Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Using Masking Fluid

Things you will need:

- Masking Fluid

- Old Brush

- Bar of Soap

- Small Water Container

- Stir Stick

- Damp Paper Towel

- Watercolor Paper - maybe with a drawing on it

Upon opening my bottle of masking fluid, I stir it with the handle of a kid's paint brush, until it is smooth. If you shake the bottle, you have to wait a long time for the bubbles to settle. Stirring is better.

I have a brush I use only with masking fluid, I even put a little piece of tape on it to label it. You can use an old watercolor brush or an inexpensive one. Mine has nylon bristles.

I always dip the brush in a small separate water container. You don't want to contaminate your painting water with soap and masking fluid.

Dip the brush in the water, then swirl it across the top of a bar of soap. The soap is the key to keeping the masking fluid from sticking to the bristles. Use a damp paper towel to gently squeeze most of the soap off the brush.

Dip the brush into the masking fluid container and "paint" it onto your watercolor paper in the areas where you would like to save the white of the paper.

Rinse your brush and re-soap it several times when using masking fluid to cover small, medium to large areas.

Rinse and re-soap your brush when you're done.

When you are done using the masking fluid, use a damp paper towel to wipe the top of the bottle and the inside of the lid. Make sure it is nice and clean. Then screw the top back on. This will extend the life of your masking fluid.