It’s been 13 plus months since our wedding and I still have not picked the photos for our wedding album. I also haven’t helped my parents do theirs yet, which I promised to do (several times). Why is this task so daunting? Has anyone else experienced this extreme photo album procrastination? To make it up to my mom I made her a little gift which I would surprise her with ths weekend if I was a good daughter. Instead, I’ll blast it on the Internet first because…well… that’s what crazy bloggers do. Now why didn’t I use this time instead to order our darn albums already? I don’t know. This is just how my silly world goes.
I actually can’t believe this DIY actually works. I saw it on a few other crafty sites (including a particular favorite: A Beautiful Mess) and it just seemed like something that would work for other people, but not for me. But then my sister posted some image transfer techniques (on jars here and on paper here) and so I decided to give it a whirl.
But it works, it really does. I don’t understand how- at all, but try it and see!
Canvas Photo Transfer (tutorial source: A Beautiful Mess)
Materials:
Materials:
Stretched Canvas (I used 8x10s found at Michaels on sale – 10 for $14)
Gel Medium (I used Liquidex – any art/craft store should have this)
Paint Brush
Little bowl of water
Image or Images, a laser copy (NOT on photo paper, on regular paper and printed on a laser printer) (I tried the photo paper, big fail) ** see note below on types of photos
Directions:
1. Cover the workspace you are working on with newspaper or something.
1. Cover the workspace you are working on with newspaper or something.
2. Paint your canvas with gel medium. Use a heavy coat to cover completely and make sure to get the corners.
3. Press the image paper onto the canvas and try to push out all air bubbles. Let it dry overnight. REMEMBER: The photo will be reversed so make sure your photo works that way.
4. After your image is completely dry, wet the top of the paper with water.
5. Rub the surface with your fingers in a circular motion until pieces of the paper start coming off. As the paper peels off, your image will be revealed. Continue until all the paper is removed and the image is completely visible. At this point, I still had a lot of little wet pieces of paper on the canvas so I ran it under the faucet quickly. Try not to drench it, just do it enough to wash it all away.
6. Cover your canvas with another layer of gel medium. This will seal and protect the image.
*one important thing to note: one reader seemed to only has success with lighter photos (avoid photos with very dark colors or backgrounds which may not result in a clear finished product).
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Fortunately, I didn’t see this post so I’ll be surprised when I get it…….xoxo
Awesome!
It’s been almost 6 years and I still haven’t picked out my wedding photos
So glad I’m not the only one!
So beautiful. Please bring your extra gel medium and canvases this weekend. xoxo
Did you place photo side down or up on canvas? Have seen several similar tutorials, but wasn’t sure…. Thanks! (We’ve been married 23-1/2 years & I haven’t done an album w/ our pics either)
Yes, the photo side down! Sorry, I’ll clarify that on the tutorial. Love that you have been married that long and still haven’t done your pics! Never too late?
This is beautiful! One question though, should the image be trimmed to 8×10 (or whatever size the canvas is) prior to starting? Thanks!
I left mine the full paper size and just tore the paper once it was wet. It would work well cutting first too, but I sort of like the worn/torn/not-so-perfect edges. Thanks for reading Karen!
Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told was a amusement account it.
Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?