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Techniques - Masking
The Torn Paper Mask

This type of mask is very similar to the Standard Mask, with the difference being that you don't use scissors or an exacto knife to cut the mask. The mask is torn in a freehand type of way. It gives a more fluid and less defined mask, which can be quite lovely.

Necessary supplies:
1. Paper Towel
2. Stamps of choice
3. Inkpad of choice
4. Paper or Cardstock to stamp on

NOTES:
You can use just about anything to create this mask with. Generally I use either a piece of typeing paper or a paper towel.

Technique:

1. Tear the paper or paper towel in a shape that is pleasing to you. (I used pink paper for this mask) I just wanted a gentle rolling hills or ocean waves type of feel for this piece. But you can certainly alter the shape of the torn paper mask to suit any need you would have.

2. I sponged very light blue ink on glossy cardstock. I then sponged in a little light yellow up at the top. 3. Place the torn paper mask on your cardstock as desired, hold it in place and sponge another color on the cardstock beneath the mask. NOTE: When sponging the darker colors, I dabbed off a little ink on the mask so it wouldn't leave dark circles of ink. It is more to help with blending than anything else.

4. Continue lowering the mask and sponging a slightly darker color of ink each time you lower the mask. 5. As you can see, you get a very soft graduation of colors with a nice rolling hills or ocean waves feel to it. A torn paper mask would be wonderful for freehanding in sand dunes, hills, oceans and even sky work.

Torn paper masks can be used just like you would use a standard mask. There are times when I'm in a hurry and don't want to mess around with cutting out Post-It Note (Standard) Masks. So I'll just tear a little piece of or paper or paper towel in the general shape I need and use it to mask an area when I'm stamping multiple images in one piece. Rocks and other assorted "images" have fairly easy shapes to tear, so a torn paper mask is quite nice to use on occasion. Torn Paper Masks can be in ANY shape you want.

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

1. The Standard Mask - listed under "Techniques" at the top or simple click HERE

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

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