Large Scallop Shell Gyotaku with Multicoloured Layers

Large Scallop Shell Gyotaku with Multicoloured LayersI've always loved printing from the surface of a scallop shell and this print is no exception. I sectioned off the paper into 8 parts and using 3 colours, blue, red and yellow I printed the same shell 24 times onto this sheet. The paper is Chinese Xuan Paper and measures 70cm x 35cm. The ink is Acrylic ink and is light fast and permanent. For the majority of my work, I blend the ink as I apply it. Here though I have applied the ink one colour a time

I like to work on composition and colour more freely and I think that is a reflection of my fine art background

Printed in my garden studio with lightfast

or those drawn to work with layered ecological meaning

I don't really see myself as a portrait artist but as a figurative artist

making it a true investment piece for any art collector

This print measures 20x20cm 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

I always find it difficult to explain my process to people but I'll attempt to do so here

For this print I used a Chinese watercolour wash over the fish too

the print measures 35cmx66cm approx

has been printed  and then flattened and strengthened using the traditional wet mounting technique

After making the initial print

allowing it to be displayed float-mounted or beneath a traditional frame