In this step-by-step plan, Martine from the Royal Talens Experience Centre shows you how to use masking fluid, Ecoline and bubbles to create this negative-space hand lettering piece. Let’s begin!
What you need
- Ecoline in 2 or 3 different colours
- Talens Liquid Masking Film
- Pencil and eraser
- Water colour brush
- Bowl
- Water
- Liquid dish soap
- Straws
- Water colour paper
Step 1
Sketch out your design on the paper using your pencil. We went for the text “spring is in the air”, but you can write anything you like!
Step 2
Once you are satisfied with your design, carefully cover the text using the masking fluid and let it dry completely. Everything you cover using this fluid will receive a rubbery film. This prevents any colour you use on top from touching these parts of the paper.
The masking fluid will also stick to the hairs of your brush, so make sure to clean your brush regularly while applying using clean water.
Step 3
Now for the fun part: take a bowl, put in a little dish soap and add some water. Prepare your Ecoline by squeezing your colours into the pipettes of the bottles.
Step 4
Take a straw and blow bubbles into your dish soap and water solution. Make sure you blow enough bubbles. They should stick out at least 10 cm over the top of the bowl.
Step 5
Use the pipettes of the Ecoline bottle to spread the different colours of Ecoline onto the bubbles. Work quickly and press your paper on top of the coloured bubbles to create your print. Let dry completely.
Step 6
Once all the paint has dried you can remove the masking fluid and reveal your negative space lettering!
We hope this tutorial inspires you to make your own colourful hand lettering piece. If you do, please share your results using #RoyalTalens!
This step-by-step plan was created by our wonderful colleagues over at the Royal Talens Experience Centre.
