masking on canvas?

[munchkinbrigade]

Im wanting to paint onto canvas with acrylics, but the detail work is finer than my control and Ill need to use masking of some kind... What are my options, as Ive never masked beyond covering an area with a cardboad cut out?

[foe]

This is just me and take it for what its worth because Ive only been brushing for about nine months and only hard surfaces......but Ive been learning that if I avoid using masking wherever possible I don't have all the problems associated with it. The problems I have are with cutting into the surface,pulling up other paint when you remove it, after using it you have to clean up the glue from the tape, Glad press and seal is notorious for leaving a little alligator skin type glue pattern on your surface. Depending on what the project is sometimes its unavoidable, but I try and use hand held shields and stencils wherever possible even if it takes longer. Just my opinion. Jim

[brushbyair]

Munchkin, it is hard to give advise on this until you get more specific on the type of detail you are trying to achieve. I paint alot of canvases and I do all of mine totally freehand, with the aide of some hand held shields to get sharp crisp edges. You will benefit the most by getting control of your airbrush to be able to do the fine detail work you looking for, it all takes time and practice, but you will be a better airbrush painter for it. Practice MANY tiny DAGGER strokes, this will teach you the brush control to do any detail work you want. Hope this helps, don't mean to harp on the practice thing, but it is the only way to improve!!!

[hairbag]

you need to gesso the crap out of the canvas and wet sand it till it's baby smooth you can wet sand with 320 grit, then you can use frisket for the masking. if your are very delicate you can even cut your frisket on the canvas but be very careful.

also seems like if you leave frisket on too long it will bind with the gesso and it requires a little force to peel off. could be just the frisket film i've used, who knows.

[landsbro]

i have been using parchmentpaper and 3M Repositionable Spray Adhesive
for manny years as masking on canvas and even on T-shirts and paper
spray some adhesive on the parschment paper and let it cure for a minute or two before applying it on the canvas.you'll need a sharp knife blade when cutting
/kimmo

[voodoojas]

I would agree with all the above methods ---and would try them first

but you could get some artmask by artool --- the stuff is made just for canvas ----
but its pretty pricey

it sticks pretty nice even on canvas thats not gesso'd --- (i hate that stuff)

also works great on tshirts.

but again its pretty expensive

[munchkinbrigade]

hmmm, the word that keeps coming back when talking to people seems to be frisket... Anyone used it or can recomend it?

[don johnson]

frisket works well on smooth surfaces (illustration board) anything with any tooth to it like canvas it does not work so well

[CANONFUJI]

There's also liquid frisk depending on how tight the space is you need to protect. It's applied with a detail paint brush. I'm not to sure if it would work well on canvas, due to the texture. Just another option to consider.

[lsabourin]

I use low tack transfer tape and cut it straight on the cancas

L

[hairbag]

the more friskety i use the more i like freehand shields.

[Kaiilla]

The liquid frisket should work fine. it it latex. after it dries you do your painting and then peal it off. it also comes up with an eraser.

[foe]

Originally Posted by hairbag

the more friskety i use the more i like freehand shields.

I agree with Hairbag on this one.

[patoche]

hi
i've seen many time some painters use "Glad press and seal " !!!

What is "Glad press and seal " ???
Is it the plastic wrap used for marblize ?
Is it a sticky plastic film ?

thanks

pat

[lsabourin]

Pat, it is a clear plastic wrap that has a sticky side to it. The texture of that side is a bit different and is low tack. I find it hard to work with for precise masking.

L

[quickchange]

Ok. gonna throw in my .02


Cut your masks and then use magnets and tape to hold in place ..

Either use one small magnet in the back and one on the front with the maske and canvas sandwiched in between.. Or if you don't have any magnets use tape through windows cut in the mask.

I also Gesso all canvas and allow to dry throughly sanding lightly between layers.

[jadestorm]

I usually use print paper for masking on canvas when I need to.

The way I make it stick is by rolling up pieces of paper tape and placing them on the back side of my print paper. Or I use magnets on both sides of the canvas like Quickhange said in previous post.

I'm also going to try temporary glue spray once to see what that does to the canvas.

[landsbro]

using parchmentpaper and 3M Repositionable Spray Adhesive
is the best way in my mind,have used it on pre guessed
canvas with good results,(no extra gesso applyed and no sanding flat)it doesn't need a absolutly flat surface to preform
well.
just my 2c
/kimmo