Tip of the month – July 2005

I have discovered that I use masking fluid for two different reasons. Firstly, I use masking fluid to protect small or detailed shapes of white. COPPER, GOLD & LACE is a good example of saving white detail.

The flower, Queen Anne’s Lace has a bloom containing extremely small petals. They appear as texture to the naked eye. I applied masking fluid with a natural sponge to capture some of the feel of the flower.

In TWO BY TWO, I masked the small areas of light on the flowers and leaves. The anthurium has a shiny almost wax like surface. It shows the spots of light as definite hard edged shapes.

In WELCOME SPRING and SUMMER’S END, masking fluid was applied to the tips of the petals. The two paintings are large and the details small. With the masking fluid protection, I was able to work with large fluid strokes. I did not worry about losing the spark of bright light.

In AUTUMN BEAUTIES and LES POIRES, I applied the masking fluid in larger shapes of light.

Again, this was to allow for freer brush movement. After each painting was near completion, I applied a light wash of color to the highlighted area.

The second reason that I use masking fluid is for making shapes in a loosely defined area. These shapes will have a definite form. The masking fluid may be applied to the white of the paper or on top of a dry color.

Here, I have applied masking fluid to the white paper to create the shape of birches in a WOODLAND. I will continue creating the texture of the woodland and when that is complete, I will remove the masking fluid and paint the tree trunks.

In THE POND, I applied masking fluid in the form of leaf shapes over the colored upper area.


After adding further color, I removed the masking fluid when the color was dry.

In the painting ENDINGS:BEGINNINGS, I masked the tree trunk leaving the areas that are dark without protection. At completion, I removed the masking fluid from the trunk and applied a light wash of color.


Among the demonstrations in the TIP PAGES, AUGUST 2002, AUGUST 2004, JANUARY 2005, MAY 2005 will show the use of masking fluid.

More Tips

For more information join Barbara's "tips" mailing list.