Gyotaku

[ski357]

I've been trying gyotaku. This is my latest attempt, bluefish from last last week.

[dsaavedra]

Wow, it's such a coincidence to see this post right now... I also started experimenting with gyotaku last week haha.

Gyotaku is so much harder than the videos make it look! So far I have done a rockfish and a white perch, probably about a dozen and a half prints of each, and I don't have a single print I'm completely happy with. I still have the perch in the freezer and will continue to practice with it.

My goal is to get good enough at it to make prints of some of my favorite fish that I'd actually want to hang on my wall. I think it would be so cool to have detailed prints of rockfish and snakehead specifically.

Thanks for starting this topic and sharing! Nice bluefish. Hopefully others can chime in if they've tried this too. I can share a couple pictures tomorrow

[Jigsup]

Saw that once before! Great job. Are you using squid ink?

[ski357]

Yeah, much harder than the videos make it seem. Not my best work and not happy with my stuff either. I'm using some sumi ink I got off the internet, . I have it at home. This my uncle's work and what inspired my gyotaku journey.IMG_20221003_170013_321.jpg

[dsaavedra]

Nice bluegill. I like the traditional red stamp (I forget the actual name for it), it really adds to the overall piece I think. I don't know what I would put on it if I were to make my own

[dsaavedra]

Here are my 2 best prints so far. I like the scale detail on the perch, not sure what I did to accomplish that but I haven't been able to replicate it. I'd really like to improve on capturing a complete outline of the fish and getting a more controlled application of the ink. So far I have found that diluting the ink really helps... my first few prints were basically blotchy black blobs because the ink was so thick!

20221005_172709.jpg

20221005_172611.jpg

[Jman]

Yeah, much harder than the videos make it seem. Not my best work and not happy with my stuff either. I'm using some sumi ink I got off the internet, . I have it at home. This my uncle's work and what inspired my gyotaku journey.IMG_20221003_170013_321.jpg

It looks pretty good! It’s a challenging art form to master. I started trying it around 2018-2019 F452B359-6A92-4564-A375-AF23B03495AD.jpg after seeing some amazing finished pieces by Rob Choi from the TKAA tournament prizes. The preparation takes a long time with drying the fish off, positioning the fins with foam, applying the ink evenly, etc.. the finishing details are where I struggle with mine (if I get a good print ).

[ski357]

Here are my 2 best prints so far. I like the scale detail on the perch, not sure what I did to accomplish that but I haven't been able to replicate it. I'd really like to improve on capturing a complete outline of the fish and getting a more controlled application of the ink. So far I have found that diluting the ink really helps... my first few prints were basically blotchy black blobs because the ink was so thick!

20221005_172709.jpg

20221005_172611.jpg

That perch is amazing!

[dsaavedra]

Thanks. I wish I knew what I did to get such good detail on the scales... I have not been able to replicate that on any of my other prints.

One thing I want to work on is varying the amount of ink I apply to get a bit of shading out of the print... darker backs and lighter bellies.

[nhunter344]

Very cool! My inner tinkerer wants to try this, then my rational self tells me I really need another hobby like I need another hole in my head.

[dsaavedra]

Very cool! My inner tinkerer wants to try this, then my rational self tells me I really need another hobby like I need another hole in my head.

Lol, I hear that. Fortunately it's a very small investment... a few bucks for a bottle of ink and a few bucks for a roll of rice paper and you're set.

[PigPen]

Those look awesome, I have wanted to try this for years. I recall watching a video where they used foam blocks and pins to help keep the fins oriented nicely.

[thomaswsu]

Nice prints. I started early in the year. My season has been horrible so my only priority nat are from trout stocking in March. It is fun to do.