Transparency Art

by dave spencer in Craft > Art

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Transparency Art

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My first thought was to try to make pictures of my kids that looked like old Disney animation cells. This just ended up happening instead so I will have to post an animation cell instructable later.

This is really easy and does not take a lot of time unless you do the glass etching I did.

Please check out my other instructables and I also have a diy podcast called mechanicalmashup.tv

The Picture

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I just found a great picture of my kids and opened it up with photo-shop. I chose one with a plain background to give the picture more depth and clarity.

click filter, stylize, photocopy. Play with the levels a bit until you are happy and voila! It's that easy.

The Frame

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I just bought a cheap frame from Wal-mart. I think I paid about $2 for it. I marked a rectangle in the wood back by measuring in from all sides an equal amount. You can do it any size you want. Cut out the rectangle with a jigsaw or whatever works that you have on hand. I spray-painted mine black but any color that goes with your decor is cool.

Mounting the Image

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Print out your image onto a transparency. Place it onto the back (non painted) side of the frame so it lines up how you like it. I just used masking tape to hold it in place.

Now find a cool place to hang it. Try a wall with some texture to it so it shows through the frame.

Don't hang it in a high traffic area unless you enjoy explaining to people how you did it.

Bonus Points

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I thought I would go the extra mile and put some text onto the glass via a chemical etch. I just printed out the text in a cool font on a mailing label. After about an hour of carefully cutting and peeling with an exacto-knife, I had a stencil. Apply a glass etching solution available from craft stores. Wait about 20 minutes (read your bottle to be sure) and wash off. Peel the paper and you have an awsome addition to your cool art.