Menai Strait, Line Caught Sea Bass Gyotaku Printed and Wet Mounted.

Menai Strait, Line Caught Sea Bass Gyotaku Printed and Wet Mounted.This bass was caught on a line by a local fisherman here in North Wales. It was caught on the Menai Stait. Bass are my favourite fish to print the definition you get on the scales is wonderful. This bass is printed on Chinese mulberry paper. Printing is just the first part of the process. After printing, the paper is cockled and wouldnt lay flat in a frame. To achieve a flat print I use the traditional wet mounting process that has been used in the

The design is digitally printed onto the Tea Towel

which literally translates as 'Hedgehog of the Sea'

I've then painted this print using Chinese watercolours

Each time you make a print there is a risk the sardine will split leaking oil or you might not align it correctly and then the fish can unintentionally overlap

The print is supplied unframed and without mount boards

It's a wonderful experience to wander around the harbour fish market and buy some of the days catch for dinner

To achieve a flat print I use the traditional wet mounting process that has been used in the east for centuries

It has then been wet mounted using the traditional Japanese method

This is the authentic Japanese method of working using a wheat paste which I make in the studio

I am now using the traditional method for this which is to use a wheat paste to flatten the print and then adhere it to a second sheet of mulberry paper

then mixed digitally with some of my watercolour work

The print is supplied mounted