a sweet little fish to bring some joy back into the painting process. If you're the type who overthinks your first strokes, this is a great one to loosen up and just go with the flow.

Want to try it? My Patreon members get access to:

• A downloadable line drawing to trace and get started faster

• A step-by-step video tutorial

• And as a bonus—a watercolor trout painting (Patreon exclusive!)

Supplies I used:

• Paints: Winsor & Newton Payne’s Gray, Cad Yellow, Cobalt Blue, Raw Umber

• Paper: Canson XL watercolor

• Brushes: Lebenzon Small Goat Synthetic Blend, Royal Langnickel Zen #2 Scrubber

• Pens: G4Tec pen + Uniball white gel pen for final touches

🛍 You can shop all of my favorite tools right here on Amazon
🎁 Plus! Get 20% off Lebenzon Brushes with code KELLIE through the end of the month: lebenzon-paintbrushes.com

Thank you so much to my sweet Patreon community—you make these fun little moments possible, and I love sharing these playful projects with you.

If you're not a Patreon yet but want to dive into more lighthearted watercolor fun (and grab that trout tutorial too), I’d love to have you join us!

💙
Kellie