In today's post, we are showing you what masking liquid is and how it works. It is very popular for Mixed Media and Scrapbooking techniques.
Since many of you ask us how to use drawing gum, we thought it would be best to explain this in detail and show you some step-by-step pictures.
This product is well-known among watercolour enthusiasts and now, its use is becoming more popular among Mixed Media, watercolours, and inks lovers.
It is made of latex or rubber, with which you can protect certain areas of the paper. It dries quickly, forming a waterproof film protecting the covered area as you paint the rest of the drawing.
Very useful for creating details or outlining certain areas that you later want to cover with watercolours or other inks.
Steps to use masking liquid
Here are the steps to follow to use it:
1. Choose the background you like, whether it is a white canvas, coloured cardboard, or patterned scrapbooking papers.
2. Draw or write with a brush and masking liquid the area you want to leave unpainted on your drawing.
3. Let it dry well, between 20 minutes and an hour, depending on the manufacturer (check the instructions on your bottle). Immediately after use, wash the brush thoroughly with soap and water. We recommend you always use the same brush for these works, as latex can slightly deteriorate them.
4. Use your favourite watercolours, paints, or inks to paint the whole surface. You can make gradients with spray inks or use some liquid watercolours. You can also use stamps, there are lots of possibilities! The only precaution is not to rub the masking too much so that it doesn't come off before finishing the project.
5. Let all the colours dry well.
6. Use your fingertips or a rubber to slowly lift the mask to reveal the original drawing behind it.
The result is amazing! You can make fun backgrounds, draw a letter or a phraseā¦ you can even try different backgrounds, not just white.
You can buy a masking liquid with an applicator, like the Sennelier Masking Fluid with an Applicator, with a fine tip for details. It will also work very well for writing a sentence or outlining your drawings. You won't need a brush.
Otherwise, you can get the Talens Liquid Masking Film.
Have you seen this technique before? Now that you know how it works, you're sure to come up with lots of ideas for using it.
If you have any questions about how to use it, you can write to us in the comments space below. We'd love to hear about your projects if you try them out.
