Cutting (Residential and Commercial Painting)

In the painting context, cutting refers to a technique used to create sharp, defined edges between two colors or areas of paint. This technique is often used when working with masking tape or stencils to create crisp lines, but can also be done by hand with a brush.

To execute a cut, one must first lay down a base color and let it dry completely. Then, a piece of masking tape or stencil is applied to the surface, covering the area where the base color will remain. Next, the secondary color is painted over top of the tape or stencil. Once this layer of paint is dried, the stencil or tape is removed, revealing a precise edge between the base color and the new color.

The technique of cutting can be used to create a variety of effects in painting. For example, an artist might use cutting to create the appearance of overlapping shapes or patterns. Additionally, cutting can be used to create a sense of depth or dimensionality in a painting, by separating foreground and background elements with clean, precise lines.

While cutting can be a useful technique in painting, it requires patience and attention to detail to execute properly. The artist must ensure that the tape or stencil is properly aligned and that the paint is applied evenly and carefully to prevent bleeding or smudging. With practice, however, cutting can be a powerful tool for creating bold, graphic effects in painting.