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Lesson Plans


Re: Gyotaku

From: Mark Alexander (malexander06)
Date: Wed Mar 01 2000 - 20:24:16 PST

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    Sandra's post reminds me of an important detail I've learned about printing
    real fish. Don't gut the fish as you would if you wanted to eat it. Lay the
    fresh fish on a piece of cardboard. Use straight pins to open up the dorsal
    fins, the pectoral fins, and the tail. Then slip the pined fish and
    cardboard into a plastic bag and put it in the freezer. Bring the fish to
    school in a cooler, and leave them in there until the kids arrive. Remove
    the pins and print the frozen fish. I cut up lots of newspaper into 1/4
    sheets. Apply the paint or ink to the fish, then slip the newspaper under
    the edges of the fish to keep the peripheral paint from messing up the
    print.
    I find four fish work well for 18 to 24 students. Get an aid to help with
    the little ones, keeping waiting kids busy making watercolor backrounds.
    This is an unforgetable lesson, even more popular than clay!

    I hope this helps.

    Mark Alexander
    K-12 Art
    Region One in northwestern Connecticut

    I----Original Message-----
    From: John & Sandra Barrick <astroboy>
    To: ArtsEdNet Talk <artsednet>
    Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 11:19 PM
    Subject: Re: Gyotaku

    >I also used real fish last year- and just used finger paint- since I
    >was working with 4 and 5 year olds. We simulated the blotter and we
    >also used foam brushes (which I've never used in my life) but they
    >worked great. They were fascinated by the eyes!
    >Some were a bit apprehensive and one didn't do it at all. I only had
    >15 kids though and then I through it out. Someone last year gave me
    >the tip to keep it cold- so the smell is limited.
    >Sandra
    >
    >---
    > 

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