When I paint I use this tape, am I doing it wrong?

Question:I paint with acrylics on canvas and I want to get a perfectly straight line. I'm painting a sort of jail house picture. I tried using scotch low tack artist tape and as soon as paint gets on the tape it curls up on the edges causing my edge to get RUINED. The painting is sitting over in the corner looking like major crap. Is there a better tape to use? Am I doing something wrong? Is masking tape safe to use? Will masking tape take off any paint that I've already put on?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I paint with acrylics on canvas and I want to get a perfectly straight line. I'm painting a sort of jail house picture. I tried using scotch low tack artist tape and as soon as paint gets on the tape it curls up on the edges causing my edge to get RUINED. The painting is sitting over in the corner looking like major crap. Is there a better tape to use? Am I doing something wrong? Is masking tape safe to use? Will masking tape take off any paint that I've already put on?

I use "purple" painting tape. It has just enough tack. Anything stronger might pull up the paint...I haven't tried that. I know that if I use gessoed paper and anything other than purple tape it rips the paper...

Hobby Lobby sells an artists tape that has a tiny bit more tack than the purple tape, but I haven't tried it. Also the "blue" painters type might work, as it has more tack, but I don't think it's enough to pull up paint.

Masking tape might be okay with oils...hmm. My only concern would be that it would leave some of the "tackyness" on the areas you've painted, and perhaps collect dirt/dust? No idea. Good luck!

Buy some painters tape. It's similar to masking tape but does a better job.
Lowes or Home DePo

i really don't know alot about tape but try this
use a different kind of poster board
use stronger tape ( not the kind that tears paper off easily.
try this also
tape a strip of paper down the paint over the paper
hope this helps! :P

Use blue painter's tape

I've used regular masking tape with absolutely no problem. You never want to put any type of tape over paint, it will bring the paint off.

You should put the tape down directly on the actual canvas where there is no paint. You might want to run your fingernail over the edge to make sure that no paint seeps under the tape.

Next, go ahead and load your paint brush with enough paint to overlap the edge of the tape. Do not put too much paint on your brush, it will saturate the edge of the tape.

With experience, you will learn when to take the tape off depending on how much paint was on the brush (and tape). I usually go ahead and carefully take the tape off about 15 minutes after I have painted the area.

I think the problem might be that the acrylic paint is forming a step where the tape is....like it is the same height as the tape and when you pull it off there is a ledge that acts strange. I don't know if that is the problem or not, but if you want to paint a straight line say going up and down, pull your brush from left to right in little segments all the way down the line you want. Its not perfect, but it is a nice technique to try and see if you like the results. GOOD LUCK!

In the past, I've used the blue painter's tape you can get at any home improvement store. Once you lay the tape down where you want it, brush a layer on gloss medium to fill the small voids underneath the tape. Then paint the color you want on that. This method will give you a crisp line every time. It's also great technique to paint crisp lines on the walls of your home.

Here's a link to the gloss medium: http://www.dickblick.com/zz006/18b/

And if you are looking for a nifty canvas to paint on next time ,check this site out: http://www.canvascubed.com/

Good Luck with your project!