Masking techniques - Nicky Amber

Today I am running through some masking techniques you can use on your cards and layouts.  Masking is basically protecting an area from change.

Here's an easy step-by-step card using masking techniques:

Firstly, I have a placed some alphas over the top of the card.

Then I painted over the top using a stippling motion.

This is the result when you lift off the alphas.  The area under the alphas were masked off from the paint.

I then outlined a bit with a journalling pen and punched out some butterflies. I placed the butterflies on the card and painted over them also.

To add some added dimension, I laid some plasterer's tape over the butterfly masks and brushed over with a different coloured paint.

To produce this effect...

The finished card.

 Here I have used a freehand cut out circle to create a do-it-yourself journalling spot.  I just placed it on the paper.

Inked and stamped over it

Then lifted off the circle, added some lines with a journalling pen to reveal the finished journalling spot.

Tanyah showed us recently the Maya Resist.  I am loving this stuff!  The tip is quite fine so you can write with it and do some intricate drawing.  Here's some more playing...

 I drew some stars onto a piece of card.

When dried, I painted over the top and peeled off the Maya Resist.

Here I stamped an image then used the Maya Resist to mask off inside, inked over the top then peeled off.

You can use just about anything as a mask:

• punched shapes (also the negative space from punched shapes)
• cut out images from a magazine
• alphas 
• Masking fluid (eg Maya Resist)
• plasterers tape or magic mesh
• stencils / plastic templates
• lace
• and more...

Hope you have fun experimenting with masking.  Remember to share with us in the gallery.

nic...xxxooo