Image forming apparatus and image forming method with decreased image transfer disturbance

An image forming method for forming an image on an intermediate transfer body and transferring the image from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium, the image forming method including the steps of:

• providing a first liquid having a viscosity not less than 15 mPa·s and not greater than 300 mPa·s at 25° C., on the intermediate transfer body;
• ejecting a second liquid containing a coloring material onto a region of the intermediate transfer body where the first liquid is provided, in a state where the first liquid has a thickness not less than 1.6 μm on the intermediate transfer body;
• raising a viscosity of the second liquid on the intermediate transfer body;
• and
• transferring the image including dots of the second liquid formed on the intermediate transfer body, onto the recording medium,
• wherein relationship between a dynamic surface tension γ1 at a surface age of 0.1 sec of the first liquid and a dynamic surface tension γ1, at a surface age of 0.1 sec of the second liquid satisfies a following relationship:
• γ1<γ2.