Drawing Gum: The Watercolor Supply That Lets You Relax

If you paint in watercolor long enough, eventually you realize preserving clean whites is half the battle. Tiny highlights, sunlight on water, flower petals, little reflections — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

That’s where drawing gum comes in.

Drawing gum, also called masking fluid, is a removable liquid mask that protects areas of your paper from paint and water. You apply it where you want to preserve the white of the paper, let it dry completely, paint over it, and then remove it after the painting dries.

Simple idea. Very useful tool.

Why I Like Pebeo Drawing Gum

Pebeo Drawing Gum is one of the better ones I’ve used because it behaves predictably. It goes on smoothly, dries evenly, and removes cleanly if you use decent watercolor paper and don’t leave it sitting for ages.

Some masking fluids feel thick and rubbery right from the bottle. Others tear up paper or dry into strange clumps. Pebeo stays fluid enough to create fine lines and small details without fighting you the whole time.

It’s especially useful if you paint detailed landscapes, architecture, ocean scenes, or anything with sparkling highlights.

My Favorite Way to Use It

A lot of people use masking fluid very cautiously. Tiny controlled shapes. Small details only.

I actually think it works best when paired with loose wet techniques.

For example:

• mask small highlights in water
• preserve a few bright roof edges
• protect flower petals catching light
• save thin branches or fence posts

Then wet the paper thoroughly and paint freely over the whole area.

Because the highlights are protected, you can stop hovering nervously over every inch of the paper. Your washes stay softer and more natural because you’re not painting around tiny white shapes the entire time.

Watercolor usually looks better when it has room to move.

You can also use drawing gum on wet paper. It will bloom out like watercolor making for lovely soft diffusion. This works well for waves and crashing surf.

A Few Helpful Tips

Don’t use your good brushes

Drawing gum is hard on brushes. Use an old synthetic brush, a cheap craft brush, or a silicone tool.

If you do use a brush, coating it lightly with dish soap beforehand helps protect the bristles.

Make sure it’s fully dry

If the drawing gum is still damp when you start painting, it can smear or damage the paper surface.

Remove it only after the painting is dry

This part matters. If the watercolor is still damp underneath, you can scuff the paper while removing the masking fluid.

The Rubber Sponge Trick

For removal, I prefer using a rubber sponge or masking pickup tool instead of rubbing with my fingers.

It removes the drawing gum more evenly and is gentler on the paper surface, especially on softer cotton papers.

You simply rub lightly over the dried masking fluid and it lifts away cleanly, revealing the untouched white paper underneath.

Very satisfying after a long painting session.

Final Thoughts

Drawing gum is one of those supplies that can make watercolor feel less restrictive. Instead of carefully painting around every highlight, you can focus more on washes, edges, atmosphere, and movement.

Used well, it gives you more freedom — especially in loose watercolor work.

And for that, Pebeo Drawing Gum has earned a permanent place in my painting supplies.

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