As I mentioned in Embracing procrastination in a creative project, I delayed starting to work on my Sketchbook Project until three weeks before the deadline. I was determined not to make this a crisis, but rather embrace producing what I could in the time I had.
Citra-solv transfers
I have been playing with melting magazine photos with Citra-solv then scanning then into the computer and using it as a background for drawing. Just as I was starting to wonder what I was going to do for my sketchbook, a new video appeared on the Citra-solv facebook page showing how I could transfer images I printed on my laser printer.
 | I was just back from The Canvas Art Bar where I created a small painting that has a mask like feel to it. I scanned it into the computer and mirrored it in each quadrant. I then printed it out on the laser printer. |
 | I decided to use Citra-solv to transfer the image into the centerfold of the sketchbook. I folded the laser print in half so it would lay better into the sketchbook with the printed side toward the paper. I then painted Citra-solv onto the back of the image and rubbed it with the back of a spoon. |
 | The transfer had the worn look I was looking for, but not as much vibrancy as I wanted. Later in the process I worked back into the image with metallic pigments mixed into Gum Arabic. |
Next I decided to use one of the Citra-solv melted backgrounds I had scanned in. I’ve been fascinated by reptiles and amphibians for a long time, and I’ve always had a sense that they carry secrets. So I decided to use them to hold part of the message I was sending into the world.
 | I drew the outline of the lizard on a new layer in Photoshop. Underneath that I colored in the lizard and painted patterns. Not exactly a quick process. I coded the my overall message in the background and the specific page code on the lizards back. |
 | I printed out the image, flipped it over, painted the Citra-solv on the back, and rubbed across with the back of the spoon. Good thing there are mirror codes, so when I forgot to print the image out in reverse, I could embrace the reversal as another level of code. The first of a series of opportunities to let go of perfection. |
 | I certainly got a worn look, but it was really hard to read. I also lost the detail in the lizard which would be fine, except it took a long time to draw, and now you couldn't see it. The code was particularly hard to see, so I drew into it with Sharpie marker, which the Citra-solv partially dissolved. I ended up coloring back into this image with colored pencils to add back some contrast. |
Then, I ran out of laser toner. Next solution?
I thought I would try to use a combination between melting magazine photos and the transfer technique to lay backgrounds right into the sketchbook. I coated the pages of a National Geographic and waited. This time instead of creating interesting patterns, it just loosened up the ink a bit.
 | Apparently the magazine was too old. The process works better with magazines less than ten years old, and the ones I tried were from the mid 90's. Since I had a Citra-solv soaked magazine I thought I'd just start rubbing it on the pages of the sketchbook anyway. |
 | I decided to embrace the randomness of the patterns, and just go with it. It did create a worn kind of look. And it was a way to get something on a lot of pages fast. After I finished I had a moment of panic. What kind of mess did I just make? And what was I going to do with it? |
One good thing, the Citra-solv made the sketchbook smell like oranges.
Other posts about the Sketchbook Project
Embracing procrastination in a creative project
Solving problems when short on time
Greeting challenge with creativity
Sketchbook Project: Putting it together
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First of all, I want a Canvas Art Bar here!!!
Second–thanks for sharing–love that washed out messy look! I never heard of CitraSolv so now will have to check it out. Looks like it could do some interesting stuff, plus I like the whole concept of it in terms of the kind of art I’m thinking about lately.
And yet another reason for Michele to come back to Portland
Citra-solv is great stuff. I have used it for many years for cleaning, just recently started using it for art applications. It is lots of fun, definitely try it. Just make sure you get the concentrate.
Oooh, love that mask one, and your lovely lizard.
I’ve heard of artists making terrific accidental discoveries with Citrasolv, but haven’t tried it myself.
I’ve played around with transfers just a little bit, and recently got a new book by Bonnie Pierce Lhotka called Digital Alchemy that uses Purell as a transfer medium, if you can believe it.
I’m so glad you’re posting pics of your sketchbook…. It is so much fun to see what another artist does with a theme.
Citra-solv is like playing with magic. Very fun.
The book looks great. Now I have to decide if I am actually going to stay with my commitment to not buy more books before I read the pile I have…..
I had the opportunity to see this sketchbook in it’s entirety some days back. While the pictures were wonderful and dreamy, the feel of the book was what I found most amazing. The pages did not lay flat (from water? Citra-Solv?) which made the book feel as if it had been read countless times over many years, and I believe that 100 years from now someone will find it and say with delight as they turn it over in their hands… “What a curious little book!”
Great job on this project Christine!
Thanks Gina, it is really different looking at the pages out of the whole context. The other thing I noticed is the sheen from the metallic doesn’t really show in the photos, so you don’t get the subtle color change that happens when you shift the angle of the pages.