Tutorial - Making a photo transfer

As promised, here's that tutorial. Photo transfers are fun and can add an element of collage to a work or be used entirely by itself. Generally you would want to put the transfers on a panel but you can also use them in other creative ways including lampshades (since they are almost transparent) or shadow boxes. I've found that self-levelling gel works really well. I came across this quite by accident since the jar looks the same as tar gel and I obviously wasn't paying attention! I started with a layer of self-levelling gel and then an application of tar gel but really the self-levelling works well on its own as long as you do two applications. It also dries faster and smoother.

What you'll need:

A picture printed on plain paper
Knife or scissors
palette knife
self-levelling gel or tar gel
tape
backing board
sponge with scrubby side, if possible

Step 1:

Print out an image onto regular plain paper. The cheaper the better. Pigment inks are best but are not necessary. Any regular print will do. Any true blank area will not show white in the final. So remember that when choosing your image and choosing what to show and what not.

Step 2:

Cut down your picture (if necessary). Leave a bit of a border. You'll see why. You can always cut down the image after its gel application.

Step 3: 

Tape down your image (leaving a bit of a border around the true outside of your image). It's best to tape the paper down to a non-porous board to allow for drying. 

Step 4: 

Take a spatula and coat the picture with the gel in one smooth, even and not too thick coating. Try to minimize air bubbles as these will stay. Do another pass or two to smooth it out if necessary.

Step 5: 

Once dry the gel should now appear see-thru unlike the above. The milky look means it still isn't dry. Drying will depend on humidity in the air but be prepared to wait several hours. Repeat and coat the picture with another application of the gel. This helps with Step 6.

Step 6:

Once the 2nd coat is dry remove the tape (it helps if you score the paper or even just cut the picture away as close to your tape as possible). Wet the picture and your sponge. Start rubbing the back of the picture in a circular motion to remove the paper. Don't rub too hard or have any debris under the picture or folds as this will remove the pigment. Unless you want that look! Wash the transfer when you've got the paper off just to clean it up.

Step 7: 

Now hang to dry. Because you left a little bit of extra space around the picture you don't have to worry too much about your hanging method leaving any indentation.

Step 8: 

When dry you can apply your transfer in any way you like. If you're applying it to a panel then any type of binder medium will work to adhere it.

Enjoy your new photo transfer!

Changes...

changed work

Not much of a change. Can you spot the difference? I changed the saturation levels of some of the images poking through the main image and increased the contrast of the main one. Just subtle changes...

Tilt-shift faked

I've been meaning to try this Photoshop technique out for a while. It's for faking the look of a tilt-shift lens and since I can't afford such a lens that's what I have to do. I'm really using this week between the holidays to try stuff that I've been meaning to try. I also have to do some reviewing for my French class starting in January.

This photo was taken in Geneva in November. I'm sure there are some things that should be changed but for a first go, I'm pleased.

Creative Monday

Lots happening today. I feel like I can give myself a bit of time today to experiment and be creative. I even got outside to take pictures (not all sitting in front of the computer) although it was my backyard. I thought I would experiment with my macro filter (it's great and so much cheaper than getting a macro lens) with the last of the cherry blossoms and other flowers. I think my neighbours thinks I'm crazy (crouched nearly on top of a hyacinth at one point). Off to work tomorrow!

I think I like the background of my painting. Now to remove all of the masking gunk. And there's a lot!

More fun with Photoshop

I'm loving these actions and brushes that are out there. I have started a painting but it will involve several layers for the background. Until then, here's a photographic creation.

Getting things done on a cloudy Sunday

So, I'm accomplishing what I planned for this weekend so far and I feel a cup of tea coming on and maybe a read. I just started A.S. Byatt's The Children's Book and so far I haven't been able to get past page 10. You really have to persevere with her books at the beginning and then they are a really good read.

Got to see the Art of the Danforth yesterday, more parts of it than planned, but that's okay. Many of my photos made it into the murals at the Greenwood and Woodbine subway stations (I have to check Coxwell). I have to re-tack some of my mats down for my watercolours tomorrow but I have new adhesive for that, which will hopefully work. Had a good walk down to the Beaches area to get that for tomorrow.

The chairs are out of the shed and on the deck but today is not the day to enjoy them. A bit cold and blustery although not wet as promised.

Also worked on sorting out my closet. I feel a purchase may be needed for further organizing. I'm also tossing some stuff. I'll be able to drop it off at a charity box tomorrow on my way to look after my art pieces (I like when you can do many things in one trip).

And I'm getting my computer organized and figuring out some Photoshop things I've been meaning to sit down with for ages now. Above is a result of playing with some free "grunge" brushes (the frame is actually the brush). Fun! On to watercolour painting, hopefully, this evening.