How to Copy Magazine Photos Onto Transfer Paper
Transfer paper is a useful artist tool that can be used to trace images onto a canvas. Transfer paper is made of graphite, so it doesn't leave residue or grease on your canvas. For instance, perhaps you want to draw a picture of a woman using a reference photo from a magazine. Using transfer paper, you can copy the photo onto graphite, and the tracing will immediately be transferred to your paper. Once copied, you can create your own drawing or painting based on the magazine photo. All the supplies you'll need you can find at an art supplies store.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Magazine page
- Photocopier
- Scissors
- Clear tape
- Transfer paper
- Mechanical pencil
- Painter's tape
- Art paper or canvas
Instructions
-
-
1
Tear out the magazine photo you want to use.
-
2
Make a photocopy of the photo---ideally a color photocopy, so you can accurately trace the colors, hues and shadows in the photo.
-
-
3
Place the photocopy on top of some graphite paper. Cut out a piece of transfer paper that is the same size as the image.
-
4
Gently place some clear tape on the corners of the image to secure the photo to the transfer paper. The dark side (messy side) of the transfer paper should face down against your canvas and the light side should be face-up against your magazine photo.
-
5
Place some painter's tape between the transfer paper and the canvas. It's a good idea to use this artist tape because it doesn't leave residue and is easy to remove. Make sure the transfer paper is positioned exactly as you want it on the canvas.
-
6
Press down on the tape on the magazine photo and the tape on the canvas. You want to make sure the tape is secure before transferring the photos because it's difficult to realign everything.
-
7
Begin tracing the image in the magazine photo using a mechanical pencil. Mechanical pencils have a sharp point, so they are ideal for tracing purposes. Draw directly on the photocopy, tracing every single outline in the image. You also want to mark along each change in color, so you'll be able to paint accurately. Outline different hues as well as shadows in the photo.
-
8
Lift up a very small corner of the image and transfer paper to check on the tracing. It's important to make sure you are pressing hard enough (but also gentle enough). If you press down too hard, you will get dark lines on the canvas and the graphite may smudge on the canvas. Realign the papers to continue tracing.
-
9
Carefully remove the painter's tape from the canvas. Lift up one corner at a time. Check over the image carefully and leave one side taped down in case you need to retrace something.
-
10
Remove all of the tape to reveal your copied image on the canvas. Now you can begin drawing, coloring or painting the image.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit drawing night image by ewa kubicka from Fotolia.com
