An interesting tool that will certainly inspire some ideas in those of us who like to make original Valentines cards!
We have to be able to enjoy the little things in a creative life, and that’s why today in this article, I’m going to share with you, my very latest art material crush.
A few months ago, I “tasted the pleasures” of a pen. Yes a pen, but not just any pen, the masking pen. What a brilliant invention, and so easy to use!
What’s this Stuff?
Unlike an ordinary pen, the pen reservoir does not contain ink, but a ready-to-use masking liquid (water-soluble).
Like its cousin, the drawing gum available in jar, the drawing gum pen also allows you to cover areas of paper to be protected before colouring. Except with this one, we do not need a brush anymore.
Made from safe and synthetic ingredients that do not irritate the skin, masking liquid is a peelable solution (after drying completely of course). It then takes the form of a protective plastic film that can be peeled off with light friction.
Details of the maksing pen:
- Molotow Brand
- GRAFX ART Masquing Liquid “pump maker”
- refillable masking pen with interchangeable tip
- tip with pump system for liquid flow
- round tip available in 2 or 4 mm
- turquoise blue liquid, odourless that does not bubble after mixing
- masking liquid becomes a soft plastic after drying.
- gives precise lines, strong covering power and ultra fast drying
NOTE: 1 tip always has 2 sides. If the tip shows signs of fatigue, do not hesitate to remove it from the pen to use the opposite side.
Most of these products are currently available at GreatArt Online and can be ordered to collect from their art supply shop in London Shoreditch or delivered to your home.
How to Use it ?
- Shake the pen to mix the drawing gum well.
- After removing the cap, press the tip and release it (as if you were pumping). This operation soaks the liquid tip before you can work.
- Once the tip is full of liquid, draw and cover all the shapes and details you want to protect from colour. The blue colour of the masking liquid helps you to see the lines you’ve made better.
- If you need more liquid, then reboot the pump to fill the tip again.
- Wait until the masking liquid is completely dry on the sheet before applying colours.
- Wait until the colours are completely dry to remove the drawing gum.
- With a finger, a soft putty eraser or a small piece of rubber, rub away the drawing gum lines.
- With a finger, an eraser (bread crumb) or a small piece of rubber rub them drawing gum plots.
Results With Some Pictures:
This kind of pen is perfect for all types of water-based and solvent-free artwork: ink, paint (Molotow and also other fluid acrylic), markers, watercolour, diluted gouache.
It is generally used in illustration, calligraphy or Lettering (like greeting cards), interior decoration, craft projects, and adapts to many surfaces such as watercolour paper (or thick paper), cardboard, bristol board and wood.
NOTE: With this pen the lines are of a high precision and the points can form pretty dots.
Amylee’s Review:
Unlike the little jar of liquid drawing gum that smells strong, dribbles, sticks, and bubbles after mixing, the masking pen has completely changed the way I use masking fluid. It’s a treat to draw, write and express freely with drawing gum now.
Efficiency, speed, precision, I will even add cleanliness of the tip as it does not make sticky lumps which is often the case with jar and brush* (* you will notice this often happens after use).
And the icing on the cake is that when after removing all drawing gum, we rediscover suddenly our work illuminated with a constellation of details and amazing white lines … Emotion guaranteed every time!
Information for this article was provided by professional fine artist, Amylee Paris. You can visit her colourful portfolio or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Find all Amylee’s posts published in GreatArt online Magazine by clicking here!
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