Playing with Image Transfers: A Daily Practice by Courtney Cerruti

All levels | 2 hours 56 min

Playing with Image Transfers: A Daily Practice
Overview01:24
Day 1 - Set the theme and gathering your content10:58
Day 2 - Transfer text onto fabric11:23
Day 3 - Transfer images onto fabric 13:31
Day 4 - Toning and adding color17:15
Day 5 - Color Image transfer using acetone17:00
Day 6 - Gel Medium or acrylic paint transfer23:00
Day 7 - Composing your sampler11:51
Day 8 - Image transfers on ribbon07:47
Day 9 - Attaching elements15:33
Day 10 - Add 3D embellishments07:15
Day 11 - Decorative stitches13:21
Day 12 - Layering image transfers10:43
Day 13 - Evaluate02:33
Day 14 - Colophon inspired label 02:41
Day 15 - Add hanger and finishing 10:17

Taught by Courtney Cerruti

The art of image transfers is ethereal, subtle, and surprising—lingering between painterly and photographic, yet completely distinct. Author and artist, Courtney Cerruti leads you through experimentation with various transfer techniques on paper and fabric, layering them onto a foundational cloth to create a unique piece. Inspired by a theme and driven by curiosity, you'll blend language and imagery to craft a story, adding embellishments with found objects and threads. Gather images, words, and phrases from literature or any sources that inspire you, then select materials that resonate with your creative vision. Without a strict plan, the process unfolds organically, with each piece surprising and delighting in its own way.

Want to learn more image transfer techniques? Check out Courtney's other Image Transfers and Color Image Transfers on Wood classes!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Please be sure to work in a well-ventilated area

Laser-photocopies (not ink jet), in color and black & white, single-sided, in mirror image if using text
Foundational piece of woven, canvas-weight fabric roughly 12" x 18”
Scraps of white, cream- or light-colored fabrics with a very smooth surface - Courtney uses muslin, tight-weave cotton, and silk and satin ribbon
Chartpak Blender Pen
Acetone, 90-100%
Cotton balls
White or cream acrylic paint, Liquitex brand or another artist grade
Golden brand gel medium   
Stiff brush
Plastic credit card
Spray bottle of water
Bone folder
Scissors
Wax paper
Paper padding to cushion and protect your surface such as a magazine or stack of newsprint
Packing tape to stabilize thin fabrics
Embellishments and ephemera, such as buttons, sequins, and small metal objects
Sewing needle and threads, such as perle cotton embroidery floss
Straight pins
Colored pencils
Water-soluble paints, such as watercolor and acrylic paint
Watercolor brush - Courtney uses round size 6
Wide hardware store brush
Black tea, coffee, or walnut ink
Latex/rubber gloves (optional)