Ready to Paint

In getting myself ready for my studio class tomorrow, I took a good look at the drawing I had done for the upcoming new work, and I wasn't happy with the job I did of transferring it to the paper (tracing the original drawing and then using "carbon" paper and stylus to get the drawing transferred - sounds time consuming which it is, but it eliminates drawing directly on the specialty paper which doesn't take kindly to erasure).  In short, I had negligently ignored tedious elements like roof lines, windows, and the like.  So I had to re-position the tracing and graphite papers - tricky to do since one can't see through the graphite layer - and finish work I should have done earlier.  Well, most of what I need is visibly there now.

Next I used the masking material and that I had actually thought about earlier and had planned exactly where I would use it.  Sometimes I amaze myself!  Anyway, some people don't like to use masking material (think of something the consistency of rubber cement only opaque, dull yellow-cream, and fishy smelling) because when removed, it leaves a very hard, distinct white line.  Now think of the characteristics of water color - the fluidity of water, color swirling around, soft blending of shapes and shades - well, you get the idea.  And for the most part I agree and that is why I had to really think about using it only where such hard demarcations won't matter.

Then I mounted the drawing on my board.  That, too, took thought.  I have been using masking tape to adhere the paper to the board, but masking tape can lift some of the paper to which it adheres when it is removed.  So this time, I used the "Post-it" tape.  The only problem was I couldn't locate the white so I was left with either bright yellow or equally bright green.  Yellow won this time; I taped the paper down and instantly knew it wouldn't do.  In what I think is a brilliant compromise I used masking tape over the offensive yellow (which toned it down but didn't completely hide it) being careful not to get any on the paper itself.

Finally, I attached a wax paper "screen" over the whole thing so the masking medium doesn't rub off as I carry the board, and Bob's your uncle, I'm ready to paint!