• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Join the Waitlist!
  • Log In

Women Create Weekly

Find Yourself Through Art

in creativity

Graphite Transfers: How to Transfer Your Design to Your Watercolor Paper

Note: this page will be continually updated with informational videos and links, so bookmark/save this to come back to later!
Also, this page contains affiliate links to help bless my family. Thanks for visiting, friend!

How do I put my design on my watercolor paper?

My friend I have 4 answers:

  1. Use a light table
  2. Use a window
  3. Graphite paper
  4. #2 Pencil Graphite transfer

#4 is the easiest and cheapest route, though any option will get the job done. Read more below to decide for yourself!

1. Light Table

  • Layer 1: light table
  • Layer 2: Design you want to transfer printed on copy paper. (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • Layer 3: watercolor paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • On top! Draw lightly with pencil on watercolor paper.

I have a non-LED version of this light table I’ve had a while, but there looks to be lots of fun slim options now.

2. Use a Window

While any window can technically become a Lightbox, there are few things that will give you success.

  1. First, it’s best to be a sunny day.
  2. Choose a window that has the light coming directly in.
  3. Use papers that are thinner– you don’t want to have to trace through watercolor paper and cardstock.
  • Layer 1: window with a lot of light coming in.
  • Layer 2: Design you want to transfer printed on copy paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • Layer 3: watercolor paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • On top! Draw lightly with pencil on watercolor paper.

Note: North-facing windows will never have direct sunlight if you’re in mainland USA.

3. Graphite Paper

  • Layer 1: watercolor paper (gently secure with masking tape)
  • Layer 2: Graphite paper, darker side down  (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • Layer 3: Design you want to transfer printed on copy paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • On top! Draw with colored pen or pencil on printed design. Adjust pressure according to preference.

Downside: While this method is rockin’ awesome for acrylic painting, the bold graphite lines do not erase (at least the brand I bought) for watercolor.
So keep that in mind if it fits for your project. Typically it’s okay to have pencil lines showing, but it shouldn’t detract from the artwork itself.

4. #2 Pencil: Graphite Transfer

  • Beforehand: messily draw with a pencil and good amount of pressure on the BACK of your printable about where the lines are. You can cover the whole area, or just where the design is. Easier to see when placed on light table, using regular copy paper. The darker the scribbles, the better it will transfer.
    (Do NOT do this on top of your watercolor paper or you might transfer the actual design backwards)
  • Layer 1: watercolor paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • Layer 2: Design you want to transfer printed on copy paper, design facing up as expected, so scribbled graphite faces watercolor paper (gently secure on one side with masking tape)
  • On top! Draw with colored pen or pencil on printed design.

Note, for all of these, it’s a good idea to place your hand by the tape and gently peek to make sure the transfer is successful partway through. Avoid shifting layers or you’ll get a messy transfer that doesn’t line up correctly.

 

I’ll have a cute video soon, but hopefully this will get you going! The sky is the limit on what you can transfer and create!

Leave a Comment

« What Watercolor Supplies Should I Buy?
Easy Birthday Cards: How to make birthdays artistically special »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

More about Amber

I am Amber! I grew up in Upstate NY making cards and crafts and paintings with my artist mother. She taught me from a young age to love creating, and I am grateful to share that love with you. I have 4 children and a nerdy stats professor husband, living in the woods of South Jersey. Read about this creative journey…

Nitty Gritty

  • Terms
  • Work With Me
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • About

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

womencreateweekly

Art doesn’t have to be hard
🎨 inspiration to live your creative life
Online🎨class: LIVE monthly projects

Watercolor Art With Amber 🎨
I decided to paint 100 skies for my #100daysprojec I decided to paint 100 skies for my #100daysproject and I finally broke open my @drphmartins bleedproof white on these #galaxy night skies
Two images to show a major shift I had the other n Two images to show a major shift I had the other night. As parents we work really hard, and often have to deal with stressors and the heaviness of life. Sometimes the people we care most about get the crumbs of our emotional energy and attention. (Even if they’re getting our face time, we may not be fully present). I worked really hard for 2 months on some big projects (one being a 50-video beginner watercolor course!!) and my daughter wished we’d do something together. But I’m exhausted. Yet, I a few nights ago I took a breath and 5-4-3-2-1 decided to make a fun mini date before bedtime (thanks #melrobbins). We made matching hair in 2 minutes and then painted some watercolor valentines together. It really wasn’t a big deal, and didn’t take a lot of time. As she went to bed, she hugged me extra tight and told me I was such a good mom. Nice to hear, but I didn’t need her words to know I’d made the right choice, and that it really wasn’t even that hard. Something I thought I didn’t have the energy to do, was now done!! What about you… what in YOUR life are you deciding not to put off any longer? I wanna hear about it.
When was the last time you took yourself to lunch? When was the last time you took yourself to lunch? Only you, no coworkers, friends, or partners. #selfhealerssoundboard podcast mentioned this a few months ago, but I didn’t do it. It was only after feeling down for a few days after releasing my new watercolor course, that I realized I wasn’t celebrating. 50 videos with logical steps building a secure foundation is something to be proud of, but I was too burnt out to see it. Take a pause and with a birds’ eye view, what needs celebrating in your life? Maybe you cleaned a junk drawer finally, or sent a difficult text, or got recognized at work. Tell me… what will you celebrate? #selfcare #selfcoaching #celebrateyourself
Celebrating my 3rd child for being a decade old to Celebrating my 3rd child for being a decade old tonight... what are you doing to bring in the new year?!
Looking back on an amazing 2022! We've grown in the number of members, I surpassed my overall business profit goals, and I am launching my signature watercolor course in mid-January. I'm so grateful my soul craves to create, and the feeling I get when I do it regularly. Thank you for being here, my friend. I can't wait to see what 2023 will bring.
Hard to believe 2022 is almost coming to an end! M Hard to believe 2022 is almost coming to an end! Merry Christmas everyone! Anyone else still shopping??
You guys. I just went to Hobby Lobby to buy ribbon You guys. I just went to Hobby Lobby to buy ribbon to match bookmarks to sell at my very first vendor fair Saturday. And I found a cute new blank bullet journal for 2023. At checkout I put my bookmarks off to the side out of the way while she rang up my ribbon and journal. She turned and asked if I’d paid for the bookmarks yet. I caught a breath and beamed back, “I made those!” And she said she thought they were one of theirs. I snapped this when she turned away to remember this moment. :) :) maybe someday I’ll be in #hobbylobby but for now wish me luck Saturday!!
I want to serve you. My email friends got a head s I want to serve you. My email friends got a head start on you, and I'd like your feedback as well. For Black Friday I'm going to be offering a Pre-sale of a brand new course, which will release in January. I have 6 options i'd love you to tell me which. Comment the number of which you're interested! 
1: Watercolor Essentials course
2: Modern Brush lettering course
3: Mindful watercolor meditation practice course
4: Lettering and Word Design course
5: Self-exploration and creativity workbook
6: Year-long seasonal watercolor project ebook
7: I want anything you’ll offer

Tell me so I can figure out which one to create. There's almost a 3-way tie in my email poll!
Something sweet for a 5 year old… hope she loves Something sweet for a 5 year old… hope she loves it! Only one more “sleep” until her big day!! #birthdaycake #watercolorcake
Load More Follow on Instagram
· Copyright © 2023 · Women Create Weekly ·