2018 #12 Transfers: The Courage of Your Dreams {by Alison Bomber}

2018 Topic 12: Transfers

PaperArtsy HQ intro to the post / and the blogger... 

Hi everyone, it's Alison from Words and Pictures here with you today, with something in a slightly different style from my usual textures and layers.  I've been playing with my Gelli plate and some magazine images, following a great tutorial on YouTube from Birgit Koopsen.

I thought it looked fun, and I had a lovely time experimenting with a variety of paints and various book pages and magazine photos.  The cards that I'm sharing here today - a pair and a trio - are the tip of the iceberg of a pile of trials... some successful, others less so.  And although they're not in my usual style, I ended up loving the atmospheric look.

I found it was best to have a strong colour contrast between the transfer layer and the pick-up layer and I was happiest when I played with simple neutrals, rather than lots of bold colour (no big surprises there!), so I stuck mostly to a dark Payne's Grey for the transfer layer and a soft Titanium Buff for the pick-up (both Amsterdam Acrylics).  And I used two separate brayers just to make sure that, even if the paint hadn't quite dried on the brayer, I wouldn't be contaminating things with completely the wrong colour!

I followed Birgit's suggestion to keep my paint layers nice and thin.  You need a good coating of the Gelli plate for the transfer layer, but it mustn't be thickly applied.  Then just burnish on the image you want to use, face down onto the paint.  When you've made good contact across the whole area, then peel the page away.  The image will be visible on the plate.

You need to let that layer dry thoroughly before applying the pick-up layer.  As you can see, I'm using a really pale colour to contrast with the dark transfer layer.  And again, apply it thinly.  You should be able to see the original image hovering behind.  (Sorry about the huge shadow across the photos - it's my inconvenient window frame.)

Then immediately press your chosen paper/cardstock onto the Gelli plate while that top layer is still wet, and burnish firmly across the whole plate.  For these, I was working directly onto some 7 x 7 inch pre-folded cards.

A couple of things to bear in mind... if there's really nothing showing after you've pressed the image onto your painted plate, then you should probably give up.  Different print qualities and inks mean not all images will play nicely.  But what you see is pretty much what you'll get - so if you've got a good image showing, you'll probably get a good "pull" with your pick-up layer.

Before I started printing my cards, I positioned one directly underneath the Gelli plate.  That means I can use it to line up each print to create a border around the edge.  It also means you have a white surface underneath the Gelli plate so you can see what's going on nice and clearly, and get a good sense of how thick your top layer is when you apply it.

Regulars at Words and Pictures will know I've been playing with the Gelli plate quite a lot recently (often with natural elements from my garden) and I've fallen in love with the textured look which you get from printing with paint.

There was one particular photo shoot which caught my eye in the magazine I was using for these cards.  I loved the slender tree branches they'd hidden the model amongst.

They create a fabulous textured look all of their own in the subtle printed versions - almost a creased or crackled look (and you all know how much I love my crackle!).

For this trio, I gradually decreased the amount of buff paint and increased the amount of Seth Apter's Glacier Ice (from his recent Set 4 Limited Edition) I was using as I printed them, so that there's an ombre shift from card to card.

I really like how the ombre works when you see them as a set with, of course, their added words.

For the trio, I used quotes from EAB07 Dreaming & Doing.  She has such a dreamy look about her.

I stamped the words in Jet Black Archival on a separate piece card, and edged them in black before gluing them in position.  

And for the pair of faces, with the strong simplicity of their expressions...

... I chose quotes from EAB08 Strength & Courage.

These I stamped directly onto the prints and embossed them.  Over the dark background of the first card I used pale embossing powder...

... and over the pale edge of the second card I stamped in black again, and then clear-embossed.  I'm embracing the imperfection of the words hovering in and out of the shadows where the image gets darker!

So, you see, it's a really different look for me... practically CAS, wouldn't you say?  Though not quite single layer, I guess, given that there are two layers on the Gelli plate to start with.

In any case, I had a fascinating time stepping outside my comfort zone.  I enjoyed playing with the dramatic photos, but it's not something I'll probably do very often.  I'm not really a glossy magazine reader, so I don't tend to have these kinds of images lying around, but for those who do, I really recommend keeping pictures which appeal to you and trying this out.  But I also had good results with text and old music manuscript, and I can definitely see those becoming a more regular part of my crafting "language".  

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll be tempted to try out this technique.  Be patient, and be ready to experiment with different paints and different magazines, and you could end up with some really exciting results.

Blog: Words and Pictures
Pinterest: butterfly crafter

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To join our challenge and win a new Zinski apron:

Simply make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 12: Transfers will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 22nd July 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

NB you have 3 weeks for this challenge due to New Products being announced

All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy creative apron. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

2018 Topic 12: Transfers {Topic Introduction and Challenge}

 2018 Topic 12: Transfers

Freudenthal and Verhagen

Well hello everyone, Darcy here with a new challenge, this time we are revisiting an old but sometimes tricky favourite. Transfers can seem almost magical in the way they work and there  are so many techniques. We looked at transfer techniques 2 years ago, if you would like to refresh your memory on that post you can find it HERE.  

It is always good to revisit older themes though as new techniques and artwork are being produced all the time, so let's look at how people are transferring images now. 

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 11: Enshrined Challenge...

The winner is: Hazel from Mellifluous Meanderings

Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com

Here is a technique that I have never tried, it requires a laser print copy rather than an inkjet, but lots of places will make copies for you. then all you need is a blender pen, use it on the reverse of the copy and Voila! it transfers. 

FP Jana 

This piece was one in the same way but this time the transfer medium is nail varnish!

Giuli Primavera 

This next sample is done using acrylic paint, it is a very popular and simple method and also works with mod podge and gel medium. 

Sam 

For those of you that have played with encaustic  art, here is a quick and easy way to transfer an image, again using a toner print but this time onto parchment paper which is reusable. 

Susan Stayer 

Now this next example isn't strictly a transfer method, however it does sort of fit the theme, as it is a way of using one image to create another. if you like the look of watercolour portraits but don't feel confident in drawing then this is for you. 

Nancy 

This sample shows how a transfer looks when placed over a gelli printed background, wow, how well does this pop!

Birgit Koopsen

Here is how Birgit creates her backgrounds using the gelli plate and then adds her transferred image. 

This leads nicely into another technique from Birgit, one that is taking the gelli world by storm, how to transfer a magazine image onto a gelli plate. This is more of a resist technique than transfer, but combined with the gelli plate it does end up being a very effective transfer too. 

You can read the blog post HERE 

Some more fun ideas now, here is another gel medium transfer, this time onto metal spoons. Genius!

Redlead

Have you ever wanted just a bit or distressed text adding to your project? this is a perfect way to add that using old book pages. 

Birgit Kerr

This is one I would love to try, these beautiful old photos have been transferred onto fabric and then sculpted into leaves. 

Miranda van Dijk 

On the subject of leaves, you can hammer real leaves to transfer their colour and shape. (yes you do actually hit them with a hammer)

Buildmakecraftbake

Here the image has been transferred to paperclay, this would make a  lovely embellishment or even lightweight pendent. 

This has me wondering, would a transfer work onto Grunge Paste? I see no reason why not, why don't you give it a try. 

Darlene Oliver

Leandra has a great video on using satin glaze to transfer an image to fabric, this one only requires an inkjet printer. 

Let's not forget good old clear packing tape, it might seem humble but this makes fantastic transfers and is so easy. Not only can you use images but you can make great labels for jars too. 

Ananda

Finally, don't forget that your background is just as important as your focal image, take some time to build up layers of images and stamping to create depth an interest before adding your transferred image. This way the background will show through and create more impact. 

Michelle Caplan

You have 3 weeks to take part in this challenge, I hope you have fun with it. There are so many techniques to try out, endless entertainment as you watch the magic happen. 
Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Darcy

To join our challenge and win a new Zinski apron:
Simply make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 12: Transfers will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 22nd July 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

NB you have 3 weeks for this challenge due to New Products being announced

All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy creative apron. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!