Masterclass: World Champ Josh Sim On Crafting Contest-winning Aquascapes

Join us for an extraordinary journey into the art of aquascaping with world champion Josh Sim. In this detailed and insightful video, Josh shares his top secrets and personal techniques that have led him to numerous victories in international aquascaping contests. From understanding the nuances of creating depth and contrast to mastering the art of details and integration, this masterclass covers it all. Whether you're a seasoned aquascaper or a beginner, these valuable insights will elevate your skills and inspire your next aquascape project. Dive in as Josh demonstrates how to transform your aquarium into a winning masterpiece.

This is the best and most advanced layout tutorial on the Green Aqua YouTube channel by Josh Sim, the IAPLC 2019 champ. Take two hours off. Switch off your phone and watch it. You'll thank us later. ;)

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aquascaping tips and tricks!

Here's the contents - the main points of discussion, with the times when their discussion begins in the video:

9 USEFUL TECHNIQUES IN CREATING A GOOD LAYOUT

00:00 Introduction
21:50 Theme
32:20 Focal Point
40:40 Layers
45:50 Shadow
56:50 Space
1:09:15 Integration
1:19:15 Contrast
1:23:30 Details

Do you have them all? Are they in your DNA? Josh has them, he won 7 Grand Prizes with them.

SEMINAR DATE: 5 October 2019

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OUR VIDEO AND AUDIO GEAR

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CREW

Camera Operators: Csaba Viczián, George Farkas, Tamas Danyiko, Balazs Farkas
Post-Production by Sebastian Dudok, Péter Hajdu, Balazs Farkas
Social media: Viktor Lantos
Subtitles: Tamás Demeter
Graphics, editing and color grading made in DaVinci Resolve Studio 16

MUSIC: "One Less" by Howard Harper-Barnes, "Her Majesty's Arrival" by Howard Harper Barnes, "Look Around You" by Howard Harper-Barnes, "Capture A Picture 4." by Peter Sandberg, "Beatmedown 4." by Gunnar Johnsen, "I Will Come Back for You" by Howard Harper-Barnes, "Adventure Trailer 1" by Jon Bjork, "Slideshow" by Young Rich Pixies

#greenaqua, #aquascaping, #JoshSim, #aquariumdesign, #IAPLC, #aquascapecontest, #aquariumhobby, #plantedtank, #natureaquarium, #aquascapetutorial, #aquariumtips, #aquascapingmasterclass, #aquascapeworldchampion, #aquaticplants, #aquariumart, #fishkeeping

[anilmakwana]

This is not just the best Aquascaping tutorial, I’ve ever seen, it’s simply the best Tutorial I’ve ever seen. Period.

[tedhawk]

Thank you so much for having Josh on, I feel he gave me a better understanding of aquascaping than anyone I've ever listened to or anything I've ever read, I'm just at home hobbyist and now I'm ready to be creative thanks green aqua and thank you mr. Sim

[udodrelerfotografie]

Watched this Video in 2019, started my first and only Contest Tank for IAPLC and placed Top 25%. Thank you so much for so many Informations !

[AntsCanada]

This was an incredible masterclass! Can't believe we got all that for free! Lol Thank you for this. I'm actually amazed that these principles can also apply to terrarium-building! Made me realize I'm definitely I'm into the zen-style aquascapes, but I am a wild-type terrarium/paludarium builder.

[maxisbored]

Josh is so incredibly honest and humble, what a great upload. thanks again.

[RyoWatanabee]

This was Incredible! Thank you so much for all the great tips Josh Sim and the Green Aqua Team :)

[marohafize]

Thank you Green Aqua for sharing this. Proud & congrats to Josh... Bring Malaysia and Kukup to another level.

[charlesghayward]

It's years later but since I'm now in the hobby, Thank you Josh for sharing so clearly and simply, your humbleness is beautiful and your teaching is one of the very best I've come across, God bless you as share what talent you have been blessed with.

[devachapman]

as a complete newb I found this amazing! I loved how he put it all together. i'll prob. re watch it when I get to my scap.
thanks green aqua team for posting this.

[Crazykidzz]

Hes a good teacher ... someone whos good at something and who can teach is rare.

[kathyshelley]

This is hands down one of the best way informational videos I have ever seen!

[korikibou]

10:24 First Tank
11:24 Champ Tanks, 2017
11:34 Award winning, Dream on, 2019
14:30 Zen & Wild, the two extremes of styles
28:17 Resource limitation can limit your theme and outcome
32:00 Make your own driftwood shape
35:24 Perspective
39:42 Focal point
52:32 Shadow is not darkness
1:04:53 Fill up the empty spaces without making it crowded
1:09:50 Scapes should have visible unique parts that are connected
1:17:40 Don't plant separately

[maximadams]

It's just great that this is up for everyone to see and learn from, thanks so much for uploading!

[willcasey]

This is honestly the most in depth and helpful aquascaping tutorial I've ever seen. Thank you.

[aquariumplantman]

Just watched this again and learnt so much again. Such a great presentation 🌿

[azimshaikh]

Thanks green aqua. Without you we wouldn't know this legend.

[harunkaraca]

Slide show summary ;

1- Theme
A theme is a clear identity of your tank that shows the viewers exactly what you are trying to emulate.


Why it is important to have a Theme?
Because it is easier for the viewers to appreciate and understand


Threat the viewers or contest judges as "normal" people! You may not have any chance to explain to the viewers
Make sure your "theme" is easily understandable


How to create a good layout with a theme?
to create a theme, think "Lego"!
İt is hard to create something "nice" with a few pieces of lego


2- Depth
Why is "Depth" so important?
- it makes the layout BIG
- it helps to create WOW effect
- it is easy to IMPRESS viewer with good depth


To create depth, you will need :
- End point
- High background
- use something big in front, something small in back.
- Perspective


3- Focal Point
Why is "Focal Point" so important
- it helps to catch viewer's attention
- it helps to guide viewer's eyes

Forcal Points
- Something big and special
- Something very bright or very dark
- End point
- Alway the focal point put on golden ratio


Can a good aquascape without a clear focal point?
Yes but, very unique example.


4- Layers
Why is "Layers" so important?
- Layers helps to improve :
- depth
- Richness in content
- 3D effect


To create Layers:
- Never arrange everything in straight line : 1-Dimensional
- Make use different heights, sizes, colors, matreials(hardscape, sand, plants)


not make a one dimensional, make a 3d dimensional


5- Shadow
Why is "Shadow" so important


Shadow can create the feeling of:
- Moody
- Mystreious
- Power
- Fear
- Melancholy


To create shadows:
- Object that block light


How much shado is required to create a top notch layout?
30%-60%


When you create shadows, don't make it pitch dark!!!
Show a little bit of details!!!
ghghjghjghjghjhgj
Shadow doesn't mean darkness

Good shadows and Good brightness compliment each other!!

6- Space
- Make use of every inch of your tank
- Make good use of reflection - if possible
- Give the audiences as many things to look at as possible - within a given space


There is a catch though....
Nobody enjoy a congested/suffocating layout


How do we fill up tank without creating a congested feeling?
- Perspective
- Layers
- Shadow


Congested and flat : III III
Spacios and deep : Iı ıI


7- Integration
we want our scape to look like "one scene" and yet we want the viewers to be able to see different part of the scene!


A scape is messed up in term of "integration" if:
-items exist independetly in the scape without connection (no integration)
- items all mixed up and messy (too much integration)

What is needed to be part of the integration?
- wood and woods
- wood and rocks
- Everything


How to create good integration?
- Show passage of time - let the thank matured
- Planting technique - mixture
- Balance (hardscape, colors, plants)


8- Contrast
What is contrast?
- Big & small
- Bright & Dark
- Far & Near
- High & Low
- Thick & Thin
- Fast & Slow
- Heavy & Light
- Dense & Loose (it means plants) etc


Why is contrast important?
Contrast creates:
- Layers
- Space
- Focal Point
- 3D Effect


9- Details
- Every small little thing counts
- Intentionally unintentional
- Don't start from beginnig

[aquapetschennaiindia]

Wow what a Man... Down to earth, Modest, Humble and speaks straight from the heart... Congrats for the award... You deserve it... Also thanks to Green Aqua for sharing such a wonderful video... Loads of love from India 💖

[URBANSCAPER]

So much to learn here. This is a masterclass. Thank you!

[RainerBruns]

Whow! Josh Sim said at the beginning, he wil not teach, but this is the best video of explaining the principles of the art of aquascaping I've seen so far. I learned so much and for later views I put the video to my favorite list. 👍