I won’t keep you in suspense; the ‘trick’ is using tape to mask off the edges of your paper before you begin. Not rocket science, but it makes a huge difference to the look of your work. Gotta love it when things are both simple and easy. 🙂
I’ve always loved using masking tape when I paint on paper. The reason for this is fourfold:
- It holds the paper steady {handy when you paint fast and sometimes quite violently ;)}
- Peeling off the tape is one of the most satisfying things EVER
- A crisp white border shows off your work beautifully and effortlessly
- Mounting and framing is easier because it won’t cut off any of the painting
When I’m working on larger sheets of paper, I tape them to my drawing board so I can work upright at the easel.
Then they’re all ready for mounting and framing. And even if I don’t do that, they still look good!
What type of tape is best?
Masking tape varies widely. Regular masking tape tends to be very strong, and will peel off the top layer or actually tear the paper when you go to remove it, which is why choosing the low tack variety is important.
On the other hand, I’ve bought tape that’s so low tack it doesn’t actually stick to the paper or hold it down, so there’s a level of trial and error here!
Tip! If that does happen, you can use a little gel medium or PVA to seal it back down; it’s barely noticeable.
Here are three tape options:
- Currently I’m using this green tape from Jacksons; it has just the right amount of stickiness, and as long as I’m careful it doesn’t tear off the top layer of the paper.
- I’ve heard of people using washi tape too, which I imagine would be great since it’s designed to be peel-able, although you’d want probably want to buy the wider kind since the standard size is quite narrow.
- Another option I’ve heard recommended is Removable Magic Tape; I have yet to try it but it looks good!
Another thing I ‘discovered’ recently, and I’ve no idea why it didn’t occur to me sooner, is taping off the pages in my sketchbook. It has revolutionised the look of it! Check it out:
It makes a huge difference, and means I get to do more peeling. 😉 {It’s possible I’m a bit obsessed.}
I also sometimes use this technique to make cards, as it keeps things crisp and clean. Here’s the card I made for my dad for Fathers’ Day this year:
Do you use tape for your art? If so, what make do you like best? What other little tricks do you like to use to upgrade the look of your paintings? Please do share in the comments!
I was thinking about this just the other day, since I saw a watercolor artist use masking tape inside the sketchbook, and I was curious to try that out, but keep forgetting to take it on my beach adventures.
I use regular painter’s tape because Croatia, poorly stocked art stores boo. I run it over my shirt a few times to make it less sticky.
Hi Nela – that idea of running it over your clothes is so clever! Love these little things we can do to make things easier! Painter’s tape can be just as good – it’s all down to trial and error really.
I also use the taping off technique for my watercolors.
And really enjoy the satisfaction of peeling it off at the end to test and see if I think my piece is finished
Wouldn’t it be great to have a manufacturer make a sketch book with the edges taped and ready !
Ha, yes it would! Mine are sometimes a bit wonky…
This trick allows you to achieve a finished product type. And, yes, there is exciting feeling when I remove the edges and can say : Wow it is so beautiful
Exactly! 🙂
I find that I can mark a very fast and extremely accurate edge on my paper. Hold a pencil an inch or so from the point and then run your thumbnail down the edge. It doesn’t give such a neat, crisp edge, but tape drove me crazy. Going to try some of your suggestions though.
Oh I like that idea Linda! For me, I like to be able to paint over the tape as I work fast and messy most of the time; I think it would affect my ease of mark making to have to stop at a drawn edge, but that’s a great alternative for people who don’t really love the tape. And are less messy. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing that!
I love your colour schemes. Did you have a source material for these artworks as I often wonder how to get this loose style?
Thank you Lynne! They just evolved; I don’t usually choose the palette beforehand, except when I alight on one I really love, and even that tends to be quite fluid. In terms of references, I occasionally use a landscape with a composition I like as a jumping off point, but never stick to it. I know that’s vague! I suggest looking for images you find strong or exciting compositionally, and using them as your starting point, but allowing the paintings to go where they want fairly quickly. When I started doing this I was more or less copying them, but over time they’ve grown into something more instinctive and individual.
Thanks Tara! Such a simple trick but what a big impact. I used to tape my work when I first started painting and then I stopped for no good reason other than laziness I suppose. I will definitely have to keep this in mind for my larger sketchbook art. Cheers!❤️????????
I read that if the tape is too sticky, lightly tape it to your pants first then rip it off, then tape it to your paper…not so sticky. Great idea, I tried it and it works perfectly.
Excellent idea! Love a practical fix. 🙂
I am an artist/educator and I
always try to tape the edges of
the paper for elementary kids.
I use blue tape “sensitive.” I just
bought some at Target.
When I teach a journaling class,
I have the students cut a smaller cardboard template to make a
border with a pencil. I find every
drawing etc. needs this format.
I use a hairdryer when I pull tape off paper. It warms up the glue and makes it easier to pull off without rips. When I use this technique it doesn’t really matter what type of masking tape I use.
That sounds like a brilliant tip, thanks Shirley!
Yes, I remove masking tape by warming it up with a hair dryer, and it lifts off the paper with no problems.
Well that’s genius! Thanks for sharing Pati!
I always tape my paper, especially in journals. When removing it, slowly pull AWAY from the image at an angle of about 45 degrees. Then use the tape for the next page in the journal. I reuse tape dozens of times. When buying tape in a hardware store, check for the lowest sticky, which is usually marked on the roll.
Great tips, thank you for sharing these Peggy!
Do you find the color of the tape causes a color distraction with the painting?
I use a large mat cut into two L shape pieces. This makes an adjustable frame when placed over the painting.
That’s a great question! It can be distracting, especially as the painting progresses, but I guess I’m also used to it by now! I use pieces of card or a mount {mat} too, I just find that the tape holds it in place while actually painting.
I have used the blue painters tape on heavier watercolor paper that worked well. I also have used the wide blue tape which I carefully rip down the middle long ways to achieve a deckle edge. I love that look with abstracts.
Oooh love that idea of tearing the tape for an intentionally deckled edge! Nice. 🙂
Hi Tara, For my acrylics on paper, I use 300 lb. paper (22”x30”) and gesso both sides. I then use blue painters tape (or masking tape) to create a 1-inch border and tape it to a workboard. I brush on a second coat of gesso onto the paper AND over the painters tape to seal the inside edge. This produces a super crisp edge, and the tape is easy to peel off because of the 1st gesso coat. See this recommendation from Golden: https://www.goldenpaints.com/technicalinfo_hardedge
What a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that here Cynthia.
Trying to sign up but it won’t take my Gmail address. Any idea why? I know for certain there is no error in it, including no extra space at the end.
Hi Anita – sorry to hear you’re having trouble with this. Having checked it out this end it seems that your email address is being blocked. I’m looking into getting it unblocked if we can, but in the meantime it might be worth trying with a different email address if you have one.
Tara, just reading this and want to share how I use masking to frame everything in my sketchbook and of course paintings on paper. I take a strip of the tape and stick it to working apron or jeans or whatever textile is available. I then pull it off and voila the tape is perfect for use and does not pull off any of the paper.
Wow, great tip! Thanks. And thanks too for not keeping us in suspense. Lol I hate it when you have to scroll down forever to finally find the “secret” which usually ends up being not that great after all.
Haha I know what you mean Helen! Glad you found it helpful!
I use the taping technique on my canvases, especially larger ones, instead of having them framed. I always gesso them first black or white, dry, repaint around edges with either black or white acrylic, dry thoroughly, then measure size of frame desired, tape & create????
That’s a great tip Barbara, especially for those who don’t want or need to have their work framed – thanks for sharing!
For years I have used clear packing/mailing tape for borders on 140-300 lb. watercolor paper. It has worked for me.
Thanks for sharing this Janice!