I think I mentioned how much I like the book Print Workshop, yes? Well, I think it was in that book that I learned about frisket (aka masking paint). Turns out to be expensive ($10 for a small bottle) but as soon as I read about it I wanted to try it. And so we did.
I wanted Biscuit to make an alphabet sampler. In my mind, she drew the letters (lightly, in pencil) and I painted over them. In reality she insisted on painting over them--a task she accomplished but not especially neatly. Oh well, I'd rather she be happy doing collaborative art then end up with perfect products.
While the frisket dried we tested water colors.
And then we painted. I did restrict Biscuit to a single color to avoid having a picture on a picture. Meanwhile, I tried masking off part of my project and allowed myself TWO colors. Whoa, life on the wild side.
Watching paint dry. She put the frisket on really, really thin. I was worried. But!
It came off! Pro tip for ya, if you have a thin frisket issue, you can erase it with an eraser rather than trying to peel it. 100% easier and didn't rip the paper at all!
Our finished projects. And yes, I already have two more things ready to frisket and/or paint. This is fun.
Final pro tip: the book said it, the lady at the store said it and they were both right--this stuff totally ruins your paintbrushes. Use old ones.
Very cool! So if the layer underneath is a different color/pattern it will peel off and show the original surface..... very cool! Would spray paint be too strong an overcoat? So many neat possibilities!
Posted by: becca banana | January 26, 2011 at 06:06 AM
Becca, I had thought about painting the paper then frisket then more paint (like a Ukranian egg dye) but after using it I think it would peel off the first layer of paint. as for spray paint, a very, very light layer might work (almost an airbrush look) but I think a solid coat of spray paint might make the frisket impossible to peel. watercolor was definitely what was recommended and it was a bit more tricky to work with than I expected after reading the book but very doable. Stirring the frisket better might also help.
Posted by: Melissa Haworth | January 26, 2011 at 06:30 AM
So neat, I adore the sampler idea. The boys and I did a variation of this on t-shirts. Our "frisket" was flour and water, mixed to a paste and put in an empty condiment squeeze bottle. Pipe the mix on a shirt and let it dry (it gets rock hard) then use fabric spray paints or paints to decorate over the design. Once the paint is dry you just pop off the flour mix and voila, you've got your design on the original shirt color. It was very exciting for the boys, and super cheap!
Posted by: Christy | January 26, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Christy--that sounds super cool! Ill have to try it and I love a bargain project!
Posted by: Melissa Haworth | January 26, 2011 at 08:59 PM