Photos of Prints

We made some fish prints for the silent auction at my wifes school.  Here are some shots.

Crazy day at Stillwater that day.  I had to stay out long enough to catch two fish small enough to print on shirts  after catching plenty of 20-inchers  and then watched Cal loose  . Enjoy

here

and here

Nice work there.

Do you use a different type of ink to do the shirts?

We used water based textile paints.  After they dry you iron the cloth to set it permanently.  This was the second time we did it.  It is a fun project that involves the entire family.  Even after after initial repulsion my 11 year old daughter could not resist helping.  It is really fun to see how each one turns out.

Leave fish whole and do not gut it.  Wash the outside with water and then de-slime it with lemon juice.  Use pins to splay the fins open for better effect.  We used foam brushes for the base color and then small art brushes for highlights on the eyes, fin tips, lips, center line etc.  Have many layers of news print under you for a working surface and use cheap paper or cloth to make test prints and to remove the first layer of paint from the fish after painting because that first print often shows brush lines and can be blotchy.  Experiment using paper or even better cheap cloth (cloth drapes better over the uneven surface) before doing the shirts.  Dispose of the top layer of news print after each painting step.  Press the cloth on the fish with your gloved hands but a large dry sponge may also work well if kept clean as it would apply more even pressure.  Use disposable latex gloves to keep your hands clean and change them often to prevent getting random finger prints on the shirts.  Work fast but have fun.  After you are finished, let shirts dry and then iron per the instructions on the paint.  Wash paint off the fish and clean as usual.  I probably would not recommend leaving the skin on.  Tacos are the next project.

very nice....just a suggestion, how about adding a school of anchovys on there 

Tacos are the next project.

 

Awesome artwork, Etienne!  And thanks very much for the great how-to.  I've got to do that soon.  My kids will love it, but it may be even more of a mess than pumpkin carving was last night!   

very nice....just a suggestion, how about adding a school of anchovys on there 

I like Joel's idea.  Anybody tried to do an ab?...

that is very cool to see such definition!  can totally make out the lateral line and scales

Ya, that is very cool!

I would like to do that with a personal best cabezon or halibut or something. You know, a nice big fishy. And have the fish wrap all the way around my fat belly towards my back. Sweeet!

thanks for sharing the great artwork,
PK