Frequently Asked Questions about Stonehenge Aqua

As always, feel free to contact us with any unanswered questions! 

Why can tape pull up the surface of Stonehenge Aqua?

Stonehenge Aqua is 100% cotton, and its surface keeps color luminous and workable, so you have time to blend and lift. That same surface asks for care with tape. Ordinary tape can grab hard enough to pull up fibers, or a thin layer of the surface, when it comes off. It can happen on Hot Press and Cold Press, and it can happen with tape sold as low tack. It's preventable with the right tape and a slow removal.

What tape is recommended for Stonehenge Aqua?

Holbein SoftTape. We tested tapes with working watercolor artists, and SoftTape held through painting and came off clean. Blue painter's tape and standard masking tape have too much tack, and a "low tack" label isn't enough on its own.

How do I apply and remove tape without damaging the paper?

1. Use Holbein SoftTape.

2. To lower the tack even more, press the tape against a clean cotton cloth, like a T-shirt, before putting it on the paper.

3. Let your painting dry completely before you take the tape off.

4. Warm the tape with a hair dryer on low heat and low speed, held 6–9 inches away. This softens the adhesive.

5. Peel slowly, folding the tape back on itself at a low angle and pulling to the side. Don't pull straight up or rip it off like a bandage.

Can I use tape on a Stonehenge Aqua block?

Yes. A block is glued on all four sides, so you don't need tape to hold the sheet flat, but you can still use it to mask an area or make a clean white border. Same tape, same removal steps.

What masking fluid is recommended for Stonehenge Aqua?

Here’s a video showing the brands that work best with Stonehenge Aqua. In our tests, Grumbacher Miskit and Sennelier Drawing Gum came out on top. We also recommend Holbein Masking Fluid, which is thinner and lighter than most.

Masking fluid can lift the surface the same way tape can, so a little care goes a long way:

1. Try it on a scrap or in the margin first.

2. Brush on a thin coat with a light touch. Scrubbing with the brush roughs up the surface.

3. Let the fluid dry completely before you paint, and let the paint dry completely before you remove it.

4. Remove it with a rubber cement pickup or your fingertip, rubbing softly. Warm air from a hair dryer helps it release. Go slowly; rushing is what pulls up fibers.

5. Skip hard erasers.

What if the surface still lifted?

Email us at info@legionpaper.com. Tell us what tape or masking fluid you used and how you removed it, and we'll help you sort it out.

Here’s a PDF with directions.

How do I remove a sheet from a Stonehenge Aqua Block glued on 2 sides?

4 easy steps to remove your painting from a watercolor block glued on 2 sides:

1. Wait for your artwork to dry completely
2. Locate the glued and loose edges of the block
3. Slide a letter opener, palette knife or dull knife under a loose edge of your artwork
4. Gently push through the glue to release the glued sides

Is Stonehenge Aqua double sided?

Yes, the sizing in the Stonehenge Aqua is consistent throughout so that both sides of the sheet can be used.

Is Stonehenge Aqua vegan?

Stonehenge Aqua is vegan friendly!