How to Draw Fossil Fish
One of the most lovely and decorative types of drawings is the relief rubbing drawing. According to Jessie Lie Farber of the Association for Gravestone Studies: "It is an ancient technique which originated in the Orient...this technique can be used to reproduce the relief design of any surface." Farber goes on to state that some of these rubbings "are works of art in their own right." This is a ideal technique for creating a drawing of a fossil fish.
Things You'll Need
- Fish
- Plaster of paris, 1 lb. package
- Spray vegetable oil
- Shoebox lid
- Japanese rice paper, 9 by 12 inch or larger
- Charcoal stick, black
- Masking tape
Instructions
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1
Buy a fish from your store or local deli.
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2
Bake the fish until the flesh drops off the bone, leaving just the skeleton of the fish. Lay the fish out to dry.
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3
Mix the plaster of paris according to the instructions on the package. Fill the shoebox lid with the mixed liquid plaster. Wait for the plaster to form a buttery consistency.
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4
Spray the fish skeleton with the vegetable oil. The layer of vegetable oil will make it easier to remove the skeleton from the plaster.
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5
Carefully press the skeleton of the fish into the plaster. Allow the plaster to set up a little more, to the point where it is just beginning to harden. Starting at the head of the skeleton, carefully pull it up and back, lifting it out of the plaster.
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Allow the plaster to cure and dry overnight.
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Place your drawing paper over the finished plaster mold and tape the top of the paper to the plaster mold.
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8
Take the stick of charcoal and begin drawing back and forth with long diagonal strokes while pressing down. As you do so you will see the skeleton of the fish appear. Continue drawing until you achieve the desired amount of darkness in the drawing.
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Tips & Warnings
Try using several colors of pastel to create a multi-toned fossil fish drawing.
Be careful of breathing charcoal or pastel chalk dust as it can be harmful to your health.
Do not use spray fixative to "fix" the final fossil fish drawing because the spray and vapors from the fixative are dangerous to your health. In addition, fixatives dull down the colors of the drawing. To protect your final artwork, place the drawing between two sheets of paper or in a plastic sleeve.
