TAPE IT DOWN PAINTING

PROJECT ( for a l l ages)

Painting expressive brushstrokes is fun and relaxing. Painters can also control strokes to achieve fine lines and details. This project combines both qualities by using blue painter’s tape, allowing for carefree brush- strokes while enabling defined lines and shapes. It might take a couple days as each coat of paint has to dry, but the end result is eye-catching.

STEP 2. Tape down sides with blue tape, covering about 1/4’’ to 1/2’’ along each edge.

STEP 1. If you don’t have canvas board you can paint a piece of cardboard with white acrylic gesso or paint. Two tablespoons squeezed onto the board should be plenty to cover the surface. Just add more if needed. Apply two coats, allowing to dry fully between each.

STEP 3. Now use about 4-7 strips of blue tape to mask off a pattern or picture with any design you wish. Use scissors to cut tape if you want to keep all edges straight.

Materials: Flat protected surface to work on, roll of paper towels for messes, scissors, canvas board or cardboard (any size), acrylic paints and primer or gesso, paintbrush, and blue painters tape.

STEP 4. Choose two colors of paint, squeezing about a tablespoon of each anywhere on the board. Then begin spreading them with the brush.

FINAL NOTE: You can add as many layers to your tape painting as you like, even covering all white areas except the edges. Painter’s tape comes in many thicknesses. You don’t have to keep the tape straight or cut with scissors. For a different painting, try tearing the tape or cutting out patterns.

STEP 7. You can leave your piece as is or continue with another layer of tape and paint. Begin by masking off other areas with blue tape over both blank white lines, and painted shapes.

STEP 5. As you spread paint around, you can mix the colors more or less as you want. Try different brushstrokes, applying the paint thin or thick, evenly or textured.

STEP 6. After painting the entire surface of the board, allow to dry completely. Remember to clean brush soon after –you don’t want paint to dry on that. Now peel off tape to reveal your design where the tape was.

STEP 9. Peel tape off this layer to reveal the pattern design.

STEP 8. When your second tape design is finished, choose two more colors to squeeze onto the board. Brush the colors around as you did before and allow to dry.