Fish Art by New Zealand Artist - Ian McTavish
My Ocean Series fish artworks are inspired by the colours of the waters surrounding the coast of New Zealand and the fish that inhabit them. Layers of blues and greens are contrasted with the deep blue of the Blue Marlin, the striking colour of the snapper, the golden yellow of the tail of the Yellowtail Kingfish, the multile colours of the of the Yellowfin Tuna. These works reflect what the artist sees rather than strictly representing the true colours of the fish in nature—capturing mood, movement, and the essence of the ocean instead of realism.
My Trout Series is inspired by the gin clear cold waters of the Tongariro River and Lake Taupo. Plentiful Rainbows and the elusive Browns in a pristine environment.
Shop for Game Fish Prints
Built like a torpedo, the Yellowfin Tuna moves in large schools off the New Zealand coast from December through to April. I first sketched this fish in the winter of 2025, refining the form through several iterations until the shape felt right. The final painting introduces heightened colour and a subtle abstract treatment, capturing both the strength and fluidity of the species.
This artwork is available as a limited-edition print of 25, framed or unframed, in two sizes: 35 × 70 cm and 50 × 100 cm.
Unframed editions are shipped worldwide.
I have watched Blue Marlin being weighed in at game-fishing competitions around New Zealand and have always marvelled at their immense size and sleek, powerful lines. Sadly, the extraordinary, rapidly changing colours that ripple across their flanks when they are excited or defending themselves have usually faded by the time they are brought ashore. This work was created to capture that fleeting colour — the living energy of the fish as it would appear in the ocean rather than on the dock.
Available as a 1300 mm x 600 mm limited-edition, signed print, produced on acid-free, high-quality 190 GSM art paper.
Unframed prints available worldwide.
This work began after a chance discovery. I came across a striking photograph of a Yellowfin Tuna head in an old 1990’s National Geographicmagazine that was destined for the rubbish collection. I tore out the page and pinned it to the wall of my studio, where it stayed for a long time, quietly waiting for me to do something with it. In late 2023, I decided to translate it into painting. The result is a nice soft pastel style painting, with a balance in shape.
Yellowfin Tuna Head is available as a limited edition print, in either A2 or A3 size. Prints can be purchased framed or unframed.
Unframed editions can be shipped worldwide.
began as a series of sketches I made after encountering several mounted marlin trophies in fishing clubs throughout New Zealand during the 2023 summer. Over the winter months of 2024, these evolved into the finished painting, focusing on the sharp lines of this iconic ocean predator.
The work is available as a limited edition print, offered framed or unframed in A1 or A2 sizes.
Unframed prints can be shipped worldwide.
Coming soon - Yellowfin Tuna is a study of motion, strength, and quiet elegance beneath the surface. Painted by hand, this piece captures the sleek power of the Yellowfin Tuna as it moves through open water, balancing realism with expressive color and texture. The work reflects my fascination with marine life and the raw beauty of the ocean.
This artwork will be available in mid February as a limited edition print in 50cm x 100cm or 35cm x 70cm.
My Yellowtail Kingfish is an abstract image and was inspired by the fast & powerful predatory Kingfish. Growing to impressive size, the Kingfish has an ability to fight the angler with power and cunning. This Yellowtail Kingfish, was created on a 75cm long canvas of cedar wood & recycled handout sheet metal for the head, fins and tail and was painted using acrylic colour.
The original Yellowtail Kingfish artwork, was HD scanned and is now available as signed limited edition set of Framed or Unframed prints on High Quality, Enhanced Matte, Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper.
Ocean & River Prints
My Snapper artwork is an abstract artwork, inspired by colour and texture of this beautiful fish. This Snapper artwork, was created on a 37cm long canvas of cedar wood with recycled handout sheet metal being used for the head, fins and tail and was painted using acrylic colour. It was then HD scanned and a limited edition set of prints have been produced. My Snapper originals are occasionally available.
Snapper prints are available in A4, A3 and A2 size prints on High Quality, Enhanced Matte, Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper. Unframed prints can be shipped anywhere worldwide. Orders are shipped within 5 days.
Note: framed prints can be shipped out of New Zealand as the glass survival rate is low with international shipping.
My Bluefin Tuna is an abstract artwork and was inspired by the sleek lines and colours of this impressive, powerful and intelligence fish. Built like a torpedo with retractable fins, Bluefin Tuna are built for speed. This Bluefin was created on a 75cm long canvas of cedar wood with recycled hand-cut sheet metal for the head, fins and tail and was painted using acrylic colour.
The original Bluefin Tuna artwork, was HD scanned and is now available as a signed limited edition set of Framed or Unframed prints on High Quality, Enhanced Matte, Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper.
Limited edition signed prints are available in - A3, A2, A1 & A0 sizes and can be shipped anywhere worldwide. Only unframed prints can be shipped out of New Zealand as the glass survival rate is low with international shipping. Orders are shipped within 5 days.
I painted this abstract image of a Yellowtail Kingfish in the winter of 2023. It was inspired by the fast & powerful predatory Kingfish and is available as Signed Limited Edition prints either Framed or Unframed prints on High Quality, Enhanced Matte, Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper. If you order one, I will ship within 5 days. I ship anywhere in the world.
NOTE: Only unframed prints can be shipped internationally as the glass survival rate is too low.
The Barracuda Trio artwork is a captivating exploration of the sleek and formidable nature of the Barracuda. Inspired by the impressive and ferocious characteristics of these apex predators, I set out to capture their fearsome teeth and fins. The three are separate artworks, each embodying sleek lines and predatory prowess onto a canvas of cedar wood, recycled sheet metal for the head, fins and tail and acrylic colour.
The three Barracuda artworks were then HD scanned and are presented as a trio. They are now available as a signed limited edition set of Framed or Unframed prints on High Quality, Enhanced Matte, Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper.
Limited edition signed prints are available in - A3 & A2 sizes and can be shipped anywhere in New Zealand. Orders are shipped within 5 days.
NOTE: Only unframed prints can be shipped internationally as the glass survival rate is too low.
My Rainbow Trout is an abstract artwork and was inspired by the stunning Rainbows in the Tongariro River and Lake Taupo area. This image captures the silver, light pink or red hues. When they spawn, their coloration darkens, and their red scales deepen in colour.
Rainbow Trout prints are part of a 50 piece limited edition and each is signed. They are printed on high quality Enhanced Matte Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper. Prints are available framed or unframed in A3 & A2 sizes. Prices include free shipping to anywhere within New Zealand, Australia or Worldwide. Orders are shipped within 5 days of ordering. NOTE: Only unframed prints can be shipped outside of New Zealand, as the glass survival rate is low for framed prints.
My Brown Trout was inspired by the fish that live in the stunning rivers of New Zealand. Brown Trout are illusive and hard to see, as they are beautifully camouflaged. They are hard to catch due to their size and power and are prized by anglers. Browns differ in colour, and tones, depending upon the waterway they live in.
Brown Trout prints are part of a 50 piece limited edition and each is signed. They are printed on high quality Enhanced Matte Acid Free 210 GSM Art Paper. Prints are available framed or unframed in A3 & A2 sizes. Prices include free shipping to anywhere within New Zealand, Australia or Worldwide. Orders are shipped within 5 days of ordering. NOTE: Only unframed prints can be shipped outside of New Zealand, as the glass survival rate is low for framed prints.