During my trip to Japan, I saw various techniques of calligraphy, painting and traditional Japanese art. I discovered GYOTAKU, a method similar to monotype.
Gyotaku (魚拓, from gyo “fish” + taku “stone impression”) 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. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyotaku
I tested this printing method using Japanese rice paper (various sizes) and black Schmincke Aqua Linoldruck – linoprint pigment.
Fish: the Garfish, (also known as the garpike, needlefish or sea needle), the Atlantic mackerel, the Prussian carp, the Perch, Rosioara (Scardinius racovitzai), small Octopus and Shrimp.
Detail of mackerel fish print
Size 68,5×17,5 cm
Size: 24×32 cm
Size: 40×50 cm
Size: 120×62 cm, 50×70 cm, 50×70 cm, 60×40 cm, 20×30 cm
Maldives marine life
In 2025 I traveled to the Maldives, where I was fascinated to discover the coral atolls. There I saw a diverse marine fauna. Inspired by this, I created a series of works in the Gyotaku style (but not real prints of the the animal). I illustrated species such as the sea turtle, the whale shark, the stingray, and various coral species. I used handmade paper obtained from recycled elephant dung, produced in Sri Lanka.
Size 21×30 cm
