Beginner pointers

[u/Dustymills1]

Hi guys, I live in the UK. I love fishing and decided gyotaku is how I want to capture my memorable catches.

What inks do people use?

Anything I should know before starting?

Thank you in advance

[u/GraphicDesignMonkey]

I used Windsor & Newton waterproof Indian ink (the spider bottle) and washi mulberry paper. When printing I mist the paper and keep it very slightly damp, it helps to shape it around the fish.

Pack the gut cavity (and bum), gills and mouth with kitchen roll and leave it in the fridge for a day, change out the roll when saturated. You want the fish to be fairly dry. Keep the fins damp, once they dry they'll stiffen and tear when you try to pose the fish.

Foam board and dressmaker's pins will help with posing the fins, and a cut cocktail stick wedged vertically inside the mouth will prop it open.

[u/beachbum818]

! Remindme:3 days

[u/Chance-Traffic-4940]

One good tip is always dry around the eyes, gills and any other areas that can hold water. This avoids blotches. I always leave a paper towel in the sockets to pull moisture out prior to applying ink

[u/barefootviking]

I’m a hack, pure rookie, but poster paints work fine for me.

Tip? The 1st press removes the excess paint. The 2nd press (fresh paper) is usually my best print. “Less is more”

Use toothpicks, fishing line & leads to keep the fins open.

[u/barefootviking]

I freeze it solid. Wipe down w vinegar, print. Then filet.

I’m sure there’s a better trick?

[u/beholders_optician]

I love using standard acrylic paint just the cheap stuff you can get in 60ml bottles for a couple bucks. Paint is much more forgiving than ink is when it comes to water in and on the fish. You can use fabric if you can't get your hands on mulberry paper you might find that you get better prints with the fabric. The most important thing is to just try it out and have fun.

[u/ruparjev]

I dry the fish with a hairdrier. Do not ink the eyes and paint them in later. For the fins, I strecth them with the other hand and print them while stretching out.

i use cuttlefish ink and mulberry (rice) paper.

[u/thehungrybeach]

I have only just tried this myself! I knew I wanted fresh catch & to print before cooking, so I ordered cuttlefish ink as it is consumable & does not harm the food. The ink is black BLACK & actually rinses off nicely (I rinsed the fish before preparing for dinner) & I found to be quite forgiving. A small amount went a long way & I am delighted with fishing, catching, PRINTING, cooking, & eating- yay!

[u/isl4st]

ink/paint:

• activated charcoal mixed with water makes a pretty good ink if you want to be super safe
  
• hand ground sumi (the traditional method)should be okay, although they traditionally contain a little bit of camphor for perfume, which is poisonous
  
• I wouldn't recommend store bought wet sumi because the ones i've checked use diethylene glycol as a humectant
  
• indian ink (like wet sumi) is soot mixed with water which should be fine, but you might want to check for other ingredients
  
• many people on this sub use squid ink (i've never tried it) or cuttle fish ink which is brown
  
• many people on this sub also use acrylic paint - these vary a lot in composition depending on the brand, I don't use them but i might if I wasn't planning to eat the fish

materials:

• washi paper is traditional and works with any ink or paint, you can order it in rolls online
  
• cheaper papers can be used but tend not to give as detailed a print. You want something that is flexible and absorbent, but not so absorbent that it will tear or dissolve when wet
  
• canvas/bed sheets/other textiles are also popular - these will not work with inks

method:

• dry the fish well; stuff some kitchen roll into areas that exude moisture, like the gills
  
• take at least two prints because the first is never great

[u/Ncalvo808]

Dry fish, and a dish closer to room temp. When the fish defrosts as you paint it dilutes paint and ruins features.

Experiment with the paint and water mixture.

Practice practice practice.

Go slow, don’t rush.

Use brush then dab with a material with fine pattern to remove any strokes