Gesso photo transfer to tin

 Supplies Needed:
• Gesso
• Photos printed on cheap copier paper - color or B & W
• Tin cut to size - I use tin roof flashing. Cheap and has a nice
thickness to it. Doesn’t crease when you unroll it like a thinner sheet
would.
• Sand Paper - Fine Grit (100+ grit)
• Brushes
• Water Container
• Briar or similar roller
• Paper towels or rags for sopping
• Table cloth
• Heat gun (optional)
• PVA (optional)

Instructions:
1. Sand the tin until it’s no longer shiny. This helps the gesso stick.
2. Apply gesso to the sanded side of the tin. Gesso doesn’t need to
be applied thickly. A thick coat equals longer dry times.
3. Before gesso begins to dry, press image (face down) onto the
gessoed surface.
1. Tip: Image will be reversed once applied. If you have text in
your image, you may want to flip the image prior to printing.
4. Briar/roll/rub out any air bubbles to avoid creating voids in the
image.
5. Dry fully. It is better to allow extra dry time. If the gesso isn’t fully
dried prior to the next step, paper will tear, image will not stick in
that area and you’ll end up with a void in the image.
6. Once gesso is fully dry, wet the back of the paper. Get it nice and
wet, maybe let the water soak in for a few minutes to start the
breakdown process.
7. GENTLY begin rubbing tiny circles on the wet paper.
8. Small pebbles of pulp should start to form. Brush them off
frequently as they can cause extra pressure when rubbing.
9. DO NOT rub too hard! You will pull up the image.
10.Keep the paper wet by reapplying water frequently. If the paper is
dry the ink is less likely to separate from the paper.
11.Be patient. Removing the paper backing without removing the
image will take a little time, consider it mediation!
12.Once you’re finished and the piece is dry, you can seal it with PVA
or similar. Not necessary but it does help prevent the image from
fading or becoming cloudy.