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Tips & Tricks

Watercolor

Tip # 1 Masking Fluid

When working with masking fluid you will encounter a couple of often frustrating issues. Since the ammonia in the latex fluid evaporates rapidly, settling at the bottom of bottles and in bottles caps, clogging brushes and tools, you need for one to keep the caps free of masking fluid – wipe it off after each use. Haven’t used it in a while? Turn the bottle upside down – don’t shake it, it generates air bubbles, just stir slowly, if a lump forms fish it out. In case air bubbles form during an application on a surface area bubbles may disappear by them selves, if not prick with a toothpick – check for uncovered spots – reapply masking fluid. Colors with much staining power are very difficult to remove later on areas you want to keep the whites.

Tip # 2 Masking Fine Lines

Want to do fine lines with masking fluid? Dip an old-fashioned pen holder, calligraphy pen or bamboo skewer in the masking fluid. Clean with cold water and liquid hand soap in between applications and after use.

Tip #3 Forget brush cleaners!

Cleaning brushes and tools is a breeze with just cold water and ordinary liquid hand soap, final rise with water between applications and of course at the end of your masking. It comes right of the brush and ferrule or pen holder.

By the way, masking fluid works on canvas.

Tip # 4 Collect empty glass jars

Small glass jars with lids will come handy for leftover background paint. Put a length of bright tape around the jar and write the name on it. You can use it for touch ups or another painting.

Tip # 5 Mix more than you need

Always mix much more background color(s) that you think you will need. If you run out of it in the middle of a painting you will have trouble mixing exactly the same color.

Tip # 6 Staining Blues

You will need 3 times more Cobalt Blue than Antwerp , Thalo Blue or Prussian Blue. The later three are very staining.

Tip # 7 Save Styrofoam Trays

Recycle those white ones they come for free and in all sizes with your groceries. Clean with hot water and dish detergent and you are ready to go. I use them instead of expensive butcher trays and paint trays for painting and mixing background colors. Afterwards toss or clean and reuse them. I have a stack of them always ready for watercolor and acrylic paints, too.

Tip # 8 Liquid Watercolor

The same old pen in a holder works great with liquid watercolor for fluid fines lines or creating vines. The pen doesn’t work so well with tube colors. Keep in mind: Liquid watercolor is very concentrated and won’t wash out easily from skin and clothes.