Masking fluid with dip pen
På SvenskaIn the post masking fluid I wrote that I usually dilute masking fluid when I use it with a dip pen. I intend to describe in more detail here how I do this. Masking fluid causes problems for my students, especially with the dip pen.
If you want to mask thin lines or really small details, the dip pen is an excellent tool. But since masking fluid is quite viscous, it is not possible to just dip the pen in masking fluid and start masking. No masking fluid comes on the paper because it can not leave the pen, it is too thick. The only thing you succeed at is scraping the paper, and you do not want that.
It is possible to dilute the masking fluid with water. Do this:
- Dip the nib in water so that it gets wet.
- Then dip it in masking fluid so that it is filled.
- As a last step, immerse the pen in water again, let it drain slightly before using it on the paper
With undiluted masking fluid, it is difficult (impossible) for the fluid to flow out of the pen.
Masking with a pen works well if you dilute the fluid, the easiest is to just dip the pen in water
Once you have followed these three steps, the masking fluid should flow well out of the pen and you can mask small fine details. Feel free to test this on a test paper before trying it on a painting. The water you used for the dilution is full of masking fluid, you need to change to clean water before you start painting.
