A couple weeks ago I made some time to get back into crafting. I wanted to try the ‘picture-to-wood-transfer’ for a while, but never got around actually doing it. Looking back at it now, I really should have done this sooner! Not only because I really enjoyed it, but also because it does not take that much time and certainly does not require specific skills.

I started looking for a suitable picture and ended up choosing a more ‘arty’ one. I thought that might work well on the rough background the wood provides. I flipped the picture (since it would end up mirrored on the wood) and adjusted the colour settings so it would fit with the colour of the wood.

                    This was the original picture (Piano Busker – Facebook)

                         Same picture, flipped around and adjusted colours

In my first attempt I made the mistake to print the picture on proper photo paper. However, for the project I had in mind, this did not seem to be a good idea. The photo paper had too much of a protection layer built in that made it difficult to get water absorbed,  hence difficult to get a proper transfer of the picture on the wood. So, my first attempt was rather unsuccessful I am afraid.
I printed the picture again, this time on regular printing paper and glued the paper onto the wood (with the image itself facing the wood) and left it overnight. In the morning I started wetting the picture using my fingertips and water, gently rubbing the paper of the wood.                                      Wet picture and taking of the paper

As the paper comes loose, the ink remains on the wood and your picture is transferred!

                                                       Transferred picture

Because I wanted to make it more durable and give it as a ‘present’, I finished off with some hooks on the back of the wooden panel (so it could be hung up) and varnish to protect the picture.

And yes, that’s all it was!!