Scallop Shell Gyotaku Print, Wet Mounted

Scallop Shell Gyotaku Print, Wet MountedScallop shells have been used so much in art and design they really are very pleasing. They are particularly tied to the Island of Anglesey as they have their own biscuit here. The Aberffraw biscuit is made by pressing biscuit dough into the shell to give it a distinctive shell shape. They make a lovely motif for Welsh Art. Printing requires pushing the paper into the grooves and it's difficult to achieve a great print. This print is A5 and is on

This print measures 35x25cm and is on Thai 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

This A3 Gyotaku print features both an adult John Dory and a juvenile specimen

almost prehistoric form of the Garfish in exquisite detail

letting the work dry overnight to ensure durability and smoothness

telling a story through texture

You can find more information on Urauchi can be found here

Working with local marine species is always my preferred way of working

It was caught on the Menai Stait

Did you know all flat fish start off with an eye on either side of their head and as they grow one eye migrates around as they start to settle on the floor of the ocean

This one was supplied by The Menai Seafood Company

the fish must be inked again and the paper placed very carefully to create a natural looking composition

For this I use a flour and water glue to adhere the print to backing paper and in the process the print becomes flat and ready to frame