Yusei Nagashima: an artist who paints nothing but fish

August 24, 2015 / Johnny / 3 Comments

Scomber japonicus

Yusei Nagashima grew up watching fish. He was enthralled by their expressions and colors, and the way they glide through the water. So it’s only natural that he became a uofu gaka, a Japanese word referring, specifically, to those who specialize in painting fish.

Lethrinus Nebulosus

The fish that Nagashima decides to paint are as varied as a city of people. Some or colorful while others are dullish, but each receives the same attention to detail from the 32-year old artist’s brush.

And for the last 3 years Nagashima has been posting a new painting to his website every single Friday. The paintings are accompanied by a short essay on his relationship to the particular fish–memories of it, special characteristics or any other memorable traits.

Nagashima just wrapped up an exhibition at Suido Gallery in Tokyo. If you missed it, some of his prints are available online.

Canthigaster Rivulata

Lateolabrax Japonicus

Genus Tanakia

fish from wakayama marina city

Art

fish painting

3 Comments

Cindee klement
August 25, 2015 at 7:42 pm

Your work is beautiful. I love your use of color. I do not understand the name of your blog spoon and tamago. I am just curious do you mind explaining it?

I just started a website for my work and a blog. Please check out my site and blog at cindee klement.com
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Shelton
September 1, 2015 at 6:52 am

The fluidity of Nagashima’s technique; the glow and flow of his brushwork is perfectly aligned with a very potent symbol. Thanks for the introduction. I will check in on him Friday’s from now on.
Esperanz
September 16, 2015 at 4:51 am

Utilizing a procedure called suminagashi craftsman Miki Saito makes layers of dynamic tones. When the ink has dried the craftsman runs in with acrylic, gouache and mineral shades to include complex points of interest that uncover creatures concealed or disguised by the ink.