METHODS OF SAVING WHITE PAPER

I've been reviewing my posts, and, even though we've discussed this in class, I decided I needed to blog about saving the white of your paper.

First, I have two videos you can watch that discuss using masking fluid. Even if you're more experienced, I'd suggest you watch them. You might get ideas about how to achieve better results and avoid mistakes with masking fluid.

Steve Mitchell Mind of Watercolor
Here is a 9 minute youtube from my favorite youtuber. He discusses different types of masking fluids
(frisket, pebeo, miskit, etc.) and ways to apply them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNhyXeKdIkY&t=73s



Michele Webber
This British youtuber discusses at length (about 23 minutes) ten common mistakes when applying miskit. One mistake I don't think she mentioned was that you need to put the lid back on your masking fluid after pouring a bit out into a small container. It is a liquid rubber, and will dry out if you neglect to put the lid on. Also, don't put excess miskit back into the container when you're finished. Only pour out what you need, a bit at a time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dJYGBpqRTE


Michele Webber
10 ways to preserve whites
Michele Webber discusses ways to preserve white, including masking tape, scotch tape, newspaper, candle wax, oil pastel, and others.
She does not discuss two other ways I have used, which are contac paper and packing tape.
To see an example of using contac paper (which can be used to preserve LARGE shapes and precise edges) in Oct of 2016, Sea Turtle on this blogspot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG0qzF2GKg8

Non of these videos discuss cleaning a brush after using miskit. Steve mentions SOAPING DOWN your brush before dipping it in miskit, which is great. NEVER USE A GOOD BRUSH on miskit. But if you have to clean a brush you can soak it in a bit of Goof-Off and wash with soap and water.

After watching some of these videos, try one or two of these fun ideas:

1. Spatter some miskit onto paper. Let it dry completely. Then wash over it wet into wet with several colors.

2. Drizzle drops of miskit onto paper. Blow with a straw to make it go all directions in fine lines.
The idea is to create a web of fine lines across the paper. Dry completely and make a wet into wet wash of several colors.

3. Make an abstract using masking tape. Tear masking tape into different shapes and paint lightly over it. Dry. Keep your first layer of tape on, then tape some more over the painted area, then glaze another color over that. Keep going until all of your paper is covered with tape, about 4-6 times.
Dry and remove all the tape. Think about what kind of pictures would use these textures. (like old wood, rusted metal, etc.)

4. Practice masking off shapes on simple drawings. See what methods work best for you.