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Fish Printing With Setacolor Transparent Fabric Paints
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Introduction...
Fish Printing or Gyotaku originated in Japan, It is a mono printing
technique. First the fish is coated with colour, then the fabric is laid over the fish to print the image. Natural fabrics such as cotton are easier to form around the fish for printing. Fabrics
should be washed to remove the sizing and ironed to create a smooth surface.
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Supplies and Equipment...
- 1. A fish with scales, head and fins intact
2. Table salt
3. Newsprint
4. Paper towels
5. Paint brushes or sponge brushes
6. Setacolor fabric paints, Opaque, Transparent or Pearl
7. Pebeo Star glitter for highlights
8. Tweezers to adjust fins if necessary
Click on the picture for a larger view
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Prepare the Fish...
1. Rinse the fish under cold running water.
2. After rinsing rub generously with the salt
to remove the slimy coating. Rub all of the fish including the fins. Rub only in the direction of the scales, from head to tail.
3. Rinse again in cold water.
4. Lay the fish on the newsprint and blot dry with the paper towels.
5. Close all openings in the fish by stuffing with small pieces of wadded paper towel.
6. Place on clean newsprint and arrange the fish and fins for painting.
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Painting the Fish...
1. Spoon the paint onto a palette. The paint must be kept thick, reduce the colour with
Setacolor extender if desired. Plan to apply colours from lightest to darkest.
2. Paint the body and head of the fish. Use a brush or sponge brush following the direction of the scales, from head
to tail.
3. After the body is completed paint the fins. The fins are painted last because they dry more quickly.
4. As a last step, to accentuate the detail of the scales, brush over the body
of the fish going against the nap of the scales, from tail to head.
5. The paint should be tacky and coat the fish evenly before the print is made.
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Printing the Fish...
1. To print the image, position the fabric on top of the fish.
2. Press lightly from the
highest point on the body outwards in all directions. The cloth will form around the fish to print the lowest points. Use your fingers in a pressing-rubbing motion to cover all areas.
3. Gently peel back the fabric and place right side up to dry.
4. Paint in the eye of the fish with an appropriated sized circle of Pebeo Star glitter or paint. Use a brush or
the tip of your finger.
5. Add other detail if desired.
6. After everything is dry fix by ironing, dry iron, 2 minutes per side.
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