Using the right materials makes all the difference.
Painting a straight line may seem like an easy thing to do, but most painters will tell you it's not. Even professional artists rely on simple tricks to help them perfect their technique. An indispensable tool of the trade is blue painter's tape. Using tape with acrylic paint allows you to create clean geometric shapes and flawlessly straight lines, which can be difficult to do freehand.
Instructions
1. Create the shape you want with pencil or some other drawing tool that can be easily erased or painted over.
2. Wipe down the surface around the shape with a damp cloth or lightly sand it if it is bumpy. It should be clean and flat.
3. Tape the edges of your shape using blue painter's tape or masking tape. Make sure the tape is clean and that it goes down flat.
4. Press the edges of the tape down with a hard drawing utensil or the flat edge of a craft stick or pencil to get rid of any bubbles. Be sure not to tear the tape.
5. Go over the shape with a layer of clear medium to seal the edges of the tape. This ensures that the paint stays within the lines. Matte medium or gel medium works best.
6. Wait for the medium to dry (approximately 20 minutes). Go over your shape with the acrylic paint, layering the color to get your desired effect.
7. Let the acrylic paint dry -- about 30 minutes. Touch up any messy spots with a small brush.
