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How to Transfer a Photograph to an Art Canvas

Sometimes photographs are used as inspiration for a painting. Other times, they are used to capture a specific moment in time so that the painter can refer to them as he recreates the scenes on his canvas. A third option is to actually transfer the photograph directly onto the canvas for complete accuracy. This can be done quite easily with just a few basic tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat Surface
  • Scanner
  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Transfer Paper
  • Plain White Paper
  • Pencil
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Digitally resize your photograph to fit the canvas size. You can do this by scanning the photo into your computer, and changing the size dimensions by choosing the "edit picture" option in your computer's photo editing program. If a scanner is not available to you, this can be done at any local print shop.

    • 2

      Print the photograph out on plain white paper.

    • 3

      Place your canvas on a flat surface. Place a piece of your transfer paper--with the graphite side facing the canvas--on top of the canvas. Place your printed image on top of the transfer paper.

    • 4

      Tape the transfer paper and your photo to the canvas to hold them in place. Make sure they are placed exactly where you want your image to appear on your canvas.

    • 5

      Use a pencil to trace over the main lines of the photograph. Press down firmly as you trace.

    • 6

      Remove the photo and the transfer paper from your canvas. An outline of the photograph, and it's details, will be left behind in graphite from the transfer paper. You can then fill it in with the art materials of your choice.

Fine Art

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