Masking fluid can be a real game changer for your watercolour painting, as it allows you to keep very fine highlights, even when placed among the most fluid and bold brush marks. It can be applied with a variety of tools, from a brush to a toothpick, and dries on the paper to provide a waterproof cover over the parts of your painting that you wish to keep unpainted. You can then paint your work in as carefree a manner as you wish, knowing that when the painting is dry you will be able to remove the masking fluid to reveal crisp, bright white details.
This film introduces masking fluid and the ways you can use it, as well as highlighting important considerations to keep your tools and paper in good condition.
Contents – A Guide to Masking Fluid
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Why you should use masking fluid
1:27 Choosing your masking fluid
1:56 How to apply masking fluid
2:53 Applying with a ruling pen
4:40 Applying with a toothpick
4:59 Applying with a toothbrush
5:45 Masking fluid in a dispensing bottle
6:09 Applying with a brush
6:15 How to care for your brush when applying masking fluid
7:04 The benefits of applying with a brush
7:25 Application in action with a variety of tools
7:50 Applying colour over dried masking fluid
9:49 Removing the masking fluid
12:28 Credits
Further Reading
A Guide to Watercolour Painting
Langridge Solvent 75 and Safe-Clean-Up
A Guide to Stretching Watercolour Paper
Understanding Brush Shape Names, Hair, and Applications
Shop Masking Fluid on jacksonsart.com
4 thoughts on “Film: A Guide to Masking Fluid”
Can you use masking fluid with watercolour
pencils?
Hi Andrew,
Good question! The pencils would have to be very heavily softened with water and applied lightly to be used with masking fluid. If you used the pencils dry the shading action over the masking fluid would scratch the masking fluid off, in most cases.
Hoping that makes sense and is useful!
All the best
Lisa
Some very useful tips. Thank you!
That’s great to hear, thank you Roger!
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