So last Tuesday I took Part One of a MARVELOUS Image Transfer workshop at Radius Studio in Portland. I wanted to get some images up here from that workshop to show you because tomorrow night is Part Two - Polaroid Transfers! Man oh Man I am LOVING this stuff! So fun and so much potential! Crazy crazy unlimited possibilities. I can do anything! I am superwoman! Okay, maybe that's going a bit far but I feel like this new skill has just opened up a whole new avenue to my artsy smartsy world!
Case in point...here is one of the cards I am submitting for my Just Johanna Design Team assignment:
So Renee...do the birds on the green card look familiar? It's that tin that was Aunt Henrietta's that you gave me!!!! I posted about it several Studio Fridays ago...it's the very last picture in that post. I took the lid to Kinko's, made a color photocopy and then transfered it onto this cardstock. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out so I wanted to used it as a background to compliment Candace and encourage her to believe in herself!
Here's an assortment of other images I played around with:
I photocopied this GLORIOUS ad in an Oprah magazine then did transfered the image onto a piece of plywood. So freaking cool!
This was a whole bunch of experimentation. A variety of photocopies onto one page.
And these were from some wonderful vintage photos I found at Really Good Stuff. The woman's name is Phyllis and she is not quite 16. That's what written on the back. No date but some good information!!!
I'm thinking I should share this photo with the JJ Design team ladies since Johanna just recently shared an awesome vintage picture she came across!!!!
The transfer process is really quite easy. You can use a black and white copy, picture from a magazine but it really works best with a color photocopy - and a FRESH color photocopy at that. I tried it with an old one and no go. Tape the picture with masking tape (don't press too hard), image side down onto your medium where you want the image - paper, cardstock, watercolor paper, canvas, wood - anything porous! Then, using a brush (something inexpensive that you would use with oil paints), apply Lacquer Thinner to the back of the picture. Burnish with the edge of a spoon or ebony pencil or the edge of a bone folder. Work fast because the thinner evaporates very quickly. Gently lift with the tape still in place to check your image and just reapply thinner and burnish as necessary to get the image you want. Be careful not to get the thinner on your masking tape because the adhesive will come off and get on your work.
You can also try Citra-Solv which is a lot less toxic but a little more messy. If you use the Lacquer Thinner - just be sure to read the warnings. I don't want to scare you away from trying this but it's super harsh so use your smarts! This stuff is highly toxic and highly stinky!!! Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area -- indoors is not a good idea! You really should minimize smelling the fumes or getting any of it on your skin too. So all the warning aside, let me know if you try it...it's really fun!
Happy Monday to you!!!!
It's so great to hear how inspired you are about the potential of transfer techniques. I can hardly wait to get the scoop on polaroid transfers :)
Posted by: Lilli | June 26, 2006 at 11:24 PM
Awesome Caramba. I was proud of myself for finally learning to use the label maker you gave me a couple of years ago for Christmas. We who are artistically challenged salute you!!! Love/Hugs
Posted by: Solitary | June 27, 2006 at 01:39 AM
That stuff is SO cool Michelle! When I come to visit you'll have to give me a workshop and let me do some! Your artistic endeavors never cease to amaze me....
Posted by: simone | June 27, 2006 at 06:55 AM
I can't wait to have time to try this. I'm gonna go get me some Lacquer Thinner today. But I don't have easy access to color copies. I show and tell when I do it.
Thanks for the e-workshop.
Posted by: Norah's | June 27, 2006 at 08:09 AM
This is awesome. I remember kinda doing something like this back in high school but totally different but the same concept though. I love the one w/the Asian model! REally wonderful job you did. Can't wait to see the rest. Malou
Posted by: Malou | June 27, 2006 at 09:24 AM
Cooool! I think my sweetie has some lacquer thinner out in his shop---this looks like something fun I need to try & do~! I wonder if I can make some prints from some of my paintings this way...or cards...or...hmmmm... (always trying to figure how to make new artwork from already created artwork---extend the life of one original into many smaller originals...) You've got my wheels turning!
Posted by: Jana | June 27, 2006 at 05:30 PM
cool stuff! I'm just reading "altered images" and learning about all the transfer methods. It is so cool, I agree with you!
Posted by: Hanna | June 28, 2006 at 03:34 PM