Red Fish Anthias Underwater Painting Red Sea 45x30cm

Description

Red Fish (Anthias) – Original Underwater Painting by Olga Nikitina

Underwater painting is a fascinating and rapidly growing direction in contemporary art, offering a completely different perspective on the creative process. As both an artist and scuba diver, I have discovered that painting beneath the surface opens the door to another artistic reality, where familiar perceptions of colour, light, movement, and space are transformed.

This artwork was created directly underwater during a scuba diving session at a depth of 12 metres. The painting session lasted 50 minutes, allowing me to immerse myself in the surrounding marine environment and capture the sensations of being part of this extraordinary world.

I am particularly fascinated by the vibrant anthias fish that inhabit coral reefs. Their constant movement, striking colours, and interactions with one another create a beautiful underwater spectacle. Watching them in their natural environment is a continuous source of inspiration. I wanted to translate not only their appearance but also the incredible energy and movement of marine life into my painting.

Creating art underwater is an almost surreal experience. The feeling of weightlessness, the absence of gravity, the movement of water, and the unusual way sunlight penetrates the underwater world completely change the way I perceive my surroundings. Colours appear unexpected, shapes become more expressive, and the combination of visual impressions creates an almost explosive sensation. It feels as though the brain begins to work differently, opening new possibilities for intuitive artistic expression.

My underwater paintings are not planned reproductions of what I see. They are emotional responses to a particular moment beneath the surface. I allow the underwater environment to guide my movements, colour choices, and composition.

This artwork was created using a palette knife. Bold, expressive strokes and richly textured impasto layers add depth, energy, and a sense of movement to the composition. The textured surface reflects the dynamic character of underwater life and the constantly changing environment in which the painting was created.

.Through Red Fish (Anthias), I wanted to share a glimpse of this fascinating underwater reality — a world of vibrant colours, movement, freedom, and endless discovery. My intention is to bring the emotions of scuba diving into the everyday environment, allowing the viewer to experience a little of the magic of being underwater