Delightful and detailed prints on paper can be made using real fish. Using direct printing and water-based printing inks, create realistic looking schools of fish or a single artistic print simply by inking a whole fish and pressing it to paper. The result is a gyotaku, a term derived from the Japanese words for fish (gyo) and print (taku). Before cameras, Japanese fishermen used this technique to document a big catch when they were out at sea: They applied sumi ink to a fish, pressed it to newspaper, and then rinsed the fish in the water so it could be eaten.
People will leave the workshop with 4-6 fish prints on a variety of paper sizes. Participants should wear old clothes or bring an apron and an old bath towel. The room will smell of fish by the end of the class.
TERMS and CONDITIONS: This is an adult only class. Because materials are prepared for each participant, cancellations with refund minus the cost of the materials ($25) will be applied if cancelled within 7 days of the course. Cancellations not accepted within a week of the course date. Proof of COVID vaccination is required to attend this course. A negative COVID test within 24 hours of the start of the course will also be accepted. Masks will also be required. Food and drink inside the facility is prohibited. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time. SNOW DATE is January 16
INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fireston is a printmaker and current president of the international Nature Printing Society. Who creates nature prints by hand and on a walking press using actual leaves and fish. Sue spends about half her time giving workshops connecting people with nature and showing them how easy it is to celebrate the natural world. She holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and now for the Natural History Society of Maryland. Her prints and paintings can be seen on my website: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston_leaves_three_ways.
In June 2020, Swinging Bridge Press published Sue Firestone’s book Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature.
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