Sunday Secrets #40

 This entry was originally posted on Sunday, October 21, 2012

Today’s Sunday Secrets is from Mike.

His question is about using masking fluid.

He asks,

How do you avoid hard edges (from the masking fluid)?

Do you slightly dampen the edge before applying? 

Thank you for the question Mike.

 

Unfortunately there is no easy way to avoid hard edges from masking fluid.

It is the nature of the beast.

 

I have tried to dilute the masking fluid and I have even dampened an edge before and after applying it.

But none of these work.

It only causes the masking fluid to soak into the paper fibers more instead of staying on the surface of the paper. The masking fluid now becomes harder to lift and is more difficult to apply paint to the now damaged paper. So I would not recommend doing this.

The only way to create a soft edge is to do so after you have lifted the masking fluid. This is best done with a scrub brush and some tissue. Lightly dampen the paper and softly scrub along the hard line to create a softer edge.

Sunday Secrets #38

  This entry was originally posted on Sunday, October 7, 2012

This week's Sunday Secrets is from the students in one of classes.

They all wanted to know what masking fluid I like to use and why.

 

I prefer and recommend Winsor and Newton Art Masking Fluid.

There are a couple of reasons why.

The first is that it is the easiest to find and to purchase.

The second reason is that I teach a lot of courses that involve masking.

Students bring in all kinds of masking fluid.

Some work, some don't.

But I feel like the Winsor and Newton mask works the best and most consistently in all of my classes.

 

It is also best to use a newer bottle of masking fluid if you plan on doing a lot of masking.

It isn't as easy to work with because it gums up over time, especially if left in the heat and/or sun.

Sunday Secrets #35

  This entry was originally posted on Sunday, September 16, 2012

Today's Sunday Secrets also comes from Kathy.

Her question is about masking fluid.

 

She mentions that she "wasn't prepared for how quickly it was drying and blobbing on the brush so that it was even pulling off as I was applying it.  I couldn't apply it to get fine detail. What advise can you give me on using frisket?"

 

Thank you for your question Kathy. It is one that I get asked often in my classes.

 

First of all, I use a couple of different tools to apply mask.

My favorite for fine detail is a ruling pen. 

An inexpensive brush can also be used. When using a brush, be sure to dip it into soapy water before putting it into the masking fluid. The soap will coat the hairs and keep them from clumping up as easily. You need to occasionally put the brush back into the soapy water. When the brush starts to drag, that usually means it is time to put it back into the soapy water. 

To apply large areas with mask, I use my finger to gently cover the paper.

 

Sparkling Water

    This entry was originally posted on  Monday, July 2, 2012

One way to create sparkles on the water is to use masking fluid before you begin painting.

Another way to create the sparkles is to use an x-acto knife at the end.

Just gently scratch the surface of the paper so it scratches away the paint.

Be careful not to scratch so hard that it cuts your paper though!

 

Oh No! I Left My Mask on Too Long

     This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

When I first moved to Victoria, I had a beautiful sun room that was my studio. I loved the view and the light. I also loved the warmth from the summer sun. 

I was so excited to be in my new studio that I decided to start painting right away. 

My painting was carefully planned out and I got to work. It was the above portrait. I have to mask a few areas of the hair and part of the hand so I could paint around it more easily. 

After spending some time working on my painting, I discovered the one drawback of my sun room. My masking had baked into my paper in just a matter of a couple of days. 

I was devastated! 

I tried everything to get the masking off. Including sandpaper and an x-acto knife.

But to no avail. It would not budge.

So I then decided that I need to cover it up.

I got out my white acrylic paint and set to work.

I covered up the masking on the hand with a few thin layers of the white acrylic paint.

Then I painted with my watercolor and sometimes the watercolor mixed with the acrylic on top of the masking.

It worked! 

I have since had other success when I have accidentally left the masking fluid on longer than I should.

 

Hand after I used white acrylic paint to cover the masking fluid.

Watercolor paint as well as watercolor mixed with the white acrylic was used to paint the hand to match the rest of the painting.

Keeping the Mask On

    This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that masking fluid should not be left on your paper in a hot or sunny place. It should also not be left on your paper for long periods of time.

This is because it will bake into your paper and never come off. To prevent this from happening, be sure to take it off of your paper within a couple of weeks of application. Even if you are not done.

It is easier to reapply the masking fluid than it is to paint the painting over.

However, I have had success with keeping the masking fluid on my paper for up to several weeks.

I was able to do this by putting the painting in a dark plastic garbage bag and keeping it in a cool spot.

Just make sure the paper is dry before you do this or it might mold.

The other important thing about this is that you don't forget about it! (which I have a tendency to do)

Now that I have a basement studio, it is easy for me to leave it out where it can be seen but is still in a cool area.

Rubber Sole

   This entry was originally posted on Monday, February 27, 2012

Another great way to remove masking fluid is with a masking fluid remover.

Yes, that is the technical name.

I prefer rubber sole since it reminds me of the rubber sole from the bottom of a shoe.

As you can tell, mine is well used. 
It has turned black from all the masking fluid but it started out as a light beige color.

Removing Masking Fluid

 This entry was originally posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012

The best way to remove masking fluid is to first take a corner of a large area of mask.

Peel it away then start to pull it gently up and away from your paper.

If you pull it down, it the paper might tear.

Please make sure your paper is completely dry when you do this.

Now you can take that large chunk of masking fluid and use it to rub and lift away smaller pieces of mask.

More Texture Techniques with Masking Fluid

   This entry was originally posted on Thursday February 23, 2012

Another way to achieve texture with masking fluid is by using a toothbrush to splatter the mask.

I do this for asphalt on my poured watercolors and for the sparkles on water and waves.

I prefer a soft child size toothbrush. 

 

Just dip it into soapy water (similar to the brush technique of application), then dip the toothbrush into the mask. Now rub your finger along the bristles of the toothbrush with it facing towards the paper. You may want to cover up areas that you don't want masked with a paper towel while doing this. It can be messy.

Now I can pour or paint over the masking fluid and when it is lifted, I have what looks like texture or sparkles.

Achieving Texture with Masking Fluid

  This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

 Since I use mask often for my poured watercolors,

I sometimes try different things to achieve what looks like texture in my pours.

My favorite is to take a Scotchbrite sponge, the rough kind, and cut it into a small piece.

Then I dip it into masking fluid and sponge it onto my paper.

This creates a wonderful texture for asphalt and foliage.

Substitute Ruling Pen

  This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012

So you just ordered a ruling pen and you are dying to use it but it won't come for another week or two.

And you really want to paint!

What to do?

Instead, try making your own substitute ruling pen out of a straw.

All you have to do is cut the end at an angle.

It is best to cut it so that it is at a rounded angle instead of a point.

 

 

If it is too pointy and sharp, it will scratch your paper and the mask as you put on the masking fluid.

Now the straw will act like a quill.

Dip it in enough fluid that it will come out easily and not too much so it comes out in a big glob.

You may want to practice before you go and put it onto your painting.

And the best part about a straw.

You can throw it away or cut off the end ready for the next time when you are done.

Ruling Pen

 This entry was originally posted on Monday, February 20, 2012

 

My favorite way for applying masking fluid is with a ruling pen.

A ruling pen is an old drafting tool used for drawing lines with ink.

Instead I use it to draw lines of masking fluid.

The width of the line can be adjusted with the screw on top. 

A thin or a thicker line of masking fluid can be created.

Instead of holding it straight up and down to apply, hold it along the edge and have it glide across your paper like this:

The best part is that when the fluid dries, it can just be pulled off the tip of the ruling pen.

So much easier to use and clean up.

Update: I still love using a ruling pen. You can find these on Amazon by going to my store at 

https://www.amazon.com/shop/redheadart

Masking Large Areas

 This entry was originally posted on Saturday, February 18, 2012

You don't usually need to mask large areas but since I pour a lot of my paintings, I do need to protect large areas of my painting.

I have tried using mack-tack and the sticky shelf liner but discovered that it still needs to be sealed along the edges with masking fluid or the paint still can get under the mack-tack. Then the masking fluid leaves a line which many don't see but I do.

Instead I use the masking fluid to protect these large areas.

(Yes, I do use a lot but what else are you going to do with it?)

The easiest way to apply the masking to large areas is to first line the area with the masking fluid.

Then pour the fluid into the area and spread it with your finger.

The lined mask creates a damn and your finger puts it on quickly.

Plus it is easy clean up.

Just wash your hands afterwards.

But be careful not to spill it onto your clothes.

It will never come out!*

*Update: I have since discovered that Goo Gone will get masking fluid out of most clothes (but not all). 

How To Apply Masking Fluid

 This entry was originally posted on Friday, February 17, 2012

Since masking fluid is so temperamental it can be difficult to work with. 

One important thing to remember is to never, ever use your good brushes with it.

It will ruin them. 

Instead, use an inexpensive brush found at your local craft store or dollar store.

My preference is for a long, thin, rigger type brush.

My reasoning for this is that when the masking fluid dries, it clumps up at the base and splays the hairs out.

If you have a bigger brush, the splay gets bigger and more cumbersome to work with.

My other reason is that if it clumps up on the end, I can just snip it off and I still have a brush to work with.

When using a brush, keep a jar of soapy water close by.

Dip your brush into the soapy water before you dip it into the masking fluid. 

The soap coats the hairs on the brush and keeps the masking fluid from clumping up as quickly.

Continue to dip it into the soapy water throughout the application. How often do you do this? I will usually dip it back in and swish it around in the soapy water when I feel the brush start to drag across the paper. 

 

There are other tools that I use to apply masking fluid which I will tell you more about throughout the rest of the week.

Masking Fluid

 

This entry was originally posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012

Artist Masking Fluid 

is a great way to preserve your whites in watercolor.

I have taught many courses using masking fluid over the years and 

Winsor & Newton is consistently the best and the easiest brand to find. 

 

Here are some things to remember about masking fluid.

Make sure it is NOT the permanent masking fluid.

Do not shake your masking fluid. It will create bubbles which pop when it is applied and creates pinholes for the paint to get into. It also clumps up faster. Stir it with a straw or stick instead of shaking.

Keep it in a cool, dark place between uses. One suggestion is to put it in a dark sock. 

If your masking fluid is older than a year, get a new bottle.

Do not leave your painting in a hot, sunlight place while it has masking fluid on it. It will bake into your paper and never come off. If you need to leave it for longer than a couple of days, put it in a plastic bag and keep the painting in a cool place.

*Update: I still use Winsor & Newton masking fluid. When I moved back to the States, and with the help of Amazon, I discovered that this masking fluid also comes in 250 ml bottles. Now I do buy those larger bottles.

When I created the book, Watercolor 365, I did do illustrations of my supplies. I have decided to use those illustrations instead of the original photos in some of these posts. 

My Rubber Sole

Illustration of Masking Fluid Pick Up

As mentioned in my book, one way to get masking fluid off is to use a masking fluid or rubber cement pick up. This useful tool is made of some sort of rubber, similar to the bottoms of some shoes. That is why I call it my rubber sole. 

The painted version of it is below:

And this is the photo:

Soapy Water

Illustration of Brush in Soapy Water

This illustration is in the book and it makes it's appearance in Chapter 3. I just loved painting this illustration because of that beautiful blue color of the container. It is a portable water container that flattens out so it is easy to travel with. In the painted version, I did remove the tag on the end of the brush handle. 

Here is the painted version:

And here is the photo:

Ruling Pen

Ruling Pen Illustration

(combination of painting and photo)

A ruling pen is an item that can be used to apply masking fluid. It can also be used to draw in ink.

Painting of Ruling Pen

Photograph of Ruling Pen

Mask Pen Illustration

Mask Pen Illustration

(Combination of painting and photo)

Painted Mask Pen

Photo of Mask Pen

Painting Chopsticks

Chopsticks

Chopsticks are not one of my usual art supplies but I did include them in my book. Why? you may ask. Well, you will just have to read the book to find out.

Anyway, I did the above image by combining a painted chopstick with a photo of one. However, the complete image was not included in the book, only a portion of it.

I only had to paint one chopstick and then make it into two.

Here is the painted version:

Here is the photo: