How to Use Masking Fluid with Watercolor
I don’t remember how I originally discovered masking fluid, but I was hooked once I figured it out. I get a lot of questions about it, so I thought I would write about it and explain how to use it. I also made a video about it in case you prefer to watch.
What is masking fluid?
Also called friskit, it’s a liquid material that you put on dry watercolor paper in order to “mask off” areas that you want to keep white. You can also apply it over paint and apply darker layers on top of it - you can get all kinds of cool playful effects. But make sure the paper is dry!!
A couple of things to know about masking fluid that will make your life way easier. . .
• Use quality paper or it may tear. Ideally cotton paper is the best, but I use Speedball’s Fluid paper alllll the time and it works well there too.
• Wait until the masking fluid is completely dry to apply paint.
• Less is more. Make sure you apply it in a thin layer, not a thick ball.
• Wait until the paint is 100% dry to remove the masking fluid. I can’t stress this one enough. I know it is SO tempting to pull it off (because it is just so satisfying, right?), but you have to wait or your paper will tear
• Try not to leave it on your paper for more than a day or two
• If you use a brush to apply it, put dish soap on your brush FIRST because otherwise it will destroy your brush (and never use your favorite brush for this!!)
• If you use a ruling pen (my personal favorite), you will never ruin your brush. :)
This is the ruling pen that I use. You don’t have to use that specific one, but I happen to like that one. I don’t really love that rubber eraser for it, though. I prefer to use either my fingers or just a white eraser (white so it doesn’t stain your paper).
This is my favorite masking fluid. I like it partially because it’s blue so it’s easy to see, but I also think it’s just nice masking fluid.
I hope you, too discover the joys of masking fluid and watercolor everything. It’s a wonderful world to live in. :)