Looking for affordable masking fluid (for watercolor) has been a tough task since it may be expensive depending on the brand and the location where you buy.
Masking Fluid
Watercolor masking fluid or masking fluid is a latex-rubber fluid used to preserve the paper or the material underneath while painting. It serves as a resistant.
As a member of the GP Calligrapher group on Facebook, I have encountered people who may have been quite helpful to the others who ask questions. I got mine from National Bookstore (NBS) in Glorietta for Php 350. I was giddy when I got it since it was cheaper than the ones I saw in Deovir (through their website).
The texture is similar to the white glue that we see in different racks in bookstores. Specifically, the one I got is the Art Masking Fluid (AMF). The second type is the Colourless Art Masking Fluid (CAMF).
Differentiating AMF from CAMF:
- AMF has a yellowish tint, making it super easy to see and use. CAMF is obviously colourless.
- If softer paper will be used, CAMF is highly recommended.
If you’re highly interested in buying one, you could try looking at Deovir, there’s a branch at SM City Manila and you could check the other branches through their site. Also, you may try checking NBS branches especially Glorietta branch since it has the most complete set of materials for art and calligraphy.
Here are some tips you may use in using AMF & CAMF:
Prices for various masking fluids may vary depending on the brand, some would cost more than Php 350 but would not go more than Php 1000. Better check Deovir’s site first. 🙂
P.S. When I tried using my AMF from Winsor & Newton, I got disappointed because I was not able to utilize its maximum potential due to the fact that I did not research much on how to use it or what could be the best way to use it. I hope this would help you! 😀
Alternatives to Masking Fluids
Talking to people who may have used masking fluids on their projects, works or practice sheets, have told me some peculiar products that would serve as alternatives. Ones that are very easy to obtain!
Candles
Candles could be easily obtained because we could find some lurking in our houses. If you are wondering on how to use candles:
- Write what you want to write with it. No need to shake or light them up.
- You may paint the areas you would want to paint.
For this tip, it was given to me by a kind soul from GP Calligraphers when I was consulting about masking fluids.
White Crayons
This functions similar to the candle. With their texture, it’s easy to use. The same procedure with the candle and somehow cheaper since the brand is not that vital as long as you have the white crayon/s.
Here are some other reference links you may check:
Hope this post helps!
P.S. Image credits for candle and crayon goes to Google.
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Hi, Kristine.
I am curious. What is a masking fluid and what is it used for?
It’s for preserving the watercolor paper or material underneath while you are painting. For more details, please refer to the paragraph after the header of the post. Thanks for pointing that out as well. 😀
Thanks, Kristine. I am a little confused still. Guess I have to see to really understand. BUT, that does not stop me from appreciating ‘beautiful’ when I see one. 🙂
It’s like a glue when it’s dried on your hand. It repels whatever you put onto the dried glue and you can peel it off afterwards. Thank you! 😀
OH!!! I finally got it! That is why it is called masking fluid! It is similar in concept to masking tape which is peeled off after painting! Silly me, I should have understood earlier. 🙂 Now I learned something new again.
Can you use masking fluid for drawings made with charcoal pencils? I usually draw with them and I find it very tedious to keep (my drawings) because the charcoal gets everywhere.. I was planning to use them as a protective covering or something.. 🙂
Hola Nicole! With regards to charcoal pencils, I’m not knowledgeable. Maybe you could use magic tape or masking tape for it? But just to be sure, I’ll ask around my friends who sketch with charcoal pencils 🙂
Hehe I have the same question! I am not into calligraphy or any art stuff so I’m not really familiar with this 🙂
Hola Janine! As what I’ve replied to Robert:
It’s for preserving the watercolor paper or material underneath while you are painting. For more details, please refer to the paragraph after the header of the post. 😀
Loving the white shelves on the photo! Was wondering what is the fluid mask for?
Hola Trisha! As what I’ve replied to Janine and Robert:
It’s for preserving the watercolor paper or material underneath while you are painting. For more details, please refer to the paragraph after the header of the post. 😀
Me too 🙂 I don’t really understand hahah 🙂
It looks very good on pictures however. Keep it up! http://www.sofarsosabine.com
Hola Sabine. It’s for preserving the watercolor paper or material underneath while you are painting. For more details, please refer to the paragraph after the header of the post. 😀
I am not familiar with the subject. What is masking liquid? Not sure I can figure it out from the picture
Hola Joanna. It’s for preserving the watercolor paper or material underneath while you are painting. For more details, please refer to the paragraph after the header of the post. 😀
Omg. I’ve been seeing the professional calligraphers use masking fluid but I never really understood it until now. This clears up a lot of things to be honest, thanks!
I only learned of this from a friend and tried it out. The outcome maybe uglier than the others but experience is a great teacher. Someone recommended Molotow and says it’s a good product. 🙂
It took me a while to understand what it really is Haha. But I get it, it’s quiet cool actually. I’m just not sure how I would use to make something artistic out of it, I’d need to see some work for this. I was also never really into Calligraphy so it’s a bit obscure for me, even though I truly enjoy what comes out of it. Great post for the amateurs !
Would love to learn more about Calligraphy. My husband told me that maybe I can do good with it because of my penmanship. I owe to the Paulinian sisters. Hihi.
This is nice! I did practice Calligraphy once and it hurt a little with not much room for your wrist to move. We didn’t use masking fluids before though, but clear candles was enough to mask and protect.
Thanks for this article, I am updated with masking fluids available in the market today. Would love to get hold of one someday. Cheers!
Waaah! I love doing Calligraphy!! I also join calligraphy workshops before and I totally enjoyed it. We didn’t use masking fluids before but the result was beautiful!!
You are really getting so skilled at all these techniques , still not ‘my hobby’ , I am too nervous for these fine fiddly jobs , but I really like your works of art . Great basement for design related careers !
Wow. Thank you for the kind words, Klaudia. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to try and do these things. I am curious as to what is a ‘masking fluid’ tho hehe. Looking forward to more of your caligraphy tutorials! 🙂
You have such a cool hobby! I had no idea that so much was involved in calligraphy. I’ve never even heard of masking fluid! And your final projects are so pretty and colorful.
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