Creative Kidstuff

Fish Prints!

June 15, 2009 on 3:43 pm | In Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This weekend at Creative Kidstuff you can create a Fish print T-shirt at all of our local stores. This has become a yearly adventure for my family; my husband has a wonderful collection of these creations. For those of you who have never attended this popular event I encourage you to check it out! Just bring a cotton t-shirt to any of our Creative Kidstuff stores on Saturday, June 20th between 11am-1pm. This is a very popular event, but waiting to create your fish print t-shirt will be even more fun with all the games and toys we have on hand!

If you do not live in the local area and would like to create a fish print, here are the instructions!

Gyotaku (Japanese 魚拓, from gyo “fish” + taku “rubbing”) is a traditional form of Japanese fish printing, dating from the mid 1800s, a form of nature printing used by fishermen to record their catches. Gyotaku is also practiced as a form of art, and is very popular among young children both in Japan and Western countries.

What You’ll Need:
Thin paper (real rice paper is best, but newsprint will work)
Fish with heavy scales
Pan
Brush
Water-based ink or tempura paint

Fish Prints
How to Create Fish Prints:
Step 1: Select a fish with large scales for the best prints. Lay it in a pan, and wipe it clean.
Step 2: Using a brush, cover the fish with a very thin coat of water-based ink or paint. You can make the whole fish one color, or use different colors on the fins, make stripes — or whatever you like.
Step 3: Lay the paper on top of the fish. Gently press the paper onto the fish, using your fingers to shape it around the curves of the fish’s body.
Step 4: Slowly peel back the paper and look at your print. Try printing again without adding more ink. Sometimes the second print is better. You can make fishy T-shirts and bandannas if you use fabric paint instead of ink or tempera paint. Place T-shirt front side down on inked fish and pat in place. Carefully lift T-shirt and lay front side up to dry

Email pictures of your fish prints to info@creativekidstuff.com and we’ll post them on Facebook!