Gyotaku: the fish print explained
as seen on the Martha Stewart Living TV show
(gyo = fish & taku = impression)
Ray Bliss Rich
The original gyotaku print is an original artwork; completed entirely by the hand of the artist. There is extensive labor to prepare the fish for printing, and the fish must be cleaned and prepared for each subsequent print. Even though more than one print can be pulled from the same fish no two will be identical. In fact, there can be marked differences between prints pulled from the same fish.
©1996-2002 Ray Bliss Rich - all images, photo's etc. these pages.
In gyotaku the fish is used as a relief printing block, similar to a woodblock or linocut, except the fish being such an irregular shape requires a very flexible paper. I have tried a variety of papers in the family of papers often referred to as rice paper. Those with high wet strength, medium finish, and extreme flexibility are best. Papers without wet strength are easily damaged in either the printing or wet mounting process, and softer papers stick to the fish, while very hard papers (highly sized) don't pick up the ink well. Oh yes... I use sumi (ink) for my gyotaku prints.
©1996-2002 Ray Bliss Rich - all images, photo's etc. these pages.
After preparing the fish to accept the ink; I hand ink the fish with a brush, lay the paper over the fish, and go over the paper with my hands, forming it to the shape of the fish and picking up the ink to form the complete design.
This manipulation of the paper causes it to become buckled, requiring wet mounting to another piece of paper. During this mounting process I am working with two wet pieces of paper, joining them together. Needless to say, it is a tricky and time consuming process; during which many prints are ruined. But it is the only way to get the finished print to lay flat and smooth. There is much effort not evident in the final print.
I have demonstrated gyotaku print making for art groups and the Martha Stewart Living television show (MSL). The Martha Stewart episode was taped on August 15, 2002; and first aired on October 8, 2002. It re-aired January and August 2003 and August 2004.
You can see a picture from the Martha Stewart episode, with instructions on gyotaku printmaking, at the MSL web site (click here). Be sure to use your web browser's return button to get back here; as the "return to" link takes you to another part of their web site.
You can see pictures of one of my gyotaku printmaking demonstrations on the Reading Art Association web site. This demonstration took place on March 10th, 2004; and their web pages do a good job of describing the process. Be sure to use your web browser's return button to get back to my pages; or right click the link above and select "open in another window/tab").
I don't know how long either of these pages will be on line; so if you find them down please let me know via e-mail.
For a more detailed description of the preparation, printing, and mounting processes:
hand crafted book on gyotaku printmaking
My snail mail is:
Ray Bliss Rich - P.O.Box 1167 - Hillsboro, NH 03244
Gallery Representation - Shows & Festivals
Galleries wishing to represent my work can inquire via e-mail.
©1996-2004 Ray Bliss Rich - all images, photo's etc. these pages.
Meditations on Paper
.