To make a small circular or curved mask: Start with a piece of bond paper. Apply a strip of Scotch tape. Over this, place a strip of low-tack drafting tape. Using a circular template, draw the pattern. Cut with a small pair of curved craft scissors. Lift off the low-tack tape and apply it as the mask.

Cutting tape that’s been applied to a cutting surface usually results in the tape being dragged and misshapen or not cut cleanly; this method preserves the true shape desired for the mask.