Top 10 Watercolor Masking Tools and Supplies

After reading, researching, observing other artists, doing lots of experimentation with masking tools sold in art stores, and making more than a few boo boos along the way, I’ve refined a masking process for preserving whites in watercolor paintings that works really well. I am delighted to share my list of favorite tools and supplies with you along with a few helpful hints. Click on the photo to zoom in. Numbers in the photo correspond to the item numbers below.

Tools, Materials and Supplies for Masking Watercolor Paintings

1. Pointed wooden stick – You have lots of options here. a) Sharpen the end of an old watercolor brush. b) Another alternative is a bamboo skewer, but it doesn’t retain a sharp point for long. c) Sharpen a piece of hardwood dowel. d) My favorite solution is to cut a good quality long-handled brush off to make a 3 1/2” travel brush. Make your masking tool by sharpening the remaining piece of brush handle in a pencil sharpener (see photo items labeled “1d”). Good quality brushes, like Sceptre Gold II are made of hardwood so you will rarely have to re-sharpen the end. Coat the sharpened end with a little hand soap, dip in masking fluid, and trace an outline around the very edge of a detailed shape before back-filling with more masking fluid.
2. Colour Shaper #2 Taper Point, Soft - made by Royal Sovereign Ltd UK. This is a silicone rubber tool that is intended for manipulating oils, acrylics and pastels. I use it to trace an outline of masking fluid around shapes before back-filling with more masking fluid. It works better than the Incredible Nib and it cleans with a quick wipe of a tissue.
3. Ruling pen - These are hard to find and were used for applying ink back in the day when drafting was all done by hand. The ruling pen is adjusted so the tips almost touch each other, then loaded by dipping into masking fluid about an eighth of an inch. It is used to mask fine lines such as hair, whiskers, leaf and petal veins, wood detail, twigs, etc. It’s also useful for tracing the outline of extremely detailed or jagged shapes before filling in with masking fluid. Keep a tissue handy as you work and draw a single thickness between the blades to remove any drying fluid residue. A Masque Pen is a product designed to make fine lines, but does not produce a line as fine as you can make with a ruling pen. It is also more cumbersome to hold and takes time to clean.
4. Synthetic flat wash brush - Wet the brush, then squeeze a small drop of liquid hand soap (like clear Softsoap) into the bristles. Use the brush to apply large areas of masking fluid, then rinse it as soon as you are finished. You will be AMAZED at how easily it cleans up.
5. Child’s toothbrush – Carefully heat the handle over a flame, bend it up at an angle and hold in position until cool. Wet the brush with water, then work in a small drop of liquid hand soap and blot the excess. Dip into masking fluid and use your finger or a palette knife to splatter dots or drops.
6. Rubber cement pickup - These are available at any office supply store and are used like an eraser to remove masking fluid. Less effective substitutes are masking tape, artist’s tape, or an eraser.
7. Plastic paint cup – Find these crystal clear hard plastic cups with an opaque plastic lid in the art store near watercolor or air brush supplies. Keep a small amount of fluid sealed in the cup for quick access while you are painting. It’s a handy size to hold while you work, seals air-tight, and cleans up very easily. You may have to buy a package of a dozen cups, but you can share the extras with your painting pals and they will be forever grateful.
8. Clear Contact paper – Recommended for areas more than a couple of square inches. It is a waste of money to buy expensive artist’s quality frisket film for masking large areas of a watercolor painting when you can use clear Contact paper and achieve the same result. It’s actually easier to use because it has a lower tack and is repositionable. In a future blog, I will discuss applying clear Contact paper and sealing the edges with masking fluid.
9. Clear (non-sudsy) ammonia - Use to thin masking fluid as needed. Store in a spray bottle and you don’t have to open the lid and risk spilling, or breathe the fumes.
10. And last, but not least! - Masking fluid – Winsor & Newton Colourless Art Masking Fluid is the best I’ve used. If a bottle has been on your supply shelf for a few months, test it first on a scrap of watercolor paper to make sure it is fresh, thin and easy to apply. I used Incredible White Mask for years, but found the shelf life extremely short, the product too thick even when brand new, and it left a dull yellow stain where I wanted to preserve bright white paper.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please comment!
c. 2009 Connie M. Williams All rights reserved.