Mulberry Paper Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Brian Cobble’s landscapes tend to particularly focus on the interplay of man and his surroundings, whether natural or built. A signature attention to the liminal aspects of a scene, ...

In Japan they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. When I began this series of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) I studied the many varieties of Koi, each with their own unique colors and patterns. My particular favorites are the Tanchos which can be identified by the distinct red spot on their heads. To create these pieces I print common carp I catch myself with sumi ink using traditional techniques used by Japanese fisherman dating back the mid 1800's. I then tint the images using watercolor. In each piece I hope to translate a sense of movement to give the viewer a sense of calm one might experience watching the living versions lazily meandering around a serene pond. —Jeff Conroy Several koi swim in a circle while autumn leaves fall on the surface of the water in this Gyo-tako method of painting by artist Jeff Conroy. After inking and taking impressions of the koi, the artist then uses watercolors to enhance their beauty. By using marbled mulberry paper to print on, he has created the illusion of water with the swirls of the mulberry paper. The paper itself has a soft hue and slightly wavy texture adding the overall feel of the artwork. This artwork is unframed. Contact gallery for framing options. Jeff Conroy Autumn Cotillion sumi ink and colored pencil on mulberry paper 25h x 37w in 63.50h x 93.98w cm JEC103 Gyotaku - A Japanese word translated from "gyo" meaning fish and "taku" meaning stone impression. It is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. This form of nature printing was used by fishermen to record their catches, but has also become an art form of its own. Gyotaku is a Japanese method of printmaking that traditionally utilizes fish, sea creatures or similar subjects as printing "plates" in its process. The literal translation of the word is "fish stone rubbing...

This painting is illustrated in color in the the book, "PAINTINGS BY KAN TAI-KEUNG 1970-1979" page 51. Published by S S Design & Production, Hong Kong, 1980. A copy of this book will accompany the painting. Born in Panyu, Guangdong, in 1942, Kan Tai-Keung was deeply influenced by his grandfather, Yao Sheung, and became passionate about painting from childhood on. He moved to Hong Kong in 1957, and worked as an apprentice tailor there for ten years. In 1964, Kan started to learn watercolour painting and sketching with his uncle Han May-Tin. Later he took a Chinese ink painting course from Lui Shou-kwan and an applied design course from Wucius Wong...