GB2290055A

GB2290055A - Producing a piece of artwork and a paint kit

Info

Publication number: GB2290055A
Application number: GB9511113A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Frank Yeomans; Christopher Bagnall
Original assignee: Oasis Art and Craft Products Ltd
Current assignee: Oasis Art and Craft Products Ltd
Priority date: 1994-06-04
Filing date: 1995-06-01
Publication date: 1995-12-13
Also published as: GB9511113D0; FR2720688B3; FR2720688A1; DE19520385A1; GB9411211D0

Description

4 1 1 2290055 METHOD OF PRODUCING A PIECE OF ARTWORK AND A PAINTING KIT

This invention relates to a method of producing a piece of artwork in which a person is guided in his or her application of paints or colours by part of a pre-prepared kit; it also relates to a kit for use with such a method.

one method by which application of paints may be guided is provided by "colour by numbers" kits. These kits provide a base printed with the outline of a picture. Discrete areas of the picture are defined by respective boundaries and a number is printed within each area to indicate the colour intended to be applied to that area. The colour by numbers kit may be supplied with paints, brushes and instructions which the user follows by applying a designated colour of paint to each discrete area of the base to create a picture.

Whilst much enjoyment and satisfaction can be derived from a colour by numbers painting, the applications of this method are limited. The method is most suitable for use with oil, emulsion or acrylic paints or other colouring means which, once applied, obliterate the lines and numbers printed on the base. It is inappropriate, for example, to use a colour by numbers kit with watercolour paints as, due to the nature of watercolour paints, matter printed on the base would show through such paints in a completed picture and spoil the picture. Similarly, it is not possible to guide the user to apply a first colour and subsequently to apply a second colour partially to cover the first colour as, despite the fact that this method is often desirable, once a first colour has been 4 2 applied, the guide lines are obliterated and there is no guidance for the user to follow in applying a further colour over the first colour.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of producing a piece of artwork and a paint kit for use with such a method.

According to a first aspect, the present invention consists in a method of applying colouring pigment to a base to produce a piece of artwork comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a first mask over the base such that the mask covers part of the base but leaves a first area of the base uncovered; b) applying a first layer of colouring pigment to the first area; c) positioning a second mask over the base such that the second mask covers at least part of the base but leaves a second area of the base uncovered. and d) applying a second layer of colouring pigment to the second area.

The first layer of colouring pigment may be applied to the base through an opening in the first mask, a perimeter of the opening provides a guide to the user indicating the first area of the base to which the colouring pigment should be applied. It is unnecessary to provide guide lines on the base. Similarly, the second layer of colouring pigment may be c 3 applied to the base through an opening in the second mask.

Preferably, at least part of the second area defined by the second mask overlaps at least part of the first area defined by the first mask. The second mask is arranged such that part of its opening. which defines the second area, overlaps at least part of the first area to which colouring pigment has already been applied such that when the second layer of colouring pigment is applied, at least part of it is superimposed upon at least part of the first layer of colouring pigment. This overcomes a long held technical prejudice that the only way to create a piece of artwork using watercolour paints in which a part of a painting is built up from one layer of colour applied over a previously applied layer of colour was by freehand painting. The present invention is not limited to use with watercolour paints but may also be used with many other forms of colouring pigments, for example, acrylic paints, oil paints, emulsions, felt tip pens and crayons.

The base to which the colouring pigment is applied is preferably of sheet material; it may be paper or card. The base, or a surface of the base, may be treated or adapted for use with a particular type of colouring pigment. When the base is intended for with watercolour paints, its surface may have, or be treated so as to have, a suitable level absorbency.

use may of More than two masks may be positioned on the base each leaving a respective area of the base uncovered for the application of a layer of colouring pigment.

4 Location means may be provided to facilitate correct alignment of each mask with the base. Support means, adapted to support the base and each mask when in use may be provided; in this case the location means may. be provided on or by the support means. The location means may take the form of one or more location pegs provided at the support means and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding location aperture or apertures provided respectively in the base and the masks.

In a preferred method, only one colour is applied using each mask. It is nevertheless possible for a single mask to define more than one discrete area and these discrete areas may have different colouring pigments applied to them.

Preferably, the first mask is removed from the base prior to positioning the second mask. If there are more than two masks each further mask is preferably removed before a successive mask is put into position.

Where the colouring pigment is a watercolour paint, this may be applied to the base with a brush, a sponge, a roller or any other suitable means.

According to a second aspectY the present invention consists in a painting kit comprising:

a first mask provided, or adapted to be provided, with an opening and being adapted to be positioned over a base such that a perimeter of the opening delineates a first area of the base for the application of a colouring pigment to the first area, and a second mask provided, or adapted to be provided, with an opening and being adapted to be positioned over the base such that a perimeter of its opening delineates a second area of the base for the application of a colouring pigment to the second area.

Preferably, at least part of the first area defined by the first mask coincides with at least part of the second area.

Each mask used in the method or provided in the painting kit may be made of paper, card, metal, plastics or any other suitable material. Each mask may be made of more than one material.

A rear surface of each mask, which surface is intended in use to contact the base, may be provided with an adhesive coating. The adhesive coating may reduce the possibility of the mask moving unintentionally once it has been applied to the base. Where watercolour paints are used, the adhesive coating may prevent or reduce the possibility of paint seeping underneath the mask beyond the perimeter of the first or second area. Adhesive may be provided solely around the perimeter of the opening provided in the mask.

A front surface of each mask, which surface is intended in use to face away from the base when in use, may be provided with a surface having suitable characteristics for the colouring pigment with which it is intended to be used. For example, the front surface may be waterproof or absorbent. The surface having such desired characteristics may be provided solely around the perimeter of the opening provided in the mask.

The masks may be reusable. They may be suitable for use in a first orientation to create a first 6 picture and also for use in a second orientation in which they are turned over to create a mirror image of the first picture.

Information intended to guide the user may be provided on each mask used in the method or provided in the painting kit. This information may comprise instructions regarding use and positioning of the mask, suggested colour to be applied using the mask, suggested painting techniques to achieve a suitable effect and other explanations.

The painting kit may also comprise any or all of the following items: at least one base; location and/or support means; colouring pigments and applicator means for applying the colouring pigments; instructions; a representation of a picture intended to be reproduced using the kit. The applicator means may comprise for example, one or more of: a brush, sponge and roller.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of one form of painting kit in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a second form of painting kit in accordance with the invention.

The painting kit of Figure 1 comprises support means in the form of a rigid board 2, a base comprising a sheet of paper 4 which is suitable for application of watercolour paints, a first mask 6 and a second z 1 7 mask 8. Locating means in the form of locating pegs 10 are provided at the rigid board 2 and are adapted to cooperate with corresponding locating holes 12 provided in the base 4 and the masks 6,8 to facilitate correct positioning of these components. The kit also contains watercolour paints, paint brushes, instructions and a reproduction of the painting intended to be reproduced using the kit (not shown). All of the items of the kit are preferably packaged together in a base or other suitable holder in which they may be stored when not in use.

A user of the kit f irst positions the base 4 on the rigid board 2, engaging the locating pegs 10 in the corresponding locating holes 12. The f irst mask 6 is then positioned over the base 4 and the rigid board 2 in the same manner. Instructions (not shown) are printed on the first mask 8 to guide the user through a suggested procedure.

An opening 14 is provided in the f irst mask; when the first mask 6 is positioned over the base 4, the opening 14 serves to define a first area on the base 4 to which the user applies a first layer of watercolour paint. The perimeter of the opening 14 defines the perimeter of the first area and guides the user in applying the first layer of paint. Once the first layer of paint has been applied in this way, the f irst mask 6 is removed from the base 4 and the first layer of paint is allowed to dry; the drying process may be accelerated by placing the base 4 in suitable ambient conditions or by use of a heat source, for example, a hairdryer.

Once the first layer of paint is sufficiently dry to prevent smudging, the second mask 8 is positioned 8 over the base 4. A second layer of watercolour paints is then applied to the base through an opening 16 provided in the second mask 8. The perimeter of this opening 16 def ines the second area of the base 4 which coincides, at least in part, with part of the f irst area. In this way, at least part of the second layer of watercolour paint is superimposed on at least part of the first layer of watercolour paint. Once the second layer of watercolour paint has been applied, the second mask 8 is removed and the second layer of paint allowed to dry. If desired, further masks may be provided and may be used to build up further layers of paint on the base.

Figure 2 shows a second form of painting kit which again comprises support means 32,, a base 34, a first mask 36 and a second mask 38. In this case, the support means 32 'is provided in the form of a moulded plastic tray having a peripheral lip 50 so that a recess 51 is defined surrounded by the lip. The base 34 is in the form of a piece of card, folded in half and intended-to serve as a greetings card.

In use, the base 34 is received in the recess 51 of the support means 32 and is retained in position for use by the peripheral lip 50. The first and second masks 36,38 are used as previously described and, when received in the recess 51 of the support means 32 for use are similarly retained in position as required for use by the peripheral lip 50.

This second embodiment is particularly suitable for use by children to create relatively simple pictures using, for example, a roller to apply paint to the base 34 with the aid of the masks 36,38.

1 1 f 9 Instead of providing the openings in the masks in either of the painting kits as originally supplied as a product, the masks may each have formed in its material, by one or more lines of weakening, at least one outline f or an opening to be made in the mask, the opening then being established by a user of the mask removing the material of the mask within the outline. The or each line of weakening may be formed by a cut or cuts in the material of the blank.

In either, or each, of the embodiments described at least one of the masks may have more than one opening in it for application of the paint to the base. By providing additional openings and/or more than two of the masks pictures may be created which can have quite considerable content and detail in them.

Either or each of the painting kits may be provided with more than one set of masks, each set being adapted for producing a different piece of artwork. The masks of each set may be suitably identified to enable the user to distinguish the masks of one set from another. Conveniently the sets of masks are of different colours for this purpose.

Claims

CLAIMS z 1. A method of applying colouring pigment to a base to produce a

piece of artwork comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a first mask over the base such that the mask covers part of the base but leaves a first area of the base uncovered; b) applying a first layer of colouring pigment to the first area; c) positioning a second mask over the base such that the second mask covers at least part of the base but leaves a second area of the base uncovered, and d) applying a second layer of colouring pigment to the second area.
2. A method according to claim 1 in which at least part of the second area defined by the second mask overlaps at least part of the first area defined by the first mask.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the colouring pigment comprises water colour paints.

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4. A method according to any preceding claim in which at least a surface of the base to which colouring pigment is applied is treated or adapted for use with a particular type of colouring pigment.
5. A method according to any preceding claim in which more than two masks are used to be positioned on the 11 base, each mask leaving a respective area of the base uncovered for the application of a layer of colouring pigment.
6. A method according to any preceding claim in which location means is used to facilitate correct alignment of each mask on the base.
7. A method according to any preceding claim in which the base and each mask are caused to be supported in the required relationship for use by support means to which they are applied.
8. A method according to any preceding claim in which at least one of the masks is able to leave more than one area of the base uncovered.
9. A method according to any preceding claim in which at least one of the masks is able to be used on the base in more than one orientation.
10. A method according to any preceding claim in which each mask has an adhesive coating applied to a surface thereof intended in use of the mask to contact the base to reduce the possibility of unintentional movement of the mask on the base.
11. A method according to claim 10 in which the adhesive coating is confined to a marginal region of the mask which contacts the base around the respective area of the base left uncovered when the mask is positioned over the base.

12. A method according to any preceding claim in which information intended to guide the user is provided on each mask.
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13. A method according to any preceding claim in which each mask is used for applying only one respective colouring pigment to the base.
14. A method according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which at least one of the masks leaves more than one discrete area of the base uncovered and the discrete areas have different colouring pigments applied to them.
15. A method according to any preceding claim in which only one of the masks is positioned over the base at one time for the application of colouring pigment.
16. A painting kit comprising: a first mask provided, or adapted to be provided, with an opening and being adapted to be positioned over a base such that a perimeter of the opening delineates a first area of the base for the application of a colouring pigment to the first area, and a second mask provided, or adapted to be provided, with an opening and being adapted to be positioned over the base such that a perimeter of its opening delineates a second area of the base for the application of a colouring pigment to the second area.
17. A painting kit according to claim 16 in which the opening of the second mask is positioned and formed such that at least part of the second area which its perimeter delineates on a base coincides with the first area which the opening of the f irst mask causes to be delineated by its perimeter on a base.
18. A painting kit according to claim 16 or claim 17 which comprises more than two of the masks.

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19. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 18 which includes at least one base f or the masks to be positioned over in use.
20. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 19 in which colouring pigments are provided and applicator means for applying the colouring pigments.
21. A painting kit according to claim 20 in which the colouring pigments are water colours.
22. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 21 including location means whereby the masks can be located on the base with which the masks are to be used.
23. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 22 including a support on which the masks are respectively positioned for use over the base.
24. A painting kit according to claim 23 as dependent from claim 22 in which the support has a recess to receive and loca-te the base and masks for application of colouring pigment to the base.
25. A painting kit according to claim 23 as dependent from claim 22 in which the support is provided with one or more location pegs and each mask has a corresponding location aperture or apertures adapted to co- operate with the location peg or pegs to locate the masks on the base.
26. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 25 in which each of the masks has formed in its material, by one or more lines of weakening, at least one outline for an opening to be made in the mask for enabling a respective area of the base to be left uncovered when 14 the mask is positioned over the base, the opening being established by a user of the mask removing the material of the mask within the outline.
27. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 26 in which at least one of the masks has, or is adapted to have, more than one opening in it for the application of colouring pigment to the base.
28. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 27 in which sets of the mask are provided, each set being adapted for producing a different piece of artwork.
29. A painting kit according to claim 28 in which the sets of the mask are of dif f erent colours for ease of the user in distinguishing one set from another for use.
30. A painting kit according to any of claims 16 to 29 in which each mask has an adhesive coating applied to a surface thereof intended in use of the mask to contact the base to reduce the possibility of unintentional movement of the mask on the base.
31. A painting kit according to claim 30 in which the adhesive coating is confined to a marginal region of the mask which is intended to contact the base around the respective area of the base which is left uncovered when the mask is positioned over the base.
32. A method of applying colouring pigment to a base to produce a piece of artwork substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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33. A painting kit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.