The dark side of watercolor. How to use masking fluid without the mess

Take a walk on the dark side with me for this fun and (slightly dangerous) floral tutorial that harnesses the style of the Dutch masters. Hope you enjoy!
Xo
Margot
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ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Margot and I am a professional artist and graphic designer. My parents like to joke that I was born with a paintbrush in hand. I started my career after graduating from the renown Parsons School of Design in New York City and spent over 15 years creating and designing for many of the world's top Fortune 500 brands and companies. My painting journey started as a side project and a creative outlet for me to step away from the computer, go back to my "roots" in fine art and to hone my skills as an illustrator and painter. I started posting some of my work on instagram and the rest is history. My work is inspired by all the things that I am passionate about. Ballet, travel, graphic design, color and finding a world of beauty in all facets of everyday life. I hope you'll join me in this KZbin journey as I take you through all the tips, tricks and trade secrets I've gathered throughout the years. I hope I can teach you some of what I know, help you discover your creative voice and I hope you enjoy this Channel!
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[@Blick_Art]

This is mandatory viewing for every artist who still doesn't understand exactly what masking fluid is for! That "soap the brush" tip is just brilliant!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much! I wish I could take credit for that one but I discovered it through my fellow artist friend (and watercolor maestro) Thierry Duval! Everyone reading this, go check out Thierry ASAP

[@lisamacias8339]

@@Pointebrush Great video! I soap my brush before using Pebeo masking tape, but I still have a hard time getting it clean. I use an old brush, so I'm not too concerned, but I'd love to know if there are any tips about cleaning the brush that you can give me.

[@Madeline96]

Aw thank you for including the Pro-Tip on hydrangeas! 💐It will make for a good, challenging exercise in contrast and shape, as I tend to forget how effective the impression of an object can be portrayed with strategic light/colour contrasts. Work smarter, not harder - Less detail and let the human eye fill in the rest!

[@Pointebrush]

I truly hope that helps Madeline! I find that even the artists who do photorealism give themselves some leeway here with complex bunches because as you said, the human eye does a remarkable job filling in the details for what isn't even there!

[@victoriajane2468]

Gorgeous!!! It must have taken a looong time to mask the flowers!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you! The masking might have actually been the quickest part of the whole thing!

[@shadowguard3578]

You are hilarious and your flowers are beautiful! I’m too intimidated to paint so many flowers together. I have a craft brand of masking fluid by Nuvo. I used to make cards as a hobby, I occasionally still do so that’s why I have a craft brand masking fluid rather than an artist brand. It does the same thing. I don’t use masking fluid that often but when I do it’s over small areas. BTW great idea to repurpose the Caran D’Ache gouache palette for your watercolors. 👍

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Shadow Guard. I clearly as having way too much fun with my son's halloween mask 😂 Go at your speed. Slow and consistent always wins over flashiness. And don't hesitate to let me know if there are any questions or topics that I could help you with to fill in any knowledge or technical gaps. ❤️

[@shadowguard3578]

@@Pointebrush thank you Margot! ❤️

[@Kass268]

What a beautiful painting and such a practical and useful tip!

[@Pointebrush]

Happy help Kassiani!

[@azzuparis]

This painting turned out so beautiful ❤

[@saltlifegull4091]

LMAO Inner Rebel - I get it;) Outstanding as usual!

[@suewhite3527]

So beautiful. I’ve used Windsor and Newton masking fluid and haven’t had good luck at all. I’ll try this brand and I love the soap trick!

[@helenelacaille5833]

You’re the best! Thanks for sharing your secrets with us, every single one of your video is a treasure and I’ve learned so much with you ❤

[@Pointebrush]

That makes me SO happy to hear Hélène ❤️

[@Mirrigold]

What a great idea for a video, I love the richness of the Old Masters and you captured that beautifully. I use the Schmincke masking fluid which comes with a super fine nossel or a Molotov masking fluid pen for finer details. But I've also got some Pebeo too. I try to find latex free ones if possible.

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you for watching (and for the suggestions!)

[@teensymarie]

I love this.

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you!!

[@awatercolourist]

Hi all! The Schmincke masking fluid has no smell. I love using it when I have to mask.

[@starr-starr]

I’m a fan of Pebeo Drawing Gum too, but my new fav is the Schmincke masking fluid. It is so easy to work with, and no odor at all. Washes out of a brush even after it has dried. But still dont use good brushes!

[@Pointebrush]

I've been dying to try that one too! Will most certainly use the Schmincke one once I've used up all my Pebeo!

[@donnafriend153]

Another beautiful painting Margot! Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge to us all❤️

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much Donna and always a pleasure!

[@actuallyfrankie]

Did you use a reference for the flowers? I'm amazed by the composition and how you were able to bring it to life when all the sticky stuff came off!!!

[@Pointebrush]

I did! I used an Davidsz de Heem painting as my starting point and did my own interpretation > bit.ly/3MnfkDY Thank you! It's an evolution for sure!

[@marcydrake9159]

I’m a new subscriber and this was my first time seeing one of your tutorials. Loved it! 😍👍

[@Pointebrush]

Welcome Marcy! Glad to have you with me and thank you so much for your kind words. That means a lot!

[@buymywings]

You have grown your Roman Szmal collection! I have been watching KZbin videos (yours included!) about this brand. At some point I will need to dive in!

[@Pointebrush]

You noticed! 😝 My collection of RS has been creeping in faster than the weeds in my garden (and that's saying something) 🤣

[@buymywings]

@@Pointebrush I saw an KZbin interview with Roman Szmal on Jackson’s Art channel where he said tubes are in the works. The interview was from 4 months ago. I’m a complete newbie and I’m wondering if I should wait until the tubes are available. ??? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TracyIndy]

Informative, fun, and colorful. 😊 TFS Margot 🙏 😍

[@Pointebrush]

Thanks for watching Tracy! May the force be with you 🤪

[@lauried.6831]

💜 this. This painting is stunning!

[@polgara28]

This was a great video! I love the painting and your humor is terrific! Pebeo is the brand I use, after failing with Windsor % Newton. I love to play with it, just make marks with oddly shaped things, then paint over it. I've even put it on small but damp areas for a softer edge. It spreads out like paint would. Test this before doing it on an important painting!!! Thanks for sharing, 🌺

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much Christie and yes! You're totally correct about testing! Always better to be safe and ready than sorry! Thanks for watching!

[@VEHarris100]

Just found your channel. Love your artwork and painting tips.

[@KatWoman_]

Stunning painting. I didn’t like my first experience with masking fluid but you have inspired me to try again.

[@louisapdjones]

Resisting using masking fluid ... 😮 ... Good one 😂

[@Ninya]

haha the intro XD

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Ninya!!! 👋 🤗 😘

[@LCLand]

I don’t like masking fluid but now I’m inspired

[@MrPuddinhead61]

Wonderful!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautiful

[@blyth3349]

Fun intro, you've made my day 😄🥰 I love this style of floral painting sooooo beautiful and dramatic😍 You're such an inspiration, love your Vlog! So excited everytime I got the notifications of your new videos, will always be your fangirl! 😁💞

[@Pointebrush]

Awww Blyth. I'm blushing. Thank you!!!

[@BriO_1111]

J’ADORE ❤❤❤ I am a « frenchie » from Canada and new subscriber to your channel. Thank you so much for all the tips you give us so generousely! Please keep doing what you do, I loooove it!

[@Pointebrush]

Welcome Brigitte! It means so much that you are enjoying the channel! 😘

[@priscillawarren9979]

So pretty!

[@SueKivley]

This is just beautiful!!

[@KatWoman_]

Stunning.

[@melindaavila498]

Beautiful!!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much!

[@tasticola]

Stunning! Yay, i have the Pèbèo gum. Thank you for the soap tip!! x Nell

[@DanBuell]

That was a great video. I really learned a lot. Thank you.

[@elizabethparker848]

This is such a beautiful painting. You are such a talented artist. I have just found your channel, and I am slowly working my way through your videos. Thank you for sharing your craft with us and giving us some wonderful advice ❤

[@ChristinaLorenzen]

I've used masking fluid in a few paintings, mostly with a calligraphy pen for fine white lines in my work. The bar of soap tip is awesome! I'm definitely going to give this a try!

[@connielester1641]

Beautiful and very interesting. I have not used any masking fluid yet but I have tried wax for water features such as waves or splashes ❣️

[@kellybishop7238]

Margo that’s beautiful thank you, I use that masking fluid as well but use an old icky brush (will try your tip)

[@nadinevandenhende8999]

Really really beautiful !! Great tuto.Also thank you for the tip to preserve the brush.and your cheerfullnes 🥰

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much Nadine!

[@roz9760]

Hi Margot, I absolutely adore this painting, it's beautiful. I haven't bought masking fluid yet (still a newish watercolour hobbyist and slowly building supplies) but I will buy this brand on your recommendation. I love this style of painting. I look forward ro giving something similar a go. Thanks for the video xx

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

Loving the darf Vader mask 🤣 Darf Margot 😄 Super useful information and such a contrast you achieved from using masking fluide - no I don’t use it - I may try again at some point but had a total disaster with the Schmincke one that’s in an easy to use nozzle bottle but comes out too thick and took hours to dry which I didn’t know as it says like a few minutes to dry and I smudged everything and binned everything 😅

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone paint a whole composition with masking fluid, great result though! I always learn a lot from you. X

[@patriciatolliver4057]

Patty-I have been thinking about making fluid but have never tried it. I love the Dutch artists, so I think thus something I want to try in the future.

[@Pointebrush]

I hope you do! It’s a fun experiment!

[@SquishyChameleon]

It's a beautiful painting, but I gotta say, the Darth Vader mask and outtakes make this video a masterpiece for me. 🤣 And I'm not even a Star Wars fan!

[@Pointebrush]

Hahaha! Glad you enjoyed it! 🌚

[@nancydavidson4899]

Great video. My first attempts at masking fluid where hideous, clumpy, horrible and I tore my paper getting it off! However recently I’ve used the brush and soap method and I’ve been really happy with it. I love the Dutch Masters and I think this would be a wonderfull way of emulating that look. I really struggle to get dark backgrounds so this would allow me to layer a few times without worrying about drying lines around the subject. Also I could paint a more complicated composition. Inspired! Thank you 🙏

[@Pointebrush]

Newsflash, my first attempts at masking fluid were horrible too! And the tearing of the paper? Sometimes it’s actually just the brand of masking fluid itself! Give yourself a break 😉 Hope this video gives you ideas and motivation to try some new things out 💕

[@Mimibryant0123]

Great video, I love the soap tip. The painting was beautiful and I would love to attempt it. I am a beginner and not good at drawing, do you have an outline that could be used? Thanks for the tutorials,I’m just found you a couple of hours ago and have already watched 3 videos.

[@Gigiridgway]

Never say never 😁

[@renee1292]

I have used masking fluid- Pebeo brand. I struggle to get clean fine lines with it. I bought a masking pen but the tip clogged right away.

[@andreeas2481]

schmincke do odourless masking fluid, too!

[@flourishedbeautybindery]

i know that block cover, is that baohong academy or artist grade? please do a review of them ❤

[@ChantelleArts]

I use a ruling pen because I'm still terrified of using brushes haha 😂

[@Pointebrush]

For good reason! Masking fluid can easily ruin good brushes. I find the key is to use old or cheap brushes and the soap trick I mentioned in the video 👍

[@we4r119]

Doesn’t a ruling pen make it difficult to fill an area as demonstrated in this video? Surely it’s only good for outlines and straight lines?

[@awatercolourist]

Not first ☺️👋

[@Pointebrush]

Always first in spirit though 😉💫

[@awatercolourist]

@@Pointebrush 😂 how true!

[@LCLand]

Lol

[@pennywheeler2598]

I LOVE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR, you make me laugh out loud. I really liked this video. It was very interesting.🩵🖌

[@Pointebrush]

I’m so glad! I had such a blast with this video and I’m glad it came through 😂