Thursday, May 19, 2011

photo transfer - 3 ways

I made the picture below using the photo transfer technique I describe HERE:


in this next picture, I have added colored pencil to enrich the image:


and then, I added beeswax, my all time favorite finishing product:

because of the large size (about 6X8) I couldn't dip it in beeswax
so I poured the melted beeswax over it
then, because it was an uneven coating,
I set it on foil and put in a 180' oven until the wax melted evenly over the whole thing


I scraped off some of the extra wax with a bone folder
and then buffed it with a rag


it really added the depth I was looking for

*
p.s. this a picture that was taken probably around 1945
it is my dad (on the left) and his brothers
cute, huh?!
I love how it turned out
:)

18 comments:

Lynn Cohen said...

Wonderful outcome and I love all the techniques. In Judy Wise's encaustic class in Portland last year (Art and Soul retreat) we used either a hair dryer or a heat gun to melt the wax and get it to run over the whole piece...
Yes, cute cute and cute.

Terri Kahrs said...

By jove,Kimmie! I think that you've managed to perfect this very imperfect and technique! What a gorgeous result!!! Hugs, Terri xoxox

sukipoet said...

Wonderful. I keep trying transfers to no success but maybe with my new inkjet printer the ink will be stronger. I'll have to try.

After watching an Encaustic instruction DVD I have been afraid to go back to using wax. They have so many safety directions but maybe they had to. Ventilation. fire extinguishers. Etc.

I am not sure if you had an encaustic tutorial previously? But just wondering how you melt your wax. Do you do the wax working in your kitchen for small projects like this?

In the DVD they have a sort of electric frypan sized melter and they ease the paper into the melted wax bit by bit.

Like Lynn I use a heat gun to melt the wax and also for small areas a quilting iron. Or you can use an old regular iron you won't use for ironing clothes anymore.

anyway it came out fabulous

ps I posted a video of my walk to the Cloutie glen today.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You are a genius! I am totally impressed with the way you got all the excess wax off the picture without the use of one of those overpriced irons. Great post and a wonderful lesson for someone (like myself) who loves to work in beeswax, but doesn't have the proper equipment.

Nancy said...

Alright, I love this :) I bought beeswax on my last shopping trip for stamp stuff and you have inspired me and now I'm really going to try this!
The photo is great, btw!

Elizabeth said...

I love it, too! You should take commissions!

Caterina Giglio said...

just beautiful! and I usually use a mini quilting iron to smooth it out...

Jill said...

I have read and reread photo transfer techniques and even belong to a photo transfer group in yahoo...I've only done ones to tiles for coasters and a packing tape transfer. This turned out beautifully.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful technique and the finishing ,ales it really special. Thanks for sharing. xox Corrine

ELK said...

oh it looks so good ..nice to see each step .. it must have a lovely fragrance as well~~

Halle said...

What a cool technique! You are so smart to take pictures along the way! I never think to do that. I get way to caught up or my fingers are just to gooey and I'm not about take the time to clean them.

~*~Patty S said...

absolutely precious and the beeswax truly enriches the image so much

lovely of you to share this with us dear Kimmie!

Happy Weekend to you and yours!
oxo

Becca said...

I love this! I am always looking for new ways to use copies of some old photos I have. Such a cool picture, thanks for the transfer tips!

*jean* said...

very very cool technique! i love the addition of the colored pencils and beeswax...

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh, thank you for sharing this. I have never had good luck with transfers, but now I will try again! I love seeing all that you are up too, your blog is looking very beautiful and so is your banner. Happy May to you, roxanne

Gayle at Planet M Files said...

Wow! That is so neat!

Nancy Ward said...

I posted a link to these tutorial today on my blog.

Nancy Ward
PaperFriendly
http://www.nancywardcrafts.com

Rosie said...

Love your special touches Kimmie. They work so well! And, what adorable boys your Dad and his brothers were!