this week's samples for The Surface Treatment Workshop
are the results of experiments with masking tape
many of the suggestions included using the tape as a resist for mark making
by painting over the tape and peeling it off again, sometimes several times to create layers
however, I was not enamoured with the technique suggestions for this week's samples
and, for this, I will blame my tools ... I think!
my masking tape was so tacky that once it was adhered to my mount board bases
I just couldn't get the stuff off again ...
so my samples are mainly where I have used the tape to create texture
and I'm pleased with the results here ... but did not tick the boxes (naughty me!)
these are small seascapes on mount board
where I have used the masking tape, then painted over the top with acrylics
I used a palette knife and then heated the acrylics for extra texture
I do like the texture created here ... and will use again
above and below
this sample is masking tape with paint applied thickly all over
to show that the tape and the background take paint differently
(I used paynes grey over burnt umber)
this was where I removed some of the paint with a rag
below ... I made a mini landscape / seascape collage
with some of the bits of masking tape I managed to peel off of one of my samples
I ruined the original sample ... but at least the little peely bits were not wasted
you can see the scale of the "mini" against my palette knife
this one was a bit more interesting ...
I used oil pastels which I blended with a rag
the oil pastels accentuated the edges of the tape
I was pleased with the blending ...
and the lighting achieved with the pastels
I created a sort of "horizon line" by scratching through the oil pastels
and it became an unintentional landscape
this one is masking tape and watered down acrylics in turquoise with a little gold
again it picked up and accentuated the edges of the tape
I blamed the tape but, on reflection, it may have worked better on different surfaces
however I won't get time to play with this any more this week
instead, I will look forward to week 5 which is playing with crackle paste
(I've just ordered some new golden medium crackle paste and can't wait for it to arrive!)