Artists_amp_amp_Illustrators__July_2016_

76 Artists & Illustrators

MASKS & MASKING

MASKING TAPE

As the name suggests, masking tape can be used to good

effect as a ‘mask’, however, care should be taken when

using it. If it’s too sticky, a tape can result in damaged or

torn paper on its removal, which might make painting

difficult. I always buy the low tack version and test it before

use. Pay particular attention to the contact that the edge of

the tape makes to the paper. A smooth paper allows for

greater contact between tape and paper, whereas a rough

paper, by its very nature, provides less contact with the

possibility of colour creeping under the tape.

To create the effect of breaking waves or light on the

distant sea, tear some masking tape along a length. The

tearing creates a less precise and more natural edge that

becomes apparent at the painting stage. Carefully stick the

tape to the watercolour paper in the correct position. With

a colour shaper or brush, apply the masking fluid around

and over it. Then, crucially, remove the tape before the

masking fluid dries. If you allow it to dry before removing

the tape, it will lift some of the masking fluid from the

paper, leaving it completely unprotected.

Once the masking fluid is completely dry, washes can be

added and the unmasked areas flooded with colour.

It is essential

to remove the

masking tape

before the

masking fluid

is dry; a delay

could cause the

masking fluid to

lift off the paper

In turn, once the washes are dry, the masking fluid can be

rubbed away, revealing the white of the paper and creating

the impression of light and waves.

Broad areas of a painting that might be too large an area

to be covered by masking fluid can often be successfully

masked by using masking tape.

TRACING PAPER

Tracing paper is always useful to have in the artist’s studio

and allows for a more precise, accurate mask to be

produced. The area to be protected can be seen through

the thin paper, making placement easier. Trace the

required shape through the paper using a soft pencil, don’t

press too hard, cut to shape and lay carefully over the

defined area. Place a couple of coins on top to hold the

paper down and you are ready to go.

WATER MASKS AND DRY MASKS

If a mask is something that protects an area from paint and

can be removed when finished with, then water can (if

somewhat loosely) also be considered a ‘mask’ when used

in a specific way. As most painters know watercolour paint

will go to where water is, and an artist can use this

knowledge to introduce paint into passages of the painting

by creating a path or web of water for it to follow. To

‘protect’ parts of the painting from unwanted colour, simply

keep that area dry. This is particularly useful in landscape

painting when expressing a tangle of branches or grasses.

http://www.moortoseaarts.co.uk

tip

Protect parts

of your painting

from unwanted

watercolour by

keeping that

area dry

Rob Dudley,

Sparkling Water,

in progress,

watercolour,

23x30cm

A combination

of masking tape

and masking

fluid can give

some interesting

results to a

finished painting

74 Rob Dudley.indd 76 11/05/2016 10:40