Cloud 9 Newbie Center

**Topics of Interest**
Basic Supplies	Techniques	Reference Library

Techniques - Masking
The Standard Mask

Masking is probably one of the most basic of all techniques, and it is a technique that everyone should know how to do. The objects of masking are:

1. To cover up (or mask) one image so that you can stamp another image without stamping directly on the first image you stamped. This allows you to put one image BEHIND another...such as putting a covered bridge beind a tree. Stamp the tree first, mask the tree....stamp the covered bridge over part of the tree. When you remove the mask, the covered bridge appears to be BEHIND the tree.


The tree is stamped first and masked, then the bridge was stamped last.	The mask is removed, putting the tree in the foreground and the bridge in the background.
The tree is from Stampscapes, the Covered Bridge is from Stamp Cabana.

2. To add an image onto a previously stamped image - such as putting a butterfly on the petal of a flower. Stamp the butterfly, mask the butterfly....then stamp the flower so that it slightly stamps on top of the mask - when you remove the mask, the butterfly appears to be standing ON the flower.


Buttefly in FOREGROUND: stamp and mask butterfly, then stamp the flower.	Butterfly in BACKGROUND: stamp and mask flower, then stamp the butterfly.
Flower and Butterfly stamps are from Stamp Cabana

3. To cover up an image so you can "color or paint" around it without getting color on the image you have masked.


Lighthouse is masked in order to do the sky work without adding any color to the lighthouse itself.	Color is added to the sky area	Mask is removed
Lighthouse stamp is from Impression Obsession . To see the complete tutorial on this piece, click HERE

4. Masking allows you to combine many different stamp images into one piece, which GREATLY extends the usage of your stamp collection! The possibilities are endless.

You can put images on other images (like antlers or wings on people!) The Lady is stamped and masked, then the Dragonfly is stamped over the top of the Lady, only inking up the "wings" portion of Dragonfly
HEY - I MADE A FAIRY !!!!
The Lady stamp and the Dragonfly stamp are both from Time To Stamp

You can create borders using one stamp only (like a border of roses).
The rose is stamped and then masked. Repeat until the border is as long as you desire.
The Rose stamp is from Stamp Cabana.

You can combine multiple images to create collage type imagery. Here you can see how I first stamped the main images (lady and dragonfly wings from Time To Stamp) in black and masked them. Then I stamped the rose image and another floral image (both from Stamp Cabana) and masked each one after stamping it. When the masks are removed, you have a simple collage type of image.

You can combine multiple images to create scenic pieces.
All stamps here are from Stampscapes.
To see the complete tutorial on this project, click HERE.

One thing to keep in mind is that whatever image you mask, it will appear to be in the FOREGROUND, closest to you. The second image you stamp on top of the mask will appear to be in the BACKGROUND, further away from you than the image which was masked.

So, how does one mask? It really is quite easy.

The Standard Mask:
This is the most common type of mask used. It is very simple to create and use.

Necessary supplies:

1. Post-It Notes
2. Exacto Knife or Scissors (whichever you are most comfortable using)
3. Stamps of Choice
4. Inks of Choice
5. Paper or cardstock to stamp on.

NOTES:
A. For beginners, I suggest picking an image to mask that is very simple. How about a butterfly?
B. If you are not comfortable using an exacto knife, then use a small pair of scissors. I would STRONGLY suggest you make friends with your exacto knife as soon as possible though, as you advance with this technique it will make cutting out more intricate masks much easier.
C. If you are using an exacto knife, use a small self healing cutting matte when cutting out the masks.

Technique:

1. Stamp your main image on the cardstock.
2. Without reinking your stamp, stamp again on the post-it note. Make sure that you stamp the image so that part of it lies where the "sticky portion" of the post-it note is. This way, the post-it note mask you make will stick to the cardstock and hold it in place. Be sure to stamp on the side of the post-it note that does not have the "sticky portion".

3. Using an exacto knife or small scissors, cut out the image you stamped on the post-it note - this is your mask. Be sure that as you cut, you cut just inside of that outer line, which will make your mask slightly smaller than the original image you stamped (see "RIGHT"). This will insure that you do not end up with a "halo" (which is blank unstamped space, see "WRONG") when you stamp over the mask.

4. Apply your mask to the stamped image on the cardstock.
5. Stamp the second image so that it slightly overlaps onto the mask. Note that if you cut your mask incorrectly, you get a halo (empty space) between the first image you masked and the second image you stamped (see "WRONG").

6. Remove your mask. Now you have a second image that is slightly behind the first image you stamped. Note once again what happens when you cut your mask incorrectly (see "WRONG").

Butterfly and Flower stamps are from Stamp Cabana

That's really all there is to masking. As I did say, it is relatively simple and its a technique which will greatly enhance your work and extend the usage of the stamps you currently own.

There are a few different products you can use for masking, as well as the Post-It Note. There is Liquid Masking Fluid (also called Liquid Friskit) which you brush onto the area to be masked. Once dry, the liquid friskit resists paints and inks. There is also "Friskit Film", which is much like cold laminate sheets, though it has a very low tack and is intended to be removed as needed and also reused if desired. Friskit Film does have a non porous surface, so if you use Friskit Film, you'll need to stamp on it with a permanent type of ink, such as StazOn or Ranger 213. Friskit Film and Liquid Masking Fluid (ie Liquid Friskit) can be found in most decent art supply stores.
For more informatioin on Liquid Masking Fluid, see the Tips & Techniques section of this web site.

Note that there are two other types of masks you may want to familiarize youself with:

1. The Torn Paper Mask - listed under "Techniques" at the top or simply click HERE

2. The Mortise (or Reverse) Mask - listed under "Techniques" at the top or simply cick HERE

You can also refer to "Masking" in the Tips & Techniques section of this web site

Copyright Tyra Smith 2005 Cloud9@netnet.net
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