Koi Gathering in Deep Water Canvas Print

Koi Gathering in Deep Water Canvas PrintWe like koi best when it comes with a little abrasion. This is loose, painterly brushwork fish bodies in orange, soft pink and white, swimming through deep green and inky blue water, painted with the energy of a sumi e study turned up loud. Hang it in a dining room or kitchen and the whole room warms up: the orange catches lamp light, the dark green grounds the wall. It works above a sideboard, a console or a small bench. Pair it with oak or walnut,

fond of a joke

the soft watercolour washes keep all their lightness

Bring it into a calm room and the soft whites and warm browns settle the space

On canvas the blue ground softens slightly and reads warmer up close

Hang it on a plain wall where the type has room to breathe — above a desk

Where to hang it: a kitchen shelf nook

Portrait shape suits narrow runs of wall

Don't crowd it with other busy florals or competing posters

so the mustard hat and dark green stars do the talking

a little timber — and this Hokusai poster gives it a real focal point without shouting

This piece wants to be the loud one in the room

a tangle of pink