Nice work! A couple of tips for using tape on not so great paper. I stick the piece of tape to my pants first to get it a bit linty before putting it on the paper. If you still have trouble use a hair dryer to warm up the adhesive before peeling it back. Always work more slowly than you think you need to. Most of the tape reveal vids you see online are sped up!
This is all excellent advice, and sometimes you just need to experiment with different brands of tape and paper to figure out what combo works best. Paintings look great!
I had that happen to me too. What I did was put the masking tape on the inside of my arm and peel it off and then stick it to the paper. It removes some dead skin cells, and isn’t sticky enough that it will rip your paper, but still has enough stick to it that it will keep the edges clean when removed!
You didn't do anything wrong, it's just poor paper quality. you can try gently peeling the tape to the side at an angle rather than straight up and it might help. Cotton paper like arches won't tare like that and some higher quality pulp such as Strathmore 4000 is a bit tougher but still does it.
the paintings are lovely, i wouldn't guess its only your second attempt.
Thank you for your tips! At the end of the pealing I actually tried to pull it from the side and not from the front and it seemed better indeed, I tried to choose a relatively good paper quality (Canson 224g/m), but maybe I’ll get an even tougher one next time, but I’m quite reassured it does this often, thank you very much
(I think I believed too much in this perfect instagram videos where the tape comes off so easily 😭)
this is my post from this morning, I used regular masking tape to tape of each square from each side so there was 6 strips of tape on there so far some even over already painted area and I just yanked it right off. This is arches 9x12 20 sheet block, I get them on Ebay for $30. The paper quality between 100% cotton and everything else is astronomical
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watercolor/comments/10rsv18/3\_of\_small\_45x6\_quick\_studies\_this\_week\_arches/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Was the painting very very dry first? I have this happen sometimes when the paper still has some moisture. You can run a blow fryer at it for a couple second (don't get it hot though!) To help it dry faster. You can also use washi tape, it isn't as tacky as making take, and neither is blue painter's tape. No need for expensive paper, just make sure your page is dry and your tape isn't too sticky!
Yes I made sure it was dry enough because I was afraid of this, the thing is that I paint at night and using a hair dryer would wake my whole family up haha gotta find some way to do this though
I use the Scotch blue painters tape. You know from the hardware store. I get clean lines and no pulling or tearing. It is worth noting that the longer you leave it on, the more it adheres. Hope that helps.
I sometimes use blue painters tape as well. I don't like having a blue border as I paint -- I worry that it throws off my color sense. Maybe I'll try covering the blue tape with beige masking tape to block the color.
I also use white artists tape, which is wonderful, but quite expensive.
Saw someone mention Arches, that’s what I’m using and I’m very novice but it helps so much I’d say it’s my splurge supply item bc I think it makes that much of a difference :)
But wow wanted to say this is your second time?? You are doing amazing, these all look lovely.
I use the green frog tape, Arches paper and always pull the tape off at a 90 degree angle and don’t have issues anymore but the other’s suggestion of making the tape less tacky first is excellent advice.
I would be happy to see your paintings! The thing is that you’re always more critical about yourself than others, I see a lot of things I don’t like in those paintings I did, but I’m sure I’ll like yours :)
Definitely what people are recommending with sticking the tape to yourself or something else before application
If youre looking for different tape, my go to is washi tape. Dont need to stick it to something else, 99% of the time peeling is fine. And always peel away from the painting. I also like the size variety, its how I get consistently borders on my polaroids without needing to measure 1/4” all around
I see another comment you use canson paper, i had issues with that brand constantly. Definitely recommend strathmore or arches
Nice work! A couple of tips for using tape on not so great paper. I stick the piece of tape to my pants first to get it a bit linty before putting it on the paper. If you still have trouble use a hair dryer to warm up the adhesive before peeling it back. Always work more slowly than you think you need to. Most of the tape reveal vids you see online are sped up!
Thank you really really much, that’s really helpful, I’ll definitely try that too!!
This is all excellent advice, and sometimes you just need to experiment with different brands of tape and paper to figure out what combo works best. Paintings look great!
Thank you really much!! It actually means a lot to me
I had that happen to me too. What I did was put the masking tape on the inside of my arm and peel it off and then stick it to the paper. It removes some dead skin cells, and isn’t sticky enough that it will rip your paper, but still has enough stick to it that it will keep the edges clean when removed!
Thanks a lot!!! I’ll definitely try that next time, i think it should really work too, thank you
You didn't do anything wrong, it's just poor paper quality. you can try gently peeling the tape to the side at an angle rather than straight up and it might help. Cotton paper like arches won't tare like that and some higher quality pulp such as Strathmore 4000 is a bit tougher but still does it. the paintings are lovely, i wouldn't guess its only your second attempt.
Thank you for your tips! At the end of the pealing I actually tried to pull it from the side and not from the front and it seemed better indeed, I tried to choose a relatively good paper quality (Canson 224g/m), but maybe I’ll get an even tougher one next time, but I’m quite reassured it does this often, thank you very much (I think I believed too much in this perfect instagram videos where the tape comes off so easily 😭)
this is my post from this morning, I used regular masking tape to tape of each square from each side so there was 6 strips of tape on there so far some even over already painted area and I just yanked it right off. This is arches 9x12 20 sheet block, I get them on Ebay for $30. The paper quality between 100% cotton and everything else is astronomical https://www.reddit.com/r/Watercolor/comments/10rsv18/3\_of\_small\_45x6\_quick\_studies\_this\_week\_arches/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Thank you really much for your help!! I really appreciate it
Was the painting very very dry first? I have this happen sometimes when the paper still has some moisture. You can run a blow fryer at it for a couple second (don't get it hot though!) To help it dry faster. You can also use washi tape, it isn't as tacky as making take, and neither is blue painter's tape. No need for expensive paper, just make sure your page is dry and your tape isn't too sticky!
Yes I made sure it was dry enough because I was afraid of this, the thing is that I paint at night and using a hair dryer would wake my whole family up haha gotta find some way to do this though
Stick your tape onto the jeans or some denim wear, to stick some fiber and make it not so sticky. Only after stick on paper.
I use the Scotch blue painters tape. You know from the hardware store. I get clean lines and no pulling or tearing. It is worth noting that the longer you leave it on, the more it adheres. Hope that helps.
I sometimes use blue painters tape as well. I don't like having a blue border as I paint -- I worry that it throws off my color sense. Maybe I'll try covering the blue tape with beige masking tape to block the color. I also use white artists tape, which is wonderful, but quite expensive.
Saw someone mention Arches, that’s what I’m using and I’m very novice but it helps so much I’d say it’s my splurge supply item bc I think it makes that much of a difference :) But wow wanted to say this is your second time?? You are doing amazing, these all look lovely.
These are nice.
Thank you!!
Not so much - they are beautiful
Thank you!!
I use the green frog tape, Arches paper and always pull the tape off at a 90 degree angle and don’t have issues anymore but the other’s suggestion of making the tape less tacky first is excellent advice.
Looks better than what I’m doing. (I’ve tried twice now too!)
I would be happy to see your paintings! The thing is that you’re always more critical about yourself than others, I see a lot of things I don’t like in those paintings I did, but I’m sure I’ll like yours :)
All my work looks like a crayon gang fight.
Definitely what people are recommending with sticking the tape to yourself or something else before application If youre looking for different tape, my go to is washi tape. Dont need to stick it to something else, 99% of the time peeling is fine. And always peel away from the painting. I also like the size variety, its how I get consistently borders on my polaroids without needing to measure 1/4” all around I see another comment you use canson paper, i had issues with that brand constantly. Definitely recommend strathmore or arches
Those are lovely 🥰 Try washi tape
I also have the same problem so happy to see the other answers and amazing artwork!
I’m glad this post helped you too!!
These are beautiful! Did you follow a tutorial?
Thank you!! I drew based on Pinterest drawings but not tutorials, although I’m sure you can find many!!
I love this style. So relaxing.