How To Paint With Alcohol Ink (For Adults)

Materials Needed:

Alcohol Inks are are vibrant, dye-based inks specially formulated to work on non-porous surfaces.

Yupo Paper due to its smooth, non-absorbent nature. Other options include ceramic tiles, glass, or metal.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Optional); maybe used for diluting or manipulating the ink.

Synthetic Paint brushes

A Mixing Tray or any Non-Porous Surface for blending colors.

Gloves and Apron to protect your hands and clothes from ink stains.

Some Tips Before You Get Started:

• Start with lighter colors and build up to darker ones to avoid overpowering the palette.

• Use blending solution sparingly to control the spread of colors.

• Experiment with different techniques and combinations to discover your unique style.

Let’s begin:

• Prepare Your Workspace:

  • Work in a well-ventilated area as alcohol inks can have strong fumes. If you are sensitive to fumes, wear a mask.

  • Cover your workspace with newspaper or a protective mat as ink will spill and can leave stains.

• Apply Alcohol Inks:

  • Shake your alcohol inks well before use.

  • Apply drops of ink directly onto your surface. Have fun with this process. Go ahead and experiment with different colors and patterns.

  • For perfectionists out there, you can also use a brush to apply the ink or create controlled lines and shapes.

• Let Play with the Inks:

  • Use isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) to manipulate the inks. Here are a few techniques you can try to create interesting patterns:

    • Droplets: Apply drops of alcohol onto wet ink to create bloom effects.

    • Blending: Use alcohol on a brush or dropper to blend colors together seamlessly.

    • Lifting: Dab a cloth or cotton swab with alcohol to lift or remove ink for highlights or corrections.

• More Fun Techniques:

  • Blowing: Use a straw to blow the ink across the surface for interesting patterns.

  • Tilting: Tilt your surface to let the ink flow and blend naturally.

  • Layering: Allow each layer to dry before adding another to avoid mixing colors too much.

• Let it Dry:

  • Allow your artwork to dry completely. Alcohol ink dries quickly, but thicker layers or highly saturated areas may take longer. Once dry, you can protect your alcohol ink painting with a fixative or varnish suitable for non-porous surfaces.