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WHAT EXACTLY IS A GYOTAKU?

Gyotaku (魚拓, from gyo “fish” + taku”, stone impression) is a traditional form of Nature printing used by Japanese Fishermen to record their catches. Since then, it has also become an art form of its own.

Typically, sumi ink is applied to the fish and rice or mulberry paper is laid on top.  The paper is then rubbed onto the ink, creating an impression to accurately capture the fishes’ size and unique characteristics.  These fish impressions are often touched up to enhance certain characteristics of the fish.  The eyes are usually painted last, marking the completion of a piece.

 

Pair of speckled trout by the Alslev boys. Dad caught the spanish mackerel the next day on his 50th birthday.

THE JOURNEY:

I printed my first Gyotaku while fishing in Key West, Florida in 2013. The completed framed original, a pair of yellowtail snapper, was later gifted to a dear family member.  Over the next few years, I continued to print and paint notable catches for friends and family as a hobby.  Eventually, in 2018 a client turned friend commissioned a Gyotaku for their own collection.
 
Starting with just the very basics of understanding the Gyotaku process, I practiced printing anything I could get a hold of, even the clams and lobsters from a family dinner.  Wanting to give these traditionally black ink impressions more character that fits my style, I began incorporating different printing and painting techniques I’ve learned over the years.

STYLE:

I was always intrigued at how a fish, fresh out of the water exhibited such vibrant colors; bright iridescent colors which eventually fade into more muted hues.  I  started taking pictures of these freshly caught fish and wanted to recreate these colors on their otherwise black ink impression.  This is after all, the moment when an angler knows the catch has been officially landed.
 
While I absolutely love the traditional look of a monochromatic fish print, I equally love the very colorful pelagics we obsess and fish for.  

Most of my gyotaku will have brighter colors which is usually exhibited by the fish at the time of the capture.  This “catch color” is replicated onto the black printed silhouette with a brush and finished with an airbrush to soften lines, add some minor shading or contours thereby creating depth.
 
MEDIA:
The traditional medium used for fish printing is rice paper (or mulberry) and sumi ink which is made of soot and animal glue.  While I have used sumi ink in the past, I currently use acrylic based paints for the main impression since it is colorfast once dry.   Cloth is my go to medium for original prints.  I really like the flexibility that cloth offers which is critical to get the right proportions during the printing process.  I also find that the impression of the fish stands out more since cloth has a matte and slightly textured finish.  
 
After the impression is made, the fish is then thoroughly washed and processed for the table.  The acrylic paints are water based and washes off easily.  
The fresher the fish, the better the print.

PROCESS:

(The gist of it, really)

  • Catch the fish, take a picture at capture
  • Stabilize and then ink the fish
  • Lay the medium and “rub” the fish
  • Peel off slowly, let dry
  • Paint the “catch color”, then paint the eye 

 

FRAME:
Chalky pastels of white mixed with the coarse texture of weathered barnwood frame my originals. I believe this combination gives the final piece a modern, warm and rustic coastal charm.  We are after all, in the Outer banks. 
 
The wood for the frames are all cut to size in my shop (since each printed fish is different), ultimately determining the size of the final piece.  Glass is then ordered locally, picked up and installed in house.
 
*Framed archival reproduction prints also use the same weathered barnwood frame.
LOCATIONS:

There are currently three locations in the Outer banks where you can view certain originals, framed reproduction prints, unframed giclee prints and mugs.  If you are a business owner and would like to share Gyotaku related art with your clients, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Most originals and available art pieces can be viewed at my workshop/gallery by appointment.

GreenTail’s Seafood Market and Kitchen
3022 S. Croatan highway, unit 34
Nags Head, NC 27959

SeaChef Dockside kitchen 
Oregon inlet fishing center
8770 Oregon inlet rd
Nags Head, NC 27959

Strategic Angler ® workshop
Nags Head, NC 27959
(by appointment only)

Here are a few samples of some recent work, view the full selection of available Gyotaku prints and originals at the StrategicAngler® shop.

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