I’m going to be up front with you here: this easy watercolor art tutorial is only going to be easy if you are willing to obtain art masking fluid. The reason I am putting this in the first paragraph is I think it’s the worst when you’re lured to a blog post about making, I don’t know, the “easiest DIY coffee table ever”, only to find out you need a bunch of specialized and expensive tools.
The difference between this tutorial and the theoretical Easiest DIY Coffee Table Ever tutorial is the fact that all you need to do this is a cheap set of watercolors {which hopefully you already have}, and a $10.00 bottle of art masking fluid. Maybe you already have some; stranger things have happened. I didn’t, but I knew I had to get some after reading this tutorial. I reasoned with myself: “Lindsey, would you rather have art masking fluid, or a $10 Chipotle burrito?” {I make many of my financial decisions this way … it’s kind of strange.} Art masking fluid lasts longer, so I went with that.
Basically, this stuff is like a face mask for paper. You paint it on, then once it dries {in about two minutes}, it protects the paper from your paint. When it has fulfilled its purpose, it even peels off like a face mask. It’s actually intended to help watercolor artists to not paint over areas that need to be pure white — like reflections from the light on glass. Honestly, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for other kinds of paints, too, like acrylic. It’s just nice to have around, and not too pricey. And it’s the only thing in this tutorial that you {probably} don’t already have.
That said, you can create a quick little project by printing out something like “HELLO!” on a piece of paper. I used the {free and wonderful} font Bebas Neue. You can make a printout like this in Word, Photoshop, Gimp, whatever, really … or, if you don’t have a printer, you can freehand some letters.
Next, you’ll turn your word or phrase face down onto a piece of watercolor paper — this one was cut to 5″x7″. Use little strips of tape to secure it; I used four, one in each corner.
For the next step, I tapped into my inner resourceful DIY-er and taped the “HELLO!” printout and watercolor paper to the window. The watercolor paper part needs to face you if you do this; the printout will be the side that’s against the window. Check out how incredibly easy it is to see the outline! {Alternatively, you can use a light box; but the window is quick, cheap, and easy.}
Now, open your art masking fluid. It’s very thin; it has the consistency of low-fat milk.
The tutorial I referred you to earlier, where I got the idea for this easy watercolor art, recommends that you use an old brush to paint the art masking fluid on. If you don’t have an old brush, that’s really no biggie, though: I found that as long as you dip your brush in water and clean it off with a cloth every couple of minutes, it’s fine. Once you procure a brush, treat the window like your easel! You’ll want to “paint” over all the dark areas of your phrase, like I’m doing here with my “HELLO!”.
Wait until the art masking fluid is dry to the touch {about 2-3 minutes}, then go over it with a healthy amount of watercolor. I painted with blues and greens, and it took me — honestly — one minute to do. You can paint over the parts that have the masking fluid on them with reckless abandon.
Okay, I’m not going to lie to you: I had my doubts about how easily the art masking fluid would come off. It turns out my worry was in vain; all you need to do is rub at an edge a little bit with an eraser, then it is easy to lift the masking fluid off.
This is incredibly satisfying.
Once I had gotten all the art masking fluid off, here’s what I ended up with!
The “HELLO!” piece was really fun to make, so I wanted to try this technique out on a portrait, too. To see how to create a stencil portrait, you’ll want to reference the original tutorial that inspired me. You will have to choose a photo with great contrast, like this one:
Then add the art masking fluid, watercolor over it, and peel … just like with the “HELLO!”.
The final product doesn’t resemble the photo exactly, but it does resemble it closely enough that it would make for some really amazing album art or something. I can see someone writing a song and using this technique to do a portrait on the front of their CD {or … you know, more likely, iTunes artwork}.
So, wow, I think this has been one of my shortest tutorials ever. If you like it enough to get the art masking fluid, great! It’s not my favorite thing on the face of the planet, but I definitely enjoy it ten dollars’ worth; I think you’ll feel the same way. If you buy some, here are some more things you could make with this technique:
- If you own an online shop {or a brick-and-mortar, why not?}, you could make small-ish “THANKS” cards to slip into orders. I’d make several at a time.
- If you need to design a poster for a campaign, a music festival, or anything else that focuses on one person/a couple of people, this is a great technique for that.
- Make general wall art; you could create your favorite quotes or make groovy portraits.
- The peeling part makes this a really fun project for kids. If you have children, this is a project they can help with and will genuinely enjoy!
If you have any questions or, of course, input, please feel free to comment! I always learn so much from your comments {and am inspired to write subsequent blog posts using the questions I receive!}. No lie, the creativity of the people who miraculously stumble across TPK is incredible. Thanks so much for reading; the fact that you are here makes my day!
Warmest wishes always,
Hi,
I really want to try this but I’m having “issues”.
The masking fluid drys up really fast on my brush and becomes all icky so my letters look messy. And I can’t get the brush hair to stay smooth, you know? Getting it out of the brush is another comment altogether!
Please help? Any tips or tricks will be very deeply appreciated.
Hi Immi! I would recommend dipping your brush in water often (at least every 30 seconds), wiping it dry with a paper towel, and reloading it with masking fluid. Masking fluid dries quickly, so you wan tot make sure you are keeping the brush wet and constantly reapplying the fluid!
Hi, was kinda running into the same problem here, so this video should help a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um1vBH64P8o
Basically you just dip your brush in a container of dishwashing soap and water (dip itall the way in across the ferrule) before putting the masking fluid on the brush. This way, the bristles get protected and your brushes should stay squeeky clean.
Thanks so much for this tutorial, it’s amazing! What watercolour paper are you using, by the way? I bought some pretty cheap ones but it tore when I tried peeling off the dried masking liquid. I checked that it wasn’t due to not letting the paint dry for long enough as I tried peeling it off a section without paint too.
Hi Adelena! I like using Strathmore 140 lb. watercolor paper. 🙂
Great work Lindsey. It looks so cool. I’m definitely gonna try that 🙂
Thanks, Anjuna! I hope you enjoy trying out the technique!
I’ll be heading to the store tomorrow for some masking fluid! Bought my watercolors today, but hadn’t yet read the part about masking fluid so back to the store I go!
Thanks so much for all of your fantastic tutorials. I just discovered your site and feel like I’ve had a whole new world opened to me. Thank you!!!
I hope you’re enjoying the masking fluid! If you’re interested in calligraphy, I actually sometimes calligraph with it, paint over it, then remove the masking fluid for a really cool effect — there’s a little tutorial over that in the Three Fresh Lettering Styles to Try blog post. 🙂 Either way, it’s really cool stuff!
i think you are basically very awesome. Every time i google something about calligraphy, of course, you have already covered it on your blog! Yeah, “basically very awesome” is quite an understatement. Happy Thanksgiving!
I think your comment is basically very awesome. 🙂 Thank you, Esther!
Just watched a Winsor Newton tutorial that shows how you can mix Permanent Masking Fluid with any watercolor pigment!
For instance, if you mix the Permanent Masking fluid with Crimson Red water color, paint a red stripe on a piece of paper and let it dry, it’s now permanent. If it’s fully dry, you can watercolor over the stripe and it won’t bleed/be affected. Pretty neat stuff, that Masking Fluid!
Tutorial if anyone is interested (or my horrible instructions don’t click).
They are good instructions! And I love that concept; you could do some deep red flowers with a bright yellow background … or polka dots … or another high-contrast, beautiful pattern. The possibilities are endless! Thanks for expanding my/our creative horizons!!
I finally got some masking fluid, this tutorial caught my eye months ago. It would not have occurred to me to do this with my kids, but it sounds like a lot of fun, especially the peeling part, hehe. 😀 Thanks again for all the inspiration, always!
Peeling is fun at any age — but I agree, the kids will LOVE it! 🙂
Wow – thanks for this! I’ve only just recently discovered your blog and am kicking myself for not finding it before I went off to purchase some calligraphy nibs and materials.
Just a quick question: did you use a watercolour brush to create your lettering with the masking fluid? If I used my calligraphy nib, would that completely wreck the nib?
Thanks x
Hi Jermaine!
You are very welcome! Re: the masking fluid, I don’t see why you couldn’t use a calligraphy nib; just make sure you wash it off the nib thoroughly afterwards (and during, if you are using the masking fluid a lot in your piece). 🙂
I have used and love art masking fluid in art classes before but recently for the sake of keeping things easy & cheap, I tried rubber cement at home and was super happy with the results. It’s thicker so I use an old nasty brush, and I did it on thick watercolor paper. Peeling it off was easy and just as fun. Something to try.
That is such a great idea!! When I run out of art masking fluid, I’m definitely giving that a try. 🙂 It makes sense to me that it would work, though, because the rubber cement wouldn’t let any paint through to the paper below. Big kudos to you for being so creative and resourceful — thank you!
You inspired me and I recently used this tutorial to make a set of postcards.
I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge and upbeat encouragement that I always find at The Postman’s Knock. Thank you for being so generous with your creativity!
I saw those! They look so cool — and isn’t that masking fluid fun?! I use it more than I thought I would, actually. 🙂 Great work!
I am a not artistic but am teaching a Grade 7 art. class this year. They will love this technique and will be so impressed with the results! Thanks so much for the detailed instructions and for sharing something that is not too expensive but has “good bang for our bucks”.
Just love this. I always knew there must be some sort of technique like this to get the white sections on a watercolor. Who knew!
Thanks Lindsey.
I’m so glad this tutorial was helpful for you to read! Thank you!!
Wow!!!
You’re the best. Not only did I learn what that masking fluid is used for but, I found my new favorite font…-Bebas Neue.
Thanks for this amazing post!
Bebas Neue is great! Just a really basic, bold, and contemporary font. 🙂 You are so very welcome!
Thank you for this tutorial! I will have to try this!
You always have such awesome art stuff!
Love your blog!
This is a really fun one; I hope you do try it! And thank you! I have so much fun writing the blog. It’s awesome to get to be able to make pretty things and then explain them/talk about them with amazing people. 🙂 I really appreciate you being one of those people!
I have used masking fluid in watercolor painting for years. But what I really appreciated was the mention of it as necessary for the project in the 1st paragraph. So many projects and some recipes wait for the last paragraph to mention something essential. Thanks for the great blog.
Sarah
Story of my life: I get lured to a blog post with the promise of something being so simple yet so beautiful; then I read the build-up paragraphs and get all excited to start on the project. Next thing I know, it’s like, “All you need to do is whip out your (insert expensive, specialized item name here) to get started!” There’s nothing more deflating than that! 😉
Awesome! I’ve never heard of art masking fluid but it seems like it would be a lot of fun to use with everything. Your watercolor art is so beautiful!
It is really fun! The peeling part is the best … while you’re painting over the art masking fluid, there’s this feeling of: “Oh, I can’t wait to see what this looks like!!” And thank you for the compliment on the art — though it was ridiculously easy to make; I think anyone (really) can make pieces with this level of beauty using this technique. 🙂
Nice demo, lindsey! I have several bottles of masking fluid for when I work in w/c. It can be used anywhere you want a resist. With any medium. Another tip is to rub some soap into your brush first, theory that it helps protect the brush!
That’s a really great tip! Do you use (undiluted) liquid soap, or do you dilute liquid/bar soap with your hands/water and rub the suds into the bristles?
I have masking liquid! I just haven’t had the time/motivation to use it yet. But I think that will be my next thank you card! Fingers crossed…
Thanks as always for the lovely tutorial. You really are an inspiration not only in your creativity but in your generosity of spirit, sharing yourself with all of us.
On an unrelated note, I have several ink samples from Goulet that I’d like to pass on if anyone’s interested? Seems a shame to waste them. Mostly blue-black shades since I was looking for something specific there.
Of course you already have some! You’re always on the up and up when it comes to cool stuff! I’m in the same boat as you are when it comes to ink … though I am an art supply hoarder, so I’m not as generous as you when it comes to stuff I’m not using. I have the classic “It will come in handy someday … someday …” mentality. 😉
This is perfect! I saw some art masking fluid in a box with her watercolors and thought “what are we ever going to use this for?” Now I know!
PS- That self portrait? Amazing.
I know! I had no idea what art masking fluid was, but now I’m really glad I have some! As far as the self portrait … I fiddled with probably 4 {low-contrast, unfortunately} photos of different people in my family before I finally bit the bullet and decided to do a portrait of myself. I like drawing other people a lot better than I like drawing myself, mainly because then I can give away the finished portraits as gifts. But — seriously: it took, like, four minutes. *Incredibly* easy!