If you've ever struggled to preserve the white of your paper while painting loose, expressive watercolours — liquid frisket is the tool you've been missing.
What is Liquid Frisket?
Liquid frisket, also known as masking fluid, is a liquid rubber compound that you apply to watercolour paper before painting. It dries quickly to form a flexible, peel-able barrier that protects specific areas from paint. Once your washes are dry, you simply rub or peel the frisket away to reveal crisp, clean whites underneath.
It's one of the most versatile tools in a watercolour artist's kit — and one of the most underused.
How to Use Liquid Frisket: Step by Step
- Plan your composition. Identify the areas you want to keep white or light — highlights on water, flower petals, fine branches, lettering.
- Apply the frisket. Use an old brush, a ruling pen, or a colour shaper to apply frisket to those areas. Work on dry paper for best adhesion.
- Let it dry completely. Frisket dries quickly but don't rush it — painting over wet frisket can cause it to lift and mix into your wash.
- Paint freely over the masked areas. Lay down your washes without worrying about staying inside the lines.
- Remove the frisket. Once your painting is fully dry, gently rub the frisket away with a rubber cement pickup or a clean finger. The masked areas will be revealed clean and sharp.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Use an old brush or a ruling pen — frisket will ruin a good brush. Coat your brush with a little soap before dipping it in frisket to make cleanup easier.
- Don't apply frisket to wet paper — it won't adhere properly and can tear the surface when removed.
- Don't leave frisket on too long — on hot-press paper especially, frisket left for days can bond too strongly and damage the surface when removed.
- Test on a scrap first — different papers react differently to masking fluid.
Which Demco Frisket is Right for You?
Demco offers three Liquid Frisket formulas, each suited to different needs:
- Latex-Free Pink (60ml) — ideal for artists with latex sensitivities. The pink tint makes it easy to see where you've applied it on white paper.
- Blue (60ml) — a tinted formula that's easy to spot on paper, great for detailed work where precision matters.
- White (60ml) — a neutral formula that blends into the paper surface, useful when you want a less visible application.
All three are suitable for use with watercolour, drawing inks, India ink, and coloured pencils.
Ready to Try It?
Demco Liquid Frisket is available at King's Framing & Art Gallery — in store and online. Whether you're a beginner exploring watercolour techniques or an experienced artist looking for a reliable Canadian-made masking fluid, Demco Frisket delivers consistent, clean results every time.