
Isn’t masking fluid fun?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no.
This painting of lightning was a great way to study masking fluid techniques, introduce Spectrum Noir Refills and use lifting to get the light right.
I created several videos of the process with beginning inkers in mind.
Here are the videos in a playlist.
Or you can pick which ones to watch here:
Step 1: Tracing From A Reference Photo – This is a chance to see using carbon paper to trace from a reference photo.
Step 2: Protect Your Brush When Masking – It helps to see how much soap and water you should put on your brush to protect it when using masking fluid.
Step 3: Applying Masking Fluid
- With a skewer
- With a brush
- How to know where you’ve masked.
Step 4: Welcome to Spectrum Noir Refills
Spectrum Noir Refills are another brand of alcohol inks. The refills are very intense with little alcohol and have a eye dropper for application. I find them more cost effective than Adirondacks as their list price is $5.95 for 1 ounce vs. $3.49 for 1/2 ounce of Adirondacks. If you have never used them before this will be helpful to watch how they move as I paint in the background. Here’s a link to their colors at Dick Blick.
Step 5: Removing Masking Fluid with Tweezers
Because the lightning lines were so small I used tweezers to pull it up. I found that the metal of the tweezers worked really well and I didn’t have to always pinch to get it off.
If you look at the finished painting there were more steps to take. This is what I did.
The masking fluid lines were too stark so I used a brush to add a bit of color into the lines and to soften the edges.
The light in the clouds needed to be enhanced so I used the Chameleon Blender pen to lift and lighten.
I hope this information will be helpful to you.
2 responses on "Lightning Strikes - Masking Fluid and Spectrum Noir Ink Refills"
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Alcohol Ink Articles
- 0. Online Classes General Information (15)
- New classes (9)
- 1. How Tos (61)
- ….applying masking fluid (2)
- ….fur (1)
- ….Fur Map (1)
- ….paint an eye (1)
- ….protect your brushes (1)
- ….step-by-step example (7)
- ….step-by-step instructions (7)
- ….tracing (5)
- ….Value Study (3)
- ….videos (8)
- …Learn to observe (2)
- …select a reference photo (2)
- …time lapse (2)
- Computer Editing Tool (1)
- Understanding "Why" (16)
- 2. Tools & Materials (23)
- ….Air Compressor (1)
- ….alcohol and the ink (1)
- ….brushes (1)
- ….Chameleon Blending Pen (4)
- ….india ink (2)
- ….Inks:Spectrum Noir Refills (1)
- ….markers (8)
- ….masking (4)
- ….pebeo relief outliner (1)
- ….pens (3)
- ….stencils (2)
- ….Yupo Paper (2)
- 3. Resources (5)
- 4. Sheryl's Paintings (8)
- 5. Student's Work (4)
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Sheryl, I love seeing these videos of how to use various paints and things to create your paintings. I never knew to use soap on my brush to protect it from masking fluid. I have been using a fine crochet hook to do fine lines as it pulls right off the hook whenever I need to clean it. and it has worked for me as well. I will be using the soap now and I bought the markers but not refills – I will have to get some to try! Oh the possibilities!!! 🙂 Thanks!
Cora,
That is fantastic. It’s so much better to see the refills in motion and to be able to watch it all happen.
Best,
Sheryl