Showing posts with label Masking Fluid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Masking Fluid. Show all posts

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Exploring Unfinished Art: A Fun Rework of a YouTube Demo



Sometimes, the best art pieces come from the ones you don't quite finish on the first go. This painting started as a demo for my YouTube channel, but I didn’t quite feel like it was “complete” at the time. However, this morning I decided to dive back in and give it a bit of a rework, just for fun!

The most interesting part of the process? The unexpected discoveries. I’m not 100% sure about the amount of gold I used in this piece, but that’s the beauty of it — the uncertainty often leads to the most exciting results. The gold adds an element of surprise and shine that I didn't plan, but I’m loving how it turned out.

If you want to see the original demo, you can catch it on my YouTube channel, where I share my process and techniques in real-time. But if you’re curious about how I reworked this piece, come join me on TikTok for a behind-the-scenes peek at the creative process!

Sometimes, it’s the pieces you’re not sure about that lead to the best breakthroughs. I’ll be playing around with more of these “unfinished” pieces, and I can’t wait to see where they take me. Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, thank you for following along with my artistic journey!

Watch the full demo on YouTube 
Join me on TikTok for the rework reveal : https://www.tiktok.com/@kelliechasse_fineart/video/7476147714493779243

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Using Monster Liquid Latex as Masking Fluid for Watercolors



If you’ve been experimenting with different masking fluids for watercolor, you might have come across Monster Liquid Latex, a product typically used for special effects makeup. While it’s not marketed specifically for watercolor, I’ve been using it for a few years now and haven’t had any issues.

What’s the Difference Between Liquid Latex and Masking Fluid?

Liquid latex and masking fluid serve a similar purpose in watercolor painting—they both create a barrier that preserves the white of the paper by preventing paint from covering certain areas. However, there are a few key differences:

  • Composition: Traditional masking fluid is usually made from liquid rubber or latex with added ammonia to keep it from drying too quickly. Monster Liquid Latex is primarily designed for skin application but has a similar rubbery consistency when dried.

  • Flow and Application: Monster Liquid Latex has a slightly thinner consistency than some masking fluids, which can be a benefit for smoother application. It spreads evenly and works well with brushes or ruling pens.

  • Residue and Staining: Some artists worry about latex staining their paper, but in my experience, I have not had any issues with staining, especially when using high-quality, 100% cotton papers like Arches and Strathmore watercolor cards.

My Experience and Best Practices

I’ve personally used Monster Liquid Latex for a while and found that it works well as a masking alternative. Here are some key takeaways from my experience:

Watch my youtube video here with my very first test!

  • Use Quality Paper: I always use professional-grade paper like Arches or Strathmore, which holds up well to masking removal.

  • Remove Masking Quickly: I don’t leave it on my paper for too long—removing it as soon as my washes are dry to avoid any risk of damage.

  • Test First: While I haven’t had issues, I always recommend testing new products on scrap paper before using them on a finished piece.

Want to See Masking Fluid in Action?

I recently shared a new YouTube video where I demonstrate using a ruling pen and masking fluid to create crisp highlights in a rock painting. It’s a great technique for artists looking for more control over their masked areas. Check it out and let me know what you think!

As with any art supply, opinions vary, and what works for one artist may not work for another. Some swear by traditional masking fluids, while others enjoy experimenting with alternatives like liquid latex. If you’re curious, try it out on a test sheet and see how it works for your technique!

Have you tried different masking fluids in your watercolor practice? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Watercolor money saver masking hack!



Not sure if you feel the same way, but summers always tend to be my downtime creatively.
I am definitely not lazy, just enjoying my family, the outdoors, and my gardens. The lupines have gone by and are just about to turn to seed so I can replant soon. 

I've been testing out something pretty cool this week! 

You know that masking fluid is pretty expensive and comes in the smallest jars right? Well, I thought I would give regular old monster latex a try in place of my Winsor and newton masking. I decided to use some Strathmore watercolor cards to start. Tested both of them three ways just to make sure. 



1. For the first test I let both the winsor and monster dry naturally on the paper. 
2. I used a heat gun to dry ( I wanted to see if it would adhere to the paper and not come off as easy.
3. Let the masking dry and sit for over a week before I attempted to remove it. 

You can watch the new money-saving test that I did with Monster Liquid Latex vs. Winsor Newton masking, it worked great. 

Watch the video over on my youtube channel. 

It's a huge saving. (16 oz of Monster is $12.95 vs 16 oz of Winsor Masking would be over $85.00.)






Well during that test, I felt the urge to paint from this gorgeous reference photo that my friend, Benjamin Williamson took (which you can purchase by the way if you don't want to paint it).

This painting is loose and fun, and I hope you'll join me and paint along. I've added it as a new course on my website, and it will be going up on skillshare soon if you are a member there. 

Hope to see you inside the course! 

XOXO,
Kellie 

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