Class Idea: Koi Fish and Air Clay Lotus Mixed Media Project

Class Idea: Koi Fish and Air Clay Lotus Mixed Media Project

When I design an art class, I always imagine what will make students’ eyes sparkle. This time, I wanted to create something that feels peaceful yet full of movement — like a small pond where koi fish swim beneath blooming lotus flowers. That’s how this mixed-media project began: painting koi fish with acrylics and sculpting lotus blossoms from air clay.

​A creative classroom idea combining acrylic koi fish painting with air clay lotus flowers — a perfect mixed-media project to explore texture, color, and harmony.

We started by talking about koi fish and their symbolism — perseverance, courage, and good fortune. Each student looked at reference photos to observe the shape of the fish's body and how light reflects on the fins. Using white and deep teal paper as our background, we painted layers of water and added shadowy blue fish silhouettes to give a sense of depth. Then came the koi: students used quick, confident brushstrokes to create flowing fins and scales, mixing warm tones of red, orange, and white. Acrylic paint was ideal for this stage because its thickness allows texture to stand out — it makes each fish seem alive and in motion.

After the painting was finished, we moved on to sculpting the lotus flowers with air clay. Students rolled and shaped small petals, layering them gently to form the soft curves of the flower. The air clay dried into a firm yet delicate texture that perfectly contrasted the flat surface of the painting. Some students painted their flowers pink or red with acrylics, while others left them pure white for a calmer look. Tiny yellow clay dots were added in the center as stamens, giving each flower personality and detail.
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Once all elements were ready, we glued the clay lotus flowers onto the pond background. At that moment, the artwork transformed — the fish seemed to swim beneath the floating blossoms, and the whole scene felt alive with color and serenity. The combination of painting and sculpture made students realize how art can cross boundaries between two and three dimensions.

What made this project special was how each step encouraged different skills and mindsets. The painting required rhythm, observation, and patience; the sculpting demanded sensitivity and touch. Students learned to balance color, shape, and composition while expressing their individuality. Some added bubbles or ripples to make the water feel deeper, and others placed their flowers in diagonal lines for dynamic balance.

In the end, no two works were alike. Each one reflected the student’s own personality — some playful, some tranquil, some bold. As I watched them finish, I felt proud not only of the beautiful results but also of the process itself. Through this project, students didn’t just learn techniques — they experienced how art can bring movement, stillness, and imagination into one frame.
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If you’re looking for a meaningful and creative classroom idea, I highly recommend trying this combination of acrylic painting and air clay craft. It’s adaptable for all ages, easy to prepare, and always produces stunning, original works of art. Above all, it reminds students — and teachers — that beauty often comes from harmony between contrast: soft and strong, real and imagined, painting and sculpture.