How do I Transfer a Real Picture Onto White Boards?

Create art with your dry erase whiteboard.

Many artists use photo transfers to make narrative, or story-telling, art; they "appropriate" other artists' work and integrate it into the statement they're making. Using whiteboards in your artwork gives your work a sense of transience and irony since traditionally artists want to make long-lasting work, yet ink work done on a slippery whiteboard is so easily erased. When you transfer your photo on to your white board, it will be as permanent as any paint work you'd do on the board, but you can use ink around the image to tell your story, even changing the story over time with new words and pictures.

Things You'll Need

• Picture
• Photocopier
• Blank piece of tracing paper matching your image's size
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Whiteboard
• Acrylic gloss medium
• 2 inch wide, soft brush
• Damp sponge
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Photocopy your picture; if you don't have a copy machine, go to a copy center where you can inexpensively make your duplicate. High contrast, clear images will transfer best. Your photocopy can be color or black and white.

2. Place your tracing paper over your image and trace the outline of your image. Cut around the outline and discard the inner piece, leaving only the cut-out paper that surrounded the outline. Cut out your photocopied image, as well.

3. Tape the outer part of your tracing paper outline to your whiteboard; place it over the area where you want to transfer your photocopied photo.

4. Dip your brush into the acrylic medium. Brush a thin layer of medium onto the white board in the open area inside the tracing paper taped to the board. Remove the tracing paper and discard it.

5. Place your cut-out image face-down exactly over the area where you just applied the medium. Press it firmly against the medium, making sure all areas adhere. Allow the picture to dry overnight.

6. Blot the entire back of your paper with your damp sponge. Allow the water to soften the paper. After a few minutes, begin peeling your paper off the whiteboard. Gently rub at stubborn areas with a soft cloth.

7. Allow your work to dry for another 2 to 3 days before adding other elements to your whiteboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Tint your gloss medium with acrylic paint to give the medium a little color. Some websites, such as the "Incredible Art Department", claim that you don't need to wait overnight to lift your image: as little as 5 minutes could suffice. Pull up a corner of the image to check for transfer progress.

• Some mediums contain chemicals that may be harmful when inhaled. Work in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Incredible Art Department: Photo Transfer Mixed Media
• Golden Paints: Applications and Techniques: Direct Image Transfers
• Liquitex:Techniques: Transferring Images

Resources

• Silver Clay: Image Transfer Solution
• Art E Zine: Image Transfers with the Blender Pen