Yesterday, I was playing around with some Lazertran paper that I purchased at my local art supply store and I’m quite pleased with the results. I first saw some finished projects in Paul Wandless’ book Image Transfer on Clay a few weeks ago and decided to give it a go. Lazertran can, however, be used on any number of surfaces besides clay – check out the Lazertran Gallery for specific examples. Pretty exciting!
Using Paul’s book and the instructions on the Lazertran package, I achieved great results:
To keep it simple, I used clip art to start along, with some glazed ceramic canvases that I had already prepared. This is a cold surface technique, meaning that the decal is not fired onto the finished piece. But, since these are meant for the wall and are functional – that is just fine.
After cutting out the images, I soaked the decals in water until they began to slide off the backing papers
While the decals were still damp, I positioned them onto the ceramic pieces.
Once the decals had dried, I painted on 1 light coat of real turpentine. If you’re going to try this, use the turpentine sparingly – I went over the decals a second time which caused the decal to disintegrate slightly. I don’t think it detracts from the image, but depending on the artist’s intention it could.
After the turpentine had completely dried, I sprayed on a coat of satin polyurethane to seal the image onto the glazed piece. I used Lazertran formulated for inkjet printers which dries white where there are unprinted areas. The polyurethane causes the unprinted parts to become transparent.
I think that there could be a lot of exciting possibilities using this product – including reusing original art, photographs, digital art etc. The sky really does seem like the limit here!
It’s mid-morning on Wednesday and I must get in a few hours in the Studio before taking my daughter and her friend to the Denver Art Museum this afternoon – which should be a muc more enjoyable venture compared to the last time I chaperoned a field trip there.
Wow, thanks for demonstrating this technique. I love how you can transfer even the delicate details of the dragonfly’s wings. Gorgeous!
These are fantastic! Oh I wish I could have some of those bee’s on my cake plate, but it will be well used when we get it here… so that’s probably a no go right? I still love them anyway, such great detail.
I have my lazertran but haven’t got around to using it, but I was thinking of putting it to use for my art ball art. Thanks cynthia, this is a very helpful and great post. I don’t feel quite of intimidated.
Your ceramic tiles with the transfer just look fabulous, really fabulous.
I absolutely LOVE these! Wonderful of you to write the technique instructions on there. I may try that now. They look wonderful Cynthia! Wonderful pieces!
*HUGS*
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I may have to try this out. I have had several requests for my art on tiles. These look awesome!
As you say, oodles of possibilities. My mind is running towards dragonfly pendants…
I wasn’t quite sure if the details of the art would be washed out, Peppa, but it seems like as long as it’s darker or maybe lighter than your glaze color, it will show up.
Oh, Heather, I haven’t forgotten about your cake platter… – I could do the bee lino-cut on a cake platter??
Oh, I could see you using the Lazertran in your art BT, Jafabrit! Especially since you incorporate your art work into new pieces!
It’s a lot of fun, Angela – I think you should give it a go! I think Dick Blick among other online retail spaces sell lazertran, and my local art supply did too.
That would be perfect Paula! – I loved your paintings on the pendants…good to hear from you.
The thought hasn’t escaped me, Dinah! The manufacturer even makes Lazertran for fabric transfers!
Wow! That’s really impressive! Those insects look pretty realistic… in fact, they creep me out.. gotta go! LOL
No worries, Diana – no live insects were used in this experiment!
I love the way the wings “melt” into the blue glaze.
Oooh those dragonfly transfers look really gorgeous on the blue glazed tiles! I bet there are some wonderful things you could make with those. Cyn I wish your Mom a Very Happy Birthday and oh boy now that is a cake I could dig into LOL!!
A candy cake!
These are gorgeous, Cynthia, and I enjoy reading about your processes!