Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Pisces indecision



Pisces Indecision
12 x 16 gyotaku print and watercolour



This is the last fish print for a little while. I have taken lots of base prints with my trout but its past its 'best by' date and will now be crow breakfast in the morning.

I am a Pisces, so fish and water always seem to play a role somehow in life. I either live near the water or have fish swimming next to me in a tank or I'm drawing or painting them. This version of Pisces has them both swimming in the same direction instead of opposite which contradicts the true nature of this zodiac creature(s).

Its more an experiment in shape and colour at this point, rather than composition and being true to the subject. I'm still seeing what colours work well with the prints and how much layering I can get away with and be transparent, letting the print beneath show through.

Its not complete but I don't want to tinker too much more, as its easily on the verge of mud. Paint will take a backseat for a couple of days while I complete the portrait of my niece and start another one.

13 comments:

Billie Crain said...

Get more fish! Please! these are wonderful! they just keep getting better and better.

Chris Beck said...

I second Billie's motion!! The double fish is even more amazing than the camouflaged one!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Billie, I've enjoyed experimenting with looser techniques. I have ideas and some full sizes sheets of Arches paper. I'm hunting down some fish later this week. And I will be knocking on your virtual door asking for advice on some techniques. :)

Thanks Chris. I wasn't sure if the double fish one was too dark or too busy. I'll let it sit for a few days and see what I think of it then.

Teresa Mallen said...

Great job Jeanette, the colours are terrific and so are the shapes!

Anita said...

STUNNING! I love these! Are they on your Etsy page for sale? I hope! Love the colours. Don't tinker any more, just perfect the way they are.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Teresa. I'm in fish mode... :)

Anita, thanks. Once I have a hi resolution scan or daylight image of them, I'll put the originals on Etsy. I will also be adding them to ImageKind as prints too.

Cathy Gatland said...

It's been lovely watching these fish develop - they are all gorgeous, I love the effect of watercolour on them.

Stacy said...

Jeanette, I agree with everyone else here - your fishy prints are fantastic! I'm looking forward ot the next round and hope your next search for fish is easier than the first. Still amazed you had such trouble living on an island in the ocean. I wonder if anyone in the local fishing industry would be interested in licensing your fish prints for marketing purposes. Or buying the originals to hang in their office. Just thinking aloud... :)

Jeanette Jobson said...

Stacy, I'm glad you're enjoying the fish images. Marketing them is a post for another day. I have people and places in mind. I just need time. Working full time and trying to do this is a challenge.

As for finding fish easier on an island...well, there was a moratorium on fishing here in 1992. Overfishing usually by other countries has depleted stocks to levels verging on extinction in some areas, so the govt. called off all fishing. Right now, its more shellfish being harvested. Fish can be bought, but the days of going out and fishing your own on the ocean is reduced to two weeks a year.

Read here for more information http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/moratorium_impacts.html

Jennifer Rose said...

very colourful, love all the different textures :)

a school of fish done like this would look wonderful :)

MMG said...

BEAUTIFUL

Making A Mark said...

These are gorgeous - and learning that you are a Pisces too rather points in the direction of a theme for a series methinks!

Felicity Grace said...

Gorgeous was the word I was going to use too! These are really wonderful!