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How to Mask Curved Lines

In fine art, masking is the process of using masking fluid to protect areas of your painting from paint. Often, this is done when the artist wants to preserve the white of the paper or canvas. These white areas of the paper or canvas will be highlights in the finished painting. Masking curved areas is just as easy as masking straight areas. All you need is a steady hand and a clear idea of where you want your white areas to be.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Liner brush
  • Masking fluid
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the area you want to keep white with a pencil. Make light marks 1/8-inch away from the curved area that you will be painting. This space will allow the masking fluid a little leeway to bleed outward.

    • 2

      Dip the liner brush into the masking fluid.

    • 3

      Wipe the excess fluid on the edge of the bottle.

    • 4

      Hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger with your index finger resting on top of the ferrule (the metal band above the brush hairs). This will hold will stabilize the brush as you move around the curves of your marked area.

    • 5

      Place the bush on your pencil line and drag it along the curves using your whole hand for movement. Using your fingers can give you sharp lines instead of curves.

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Fine Art

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