What is
Alcohol Ink
Alcohol inks are fast-drying, highly pigmented, alcohol-based inks that are great to use on any hard, non-porous surface including glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather and polymer clay. Alcohol Ink colors are especially vibrant which is one of the reasons I love to work with them. I also like that Alcohol Ink flows much better than any other medium I have used. Alcohol ink is waterproof, adding to its durable properties. Alcohol ink can be diluted with isopropyl alcohol or blending solution which is a blend of 91% isopropyl alcohol and glycerin. Blending solution is used to blend the inks but 91% isopropyl alcohol works also. It must be 91% or higher.
I purchase most of my inks on-line at Darice or Cheap Joes Art, but you can purchase at most major art stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Joanne’s. I would also recommend on line at eBay, Etsy, Blick Art, Jerry’s Artarama or Amazon. There are many other sources online.
https://www.michaels.com/shop-categories/art-supplies/809187942
https://rangerink.com/collections/tim-holtz-alcohol-inks
Ranger Adirondack alcohol inks: Great for easy flow and a fabulous selection of colors. They are constantly adding to their collections. They sell individually or in a three pack of coordinated colors which is great for a beginner.
Jacquard Pinata inks:What I love about these inks is that they can be purchased in a bigger size than Ranger Adirondack alcohol inks. I purchase a small bottle and a larger bottle and refill when needed. They do not have a huge color selection but I have several favorites that I use all the time: Forest Green, Senorita Magenta and Passion Purple.
Copic Inks: COPIC is a name of alcohol-based markers with 358 colors. These inks come in the form of a pen and features a high quality and handy brush nib. Copic Various Inks are refillable for all types of Copic markers. All 358 marker colors have a matching bottle of ink. The disadvantage is they are pens with a nib so they are not so ‘abstract’ in their flow.
Which brand you prefer depends on your favorite colors, costs and your style of art. Each ink has its own ratio of dye and solution. The more dye vs solution will be less fluid. But I do not let this bother me as I just use more Isopropyl Alcohol or Blending Solution to create fluidity. I can honestly say I don’t think about which brand to use, I usually just pick my colors despite the brands. I find these brands all work well together.
Yupo Paper: This is a specially coated paper that allows the alcohol ink to flow. The alcohol ink does not permeate the paper. You have seen forms of yupo paper used in advertising –including maps, posters, pamphlets, catalogs, manuals, labels, banners, and point-of-sale materials.
Glass, Tile, Gourds, Pottery, Ceramics, Plastics: IF the surface is non-permeable you can pretty much apply alcohol ink to it.
Canvas, wood or other papers: Non porous surfaces (Iike plywood) must be treated first with paint or gesso to make them slick for the alcohol ink to be fluid.
I purchase yupo from Cheap Joes Art Supply (online) in big sheets and a variety of weights. I explain the difference of the weight in my classes.
You can also purchase yupo from Ranger Adirondack at Michaels or other craft/art stores. Those sizes are limited to a pad size and cost more.
Yupo can also be purchased directly from Legion Paper although I have never done it. Many artists do purchase from them. I find the big sheets from Cheap Joes art supply last a long time. I cut them into smaller ‘art sizes” to fit art mats and frame sizes.
The other surfaces that take alcohol ink included glass, plastic, ceramics, tiles etc. I purchase the tiles from Home Depot or Lowes. The difficulty here is finding plain white tiles in stock. They will order for you if they are not available. Glass and pottery are easily found at garage sales and used furniture type stores. I often stop and browse at a garage/yard sale and purchase an ugly pot or ceramic and make it beautiful with alcohol ink!
I have been doing Alcohol Ink Art for 15 years. I had been doing Mixed Media with pressed flowers and watercolor but wanted to learn something new. I took an Alcohol Ink Class for the first time in Chicago in 2008 from Cathy Taylor. Cathy has written a book called “Pigments of Your Imagination – Creating with Alcohol Inks”. At that class, I fell in love with Alcohol Inks and Cathy’s easy style of teaching. Her book has become my “go to” book for when I need some inspiration for my art.
Shortly after discovering Cathy Taylor and Alcohol Inks, I purchased a DVD by June Rollins and learned even more about alcohol ink – especially landscapes. I still remember her use of coffee stirrers to move the alcohol ink.
Next, I took a course from Karen Walker where I learned about masking and lifting my art to leave white (negative space) or to correct something. She is more detailed in her art than some other artists. Several other artists I have learned from are Sheryl Williams, Sandy Sandy and Alexis Bonavitacola. Each has a slightly different style of instruction and art.
Currently, I search YouTube to watch tutorials and although sometimes I do not learn anything new, it helps me refresh what I already know. Watching people instruct on YouTube has inspired me to video my own instruction. I am currently taking a class on how to film my art Filming Your Art For Creatives — Artist & E-Course Designer by Alexis Bonavitacola. Soon I will be on YouTube for you to watch!
One of the secrets of art is to constantly take classes and learn from others. Although, I teach art, I am constantly learning a new idea or a tip from one of my teachers – the highest compliment you can give to them.