MaskGoo Watercolor Masking Fluid 75 ml

MaskGoo is an art masking fluid for watercolor painting, designed to protect paper surfaces and preserve highlights. This latex-based, low odor, colorless liquid peels off easily without damaging the paper. Each 75ml bottle comes with a bonus rubber cement eraser, making it a practical and professional grade choice for both artists and hobbyists.

How to Use MaskGoo

MaskGoo is an art masking fluid specially designed for creative and professional use in watercolor painting. This latex-based, colorless liquid is applied to specific areas on paper to preserve highlights, protect fine details, and create clean white spaces without needing to paint around them—an essential technique in methods like Negative Painting. To achieve optimal results with MaskGoo, proper preparation before application is key.The first step begins with shaking the MaskGoo bottle before use. This is a simple yet important stage. MaskGoo consists of several active components that may settle if left standing too long. Shaking the bottle redistributes all the ingredients to make the liquid homogeneous and ready to perform at its best. Just hold the bottle firmly and shake it for a few seconds. A smooth consistency will make the application process easier and ensure consistent results with every use.

After shaking, pour MaskGoo into a separate container before applying it to the paper. You can use a paint palette, an old bottle cap, or a small flat dish like the one shown in the picture. This step helps keep the contents of the bottle clean and free from contamination by brushes or applicator tools. By pouring it into a container, you can also control the amount used, making it more efficient and economical. MaskGoo has a thick texture but flows easily, so only a small amount is needed for each session.

Once poured into the container, MaskGoo is ready to be applied to the surface of your watercolour paper. The recommended paper for use with MaskGoo Art Masking Fluid is watercolour paper with a strong surface, at least 200 gsm in weight. Use an old brush or one specifically designated for masking fluid, as the liquid can harden and damage brush bristles if not cleaned immediately.Apply a thin, even layer of MaskGoo over the areas you want to protect from paint. You can use it to form lines, patterns, or white spaces that you wish to preserve in your painting composition. Make sure to work with a steady hand and avoid pressing the brush too hard, so the layer remains smooth. A neat application at this stage will greatly help in creating clean, sharp contrasts once the masking fluid is peeled off later.

In addition to brushes, MaskGoo can also be applied using tools like a ruling pen for more precise lines. A ruling pen is ideal when you want to create clean, straight lines—such as design boundaries, architectural structures, or geometric elements in an illustration. Use a ruler as a guide and fill the ruling pen with a small amount of MaskGoo. Gently glide the tool along the ruler, maintaining steady pressure to keep the line width consistent.This technique allows artists to achieve a high level of accuracy, especially when working on detailed or technical pieces. MaskGoo is flexible enough to adapt to various styles and tools, making it highly versatile for a wide range of art projects.

After applying MaskGoo, make sure the fluid is completely dry before you begin painting. This is a crucial step to prevent watercolour from seeping underneath the masking layer. You can allow it to air dry naturally, which usually takes between 5 to 15 minutes depending on the thickness of the layer and room conditions.However, if you want to speed up the process, you can use a hair dryer as shown in the image. Use a low to medium heat setting and direct the airflow from a safe distance to avoid damaging the paper surface. Let the warm air help evaporate the moisture evenly across the masking fluid. Gently touch the surface with your fingertip—if it no longer feels tacky, MaskGoo is ready to be painted over.

Once MaskGoo is completely dry, you can start painting over it as usual. At this stage, there’s no need to worry about paint seeping into the areas protected by the masking fluid. As shown in the image, a pink wash can be brushed right across the MaskGoo-covered sections without any issues—the colour won’t adhere to the masked areas.This allows you to work freely and focus on your composition and colour choices, without the hassle of manually avoiding certain parts of the paper. MaskGoo acts as a protective barrier, preserving the white of the paper to enhance details or create strong highlight effects.

After the painting process is complete, it’s important to ensure that the paint is fully dry before you begin peeling off the MaskGoo. You can let it dry naturally, or if you’d like to speed things up, use a hair dryer as before. Make sure there are no damp areas left—removing MaskGoo while the paint is still wet may damage the paper’s texture or cause unwanted smudges.Once the paint is completely dry, it’s time to reveal the result by gently peeling the MaskGoo off the paper. You can use clean fingers or a rubber cement eraser, as shown in the image, to lift the rubbery masking layer. Gently rub over the masked areas, and you’ll see crisp white spaces appear underneath. This creates strong contrast and a professional finish, making it look as though the area was untouched by paint.This stage can be especially satisfying, as it reveals the final outcome of the careful steps you’ve taken. Be sure not to peel too forcefully to avoid damaging the paper’s surface—particularly if you’re using a softer type of paper

This is the final result of using MaskGoo: clean, crisp white areas set beautifully amidst vibrant colour. As you can see, the lines protected by the masking fluid remain completely untouched by paint. This is the power of MaskGoo—it gives you full control over composition, lighting, and negative space in your artwork. The result can serve as highlights, design elements, or clear boundaries between colours. The process is simple, but the outcome looks professional.MaskGoo is not just a technical aid—it’s a gateway to limitless creativity. By understanding how to use it, you can explore a variety of effects and approaches in watercolour or mixed media techniques. Try experimenting with different masking shapes, colour combinations, or even textured effects to discover your own unique artistic style.