Painting using Liquid mask workflow ?

[andys]

Just finished 'trying' to paint a shell using liquid mask. It went ok, but not brilliant as when I removed the cut out masked areas the lines weren't as clean as i'd like.

My question is, looking at all the amazing shells around on here, what exactly is the right workflow re masking and cutting the liquid mask, and more importantly how do you cut really nice flowing lines into the masking as mine all look a bit dodgy. There must be something i'm missing as I usually have a pretty steady hand...

Cheers. Andy.

[blitzboy]

how many layers did you put in buddy and what knife do you use

[telboy]

Always paint 3-4 coats of liquid mask on the shell. Not thick coats as this will not dry properly, and may cause bleed on the mask. The mask needs to be clear when its dry, no ghosty white-ish blobs or so on the shell. These are areas where the mask hasn't dried properly and doesn't stick to the shell.
If you haven't put enough liquid mask down then it will not peel off correctly and will come away from the shell all bitty and jagedy. If you're using solvent based paint put more liquid mask on, as the solvent have the effects of softening the mask.

Cutting wise, get yourself a good Xacto knife and keep the blade sharp (but don't press on too much or you'll cut through the shell).

[Rebelrc]

Bob Dively's is the best liquid mask

[andys]

I used a new scalpel and put on 3 coats of liquid mask. Do people draw the design on the outside of the shell as a guide ? I found this worked ok until the paint started to make it difficult to see through the shell and I ended up having to make it up as I went along as I could no longer see my design !
Also cutting smooth curves in the mask was tricky , is there a knack / technique to cutting out your designs ?
Cheers.

[jonmiller]

if you can, cut all of your design out first. i always do.
as for curves, different people like different types of blades. alot use no. 10 a. i prefer to use a no.10. i just saw a no.6 which looks really good as its inbetween those regards to shape and size. these no.s are swann n morton blades, dont know if theses numbers are the same for other brands. when cutting a straight line, have the scalpel more towards the horizontal postion. then bring the scalpel more n more perpendicular to the shell as you get into the curve. tighter the curve the more upright the scalpel should be. thats how i do it anyway.
good luck.