Newspaper print transfer examples by Fiona Phipps

Some are white gesso, white acrylic and coloured acrylic on cheap watercolour paper and sugar paper, which is more like a card. It seems to work better on the sugar paper, especially if it has had a coat of gesso prior to adding acrylic on top. As I mentioned in the write up, it’s a matter of trial and error. If you have any questions let me know.

Thank you Fiona. This could be useful as an article!

To great effect Fiona

Michael it’s upside down and a mirror image, I’m not surprised you can’t understand it! So you will need a mirror and to stand on your head.....let me know what it says.....lol. Hope it makes sense along with the text, I might see if I can copy and paste the text to here.

I hope this verbal demo will make sense, for those of you who are interested in the newspaper print transfer technique. My art tutor (Davy Brown) demonstrated this way of adding texture to our work a couple of years ago when we did our term of ‘nooks & crannies’. It’s especially effective used for adding texture to buildings and walls etc. You will need newspaper, acrylic paint (lighter colours are more effective, white being the best I’ve found) your surface, ie paper, card, canvas, board etc. I’ve tried this method using white and black gesso too but the black doesn’t work at all and the white gesso isn’t as good as paint. Select the pieces of newspaper you want to use before you start, as you don’t have very much time once you apply the paint because of it drying out too quickly. You can use the print, or any pictures from the paper....I used pictures from the times travel paper for this. Okay, so you have your surface ready, your chosen cut out or torn pieces of newspaper, your acrylic paint and a brush. I use an old hog hair brush as it gives an added texture from the stiff bristles. Load your brush, you don’t want to spread it too thin but you don’t want it too thick either on to your surface....use horizontal and vertical strokes to get some bristle marks in the paint. Then place the newspaper print on to the paint, rub the back and smooth it in to the paint.....this bit will be trial and error, as you don’t want to leave it on more than 30 seconds to a minute. It will all depend on how thick your paint is, you want to be able to peel the newspaper from the paint before it sticks permanently. I usually lift a corner and star peeling it off, if I can see that it has transferred remove it entirely, if not, rub it back down and leave a little longer. It doesn’t take long, believe it or not different newspapers behave differently. The cheaper ones are usually better.

Crikey! I think I’ve grasped all g to hat info... It’s very interesting actually, and I can definitely see a place for it as a texture on buildings etc, so many possibilities. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Really like this composition Fiona.

I stood on my head yesterday, a failed crow pose .... Those who do yoga will know that this pose is when you try to balance your knees on your arms without falling on your head. Since last year I have been wearing a hair clip on top of my head so that is something to consider. It is a bit hard to land on! Thank you Fiona. This is something to consider. I hope to print tomorrow.

Hope you find it useful if ever you want to ‘scruff up’ anything! Ouch Gudrun, yes I know the pose. I use to be able to do it, haven’t tried it for a few years.....might give it a go but with plants of cushions.

Brilliant! Thanks very much!

Love these textural effects Fiona will definitely have a try! Thanks for sharing.

This is fascinating, Fiona. I’ve done similar, but used photo transfer gel after reading an article in the ‘Artist Magazine’ by Robert Dutton in December 2019 issue. I found it tricky to use, but it didn’t put me off. I’ve got quite a lot of the gel left, so I might just have another go! I love experimenting with new techniques, and pushing boundaries. Just to see what works and what doesn’t.

Hope you have a go ladies, and this lot help.

Thanks for this Fiona, very interesting as I had not heard of it before.

No problem Diane, I may do something else with the technique.