About Our Process
A freshly caught Drumfish is prepped and the process of applying ink or paint begins.
The Art of Gyotaku
Gyotaku is the traditional Japanese art of fish printing, dating back to the mid-1800s. The word itself combines 'gyo' (fish) and 'taku' (rubbing). At Sea & Scales, artist Bridget Sawitsky uses this centuries-old technique to capture the exact likeness of each fish — every scale, fin, and detail — directly onto rice paper using ink or paint. Each print is a one-of-a-kind impression of a real fish.
Sourcing the Fish
Fresh, locally caught fish are carefully selected from the waters around Brielle, New Jersey. The quality and condition of the fish directly affects the detail and beauty of the final print.
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Prepping the Fish
The fish is cleaned, dried, and positioned with care. Fins are spread and pinned to capture their natural shape. Every scale and detail matters at this stage — the fish itself is the paintbrush.
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Applying Ink or Paint
Ink or paint is carefully applied to the surface of the fish using brushes, ensuring even coverage across all scales, fins, and features. Color choices bring each print to life.
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The Print
Rice paper is gently laid over the fish and pressed by hand, picking up every detail of the fish's surface — scales, texture, and form. This is the heart of the gyotaku tradition.
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Lifting & Revealing
The paper is carefully peeled back to reveal the print. The moment of lifting is always a surprise — no two prints are ever identical. Each one is a true record of that individual fish.
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Finishing the Artwork
Once dry, Bridget adds color, fine detail, and background elements by hand to complete the artwork. Eyes are painted last — bringing the fish back to life on paper.
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The Finished Print
The finished print is a true work of art — every scale, fin, and detail preserved exactly as nature made it. This drumfish triptych shows the full beauty that gyotaku can capture, from the sweep of the tail to the texture of each individual scale.
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Prints on Fabric
The art doesn't stop at paper. Bridget uses her gyotaku prints to create one-of-a-kind fabric goods — canvas tote bags, wine bottle bags, table runners, and more — each featuring the original fish print artwork.
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From Ocean to Art to Home
From a freshly caught fish to a finished piece of art you can carry, wear, or hang on your wall — every Sea & Scales piece tells the story of a real fish, caught in real waters, printed by hand.
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See the Finished Prints
Browse Bridget's full collection of gyotaku fish prints — each one a unique impression of a real fish.
View the Gallery