As promised, I have a quick time lapse video to share with you today! This one features Artisan Enhancements Transfer Gel, Pearl Plaster and Scumble Glaze!
Have a look and then scroll down to the bottom of this post if you are interested in the step by step details involved in creating this finish!
I found this beautiful authentic vintage tinted photo on Etsy and had it printed to fit my cabinet door at my local UPS Store on their laser color printer. Your image must be laser printed to work with the Transfer Gel. If the image had any text on it, I would have needed it printed in reverse in order for it to transfer correctly.
I painted my cabinet door first, but I have also transferred images directly onto wood, so I know that works too! I like to transfer onto a smooth finish, so I lightly sand my painted board before painting an even coat of Transfer Gel onto it. I apply it with a brush but you can also roll it on, just make sure you put enough on that the image is really going to adhere, but not so thick that it's drippy and oozing out the sides. Lay down your printed image immediately, before the gel starts to dry. Smooth the paper out carefully with your fingers, avoiding creases and bubbles if possible.
Allow the gel to dry completely. I usually let mine dry overnight but I have left them for several days and still had good luck with the image transferring.
Once dry, you are ready to carefully remove the paper fibers from your project to reveal the transferred image. Roll up your sleeves, grab a damp sponge and don't rush it!
It’s important to know and remember that the image is supposed to sit on top of the Transfer Gel, so if you rub too hard and rub away the gel, you will also rub away the image. I strongly recommend practicing this process once or twice on a sample board before attempting to transfer an image onto a surface that you have gone to a lot of work to prepare. As tempting as it may be, don’t use the scrubby side of a sponge to remove the paper! Just roll the paper pulp gently with your fingers, and do your best to be patient with this process. It will be well worth your effort!
You should know that as many times as I have done this, I always end up with areas where I've rubbed a little too hard and removed some of the image. I like to think it adds to the antique look of the image and I play it up by further distressing the rest of the paint finish. Even the image transfer masters admit that their transfers aren't perfect, at first. Many will come back and "touch up" their image with their paint palette and a small brush when all is said and done.
When I was satisfied with my image transfer, I had some fun creating a raised stencil relief with Artisan Enhancements Pearl Plaster. I used the Leafy Scroll stencil from Artisan Enhancements for this one after I made a few adjustments to it with my scissors so that it would lay flat inside of the cupboard door's "frame." If you want to read more about raised stencil reliefs, have a look at my Crown Jewels project. I go into more detail about the process there and although I used Artisan Enhancements Fine Stone for that one, the technique is the same.
Artisan Enhancements Scumble is a tintable glaze-like medium. I created my own custom glaze for this project by adding about a teaspoon of Pearl Plaster and a teaspoon of Provence Chalk Paint® to 5 teaspoons of Scumble. I brushed this mixture all over my piece (after the raised relief was completely dry) and let it sit for about two minutes before wiping it back with a damp sponge. I played with the glaze for a bit, adding more and wiping it back again until I was happy with the effect.
I chose Clear Finish by Artisan Enhancements to seal this project when it was finished and completely dry. Clear Finish is a protective sealer that provides some sheen which was what I needed to highlight the shimmer of the Pearl Plaster glaze and relief.
To see if there is an Artisan Enhancements retailer near you, visit www.artisanenhancements.com and enter your zip code on the "find a retailer" page. The full line of Artisan Enhancements products and stencils are also available to order online here: https://shop.
Thank you so much for your visit today! More projects are in the works and will be shared soon, so please be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and if you're a fan of the videos, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
Sharing With:
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