How to use masking fluid with watercolour - 8 DOs and 8 DON’Ts

[@nats92lilac]

I agree with the comments, this is by far the best video about masking fluid. Wish I had found it earlier before I ruined my page 😅

[@LizChadertonArt]

So glad it was helpful!

[@corettamill]

This is one of the best Art Tutorials I’ve ever seen. I have been painting for over 20 years . Thank you very much 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

Wow, thank you!

[@jackieslament]

I just picked up my winsor&Newton masking fluid for micheals and not even 5 minutes i smelled it! Hahaha, I didn't think it'd be so strong but yk I was tempted. Thank you for this video, it did help me a lot.

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh no! it smells vile, doesn’t it?

[@beedee4427]

Absolutely the best masking fluid vid I've watched (and I've watched a few over the years). To soften the stark edges I sometimes just get a clean wet brush and use the paint already on the page to do the softening for me. It's very subtle but sometimes that's all you need. Anyway, many thanks ☺

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! And yes softening the edges like that is a super idea

[@Voltergeist]

This was very helpful! Haven’t had much luck with masking fluid before but wanted to give it just one more go. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips, especially the one about the silicone brushes, I have those and it’s the perfect solution to avoid gunking up my brushes! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before!

[@LizChadertonArt]

they are super handy….

[@larysacherner312]

Thank you very much! It was very informative and helpful 👍

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@Lacroix999]

I use what’s called a ruling pen which is sort of like a calligraphy pen, but not quite. It’s ‘sucks’ up the fluid and disperses it on the paper and it’s adjustable so you can get thick/thin lines and it’s easy to clean because it’s metal and just wipe it off as it dries. They’re also super cheap for only about $5/$6 or so.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I have a whole film about ruling pens!

[@nancytestani1470]

This is so good, thanks so much….

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure

[@ruegalfonso]

Perfectly explained. Thanks you!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wendyward1155]

Thanks Liz I love your tips! Masking fluid can really be a pain but you’ve given me lots of ideas!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, it can be a total pain, but sadly you do need it! Glad you enjoyed this.

[@kanzaesadowa8676]

Im new here...by way of another of your videos and may I say I was completely distracted by your beautiful hair cut! Also, i really needed this video so THANK YOU!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh thank you! My hairs bobbed now. post lockdown, I needed a new start 😊

[@judesteyn5471]

This was more helpful than the other videos I've watched, Thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

So pleased to hear that!

[@cabacou1945]

Thank you so much for this very helpful tutorial, really helps me before I dive in!

[@LizChadertonArt]

That’s great to hear

[@wrongway3955]

I've been practicing two years this month finding your videos was serendipitous thank you so much

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome

[@janedoe5229]

Thank you! I am a beginner and this is very helpful! :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're so welcome!

[@sharonling-LetsArtToday]

Great video. Making my way through your playlist. One other way of applying the masking fluid is in a fine tip little bottle! It’s great for very fine detail. And so glad to see you said about the silicone tools. I have them and used on a fence. It worked a treat!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I just find those bottles clog unless your masking fluid is very fresh…

[@celsoteixeira3198]

Great video! Thanks a lot!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are welcome!

[@queenielisalisalisa6139]

Thank you. Very informative 👍🏽

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abbadonne8342]

Thank you for these tips

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@erikamonihen8873]

Genius! I bought a bottle a couple of weeks ago and have been very intimidated by it so i decided to build a little confidence with it, I would check out some videos. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

It’s useful stuff, but if you don’t have to use it, don’t….

[@annvansant5549]

Great help!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad it was useful

[@jude1515]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@jonnybaby666]

Great video, just started using water color. Looking for a way to make 'fiery sparks, kindling' floating on dark BG....that splash tech is gonna work wonders. Thx for the tip

[@LizChadertonArt]

Sounds great!

[@sunnysolheim2628]

Thank you! Excellent tutorial 🎉

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure! Glad it helped.

[@geniuskatie6813]

very nice thank you !

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you too!

[@wenwake7584]

Fab demo. It answered all my questions about masking fluid (received some Winsor & Newton freebies from a recent supply top-up from Pullingers). It's mad that I've never used it before. Apparently it works well with high quality papers, which take a lot of abuse, as John Salminen demonstrates in his spectacular work (on Arches 300gsm cold press sheets). I so needed the tip about not shaking it as that's the first thing I normally think to do instinctively. Now I shall experiment! Thank you... you have a new subscriber 😁

[@LizChadertonArt]

try and do a little test first on your paper just to check all is well. glad you found the tips useful.

[@nancytestani1470]

Me too…shake it! No, no

[@arlienechristison6243]

Thank you so much. I am not only a newbie but have no one to teach me these kinds of tips and techniques. I hope you fill fulfilled by what you are offering people like me who have a burning desire to progress without becoming overwhelmed. I love how you teach. Would you consider moving to the glorious South of the USA...charming and beautiful !

[@LizChadertonArt]

hee hee…. very happy in the glorious south of England! would love to visit though! Brilliant that you have started. we never stop learning.

[@corinnemarneffe3286]

Such a great video. I've been painting for over a year now, and I can't believe I never thought I could soften the ugly sharpness of the frisket white. Duh!!!!!! Thanks a million for superb tips

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are not alone! I once did a session and a really experienced artist looked like he'd just seen Moses with the Ten Commandments - so funny!

[@lisajones2783]

Really enjoy it thank you x

[@LizChadertonArt]

You’re welcome 😊

[@davidjames1418]

Thank you for a useful video i have just come back to water colour painting and have never used masking fluids before i bought some today and with your great tips i will use it with confidence

[@LizChadertonArt]

welcome back to watercolour!

[@lindacarstens2674]

Like the video. How do you dilute the masking fluid

[@LizChadertonArt]

Just add a little water to get the consistency you need.

[@luciebergeron2274]

Hi Liz, First I love your channel and your work! I have a question for you. My style is very loose but I start with some masking fluid lines that I put really in a free way. When it’s dry, I paint like I like to paint. By accident, I forgot a painting, and I was not able to take off the masking fluid, but I loved the effects! Now, I started to work in this way, keeping my masking fluid for always. Do you see a disadvantage in my “new” method? If not, do you think I can tint my masking fluid? I made silk painting and It’s remembered me this way of work. Thank you Liz and excuse my English. I am a francophone from Montréal.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I would be concerned that the masking fluid will yellow and go odd with time. it is designed to come off. however you can get permanent masking medium, which is designed to stay on. Winsor and Newton make it: amzn.to/4cPm4qs so I would use this and yes, you can tint with watercolour. Have fun!

[@estherdejong7313]

Michele Weber advises a ruling pen, and to my delight I had one. Dip pens also work well. Just put them in water immediately after use.

[@estherdejong7313]

Only last week I got my first bottle of masking fluid for my bithday, still in the experimental phase. Love your wheat example

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes a ruling pen works great for fine lines!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@estherdejong7313 have fun and happy birthday!

[@MoonshineSazerac]

Sorry but if its ripping the paper, you're using it wrong. Don't peel it off like cellotape in the direction it's going, you should be stretching it up in the opposite direction to the direction you're peeling, as it stretches it loses the adhesive qualities and peels off sharp and clean with no issue.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you for your suggestion

[@Lacroix999]

A glue residue eraser works better at removing it. It’s not the same as a regular eraser. It sticks to the masking fluid better and lifts it better and faster. I’ve also found that if you use that and lift it STRAIGHT UP off the page and NOT at an angle, you have less chances of it tearing your paper as well.

[@LizChadertonArt]

great tips, thank you

[@valeriegehling4358]

Great tips! Can masking fluid be used on hot pressed paper too? Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, absolutely

[@shrikrishnaabhyankar4332]

How masking fluid to be preserved?. Or does it get dried up keeping unused for a long time? Please guide!!.

[@LizChadertonArt]

it dries up after a time and once that happens there is nothing you can do. if it thickens you can dilute it, but once rubbery, throw it away. To slow this down, always put the lid back on tight. don’t shake the bottle. try storing it upside down so any skin is at the bottom, not the top.

[@Takatukata]

But once the fluid is dry isn't it useful to use a hairdryer to pull it off easily?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I don’t find it helps

[@orchidana6804]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

🥰

[@nancytestani1470]

Yes, but do not know how thick it should be applied…have very fine line tip ones…brushes etc..

[@LizChadertonArt]

It does not need to be thick and you can dilute slightly to make it flow. grab a scrap of paper and do a few lines straight out of the bottle, slightly diluted, a bit more diluted. dry, paint and remove. See which gives the effect you want.

[@charliepea]

I have a masking fluid bottle. I often use it, and never shake it, but it coagulates. And it gets worse if I add water to dilute it. Now I lost a lot of volume becuase they got lumpy. Why is that?

[@LizChadertonArt]

it just reacts with air and will coagulate with time… after 12 months of being open, longer if you are lucky, it will simply go off. nothing you can do about it, I’m afraid.

[@piaschlober8185]

What did she use for dilute it? Washing up liquid? What’s that?

[@LizChadertonArt]

washing up liquid = dish soap. This protects your brushes from masking fluid

[@michelletulumello661]

Does it matter whether the paper is pulp or cotton?

[@LizChadertonArt]

in general cotton is stronger than cellulose, but there are very soft cotton papers which will rip with masking fluid and excellent cellulose ones. So there isn’t one rule, I’m afraid

[@michelletulumello661]

@LizChadertonArt 😥 I have never been able to get it to work without damaging the paper. I tried it on hot press paul rubens and cellulose stillman and birn with equally disastrous results. Started thinking maybe it's the brand I'm using that's bad, and not the paper. I had Malatow masking fluid and just ordered Peebo, and we will see if that helps.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@michelletulumello661 I find Pebeo Drawing gum (white or blue) the least aggressive

[@divm8559]

Is masking fluid safe to use on skin for handprints? Tks

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m not quite sure what you mean, but the bottle says causes serious eye irritation and may cause respiratory irritation, so I would not deliberately apply to skin.

[@PavelEudave]

What can I dilute it with? just water?

[@LizChadertonArt]

A little water to improve flow

[@rosemarymiskimmin5612]

do some papers work better than others with masking fluid

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes! Cotton papers are stronger than cellulose, so less likely to rip. Soft absorbent papers make it more difficult to remove. I would always test a new paper to avoid nasty surprises.

[@danieljamesbinderystu2968]

You say dilute it, and see you commented to dilute it. Ummmm dilute it with..... what?? You left the most important part out of that equation 🤣 Distilled water? Isopropyl alcohol? Ammonia?

[@LizChadertonArt]

just water 😊

[@stephenpederson7471]

Definitely stay away from Winsor & Newton. Their mask fluid goes solid very quickly even unopened. Yours was quite chunky, although I don't know how long it had been since you opened it.

[@123roger4321]

No I don’t use it I find it ruins you r brushes I just normally lift of or work around

[@LizChadertonArt]

Using dish soap on your brushes will protect them, but if I can avoid masking I do….