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Image Transfer of Sarah


Having fun with my canvas boards. I was at Dick Blicks a couple of weeks ago and bought a bunch of 6x6 canvas panels. It is a much larger size for me to play with so what the heck. Still playing with my Portfolio oil pastels I made this one of Sarah. I transferred the image onto the canvas panel using Dick Blick brand gel medium and it worked perfectly!!! The image is a laser print not ink jet.

I often wondered why people like to do transfers? What is the purpose of this technique? WELL!! Let me tell you once you do this you will never go back! LOL!!! The image becomes embedded into the canvas. No messy glues or tape to play around with. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it you are hooked! If you have not tried it yet you have to!

Here are some tips that I learned along the way...make sure that your background that you are applying your image to is not too dark. The transfer becomes very transparent and you can see through it. As in this one you can see the music paper in the lighter areas of the image. I like the way it looks.

I like to let my image dry first before I take the paper off. I can almost guarantee that it will work perfectly everytime for me. Sometimes if you rub too hard you will take that delicate image off your surface. Been there done that! :) It really is up to the artist and what they want for thier piece of art work.

I have read in many places about this technique that you learn how much or how little to put on. This is true...it was explained to me that it is like spreading mayo or mustard on your sandwich. You do not want globs of the gel medium or dry spots but an even coat. (Who wants globs or dry spots on their sandwich??) Make sense? Just use that indisposable tool that you have your trusty finger and slide that gel medium evenly all over the front of your image, slap it down where you want it (image and gel medium face down) and the next thing that is VERY important is to burnish that image. I have an old brayer that I use. Do this until you know that the image has come in contact with your surface, and its ok if the gel medium oozes out. You want that. It is smoothing out the gel medium so you don't have any lumps underneath.

So now I wait for it to dry. I usually am at my desk with my computer and go play a game of solitary until it is dried. Using that indispensable tool your finger gently and lightly start rubbing the paper off using water. It may take some time to get all the white fuzzy stuff off but it is worth it! Let it dry a bit and rub some more. Once I have it all off I will coat my image with some neutral shoe polish to protect my image from the paints and inks that I will use in my collage. If I get messy and I do it will come right off with out ruining anything.

I was very frustrated with the right side of the panel and could not make it work...so there are about 6 layers of paint, gesso, paper, more paint and finally the oil pastels. I want to add some more to this around the bird house that is not so visible here. Maybe later next week. I like to start something and then finish it off later. The muse works that way some times.

Sarah is another image that will soon be available at Paper Imagery Designs. Watch this site for the grand opening special! You won't want to miss it. The owners of the new company are very excited about their new collage sheets. Collage sheets designed by an artist for artists!

18 comments:

Linda Manning Findley said...

Lori I love your canvas boards .... you are doing some incredible stuff .... Linda F

Anonymous said...

Those canvases from Dick Blick are so great, and they come in so many sizes! Your transfer looks great, and thanks for the tips (LLTHW - lessons learned the hard way). These gel transfers are super, I have played with them and now am inspired to improve my skills...thanks.
Gaye

Anne, Bulles dorées said...

C'est superbe !! j'adore !!

Inka said...

Just beautiful Lori and what great tips too! Love the pieces you have been sharing lately!

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

Your canvas board transfer is TO DIE FOR, Lori!!!!!! Sum buddy PUL-LEEEEEEEEZE wipe off the drool from my face!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!

Journal Swag said...

How awesome is that?? Gorgeous. I don't understand about the neutral shoe polish though, do you use paste, or the spongy thing, or the liquid? Also, I LOVE your Tessa canvas!! Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing.

Sheila
halohill.blogspot.com

Carolyn said...

Lori, beautiful canvas. Thanks for the tips to create gel transfers. Your work always inspires me to try something a little different.

Carolyn S

Lorna Arlett said...

hi there,
I haven't made a canvas artwork in along time and I was googling and your website came up...great artwork, hope you don't mind.

Art By Wanda said...

Lori, I just love seeing all this art you've been sharing!!!!

Stamped Impressions said...

Lori, this is beautiful!!!

Displaced Heel said...

I am so impressed with your images! I can't wait until May 1 to look at the collages--your work makes me envious.

Misplaced Heel

Faye said...

Lori, it's gorgeous. Thanks for the very detailed instructions. Maybe I'll go out and buy some canvas panels and try this myself. It looks like you had heaps of fun doing this. I think the hardest part would be waiting for the gel to dry. Great art piece!

CraftyC said...

Wow, just discovered your blog, your creations are fab!!
Clairexx

Linda M. Cain said...

WOW!!!!! WHat a great collage! Beautiful work her AGAIN! Have not had much time to visit around lately and miss looking at your "stuff". Terrific work...can't wait to see the new collage sheets coming out!
Your FRIEND in ART,
Linda

Val Foster said...

Lori, this piece is SO beautiful. Just delicious. Thanks for all the information. Your art work is very inspiring.

BTW, I just got tagged and am now tagging you.

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Enjoy!!!

Inspiration Alley said...

I was just blog hopping and came across your blog and suddenly I wasn't hopping between blogs any more. I was totally immersed in your blog and have spent ages just admiring your work. Thank you for sharing.

Mary S. Hunt said...

Your explanation for the transfer process was perfect!
I have a difficult time with these at times but your piece is so lovely and inspiring to get me into the mood to do a collage myself.
As always you are such great motivator.
Thanks for that!

Gaby Bee said...

I agree with all the above comments - this is one very special piece of work. Love the image!