Gyotaku Fish Prints & Mural in Wilmington, NC

 

Making a gyotakui fish print

"Gyotaku (魚拓, from gyo "fish" + taku "stone impression", fish print(ing)) is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. This form of nature printing, where ink is applied to a fish which is then pressed onto paper, was used by fishermen to record their catches, but has also become an art form of its own.” Wikipedia

Let me start out by saying that I didn’t know anything about gyotaku prior to being tasked with creating a mural in a sushi restaurant, Tomiko-san in Wilmington, NC.  An image of one of these traditional fish prints was forwarded to me as inspiration for my mural, so I turned to the internet for a quick education.  

I had no plans at that time to apply ink or paint to an actual fish.  The scale of the mural was going to be too large for that.  I resorted to manufacturing a new mural technique to resemble gyotaku. Thanks to Chef James Nash, I also had an opportunity to create several fish prints on paper during the project as you can see below. 

On the day before I was scheduled to start my mural, I tried my experimental “gyotaku” technique on the wall of my garage. I’m glad I did.  I tried a variety of materials, many of which did not work well.  The next day, I arrived on the job with a large roll of craft paper, a big brush along with several smaller sizes for detail, a sea sponge,  white, black, sepia, and ochre acrylic paints, and flow extender medium. I had plucked the sea sponge right out of the surf at Holden Beach the week before.

Gyotaku Fish mural at Tomiko-San in Wilmington, NC

My plan was to paint fish on large pieces of craft paper with a mixture of paint and acrylic flow medium and then to
press the painted paper onto the wall leaving an imprint.  It took some experimentation to find the right amount of paint to apply to the paper.  I had to work quickly or the paper would soak up the paint and dry. I used the sea sponge to add a little texture and movement in the background.

I had just finished one wall, when Chef James asked if I would be interested in creating a print from an actual fish.  I didn’t even hesitate to seize the opportunity.  When he walked out of the kitchen with a beautiful striped jack in his hands, I admit to feeling a little nervous about my lack of experience.  I set my reservations aside and reached for the paint.  He who hesitates is lost according to some wise person.  

Gyotaku Fish Prints by Arianne

I knew I didn't have the correct supplies.  I should have had ink and rice paper.  Instead I had a tablet of coarse heavyweight mixed media paper and acrylic paints.  Not ideal, but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. 

I decided to apply paint in a few varied and subtle shades to mimic the actual color of the fish. I took a sheet of my heavy paper and pressed it down upon the fish gently with Chef James watching over my shoulder.  I could tell the thickness of the paper was a problem.  I couldn’t get it to flex around the sides of the fish without creasing.  I avoided the eye, having learned you add that afterwards with a paintbrush. 

Gyotaku Fish Print by Arianne

The first attempt looked a bit messy and taught me
that cold fish sweat. You need to pat and dry your fish well before starting.  I made several more prints after that, refreshing the paint partway through. Each new print was better than the last.  I  wish I could have made more.

After adding the eye to each print, I could have finished right then and there, but I decided to take them home to fill in some of the missing areas and add a bit of detail with watercolors and a fine brush.

Gyotaku Fish Print by Arianne

I think they turned out pretty well for my first effort.  Everyone was also pleased with the way the mural complimented the aesthetic.  You can go see it yourself  and enjoy the finest sushi in town at Tomiko-san.   Learn more about Gyotaku here.  Interested in purchasing a fish print? Contact me here.

"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson