This next step is something you may or may not want to do in your painting. In order to preserve the “white” of the paper for highlights or being able to go back over a spot that you want to appear much lighter, you can use this product called Colourless Art Masking Fluid.
I use the Winsor Newton brand, but there are other brands available. You can get it at just about any store that sells art supplies.

The one thing you need to know about this product, however, is that you should use a very cheap type of brush to apply it. Think about how much space you want covered, too. Smaller brushes for smaller spaces, larger brushes for larger spaces, for instance. I will warn you it is difficult to get off of the brush after you are done. I have tried using various soaps, but it is rubbery, so sometimes I just pull it off with my fingers or use something sharp to scrape it off. Note that the brushes may seem much more tattered after using them for this, which is why you want to go cheap for brushes!!

Also note that this is not the only way to preserve the white of the paper. You can also just paint very carefully around those parts and hope for the best. I have had on occasion, but rarely, the bad experience of the masking fluid leave parts more white than I wanted them, because I painted too much on.

FOR BEGINNERS: I would avoid using this product until you become really comfortable with painting first. 🙂

WINSOR AND NEWTON COLOURLESS ART MASKING FLUID

STAY TUNED FOR PARTS 4 AND 5 OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS! 🙂

© Patsy H. Parker