Creation
Process
The Gyotaku technique, in its early days, was relatively simple. It involved using a brush to apply calligraphy ink, made from pine soot and water (called Sumi), directly onto the surface of the fish. Next, a sheet of Japanese paper made from mulberry bark (called Washi) was covered over the inked surface of the fish to create the imprint.
Pablo was inspired by this creative process but developed his own technique to achieve the desired final result.
Preparing the fish
The first step is to gently clean the fish. You must rinse it with clean water and remove all the mucus that covers its scales or skin. The fish must then be dried.
Ink the fish
The fish is positioned on a flat surface, with its fins extended if possible. Sumi ink or acrylic paint diluted with water is applied to the entire surface of the fish, taking care not to paint the eye. Certain areas that are too inked and too dense are blurred using a stamp.
Taking the impression
The tricky part starts here, you have to cover the fish using a sheet of Washi paper or a sufficiently thin canvas. The idea is to cover it completely and vary the pressure when rubbing to reproduce the shape of the fish on the support
Adding details
Traditionally only the eye is subsequently painted using a brush. For my part, I like to bring more details and contrast to the subject, which is why I allow myself more in-depth retouching work.
To finish
The fish is rinsed in clean water then cleaned. The fillets are lifted and ready to be eaten. Thanks to the use of organic and water-soluble ink, its consumption is safe for the body.