APPLYING MASKING FLUID

More about masking fluid.

On most masking fluids, you want to pour a small amount into the lid (for Pebeo) or a small container. You don't want to dip your brush directly into the bottle, because you need to put the lid back on right away to prevent it from drying out.

There are several good ways to apply masking fluid to retain the white of the paper.

1. Use an old brush. Put soap on the hairs of the brush to keep the miskit from clumping up on it. From time to time, rewet the brush with soapy water.

THROW AWAY RINSE WATER WHEN YOU ARE DONE. You don't want to paint with rinse water that has soap residue and latex from the miskit.

You will never use these brushes for anything else but masking. Use several size brushes depending on the job.

2. Use "color shapers" that are used by pastelists and sometimes for clay. These have silicon ends, and you don't need to soap them. Just pull the dried masking fluid right off the silicon. These are good for large areas.

3. Use a drafting pen, especially for fine lines.

4. Use a metal pallette knife. Artist Joy Moon recommends using these for masking.

5. SPATTER miskit on using a toothbrush. This creates a pretty fine spatter.


You can always remove some of the miskit with your rubber cement eraser before you paint to create holes and texture in the masking fluid for extra texture.

Don't try to blow dry masking fluid, except on very low setting, if at all. And try not to keep the miskit on the painting for very long or in a hot or very cold room/vehicle.  It can become impossible to remove.