FISH PRINT: Gyotaku (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing) was invented in the early 1800′s in Japan by the fishermen to record their catch.

Pick your fish – The snapper has nice big scales, which will give great texture to the print so we will use it instead of the bigger grouper with small fine scales.

Tell your fish you love them – In harvesting such majestic animals we feel it necessary to pay our respects to the noble fish by giving it a real loving kiss. On the mouth.

Paint your fish – I use an acrylic black paint by Liquitex. The Japanese Originally used Sumi ink made from hardwood charcoal.

Make sure to paint the whole fish – Leave the eye unpainted and don’t forget to paint the fins!!

Cover the fish with a sheet – You will need a partner to pull cloth/sheet tight and carefully place on fish.

Pat down – Pat down cloth over whole fish carefully absorbing paint.

Pay attention to details – This means fins and teeth.

Raise cloth with Partner carefully – and you’ve got yourself a fish print. Hang to dry.