Introduction to Alcohol inks
- Are bright coloured, highly pigmented, quick drying, alcohol based inks.
- Alcohol inks can only be used on non porous surfaces that doesn’t soak up the inks. Substrates commonly used with alcohol inks are yupo paper or any synthetic or plastic paper, photo paper, metallic sheets, foil, craft plastic, vinyl, ceramic tiles and so on.
- Alcohol inks can be diluted or moved with help of alcohol blending solution or isopropyl alcohol with an alcohol percentage of 91 or more.
- Materials that you can use to create textures with alcohol inks include straws, coffee stirrers, credit card, felt, brushes, air brush, canned air and any other.
- Alcohol inks and isopropyl alcohol may have strong odours and fumes that some may find uncomfortable or get headaches, so it is very important to work in a well ventilated area. A facial respirator mask, pair of nitrile gloves for hands are recommended when working on alcohol ink projects.
- Alcohol inks and isopropyl alcohol are flammable, so store them away from heat, direct sunlight near flames.
Having fun creating art
I have listed a few examples below. You can use your imagination with the materials you can use to create shapes and textures.
You may not need any materials other than the inks, isopropyl alcohol and paper. Simply add a drop of ink, wait for the drop to bloom then add another drop of ink of the same colour or other colour. Keep going throughout the page.
Use a brush to move the inks
Materials needed
- Few colours of alcohol inks
- Blending solution or Isopropyl alcohol 71% or higher
- Yupo paper or any other non-porous surface/material
- Straw
Take any colour choice of ink. Drop some blending solution
or isopropyl alcohol and a few drops of alcohol inks. Using
a straw blow and move the inks making patterns. Keep
adding inks and blending solution and blow to move the
inks until you achieve a desired result.
Materials needed
- Few colours of alcohol inks
- Blending solution or Isopropyl alcohol
- Yupo paper or any synthetic paper or non-porous material
- Paper towel or piece of felt
Drop some blending solution and randomly put a few drops
each of couple of colours of the alcohol inks. Scrunch up
the piece of felt or paper towel and dab on the inks,
blending them. This will add some texture to the painting.
Continue this process until a desired result is achieved.
Materials needed
- Few colours of alcohol inks
- Blending solution or Isopropyl alcohol
- Yupo paper or any synthetic non-porous paper
- Coffee stirrer / Credit card
Drop some blending solution and randomly put a few drops
each of couple of colours of the alcohol inks. Using the coffee stirrer or credit card drag the inks back and forth in the direction you want the inks to go, to form textures to the painting. Continue this process until a desired result is achieved.
Materials needed
- Few colours of alcohol inks
- Blending solution or Isopropyl alcohol
- Yupo paper or any synthetic non-porous paper
- Canned air / air compressor / hair dryer / ink blower
Drop some blending solution and randomly put a few drops
each of couple of colours of the alcohol inks. Push the inks with the canned air or air compressor to form shapes or to move the inks to form textures to the painting.
Continue this process until a desired result is achieved.