Hi Westie2009 Yes masking fluid does sometimes pull off the paper. It works best on water colour board which has little "nap". If I am using darker tones I use either a rigger brush or a fan brush for grasses - painted from bottom upwards not down - scratching with a scalpel also works as it exposes white paper.

I hope your painting is going well.
I have just come back off hol' in Northumbria and managed several water colours and pen and ink sketches a medium I love.