Shaman Staff- Part 4- Transfering Your Design to the Walking Stic-Photos

Line of type covered with wax paper.

Wednesday already!  It seems like the days just fly by.  Last blog post I showed pictures of the initial wood burning on the walking stick and described the creative process used in developing this piece of art.  Today I'm blogging on how to transfer the design to the stick.  I have written about this in the past, but it is such an important step that I thought I'd go over it again here for readers who may not have seen the earlier post.

Underside traced with colored pencil.

There are a number of methods for transferring your image.  Some image transfer methods work better on a flat surface, but the task becomes more difficult on the rounded surface of a stick.  Other methods may transfer the image well, but the image becomes smeared or rub off as you work your way around the stick or cause the ink from the image to run, letting it sink into the grain.  Some methods don't work well on wood.  I've experimented with several options, and found one that works well for me. 

Taped to the stick right side up.

There are three basic questions to ask when deciding on how to transfer an image.  Asking the questions up front will save a lot of time and aggravation.  This is particularly important in the case of a walking stick where a lot of time has been invested in harvesting and seasoning the wood.  The first question is, "How well will the method work on the material of this project?"  The second question is, "How easy is it to use?"  (Do you have adequate ventilation or need gloves or protection for work surfaces?) And finally, "How much does it cost?"  Cost can be an important factor because making art can be expensive.  I think my answers to these questions have come up with a technique that works well when transferring an image onto a walking stick.

(Once again adding pictures is giving me a hard
time.  It messed up the format.  Sorry for the
messy format.)

Ball head stylus.

Step One:  Tape your image with blue painters tape onto a smooth surface that you can bear down on.  In this case I am using a smooth disposable plastic cutting mat.  You could use a magazine if you don't have a plastic mat.  Tape a piece of waxed paper over it.  Go over each element of the letter or design with a pencil.  You can use a mechanical pencil or a regular pencil.  (You can see the waxed paper covering the line of type in the first photo if you look closely.)

Checking the image transfer.

Step Two:  Remove the piece of waxed paper.  Turn it over, so that the underside of the waxed paper is facing up.  Your design or letters will be reversed.  Tape it down with blue painter's tape.  You will be able to see the letters you traced onto the other side.  Trace over these letters with a colored pencil.

Step Three: Tape the waxed paper right side up onto the walking stick.  Make sure that the design spirals downwards enough that the paper does not cross over itself.  Changes in the width of the stick or a knot may cause the paper to try to criss cross.  Make sure the paper is flat against the stick and does not buckle.  It may be necessary to adjust the angle of the wax paper or you may need to cut some slits in the paper to make it lie flat.

Step Four:  With firm pressure use a stylus with a round point to trace over each letter or element of the design.  If you don't have such a stylus, you could use an empty ball point ink pen.  Don't use a pen that still has ink in it.  If you tear through the paper you will be scribbling ink on your stick. 

Some letters such as the letter B have more than one section.  Develop the habit of tracing all the internal portions then the external outline, or the outside then the inside.  It does not matter which way you do it so long as you are consistent with it.  If you do it haphazardly, you are more likely to miss a spot.

Step Five.  Slowly peel off the wax paper.  Check each letter or design element.  If you missed a spot align the wax paper with the letters or design that transferred well.  Go over the area again with the stylus.  If the transfer is not dark enough, color over it with your colored pencil.

This method works very well for wood burning on walking sticks.  It does not rub off easily.  The project can sit for days and the design will still be on the stick.  However, I only transfer a small section at a time.  Wood burning on a stick requires that the stick to be handled and rotated frequently.  Too much handling could cause the design to be hard to see. 

If you miss a spot while wood burning the area can be erased then lightly sanded to remove the marks.