Fish as art's photostream  

So I went out and purchased the 3 most expensive cream soda bottles they have here in town. We did a taste test with 3 kids and myself as judges. Winner was Real Brew but everyone raved about the sweetness of Stewart's. The Jones was very good but a bit too sophisticated for this audience.

Oscar (right) looks on, unimpressed.

Nikon D90
Nikkor 20-35 mm f2.8 Aspherical zoom lens
Lens set at 20 mm
200 ASA

A stunning example of coloration seen in some southern Canadian populations of Bull Trout. The status of Bull Trout stocks throughout B.C. vary considerably. Without careful catch-and-release, these fish don't stand a chance near more populated areas.

Please, no inquiries, this illustration is sold.

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The bull Trout is actually a char. This fish is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In Canada, the Bull Trout is designated as a Species of Special Concern in Alberta. Poulations in British Columbia vary from presumed healthy to possibly threatened.

Well, I guess this is my masterpiece. You can really get a sense of the volume in this drawing. I just feel everything worked nicely for a change. I won't go into the complicated and endless layering process involved making this illustration. It took weeks.

This stunning specimen is pure race Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) from Norway. The colouration is interesting but does occur in some other populations.

Many people are used to silver coloured Brown Trout that turn a pale yellow during fall spawning. I thought this contrasts nicely to those more bland but equally interesting fish.

Illustration Technique: So complicated it almost made me quit drawing. Method involved a base layer in watercolour paint followed by 5 layers of colour pencil. This was followed by a priliminary burnishing, followed by final heavy deposit of soft colour pencil. Then, detail was added using razor blades and various graphite pencils. It sounds simple but on some nights I actually spent only 20 minutes drawing but 3 hours thinking of what and how to do the next step.

Overall effort: 30 hours drawing + over 50 hours thinking and planning.
Original illustration is large and drawn on a 20"x30" illustration board
Special thanks to Espen! Hope to fish with you soon!

A giant Lake Sturgeon has just been fitted with a radio transmitter. This fish was released and followed for weeks until it spawned in a small Lake Michigan tributary river.
This was part of a research program under Dr. Douglas peterson (left) and was funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust back in 1999-2000.

Photo taken by me, in May, 2000

Nikon F100
Nikkor 17-35 mm ED f2.8 AFS zoom lens
Fuji Velvia 50 ASA slide film
SB-28 flash in TTL mode