Incredible White Mask

Tips & Special Techniques

What is liquid frisket?

Liquid Frisket is a water-based suspension of latex. Latex, in its raw form, is a white, milky fluid produced by a variety of plants. Latex is the source of rubber, gutta percha and chicle. The all brands of frisket are made with different formulas. Many have an odor of ammonia, which is added as a preservative and some have a pigment to add color. White Mask ™ is a natural color to reduce paper staining, a problem when pigment is added.

How does liquid frisket work?

Liquid frisket protects any area from pigment application. A familiar example is covering an area of a watercolor paper to keep it white. Frisket can also be applied over dry watercolor to preserve the color beneath. Be certain the watercolor is completely dry before applying the frisket, some opaque watercolors can be lifted unless thoroughly dried, two weeks. White Mask ™ can be used with acrylics as well as watercolors.

How do you apply liquid frisket?

Frisket can be brushed, knifed, poured and spattered, White Mask ™ is fluid enough to be airbrushed. The Incredible Nib ® was designed for applying frisket freely or with precision. Frisket is very versatile and lends itself to experimentation.

Can frisket be used in diluted form?

Some artists dilute frisket with water, largely to economize by making it go further. If you decide to use any frisket in a diluted form, experiment on scraps of the paper you’ll be using for your painting. You may find that the diluted frisket will penetrate the paper and make it difficult to remove. White Mask ™ does not need to be diluted. If you add water, dilute only a small amount at a time, never dilute the entire bottle.

Other techniques and applications:

The major problem most artist face is having frisket dry on their brush. Because of this, many users resort to using their oldest or inexpensive brushes, these brushes tend to fan out to the point, decreasing the precision. The Incredible Nib ® was designed to give control for masking fine lines and details. Please take the following precautions before, during and after you use the frisket:

• Before you start, rinse the Nib (or brush) in clean water them blot out the excess with a tissue. It is not necessary to use soap with the White Mask ™.
• Dip into the frisket and apply. Cover a small area, then rinse the Bin in clean water, blot off the excess and continue.
• Repeat these steps often while you are applying the frisket.
• When you’ve finished, rinse the Nib thoroughly in clean water.

While this may seem like a lot of bother, you’ll be rewarded with a clean Nib that you can use again and again with frisket, lifting and painting.

How do you remove liquid frisket?

The most common way is to use a tool like the Liquid Frisket Remover that is included in the Liquid Frisket Kit. It is a piece of crepe rubber that you simply rub over the dried frisket. The frisket “crumbs” tend to roll up and stick to the tool. You can pull it off and discard it. CAUTION! Don’t drop the frisket crumbs on your carpet or upholstery. You may not be able to get them out of the material. You can also remove frisket by just rubbing it with your finger, catching the edge and peeling it off or lifting it off with a ball of dried frisket made from the crumbs you remove. Be sure the frisket has dried thoroughly before you try to remove it.

Is frisket affected by temperature?

White Mask ™ can be dried with a hair dryer. Be sure the paper under the frisket is dry before you remove it. White Mask ™ can be applied in direct sunlight and withstand the sun for 3-4 hours. Do not apply heat to other frisket brands without testing first. White Mask ™ is sensitive to the cold; do not allow it to freeze.

How long can you leave it on the paper?

While this probably depends on the paper, you can usually leave the frisket in place three to four weeks, maybe longer. Experiment with the paper you typically use.

White Mask ™ can be left on the paper indefinitely.

How can I keep frisket from drying out in the bottle?

One solution is to dispense a small amount into a plastic 35mm film container, the lid seals airtight. This prevents opening the bottle and leaving it open while you’re working. A second solution is to avoid shaking the bottle, creating bubbles, to mix it. Introducing air will cause the Latex to congeal. We suggest leaving your frisket on your worktable and every day or so turn it over, this will allow it to gently mix itself. When you’re ready to use it give the bottle an extra turn or two. In addition, you can store your bottle upside down; at worst a small amount will congeal around the opening, sealing the bottle.

Here are a couple of special techniques with frisket:

To create extra light behind foliage, spatter frisket into the area where the foliage will be by dipping the NIB into the frisket and tapping it gently on your finger or a brush handle just as you spatter paint. Now spatter blue and yellow paint on top of the frisket. While the frisket and paint are still wet, “spritz” it lightly with water from your spray bottle and let dry. When you remove the frisket, you’ll find a chorus of values of white paper and color. To create foam in water, mask out the water area. After the frisket is dry, gently rub your finger over the frisket. It will pull apart in hundreds of tiny circles and ovals. Paint over these areas with the shadow color of the water. After it’s dry, remove the frisket and you’ll have foam.

What's your special frisket technique?

Frisket is a rather remarkable product. There are many different applications and methods for using frisket, only your imagination is the limit.