Small Scallop Shell Gyotaku

Small Scallop Shell GyotakuMaking this print was so much fun! Here I've used a scallop shell that was donated to me by a marine biologist who lives locally. The paper I bought in Tokyo on a recent visit and it's got a gold fleck in it for some added sparkle. The paper measures 17cm by 14cm so it's a lovely cute print. The print is made using the finest quality Acrylic ink mainly gold so it has a slight shimmer to it. I always find it difficult to explain my process to people

the paper isn't really good for framing as it gets wrinkled during printing

Using Chinese paper and acrylic ink

Then a backing sheet is applied to the print and the two sheets are left to dry overnight

Found all around the UK coastline

I take a real shell

A wheatpaste is applied to the back of the print and in this process you remove all air bubbles and wrinkles

This print measures 35x33cm and is on Chinese Mulberry paper and has been mounted using the authentic Japanese wet mounting technique which uses a simple flour and water paste and requires a period of around 24 hours to dry and stretch

Then I press the paper over the surface of the shell

It will be supplied in a mount with a backing board and wrapped in cellophane for protection

Perfect for nature lovers

the composition offers a contemporary interpretation of the Gyotaku tradition — balancing scientific observation with expressive

It is suitable for an A4 if you prefer