![\"getting-started\"](\"http:\/\/jacksonsart.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/getting-started.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTesting to Compare Masking Fluids<\/h2>\n
There are many makes of masking fluid. We worked with a watercolour artist who regularly uses masking fluid to test the different brands to see the characteristics of each. The phrases in quotes were things said by the artist during the process.<\/p>\n
We used Winsor & Newton Artists Watercolour Paper<\/a> in Not texture for the tests. The process we used for the tests:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> First a pink watercolour was washed on in a small area and let dry.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Then masking fluid was applied in various ways while noting how it responded to different application methods. (Including over the pink spot, to test lifting of colour.)<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Masking fluid dried for 20 minutes to an hour. (Your drying time can depend on thickness of application.)<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Then a blue watercolour was applied to two sections and an orange acrylic wash to a section.<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> When the paint was dry the masking fluid was removed noting how it responded. The test cards shown are the result of the whole process so they show the paper after the masking fluid has been removed.<\/p>\n Along the way we discovered a few things that might be helpful:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 The doubled ended blender (silicone applicator) was useful for gentle removal of dried masking fluid, it is firm but gentle and lessened any tearing. It was not as useful for application as for removal.<\/p>\n \u2022 It is best to remove the masking slowly with gentle rubbing, which worked better than pulling it up like a string.<\/p>\n \u2022 Big blobs and thickly applied areas are more likely to tear the paper. We decided the best approach to applying the masking fluid is to have a balance: apply it as thinly as possible because the thinner it is the less likely it is to tear the paper but thick enough to prevent the paint bleeding through.<\/p>\n Test results summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Best:<\/strong> Schmincke White<\/a>, Masquepen<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Good:<\/strong> Schmincke Blue<\/a>, Jackson\u2019s Art White<\/a>, Jackson\u2019s Art Blue<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Acceptable:<\/strong> Daler-Rowney<\/a>, Winsor & Newton Colourless<\/a>, Winsor & Newton Coloured<\/a>, Pebeo Drawing Gum<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Not Acceptable:<\/strong> Daniel Smith<\/a><\/p>\n These results were from these specific tests and other artists may get different results. For example- although this artist found that Daniel Smith didn’t work for her, we know of others who like it.<\/p>\n Schmincke White Liquid Frisket<\/strong><\/a> in bottle \u2013 First Place rating Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Mild lemon smell.<\/p>\n \u2022 White colour \u2013 It dries clear and is hard to see where you have applied it (the only drawback).<\/p>\n \u2022 Different to the Schmincke blue in the applicator tube, it is thinner, smoother and less gummy.<\/p>\n \u2022 For dots it is great \u2013 it makes a ball at the end of your brush that you can dot onto paper.<\/p>\n \u2022 Splatters: moderately well.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong> “No tearing!!” Didn\u2019t tear paper even on the test that overlaid the pink painted section. The only one that didn\u2019t tear the paper at all. Cleanest edges and even the thin patches did not have bleed through of colour.<\/p>\n Masquepen<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Second Place rating, excellent Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Smells moderately of ammonia and rubber.<\/p>\n \u2022 Light blue colour.<\/p>\n \u2022 Moderately runny.<\/p>\n \u2022 Good for dots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Good for splatters.<\/p>\n \u2022 Using the regular nozzle tip it flows fast, great dots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Using the Supernib was exciting \u2013 \u201cLove it, fun!\u201d – you can do amazing things with it, it is very precise. Straight lines are not its strong point as tip is too long to control and it is hard to squeeze while drawing out and so line is uneven but great for tiny dots and shapes. Note: to keep your Supernib from clogging up be sure to clean immediately – use the empty bottle provided, fill with water, attach nib you\u2019ve just used and squirt water through to clean.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> We also tested an old bottle that had thickened up, we diluted it with a few drops of water, it was still slightly thicker than the new one \u2013 our tester thought it was even better than the new one \u2013 she liked it slightly thicker.<\/p>\n Removal<\/strong>: Sharpest edges, no bleed through, only tore paper on the part where it was applied over painted paper.<\/p>\n Schmincke Blue<\/strong><\/a> in applicator tube \u2013 Third Place rating Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 No smell.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dark blue colour.<\/p>\n \u2022 Thicker, rubberier, gelatinous.<\/p>\n \u2022 The applicator tip on the bottle is ok but not precise, the line is thick, so not really very useful.<\/p>\n \u2022 Best used with a brush.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ruling pen: Good for long lines.<\/p>\n \u2022 Silicone applicator: gives more control \u2013 thin lines and dots.<\/p>\n \u2022 You run out quicker because it is thicker.<\/p>\n \u2022 Splatters: doesn\u2019t splatter well, as is too thick.<\/p>\n \u2022 Washed out of the brush only because the brush was soaped first.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> We compared a new tube with a tube that was 1.5 years old and they had the same flow, no change because of the age.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n Tore on the acrylic test, very slightly tore on watercolour<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s Art White<\/strong><\/a> – Fourth Place rating (same as blue) Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 White colour is slightly pink, just enough so you can see it.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cIt goes a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 The consistency allows long lines with the ruling pen.<\/p>\n \u2022 It works well with the silicone applicator \u2013 it doesn\u2019t become crumbly.<\/p>\n \u2022 It dots well.<\/p>\n \u2022 It splatters well, second only to Winsor in splattering.<\/p>\n \u2022 Didn\u2019t drag colour off the underpainting.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n Paint colour went through in thin areas. Moderate tearing and tearing on paint wash area.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s Art Blue<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Similar to white (see above), but ruling pen lines didn\u2019t go as far, it may be a bit thicker.<\/p>\n Daler-Rowney<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Fifth Place group, all these are about equal, acceptable Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Light yellow colour.<\/p>\n \u2022 Strongest smell.<\/p>\n \u2022 Very runny.<\/p>\n \u2022 Gives a long line with ruling pen.<\/p>\n \u2022 Thin consistency makes good dots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Splatters: tiny specks<\/p>\n \u2022 Narrow opening to jar allows less air contact for drying out contents.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n Tore a bit, small amount of bleed through.<\/p>\n Winsor & Newton Colourless<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Fifth Place group, all these are about equal, acceptable<\/p>\n Format: Plastic bottle with child-proof lid, available in two sizes.<\/p>\n Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 White, dries clear.<\/p>\n \u2022 Strong ammonia smell.<\/p>\n \u2022 Has bubbles without shaking, not good.<\/p>\n \u2022 Very runny.<\/p>\n \u2022 Good at dots.<\/p>\n \u2022 Very good splatter \u2013 best variety of speck sizes.<\/p>\n \u2022 Problem \u2013 when applying with ruling pen and silicone tool over a wash painted area it removed the paint.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n Tore a bit, small amount of bleed through.<\/p>\n Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid<\/strong><\/a> (Coloured) Pebeo Drawing Gum<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Fifth Place group, all these are about equal, acceptable<\/p>\n Format: Plastic bottle.<\/p>\n Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Ammonia \u2013 strong smell.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dark grey colour.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cJar says: dilutes and cleans with water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Very runny, watery, thin application seems uneven, too runny to do dots, won’t form a little sphere. The runniest.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ruling Pen: smooth, but lines didn\u2019t go very far.<\/p>\n \u2022 Silicone applicator: can do a thinly spread application but with repeated strokes it started crumbling.<\/p>\n \u2022 Splatters well because is thin.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n Good sharp edges, tore a bit, small amount of bleed through.<\/p>\n Daniel Smith<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Last Place, unacceptable<\/p>\n Format: Comes in a small squeeze bottle with plastic nozzle tips that can be cut to have different width tips.<\/p>\n Application:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Moderately smelly.<\/p>\n \u2022 Full of bubbles even though not shaken. (see image below for bubbles issue)<\/p>\n \u2022 Nozzles kept falling off. \u201cWhat am I doing wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 It was okay when used with ruling pen and applicator but was annoying to use the bottle applicator.<\/p>\n \u2022 The only one that was slow drying, took a long time to dry.<\/p>\n \u2022 Note:<\/strong> We also compared a 1-year old bottle that had been opened. The lid was difficult to remove but when screwed off the contents was the same as the new.<\/p>\n Removal:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cHard to apply and hard to remove.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Peeled off with rough edges, incomplete coverage, difficult to get off, tore paper, removed paint in underwash area. \u201cIf you can get it off it makes a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n What Unbleached Titanium Can Add to Your Palette<\/a><\/p>\n Non-toxic Oil Painting Mediums and Oil Varnishes<\/a><\/p>\n Solvent Safety Guide: Taking Care With Oil Paint Solvents<\/a><\/p>\n Artist Review of Grafix Dura-lar Gummed Pads<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFor application we tested using the applicator on the bottle if there was one, a ruling pen<\/a>, a size 4 sable brush<\/a>, and a silicone applicator tool<\/a>. The brush was coated in washing up liquid before each use and washed out after and was not damaged. A small dot (quarter of a pea) of washing up liquid was placed in the palm and the hairs were massaged in it, no water.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe Masking Fluids:<\/h2>\n
\nFormat: Comes in a glass bottle in two sizes and a plastic bottle in 250 ml.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFormat: Comes in a squeeze bottle with a needle applicator tip and a super-fine needle is available separately. Additional bottles are also available without needle tip – called refill bottles.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
\nFormat: Comes in a long tube bottle with a not very fine nozzle tip.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFormat: Glass jar.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFormat: Glass bottle with child-proof lid, available in two sizes.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSame as Colourless (see above) but yellow.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFurther Reading<\/h2>\n