2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
There are many different techniques in watercolor painting. Sometimes you just cannot do without masking certain sections of the picture so that the paint does not accidentally flow onto them. This is where watercolor masking fluid can help artists.
What is it?
Mask liquid is a solution of liquid rubber or latex, which, after drying, is easily removed from the surface. Usually this solution is sold in jars and applied to the drawing with a brush. There is no need to dilute it with additional water. Masking fluid for watercolor is very useful in cases where the drawing has numerous highlights or places that the artist wants to work out separately, after applying the background. For example, in drawing water.
One of the best on the art market is Sennelier watercolor masking liquid. Available in jars of 37 and 75 milliliters. This is a very high quality material, but also quite expensive.
How to use
Easy to apply masking liquid for watercolorbrush. It should be borne in mind that this is still rubber, and it hardens when it dries so that later it cannot be washed off the brush. And if you do not immediately wash the brush with soap and water after application, then it will have to be thrown away. Therefore, use old brushes for such purposes, which are not a pity, or apply liquid with a pen.
After applying, you need to wait until the liquid dries and hardens. After that, it can be easily removed from the surface with your fingers or erased with an eraser.
Helpful application tips
Do not apply watercolor masking fluid to wet surfaces. Since after drying, the desired effect may not be achieved. Leave the masking fluid to dry as long as possible after using on the desired areas of the pattern.
Watercolor paper with a large texture is not suitable, as removing the mask may damage the surface of the paper. In place after removing the liquid, you can apply paint or leave it completely unpainted. Close the lid of the jar tightly so that as little air as possible gets in.
What to replace?
Because the factory-made masking fluid is quite expensive, buying it just to try it in one or two jobs, not everyone can afford. How to replace the masking liquid for watercolor for someone who does not feel much need for it, but would like to diversify their painting technique? There are several proven materials forthis.
The closest in composition to the masking fluid is the rubber adhesive grade A. It is made from rubber. This glue is good because it does not absorb into the paper and does not stick to it, and after drying it is well removed.
Wash or white crayon can be used for areas that are not going to be painted after masking. This material repels watercolor paint. It works especially well for highlights or water splashes.
In small format works or for small highlights, a gel pen with white ink is suitable.
If you need to depict some large objects with a clear and not complex shape, you can cut out stencils for them from paper or paper tape.
The use of adhesive tape needs to be considered in more detail. Masking paper tape has an advantage over masking liquid. It is very handy if you need to keep sharp, straight lines in your drawing. For example, in architectural elements. But drawing straight lines with a liquid brush is quite difficult.
Using tape is very easy. It is necessary to cut the strips of the required length and stick to the paper. In this case, it is better not to press the adhesive tape too hard, because when removed, it can peel off along with the top layer of paper. You can remove the tape from the picture only after it has dried, otherwise the glue will ruin the paper.
As with masking fluid, do not use a textured surface. This method of masking is suitable not only forwatercolors or other liquid paints. It is used in pastel painting and when working with colored pencils.
The use of each of the above materials gives an interesting and unique effect, whether it is a factory liquid or a handmade masking liquid for watercolor. To determine what is more suitable for your personal goals, you can experiment. Fortunately, watercolor has this as no other paint.
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