Learn How
To Do
Alcohol Inks
I have been teaching adults in Los Angeles, San Diego, Indianapolis and St Petersburg for over 25 years.I received my vocational teaching degree in California and taught computer software and medical front office.Now I teach art which is much more fun than a computer software! I teach now in the Tampa Bay area at several places but due to the COVID pandemic the classes have been put on hold.
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Currently, I am taking a class online to learn how to teach via video. When this is accomplished, I will update this site and keep you informed.
My Teaching Background
Making Your First Art Piece
Supplies You Need:
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Alcohol Ink – at least 4 coordinating colors.
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91% isopropyl alcohol
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Cotton swabs - (q tips)
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Cotton squares (makeup remover type rounds)
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Nitrile exam gloves ( you do not want to stain your hands)
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Paper towels
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Yupo paper or white ceramic tiles
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Plastic protective cloth
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Cut up pieces of felt cloth (Walmart) - cut your own to 2x1 inch
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Cut up loose fluffy sponges – I like Scrub Buddies and they can be found at the Dollar store or on eBay.
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Cheap acrylic artist brushes – various sizes – small to medium (Michaels)
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A fan to circulate air
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A mask if you are sensitive to the fumes
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Eye droppers
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A plastic bottle to hold alcohol that has a tip to drip alcohol that holds at least 7 ounces. You will use this to rewet and clean tools
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Small spray and applicator bottles. I purchase oiler boilers from Amazon . Oiler boilers are small bottles with metal applicator tips.
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Small spray mini mister bottles made by Ranger/Tim Holtz
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Plastic straws.
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Puppy pee pads – great for wiping your tools and keeping work area cleaner.
This list seems like a lot, but purchasing most of these at Walmart or the Dollar Store makes it less expensive. The ink lasts a long time as do the plastic containers and brushes. It is definitely an investment for something you will just love!
Basic Instructions for Learning Alcohol Ink Art – Aka- The Drip, Drop and Blow Method!
Basic starting tips doing alcohol ink art:
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Purchase only a few alcohol inks at the beginning. That’s where the sets of three from Ranger are good. Buy 2-3 sets (three colors of ink per pack).
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If you shop at Michaels – use a coupon.
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If you shop at Cheap Joes Art (online) – they often have sales, explore their website.
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Instead of purchasing Yupo Paper get photopaper and paint on the reverse side. Kirkland photo paper is a favorite brand that I was able to purchase it at Amazon as it is no longer available at the Costco store.
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Most importantly, watch YouTube videos to see the process of any art method!
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Don’t be intimidated – I have taught 90-year olds in wheelchairs as well as children. Anyone can do it!
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Don’t compare yourself to others. Your art will be unique to you. DO NOT say you cannot do art. Do you remember that you did art in kindergarten then you got interested in something else or someone criticized your art maybe?
Easy Instructions to Create Your First Art Piece
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Place your yupo paper (8x5 inches) or a white ceramic tile (5x5 inches) on a well-covered surface. These are only suggested sizes – use whatever works, but don’t make your first attempt too big.
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Be careful as alcohol ink will stain, so protect yourself and your surface. I buy plastic tablecloths at the Dollar Store and cover that cover with a doggy pee pad.
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Pick out three to four colors of ink. The small ink bottles have tips that allow you to pour ink onto your surface. Take off the caps before you begin.
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Have a small bottle of 91% alcohol at hand.
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Put on gloves to do your work. Here goes – then JUST BEGIN!
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Drip/drop alcohol ink onto the surface yupo or tile. Drip one color, then drop another one at a time. Just a small drip/drop at a time. One color at a time. You can combine them or keep them separate. Tilt the paper or tile to have them run into each other.
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WATCH the interaction of the alcohol inks. This is half the fun of using alcohol inks – to see what HAPPENS as the inks combine with each other. Don’t rush the process.
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If the alcohol ink starts to dry – it can happen fast, then add a couple of small DROPS of isopropyl alcohol onto the alcohol ink and watch It flow. CAUTION: Do not use too much alcohol ink OR too much alcohol. Remember you can always add more as you need it.
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Blow on the alcohol ink with the straw (while it is still wet) to move rather than tilting it. Whatever is comfortable for you.
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Try moving the alcohol ink with some of the supplies listed above:
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Q-tip type cotton applicator
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Felt square – 2x2 inch square
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Brush
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Very small piece of sponge
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When you use one of these tools you can wet it first with the alcohol or if the alcohol ink is still fluid you do not need to use alcohol. Alcohol ink does dry rapidly but as I said previously DO not overdo the alcohol – learn to drip and drop in small amounts.
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If you do not like what you did – take a paper towel wet with alcohol and remove it and START OVER. Another beauty of Alcohol Ink. It can be repaired easily!
That’s all there is to starting to do alcohol ink. Just let it happen. I can honestly say when I first started to do alcohol ink, I did some great art, but I was NOT trying to make it happen. Later as you learn more you can control the ink. In the beginning just LET IT HAPPEN.
“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grown. So do it.”
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KURT VONNEGUT