Sometimes things just happen organically. I had ordered some masking fluid, although I have never tried it before so I was a little apprehensive. I opened the bottle, and wow, let's just say I haven't smelt such pungent fumes since my girls were in diapers! Nevertheless I decided to give it a whirl - even though some people have told me it leaves very hard clean edges. But sometimes what a girl needs is hard edges! In this case to create hard tufts of rabbit fur.
I used watercolor paper and decided to start drawing out some white rabbits in pencil. Then I started putting down the masking fluid with a tiny brush where I wanted bits of highlighted fur. Then I started sponging in the shadows and forms of the rabbits. Things were looking good but I needed more texture so I troweled on some acrylic base that has these gritty beads in it and scribbled around in it with a fork to make it look even more like fur.
Then I let the painting dry trying to control myself from peeling off the masking fluid. When the paint had tried I let it rip! Let me say that peeling off masking fluid is great fun - a bit like the thrill of peeling off strips of sunburnt skin (or maybe that's just me). And it did indeed leave white patches that gave some wonderfully stark highlights to the rabbits' fur.
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| You can use an eraser or your fingers to take off the dried masking fluid |
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| Leaving some interesting whiskery textures |
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| Hmm....yes....those rabbits are starting to look very rabbity |
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| That's it folks! |
How do you find working with masking fluid? What subjects do you use it for? I think a lot of people use it for straight lines but it was fun to use it for something organic like rabbit fur.
I’m not much of a fan of masking fluid, although I do use it sometimes. I find Pebeo Drawing Gum is the best….it’s thin and rubs off easily with your fingers. When it smells really bad like yours it is usually old (in my opinion). Tips: use old brushes, not your regular watercolor brushes. Cheap nylon ones costing a dollar or less are great. Use a little dish wash liquid in your rinsing/cleaning water you use for your masking brushes..... this helps get rid of the stuff out of your brushes. Goo Gone will also take dried masking fluid out of brushes. Don’t ever let your brushes dry with making fluid in them. Try applying masking fluid with a variety of things like the edge of an old credit card, a toothbrush, flicking on droplets, a one inch household brush…random strokes make interesting random marks. You can also make an interesting design if you mask, paint, take off the mask when the paint is dry, then re-mask in a different pattern over the dried paint…. then add another layer/wash/glaze of watercolor. Hope this helps. I think your rabbit painting turned out really well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggie I will definitely try to use the masking fluid to make a many layered intriguing design. And you are so right the masking fluid has ruined my brush!
ReplyDeleteLove the texture of those rabbits. Beautiful artwork! Happy Show & Tell Saturday!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry your brush is ruined. Don't throw it away as a gummed up brush makes interesting marks when re-dipped into masking fluid and dragged over watercolor paper. Sorry my comment was so long....have fun....
ReplyDeleteI love the result - but I am not sure I will start to use such thing that is smelling thihi... I can imagine how it was puuhh... There is such a lot of things I haven't tried yet. I am living in a very small area - kind of a studio I am sharing with a friend and there aren't room for bigger creativies so I do what I can :) - I am follow your blog so I have the chance to learn something. Thank you so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteMy contribution this week is here*
http://www.cordes.re/blog/sketch/?p=228
Wonderful!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous texture. I've only used it a couple of times and like you say "peeeeeuw" Very fishy smelling I thought and it was a Windsor & Newton brand so not cheap. I used it on a picture of Maleficent I wanted to get a smoky dragon effect behind her so masked her out while I did the dragon. I love what you did with it :)
ReplyDeleteLovely piece, and like how you have worked with the masking fluid, must try that! Valerie
ReplyDeleteI have never used masking fluid -but the rabbits are splendid!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial. Looks easy enough. :)
ReplyDeleteloving your rabbits and like the technique you've used. Happy PPF, Annette G
ReplyDeleteLove those rabbits! I had forgotten about masking fluid. I know I used to have some somewhere. It would be great to use as you have done - to make highlights on the furry fluff.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I want to try it. I like that you explained it and the look you got with it. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteI avoid using masking fluid, to be honest. But now, after reading your post and seeing your charming artwork, I think I should give it another try!
ReplyDeleteI have some masking fluid but never really use it. What you have done and your creative use of the fluid has have fabulous results!
ReplyDeleteNever used the product but wow love the texture happening here! Great little bunnies!! Love the movement too!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
This is darling! I love rabbits and this is adorable.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about masking fluid, I just know that your rabbits are absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF
Ilona
Wow, this looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. The white splashes are really only made with water drops...
Have a great sunday - Irma