NQ fisherman Stephen Coombe shows off his ‘Covid hobby’ at The Drill Hall

When you look at a fish, ‘paintbrush’ doesn’t exactly spring to mind, but one North Queensland angler is doing just that to create incredible pieces. WATCH THE VIDEO

Townsville artist Stephen Coombe uses a unique Japanese technique where real fish are used to create highly detailed art pieces.

A North Queensland angler who makes art with the fish he catches will be exhibiting the very best of his work at The Drill Hall Studio.

Stephen Coombe uses a centuries old Japanese method called ‘Gyotaku’ (fish-rubbing) to create his lifelike artworks using ink and rice paper.

“First I catch a fish, which can sometimes be the hardest part,” Mr Coombe said.

“Then I take them home and use a non-toxic ink or paint. I paint the fish and get the amount of ink right. Then using a really tough rice paper you put that over the fish and you rub it in.”

@stephencoombeoceanart Here's the final product of the jack that I put up the other day. Sumi ink and acrylic print and rotisserie 👌 #originalart#estuaryfishing#mangrovejack#landbasedfishing♬ Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy

Mr Coombe said he picked Gyotaku art up as a Covid hobby.

“I saw a documentary about it and thought ‘I like fishing, I like art’. I’ve been doing it four years now and I’ve got a lot good pieces sitting in the shed.”

Mr Coombe said as a land-based fisherman in Townsville, there is a lot of competition during his artistic process at the water line.

Townsville artist Stephen Coombe uses a unique Japanese technique where real fish are used to create highly detailed art pieces.

“I’ve probably had the most luck at Maggie Island and Pallarenda – and occasionally Ingham Road Seafood,” he said.

“This is the most stressful art you can do because as soon as you get one drop of ink on the paper, you can’t take it back. One smudge or fingerprint and it’s ruined. That’s why there is a lot of white space, the point is it’s so clean.”

Townsville artist Stephen Coombe uses a unique Japanese technique where real sea creatures are used to create highly detailed art pieces.

The octopus used in several of Mr Coombe’s recent pieces was one such Ingham Road Seafood collection.

“I don’t know how to catch them, and I don’t know if you’re allowed up here,” the artist said.

“You have to take a lot more time with them getting it exactly right because of the tentacles … I do add shading to the art later. I have videos of how I do it on my Facebook page.”

Townsville artist Stephen Coombe uses a unique Japanese technique where real fish are used to create highly detailed art pieces.

Opening night for Mr Coombe’s exhibition Catch of the Day is this Friday, August 4.

The showcase will be open to the public for the entire month.

Mr Coombe said he hopes people will come along to learn about the unique art process and find a piece for their own homes.

“It’s very challenging to put a price on something, when you consider the time I’ve put into creating it, but unframed artworks will start around $100 and prices will go up to $600,” he said.

The Drill Hall Studio is located off The Strand and exhibits local arts, a gift store and art classes.

Originally published as NQ fisherman Stephen Coombe shows off his ‘Covid hobby’ at The Drill Hall