Thank you, Ohn Mar, this class was really fun to do. I had very little experience with masking fluids since before and I was delighted to learn more about the use of masking fluid with different papers and tools. I found an old bottle of Winsor & Newton art masking fluid in my artcupboard. The lid was stuck but I got it open and lucky the liquid was still fluid and somewhat useable.

I tried the masking fluid with three different papers:

Daler Rowney Smooth Heavyweight 220g/m2

Canson Montval 300g/m2

Daler Rowney Find Grain 200g/m2

The Daler Rowney papers worked quite well but I liked the Canson Montval paper worked best for me with a more textured surface then the two others. (See the papertexture below in the photo with masking fluid hawthorn blossom)

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 1 - student project

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 2 - student project

The tools that I tried: flat brush no. 4, round brush no. 2, paperclip, toothpick and an embossing tool. The embossing tool has a small metal ball at each end of a handle, about 2mm and 1mm in diameter. I got a thin lines and a little thicker thin lines with it and it worked well for making different sizes of dots. I also liked the brushes for making different bigger marks. And the flat brush I used for splatter effect.

I started to do the ”Day 1 Test” and then I jumped impatientto do the teacups and oranges.

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 3 - student project

”Teacups” was fun to do direct on the paper with the masking fluid using a flat brush. Not working too precise, just going with the flow and playfulness of the medium. Waiting for the masking fluid to dry is best to walk away for a little while and do something else. I used a clean and clear eraser to rub the mask off and clean fingers. Exciting and fun stage of the process. You never know how it turns out until you unmask it. Did my teacups details with a blue stabilo pen.

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 4 - student project

”Oranges” looked so delicious with the green background and vivid oranges. I did it with no planning ahead, just jumped straight in to drawing the marks with masking fluid direct on the canson paper. I forgot to fill in the leaves but they turned out okay, I think.

Then later I tried to do the ”Hawthorn blossom” because it is a beautiful piece of art from Ohn Mar. Loved trying it out, had to plan a little before starting. Added the masking fluid blossoms straight on paper with concentration with my embossing tool. Twigs also. Patiently waited for the masking fluid to dry. Then painted the background in a loose way very quickly. I let it dry and then added details with watercolor and stabilo pen.

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 5 - student project

Fun with Masking Fluid - image 6 - student project

After this class I will go and buy some more masking fluids, liquid and pens, to experiment with. Definitely be using masking fluids more in the future. Not going to let them sit unused in the artcupboard anymore!

This was a useful and fun class, where you have to be both quick and patient with the masking fluid but still having a lot of fun using it in different ways. Loved it!

- Mia

Mia Rissanen

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