Artist tape is primarily used to mask off areas in artwork, create clean, sharp edges, and secure paper or canvas during the creative process.
Understanding Artist Tape
Artist tape is a low-tack adhesive tape specifically designed for use with delicate surfaces like paper or canvas. Unlike regular masking tape, it uses a weaker adhesive that minimizes the risk of damaging the surface when removed. It's essential for various art techniques, particularly painting and drawing, where precise borders and stable work surfaces are needed.
Key Ways to Use Artist Tape
- Masking Edges: Apply the tape along the borders of your paper or specific areas within your artwork that you want to protect from paint, ink, or other mediums. This allows you to create crisp, professional-looking lines and defined sections.
- Creating Borders: Use it to establish a clean white border around your finished piece before framing.
- Holding Paper Securely: Tape down paper to a drawing board or work surface to keep it from shifting or buckling, especially when using wet media like watercolors.
Preventing Paper Tearing
A common issue, especially with more delicate papers, is the tape damaging the surface upon removal. A crucial technique to prevent tearing is to reduce the tape's initial stickiness before applying it to your artwork.
- Reduce Stickiness: As shown in the reference, instead of putting the tape directly on the paper and then taking it off, you can actually put it on your shirt, a pant leg, or wherever to pick up some lint or fibers. This slight reduction in tackiness makes the tape less likely to bond too strongly with the paper fibers, allowing for easier and safer removal.
Tips for Application and Removal
- Applying:
- Apply tape smoothly, pressing down firmly along the edge you want to mask or secure.
- Ensure the edge where the medium will meet the tape is pressed down particularly well to prevent bleeding underneath.
- Removing:
- Always wait until your medium is completely dry before removing the tape.
- Pull the tape off slowly and at a low angle (peeling it back on itself is often recommended) rather than pulling straight up.
- Removing the tape before the medium is fully cured can also help prevent tearing or lifting the art surface.
Using artist tape effectively involves selecting the right tape, applying it carefully for the desired result, and employing techniques like pre-sticking to protect your valuable artwork surfaces.
