What Are Alcohol Inks?
Alcohol inks are vibrant, fast drying and highly intense. The pigments are used with isopropyl alcohol for blending and movement. They are also moisture-resistant and permanent once dry and protected. I use a spray varnish and then a UV Light spray to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the piece.
A non-pourouse surface, like canvas that has been treated, a synthetic paper or glass is best to allow the ink and alcohol to float and blend but not be absorbed. To move the ink and alcohol around the page, I use tools like an air puffer or hairdryer, as well as other smaller tools for blending and moving the inks around the page. This leads to varying shapes and color combinations that are unique to that piece of art.
You never know what the inks will do!
The opportunities with alcohol inks are endless and the freedom to move and react as you go makes it a spontaneous art form that I find very challenging yet exciting and liberating.
What the process looks like
STEP 1:
I pick a few colors to drop onto the page. Sometimes I start with alcohol so the colors start to blend right away, and sometimes I don’t.
STEP 2:
I love adding metalic tones in brass, silver and copper to many of my pieces. It gives a suttle richness and can be broken up and moved around….very fun!!
STEP 3:
At this point I’ll often add in another color. And then I start blending with an air puffer, like I did here, a paint brush, hair dryer or just by lifting and moving the page around.