Learn to Use Masking Fluid with Watercolor Paints

Painter Ale Casanova teaches us how to create interesting effects with watercolor paints and masking fluid

Leaving areas blank when painting with watercolors can be very complicated–just a drop too much water and the paint will run all over your page. This is where masking fluid comes in–it’s a liquid that enables you to protect areas of your drawing so that they stay clean and dry.

Painter and teacher Ale Casanova (@alecasanova) shows us how to use this tool in our watercolor paintings so that we can achieve original effects, textures, and styles that enhance our final piece. Learn more below:

To carry out this exercise, we will need:

–masking fluid
–an old toothbrush
–a nib pen
–watercolor paints, brushes, water, paper towels, a portrait to paint

Three ways to apply the masking fluid

We start by applying the masking fluid to the toothbrush and, using our finger, we spread it around our drawing. Afterward, we apply more liquid to the toothbrush and, pressing it against the page, use it to paint the outline of our drawing.

Finally, using the nib pen, we can add small details of light where we see fit, such as in the eyes.

Once we have applied all of the masking fluid that we want to use, we let it dry before we start to paint.

Removing the masking fluid

Once we have applied color to our drawing and the paint has dried, it’s time to remove the dry masking fluid. To do so, we get a paper towel, and carefully–so that we don’t damage our illustration–rub it over the portrait until we have removed all of the masking fluid.

If you have enjoyed these tips, remember that you can learn more techniques for creating portraits in watercolor in Ale Casanova’s course, Artistic Portrait with Watercolors.

You may also like:

–Watercolor Coloring for Comics and Illustrations, a course by Sergio Bleda
–Illustrated Portrait in Watercolor, a course by Ana Santos
–Watercolor Illustration: Recreate Your Most Iconic Scenes, a course by Carlos Rodríguez Casado