ONE MINUTE WATERCOLOUR LESSON - How to use masking fluid, by Christopher Stephen on YouTube. 1 min 6 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 6 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Stir the masking fluid with a stick or an old brush before you start. Don't shake the bottle, because bubbles get into the fluid and leave rough spots on the paper.
Wet an old synthetic brush with soapy water and shake off the excess. The soap film makes the fluid easier to rinse out afterwards.
Paint the fluid onto dry paper where you want to keep white. Keep the layer thin and even, and work quickly so the fluid does not dry in the brush.
Rinse the brush with warm soapy water straight away. Never let masking fluid dry on a brush, because it hardens in the bristles and ruins them.
Wait until the fluid is completely dry before you paint. It turns slightly matte or transparent when dry, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Paint your watercolour washes over the masked areas as normal. Use light strokes and don't scrub, because rough brushing can lift the rubber film.
Let the paint dry fully before you remove the mask. Rubbing while the paint is wet pulls colour into the white areas.
Rub the masking fluid away with your finger or a rubber cement eraser. Lift the edge gently and peel the film off in one piece.
Brush off any leftover rubber crumbs and check the white shapes. Soften hard edges with a clean damp brush if you want a softer look.
Tips and common mistakes
Work in a ventilated room, because masking fluid gives off strong ammonia fumes.
Never use a good sable brush for masking fluid, as it ruins natural bristles.
Test on a scrap of the same paper first, since some papers tear when the mask is peeled.
Apply thin layers only, as thick pools take longer to dry and can pull up paper fibres.
Questions
Can you leave masking fluid on the paper overnight?
It is best to remove it within a day or two. Left too long, masking fluid can bond to the paper and tear the surface when you peel it.
Can you use masking fluid on wet paper?
No, apply it to dry paper only. On damp paper the fluid seeps into the fibres and becomes difficult to remove cleanly.
How do you clean a brush with masking fluid on it?
Rinse it with warm soapy water straight away. Once the fluid dries in the bristles, the rubber is very hard to remove.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
