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Warhol-Inspired Image Transfer Project

Time: 2-3 Class Periods
Difficulty: Advanced
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:
Project Kit (see Products Used below steps)
Foam Brayer
Ink Tray
Scissors
Paint Brush
Digital Camera
Computer with Photoshop (or similar software)
Printer

Materials needed if not using Project Kit:
9x12" Drawing Paper
Grafix Clear Film
Omni-Gel Transfer Medium
Fluorescent Block Printing Inks
Foam Brayer
Ink Tray
Scissors
Paint Brush
Digital Camera
Computer with Photoshop (or similar software)
Printer
View Project Video



Create your own Andy Warhol portrait with Omni-Gel and Speedball Fluorescent Block Ink! This project also has an instructional video available!

Click here to print a PDF of this project

Steps

  • Step 1
    Take a portrait with a digital camera.


  • Step 2
    Use Photoshop or a similar program to create a high contrast black & white image. For this example, we adjusted the threshold levels to increase the contrast. When finished, print the image.

  • Step 3
    Place a piece of Grafix clear film on top of the picture and trace the outline of the head and shoulders. Cut apart so that you have a background piece and a foreground piece.


  • Step 4
    Using a soft foam brayer, roll out the first color of Speedball Fluorescent Block Printing Ink in the ink tray. Lay the background piece on 9x12" printmaking paper and apply the ink with the brayer. Using a soft foam brayer allows the ink to lay down better. Let the ink dry.

  • Step 5
    Repeat step 4 with a different color of ink and the foreground piece.


  • Step 6
    To make the transfer, brush the portrait with one coat of Omni-Gel, making vertical, top-to-bottom brush strokes. Allow the Omni-Gel to dry, then brush on a second layer with horizontal, left-to-right strokes. After the second layer is dry, brush on a final layer with horizontal, right-to-left strokes and allow to dry.

  • Step 7
    Soak the portrait in water. When the print is saturated, rub off the paper from the back.

  • Step 8
    Cut out the transfer to match the foreground.


  • Step 9
    Brush the entire surface of the inked paper with Omni-Gel and adhere the transfer.


  • Optional Tip 1
    Make three more transfers with different colors of block printing ink. Mount them on foam board or matboard to create a 4-piece print that mimics Andy Warhol’s prints.


Products Used