First successful Gyotaku

[blaiz]

Well... I figured Id keep you guys posted on my Gyotaku progress. Yesterday I dove a spot on maui for the first time. This place was incredible. The depth was between 65 and 90 ft but we stumbled upon these huge pinnacles that rose up to within 10 feet of the surface. There were about 7 or 8 of them in about the area of 2 football fields. The action was minimal but it was a fun dive. This spot definitely has great potential. I half way expected to see an ono cruise by but no luck.

Anyway, on the way in I was able to tag this nice little omilu (blue-finned trevally). Again, not a huge fish and I dont have a pic for size comparison but his fork length was about 18 inches (3 - 4lbs). The shot entered his gills leaving no hole so I decided to print him anyway.

I saw two of these today while I was swimming with my girlfriend and these guys were 20+lbs. Murphy's Law, the moment you dont have your gun is the moment the big ones swim right up to you

[blaiz]

Originally Posted by Newbie_spearo

I think I really need to set out a dive plan now that all my gear is with in a few days of arriving, one of my dive buddy's is a bit of a cowboy, and if I can help it I try to have another guy with us so we've got 2 on the surface. I might have to start beating it into his head that it's better to be safe and catch a few fish than to be dead and catch none!

Blaize thanks for the wake up call, I guess it's true that you have to be extra careful!!!

In the words of a simple man "no fish is worth your life!"

I think its important to know your limits and if you decide to push them have a good plan. The more I think about my situation the more it bothers me. I know I was pushing it because my buddy was right there but if he hadnt, or hadnt been paying attention I might not have a story to tell.

Also, in my experience, at least with spearing (i know 3 is a good number for performance feediving), three people can be a little much. Id actually opt for 4 (two sets of partners). Unless all three of you are in the same mind-set its real easy for one guy to separate from the group. I was doing some deep spearing with two other guys and it was really hard. I never knew who to keep an eye on. At one point both guys were taking drops to 100ft at the same time. The anxiety kinda ruined the dive for me. Atleast with a dedicated partner you can be confident that someone will be there.

[mishu1984]

blaiz, as i understand it, goatfish are like the denton in the med: one of those fish that is your mark as an outstanding spearo. congrats on the catch

[blaiz]

Originally Posted by mishu1984

blaiz, as i understand it, goatfish are like the denton in the med: one of those fish that is your mark as an outstanding spearo. congrats on the catch

I appreciate the kind words though outstanding may be giving me too much credit

[Macnaughty]

Yes thank you for the story.
And of course congratulations on the beautiful gyotaku. I have been thinking of trying out the technique ever since I bought a small garfish pirnt off Naoki a couple of years ago while at visiting for a conference. (It really was fascinating to see his workshop,- and to think what he can do with a squid) Nice to see that one can also achieve such beautifull results one self. Keep up the good work and please post us any new Gyotaku you make...

[kmo]

Blaiz,

Are you adding the colour after you take a print with black? It looks great! I'm inspired to have a go myself.

Cheers,
Cam

[blaiz]

Yeah, The first print is done just with black ink (I use acrylic water based paint and water it down a bit)

Then I stretch the fabric on a canvas and paint in the color after. You want to use really watered down color so it doesnt blot. If you want it darker just go over it again.

I have also found that water color pencils work pretty well for detailing. Just dip the tip in some water and you can color that way as well.

Most traditional gyotaku is done on rice paper but I havnt found a suitable paper yet.

Its also popular to do the print with white or light grey/blue ink on black fabric. Havnt tried one yet myself.

Last tip is use tooth pics to help hold the fins out.

Good Luck!

[blaiz]

I forgot to mention... Paint the ink on the fish and then blot some off with a wet papertowel or terry cloth. This will get rid of brush strokes.

Finally do a few prints at a time to get your best one. You will quickly learn whether your using too much or not enough ink.

[blaiz]

Sorry... One more thing!...Post your pics too!

[kmo]

Cheers Blaiz. The next fish I get will be painted and pressed to a piece of cloth. Should be fun! I think my fiance will love it.

[Macnaughty]

Blaiz, the cloth you press it onto,-

does it lie totally flat on a table and you then "roll" the fish a bit to get it all in?
(and if so do you roll front to tail (or vice versa) or do you roll along longitudinal axis?)

OR

Do you crate a "fish-shaped" mould (like by folding up a towl underneath) you drape the cloth over and press the whole fish at once?

OR

Do you "just squeeze" the fish flat onto the flat cloth ?

I must say that the blue-finned trevally Gyotaku is really beautifully made, Congratulations!!

Cheers Martin-who-is-getting-well-and-truly-inspired-to-try-his-own-gyotaku-soon :-)

[settingsteel]

Nice work man! Lot of good tips and good questions, I'm about to give it a shot meself

heres a link that may be helpful
http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/general/site-map.htm

this link might lead you in the right direction too...contact them
Shoji Paper

LILIN JAPANESE INTERIOR SHOJI TATAMI ROOM FACTORY - Detail & Price !

and just in case you'd like to burn some adequate incense while you create Shoyeido Japanese Incense - Home Page

[blaiz]

Originally Posted by Macnaughty

Blaiz, the cloth you press it onto,-

does it lie totally flat on a table and you then "roll" the fish a bit to get it all in?
(and if so do you roll front to tail (or vice versa) or do you roll along longitudinal axis?)

OR

Do you crate a "fish-shaped" mould (like by folding up a towl underneath) you drape the cloth over and press the whole fish at once?

OR

Do you "just squeeze" the fish flat onto the flat cloth ?

I must say that the blue-finned trevally Gyotaku is really beautifully made, Congratulations!!

Cheers Martin-who-is-getting-well-and-truly-inspired-to-try-his-own-gyotaku-soon :-)

Im sure there are a few right ways to do it but the traditional way (as far as I know) is to place the fish on news paper or cardboard, paint the fish and then lay the fabric on top of the fish. You then carefully and evenly push the fabric out with you hands. So dont start with a stretched canvas. Use loose fabric and make sure to iron out any folds or creases as they will absorb more ink than the flat area and you will see the lines.

I usually start at the head and work my way to the tail. Then I will Do the fins last, I usually prop the fins out with tooth pics and use my fingers to get a good impression.

What ever you do dont pull the fabric off and place back on the fish. if you find an area where the paint is light carefully peel the cloth back add a little paint and roll it back exactly where it was.

It will take a few to get it right. Im still learning so let me know if you find something that works well!

[blaiz]

Originally Posted by settingsteel

Nice work man! Lot of good tips and good questions, I'm about to give it a shot meself

heres a link that may be helpful
http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/general/site-map.htm

this link might lead you in the right direction too...contact them
Shoji Paper

LILIN JAPANESE INTERIOR SHOJI TATAMI ROOM FACTORY - Detail & Price !

and just in case you'd like to burn some adequate incense while you create Shoyeido Japanese Incense - Home Page

Thanks for the link Tone!

[blaiz]

Heres a nother one for you folks. This fish is a Hawaiian Bigey or 'Aweoweo (pronounced 'aveo veo) These guys are probably my favorit reef fish to eat. Just fry the little buggers up whole (gutted first but with scales, skin and all) with some garlic and ginger. The skin eats like patatoe chips I shot 3 of them that day and was going to do a print with 2 or 3 on one canvas.... but I got lazy and really hungry so I opted for just the bigger one.

Hope you enjoy!