A 100% non-profit Art Publication                                                Click on any of the Menu Buttons
located on Route 66                                                                                            on the left and cruise
in the Galaxies of Cyberspace!                                                                   to your favorite hot spots.

Rubber Road
Scenic Byway:

Reverse Transparency Stamping

By M. Elizabeth Lee
Rubber Roadsters
Publisher/Editor/Designer/Writer 

The giraffe is definitely a favorite among jungle animal lovers.  This framed art piece portrays the giraffe amid his favorite leaves with added decoration adorned on the outside of the frame.  The technique used to create the giraffe is Reverse Transparency Stamping.  I specially developed this process to share with my friends and readers.  In the past, I have created decorative oil paintings on glass, but now wanted something simply elegant and related to rubber stamping. I decided to experiment with acrylic painting on stamped transparency film.  The end results are totally “Fast and Fabulous!”  I hope you will give this technique a try!

Supplies:

•    Giraffe Stamp (Art Impressions)
•    Animal Print Stamp (Magenta)
•    Green Leaf patterned paper cut to size: 3½" x 5½"
•    Coordinating green cardstock cut to size: 4" x 6"
•    Transparency file cut to size: 4" x 6"
•    Scrap of White cardstock (Royal Fiber)
•    Rocky Mountain archival dye ink stamp pad (TAC)
•    Black India archival dye ink stamp pad (TAC)
•    Brush Marker #195 (Tombow)
•    Brush Marker #970 (Tombow)
•    Burnt Sienna acrylic paint (DecoArtAmericana)
•    French Vanilla acrylic paint (DecoArtAmericana)
•    Cream Hemp beading twine, 6 strands cut to 24" each
•    Liner Paint Brush #2 or #3
•    2 Old Gold 1/8" eyelets
•    Mini hole puncher
•    Eyelet setter and hammer
•    8 Green Glass Eye beads, 6mm
•    Wrought Iron Punch (EK Success)
•    Heat Tool
•    Frame measures 6¾" x 6¾" with a 4" x 6" picture opening (Connoisseur)

Instructions:

1.  Stamp the Giraffe image on the front side of the transparency film using Rocky Mountain archival dye ink stamp pad by TAC.  Speed dry using heat tool taking care not to overheat the transparency film.   

2.  Reverse the film and paint over the giraffe spots and eye on the back side using Burnt Sienna acrylic paint.  Complete painting the rest of the giraffe in French Vanilla acrylic paint.  Hold transparency film up to light and check for any missed spots. Good coverage is desired to avoid the background pattern from showing through.  Apply the paint in stokes allowing some streaking.  This enhances the shading of the image.   

3.  Punch the green leaf patterned paper with the Wrought Iron punch in each corner.  Apply a piece of double sided Scotch tape to the back side of the green leaf paper at the top, bottom, and sides.  Attach to the matching solid green card stock.  Slip transparency design and patterned paper backing into frame.  It is not necessary for them to be attached.  The frame will hold everything in place. 

4.  However, for making a card, lay the transparency film right side up and run through a Xyron Machine for adhesion.  Then, attach the wrong side of the transparency film with adhesive to the right side of the pattern paper. 

5.  For the frame decoration, stamp the giraffe animal print with Black India archival ink stamp pad by TAC onto the white cardstock.  Color the green leaves with Tombow marker #195.  Color the veins of the giraffe print with Tombow marker #970.  Paint over the spots and inside diamond shape using Burnt Sienna Acrylic paint.  When dry, punch two mini holes in each end of diamond shape and set with the two old gold eyelets.   

6.  Refer to photo for visual guidance.  Double 3 strands of the Hemp beading twine and larkshead knot through eyelet in the giraffe skin pattern.  Drop down one inch and tie an overhand knot.  Slide a green eye bead onto center cord and pull up next to the knot.  Tie another overhead knot right next to the bead.  Repeat this process once more time.  Duplicate the same process for the other eyelet.  Place a piece of foam tape on the back side of the giraffe skin pattern and center on empty space on the outside of the frame.   Angle the cords at the top and bottom into a V formation and tie off at the back of the frame to the strands in place. 

Please note that for this giraffe piece, the stamped image was completed on the front side of the transparency film while the back side was painted.  This allowed the giraffe to face towards the right. 

previously published on SS Reflections

If you would like to print this technique, click here.  Once you've saved or printed the technique sheet, use your browser's back button to return.

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to obtain this file.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click here to download and install.