ASBA 2024 - Betsy Rogers-Knox - The Pros and Cons of Masking

The Pros and Cons of Masking with Betsy Rogers-Knox

Challenge yourself with a variety of fun exercises exploring all the ins and outs of using masking fluid which can enhance and add interest to your watercolor paintings. We’ll discuss different brands, how to create different effects and the use of pen or brush on different papers. 

Masking can be an effective tool for building layers of texture for certain subjects, such as bark, ground litter and rocks!

Below is a list of materials that I would recommend for the class. If you have favorite materials at home that you’re comfortable using, please feel free to bring them along. I’ll have extras of everything so no worries if you’re not able to obtain all the items.

Supply list:

• (WNWC1-4) Watercolor Tubes - Basically you’ll need the 3 primary colors for mixing browns, grays and greens. For Artist brands I recommend Winsor Newton Artist Series (WN) or Daniel Smith (DS).   
  • Winsor Blue - Green Shade - WN
  • Indanthrone Blue  DS
  • Hansa Yellow Light - DS
  • Quinacridone Gold -  DS
  • Yellow Ochre - DS
  • Alizarin Crimson - DS
  • Permanent Rose - WN
  • Burnt Sienna - WN
• (BR26, BR28, BR104) Brushes - short handle pointed round watercolor brushes, sable or synthetic. I use the following:
  • Raphael Kolinsky short handle brushes - 8404 size 4
  • Winsor Newton - Series 7 miniature - size 1, 3
  • Grumbacher Goldenedge - 4620 round - size 4
  • Several old brushes for mixing color and applying mask - sizes 1,2,4
  • Little bar of soap
• (S2005, S2006) Palette - Plastic or ceramic 5-8 well
• (PL38, PL21, E13) HB Drawing Pencil and eraser
• (P134, PA42, PA110) Paper - 2-3 sheets 9x12 (or smaller) Hot Press Watercolor Paper - 140 or 300lb