Learn how to make abstract art with alcohol ink. Watch as I create Never Land, a 9" x 12" alcohol ink on vellum piece -- using my Alcoholic Ink technique.
IMPORTANT: THERE ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS TO USING ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL INK. AS I EXPLAIN IN THIS AND OTHER VIDEOS ABOUT THE TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATED HERE, OUTDOORS IS THE PREFERRED PLACE TO DO THIS TECHNIQUE. FAILING THAT, INDOOR CONSIDERATIONS ARE ADEQUATE VENTILATION, PROPER USE AND STORAGE OF THE PRODUCTS (THEY ARE FLAMMABLE), AND POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS TO OTHERS IN YOUR HOME, INCLUDING PETS. IT IS ADVISABLE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE BREATHING GEAR (VENTILATOR).
This piece is stunning. I'm new to alcohol ink and really enjoyed your video. You are so informative. I ran into one problem, though. I used a 55 lb velum and it curled up like crazy. What do you think I am doing wrong?
Eileen, I'm sorry I missed your comment until now; my apologies. Thank you for your feedback. I believe the curling of the velum may have to do with the amount of heat directed at it. If you're using a heat gun and it has a Cool setting, try that. If not, use a small craft/hair dryer on a Low and if possible, Cool, setting. I hope that works for you.
@@TheTallestOne Thank you for sharing - such beautiful work! Can you please tell me what percentage isopropyl alcohol you use? It seems that your alcohol evaporates more slowly than the one I use (99%).
Oh at last velum!! I was wondering about trying the inks on velum ! I had asked another ink artist about acetate and velum.....didn't know what velum was! Thank you so much. I had the velum for my card making..I did flowers with embossing powder. xxx👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍💕💕💕❤️🇬🇧🐶🐶🐶
Yes! I know there are various weights of vellum too, Maureen -- I expect the heavier it is, the less likely it will be to warp. Try to keep alcohol (or blending solution, or whatever) to a minimum and use a cool setting if possible on your craft dryer. (I often heat emboss on velum, so it can be heated, but only for very quick spurts.) I've been using Craft Plastic by Grafix for a few months -- a substate that wipes back to white (!) and isn't prone to warping, even when heated. Great stuff.
That is gorgeous. I'm very new and I've been practicing with my air brush not being very satisfied, but looking at the way your doing it, is exactly what I wanted to do, so now, thanks to your technique I might pursue this, there could be a glimmer of hope for me. I love abstract so much and the ethereal look it is very Zen to me. Thank you so much for this video, now I feel inspired to try again.
Hi Kathryn, I see that this video was made a year ago + so this may be a redundant statement. But, I thought your visitors might like to know that in December 2018, a new company was featured on TH-cam. It's called Kielty Inks. They are out of Dublin, Ireland and they are, Ta Da!........... NON TOXIC!!!!!!.....................Because of where they are, they are costly, but if you love AI and have a need for a nontoxic environment, you are no longer excluded from creating with Alcohol Inks. Thanks so much for such an informing demonstration. The finished piece is lovely and watching you was very, very helpful.
Thank you for your kind feedback, Judith, and the reminder about this new brand. I only recently heard about the Kielty Inks and haven't had an opportunity to try them out yet. That's great news if their claims of non toxicity are true; as you point out, they are costly but it's wonderful if they give a choice to people who are unable to use a traditional alcohol ink.
Thank you for the safety tips. I think many of this type of demo or tutorials forget to pass on that kind of information. I am an acrylic artist and have seen so many tutorials where folks take a torch to their fluid projects and not one of them talk about the dangers of the aerosolized chemicals.
Yes, the volatility of chemical compounds isn't something to dismiss. I recommend anyone who is not absolutely certain that using alcohol-based products is wise for them or their household do some research.
I may be a little late to the party---however I love this!! I am rediscovering my alcohol inks, and came across this video. I will try this-- on some vellum I bought forever ago!! Thank you!
Thanks for stressing the dangers of your medium, having been messing around with acrylic pours and alcohol and inks and heat with never a thought, dum as I have bronchiectasis, I now have new respect of the dangers. Your work is so beautiful
I loved the bird at the top of the piece that was formed at the very first of your process. But you covered it up. 😢 It’s still a beautiful piece. I was just in awe of the bird that was so quickly formed!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful technique! 🤗
My pleasure to share, Martha! I went back to look at the video and now see what you mean about the bird. :) Sorry I covered it up -- at the same time, not sorry because I really like how this piece turned out (and thank you for the compliment on the final result!).
Myriam, I cannot even begin to tell you how flattered I am that you would check out my videos. You have been a great inspiration to me as I sort out my own style; thank you for your video tutorials. (I recommend those of you who want to learn techniques in all kinds of media, including alcohol ink, check out Myriam's Nature here on YT.)
Oh Kathryn, that is so so sweet of you! Seriously, your work is awesome. Your peony piece is fa...bu...lous! It’s so funny, when I saw the thumbnail I said “ooh, that looks just like peonies”, and then I read the title... PERFECT! I wish you much success with your channel and work. 😘💕
FYI Brown happens when you mix colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel. Eg purple and yellow. Another way of explaining it is, when you mix hot (red/orange/yellow) and cold (purple/blue/green) colours together wet. You can put them next to each other, but you will end up with muddy brown if you mix them when they are wet.
Love the lasy Susan setup, that makes it SO much easier. Suggestion: How about attaching the paper onto a firm substrate like a thin cutting board? That way the corners would not curl up. I do that and it works great.
Very neat, showing the prep and way the colours react with the wash. Also shows great restraint is best when working with alcohol inks as opposed to acrylics - less is more.
Absolutely stunning work. I just began what I call "The Adventures of My Alcohol Inky Pinkies". lol. I love your work and technique with the hair dryer. So creative!
Thanks, Rosetta! I hope you and your inky pinkies have a wonderful adventure. The hair dryer is a portable two-speed (I most often have it on Low) that was hardly ever used.
How do you do it, Kathryn! You give a serious (and much needed to know for beginners like me) homily on safety while not missing a beat on this beautiful piece of art! Thank you for both, as I have learned much from this about technique.
Have been recently been playing with Alcohol inks on Yupo paper - but had no idea you could use them on Vellum so I will definitely give it a try. Love the translucent effect and how ethereal it looks. Thank you so much! New subscriber here! :-)
The idea of using vellum came to me when I had my first couple of ink colors, but didn't have any Yupo (yet). I figured that since it is "paper vellum" -- a synthetic, like Yupo -- it might just work. I was pleased with my experiment and now use them both.
Thanks very much, Katherine! I would suggest beginning with safety measures and ensuring you and your home are adequately prepared for dealing with alcohol fumes and the inherent risks of using alcohol. From there, I would start with the primary colors of ink, as you can mix them to create other colors. You'll also need a substrate like vellum or Yupo and a small craft or hair dryer (NOT a heat tool) that has a low speed and temperature setting. A lazy susan is helpful (but not absolutely necessary); as I note in the video, it can be used to help blow fumes blown away from you and to manage the flow of ink on your project.
Thank you, Ann! I hope to do a video about this but in the meantime, work on vellum, like the piece in this video, is sometimes mounted first onto white cardstock to add visual light and physical weight and strength. From there, it is mounted on a card base and/or matted and framed. I also keep scans of some pieces that are printed onto fabric and other substrates and made into prints, pillows and other lifestyle items.
Thank you, Lisa! Most vellum pieces are mounted to white card stock, using double-sided sheets of adhesive. From there, I may display it in a frame on its own, cut it into pieces (or die cut it) for mixed media projects, greeting cards, shadow boxes, etc.
Thanks very much, Laurie! Yes, that purple thumb sticks out like a... sore purple thumb! I enjoy finding things that make me smile in these abstracts. :)
Hello Mary! I've not yet tried alcohol ink on canvas myself, but have seen videos of people doing so. I suggest you search TH-cam for some and hopefully, their videos will also answer your second question about gesso.
Tanya, pour cette pièce, je n'ai pas d'abord mis de l'alcool sur le vélin. Vous voudrez peut-être commencer avec de l'alcool pour éviter que les encres ne tachent le vélin où elles sont déposées.
Hi Kathryn, thanks for the health warning, did not realize this. When I saw your work, I fell in love with a new way to use the inks (not just resin). Is there any way to make your recording clearer or place the mic in front of you, there is a small echo that made it a bit hard to hear. Thank you so much for sharing and teaching!
Thanks! Some pieces are cut down and used as backgrounds for greeting cards, some are mounted as wall art, and others... well... I have a few ideas but nothing I can share just yet. Stay tuned...!
It's beautiful! Thank you for sharing this technique! Can you please tell what exactly is in the big bottle and what are the proportions there? Thanks!
Thank you, Ekaterina. The largest bottle (clear liquid) is a 91% concentration isopropyl alcohol. The smaller bottle (colored yellow) is the same alcohol, but with a couple of drops (or more, as you wish) of the yellow ink. It is not necessary to add the ink, but I chose to for this piece.
Thank you, Diana! I'm unable to read the brand information as it's a very old hair dryer. You could probably find one very similar in most discount or drug stores. It's a small travel hair dryer with two speeds (high and low). If you can find one that blows cool air, that's even better.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Janet! I wish I could tell you the brand. The label is long work off because of the alcohol I use. It's probably over 20 years old and is just a small portable hair dryer. I suspect similar ones are sold in most drug stores and big box stores. Mine does not have a Cool setting (just High and Low air flow); if you can find one that blows on Low and Cool, that would be ideal.
Parfois, ils sont secs et parfois non. Si vous ajoutez de l'encre à de l'encre mouillée, vous obtiendrez des variations de la couleur de base. Si vous ajoutez de l'encre humide à de l'encre sèche, la couche supérieure ne sera pas décolorée.
Hi Jennifer... the only ink I diluted in this video was one used for the alcohol wash. All the other ink I used was full concentration. I haven't experimented with comparing diluted versus undiluted, so I can't so for sure but suspect the diluted version of the color is toned down, based on the mix you use of ink to isopropyl alcohol. I hope that helps.
Hi Maggie! I don't have a preference. The reason I began to experiment with vellum was that (at that time) I didn't have very large sheets of Yupo (they were 5' x 7' pads) and I wanted to create larger pieces of art.
Excellent!!! You are amazing!! The colors are ethereal and magical & other worldly! 👍🏻I love your explanation of how you move the ink! I just discovered you 😊yay! Also why is the alcohol your using dark? I get 99% but it’s still clear. I’m a Newby 😉
Thank you so much, Deb! I'm so glad you discovered me; welcome. For this piece, I added a few drops of ink to my "wash" of isopropyl alcohol. It just adds a wee bit more color as I'm working it.
Annie, it depends on what it's going to be used for... some pieces I adhere to cardstock. Some are left intact and framed, others are cut into smaller sections and used on greeting cards (or framed). Sealing is best determined based on the final use of the product and the risks you want to mitigate, such as UV rays. I'm not an expert and suggest specific questions about this be posed to someone who is (an expert).
I love this!!! I have wanted to try this technique although it always looked to difficult. Can I make alcohol ink from Distressed Stains? New subscriber here!
Hello and thank you for subscribing! Distress ink is water-based and alcohol ink is alcohol-based. As such, they act very differently so are not interchangeable. Having said that, you can get some very interesting effects with Distress ink (including Distress Oxide ink). Distress inks react with water, though, not with alcohol. Alcohol inks react with alcohol -- or other solvents -- but not with water. Hope that answers your question.
Tanya, veuillez également prendre note de mon avertissement. "IMPORTANT: IL EXISTE DES RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ D'UTILISER DE L'ENCRE D'ALCOOL ET D'ALCOOL COMME J'EXPLIQUE DANS CETTE ET D'AUTRES VIDÉOS SUR LA TECHNIQUE DÉMONTRÉE ICI, EXTÉRIEUR EST L'ENDROIT PREFERENTIEL POUR FAIRE CETTE TECHNIQUE. L'UTILISATION ET L'ENTREPOSAGE DES PRODUITS (ILS SONT INFLAMMABLES) ET LES RISQUES POTENTIELS POUR LA SANTÉ D'AUTRES PERSONNES DANS VOTRE MAISON, Y COMPRIS LES ANIMAUX DE COMPAGNIE, IL EST CONSEILLÉ DE PORTER UN ÉQUIPEMENT DE PROTECTION RESPIRATOIRE (VENTILATEUR). "
Thanks, Sandra! I have seen others use alcohol ink on canvas, but I haven't tried it (yet) myself. Have you? I understand that canvas allows greater control of the flow of ink, so that sounds like it would have interesting possibilities.
Great video! If you had gloves on, than no problemos with getting oils, sweat etc on the paper. Also, protection from ink on your fingers. Rubbing alcohol may not be bad for you, but it’s for sure not good for you.
Thanks for your feedback! I have a bottle of hand sanitizer (with alcohol in it) next to my desk and use it before I start working... and when I'm done, *if* there's any alcohol on my fingers (doesn't happen often).
Wow.. very nice.. but very dangerous to be breathing in those fumes... you really should be doing this outdoors or in a ventilated room with windows open using a respirator.
Thank you very much! In the narrative in all my videos about this technique, I'm very careful to talk about the ventilation needed (among other considerations in ones' home should they elect to use this technique -- or alcohol inks, period) and I also explain the type of ventilation systems I have and why I use the lazy susan as it pertains to the direction of the fumes. Perhaps you missed those parts?
I listened just fine... but having an oven fan running in the next room isn't going to prevent you from breathing the toxic fumes the hair dryer is heating up... you need to be outdoors or in a vented hood (or wearing a respirator)... just my opinion.... but a fan isn't going to help. Folks don't get it until its too late......
How stupid are people today that every video has to have so much safety information? I started watching these videos three days ago and today my doctorate degree came in the mail. There is always more information about safety than there is about the art.
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IMPORTANT: THERE ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS TO USING ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL INK. AS I EXPLAIN IN THIS AND OTHER VIDEOS ABOUT THE TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATED HERE, OUTDOORS IS THE PREFERRED PLACE TO DO THIS TECHNIQUE. FAILING THAT, INDOOR CONSIDERATIONS ARE ADEQUATE VENTILATION, PROPER USE AND STORAGE OF THE PRODUCTS (THEY ARE FLAMMABLE), AND POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS TO OTHERS IN YOUR HOME, INCLUDING PETS. IT IS ADVISABLE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE BREATHING GEAR (VENTILATOR).
This piece is stunning. I'm new to alcohol ink and really enjoyed your video. You are so informative. I ran into one problem, though. I used a 55 lb velum and it curled up like crazy. What do you think I am doing wrong?
Eileen, I'm sorry I missed your comment until now; my apologies. Thank you for your feedback. I believe the curling of the velum may have to do with the amount of heat directed at it. If you're using a heat gun and it has a Cool setting, try that. If not, use a small craft/hair dryer on a Low and if possible, Cool, setting. I hope that works for you.
@@TheTallestOne Thank you for sharing - such beautiful work! Can you please tell me what percentage isopropyl alcohol you use? It seems that your alcohol evaporates more slowly than the one I use (99%).
Hi Sabrina, and thank you! I use a 91% solution of isopropyl alcohol.
Thank u deary. i believe u are the one artist that mentions the safety precautions thank u again
Oh at last velum!! I was wondering about trying the inks on velum ! I had asked another ink artist about acetate and velum.....didn't know what velum was! Thank you so much. I had the velum for my card making..I did flowers with embossing powder. xxx👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍💕💕💕❤️🇬🇧🐶🐶🐶
Yes! I know there are various weights of vellum too, Maureen -- I expect the heavier it is, the less likely it will be to warp. Try to keep alcohol (or blending solution, or whatever) to a minimum and use a cool setting if possible on your craft dryer. (I often heat emboss on velum, so it can be heated, but only for very quick spurts.) I've been using Craft Plastic by Grafix for a few months -- a substate that wipes back to white (!) and isn't prone to warping, even when heated. Great stuff.
That is gorgeous. I'm very new and I've been practicing with my air brush not being very satisfied, but looking at the way your doing it, is exactly what I wanted to do, so now, thanks to your technique I might pursue this, there could be a glimmer of hope for me. I love abstract so much and the ethereal look it is very Zen to me. Thank you so much for this video, now I feel inspired to try again.
Thank you, Cynthia! I"m so pleased you're inspired and will try again. It's a wonderful medium when it plays nicely. :)
Hi Kathryn, I see that this video was made a year ago + so this may be a redundant statement. But, I thought your visitors might like to know that in December 2018, a new company was featured on TH-cam. It's called Kielty Inks. They are out of Dublin, Ireland and they are, Ta Da!........... NON TOXIC!!!!!!.....................Because of where they are, they are costly, but if you love AI and have a need for a nontoxic environment, you are no longer excluded from creating with Alcohol Inks. Thanks so much for such an informing demonstration. The finished piece is lovely and watching you was very, very helpful.
Thank you for your kind feedback, Judith, and the reminder about this new brand. I only recently heard about the Kielty Inks and haven't had an opportunity to try them out yet. That's great news if their claims of non toxicity are true; as you point out, they are costly but it's wonderful if they give a choice to people who are unable to use a traditional alcohol ink.
Thank you for the safety tips. I think many of this type of demo or tutorials forget to pass on that kind of information. I am an acrylic artist and have seen so many tutorials where folks take a torch to their fluid projects and not one of them talk about the dangers of the aerosolized chemicals.
Yes, the volatility of chemical compounds isn't something to dismiss. I recommend anyone who is not absolutely certain that using alcohol-based products is wise for them or their household do some research.
I may be a little late to the party---however I love this!! I am rediscovering my alcohol inks, and came across this video. I will try this-- on some vellum I bought forever ago!! Thank you!
Thank you Lisa-Lin! This party never ends, so any time you arrive is a great time. :)
@@TheTallestOne the vellum was so long ago, I can't find it😅So I tried on Craftix paper. Came out so-so, will need to practice more!
A Fantasy for sure. I could stare at this for hours and still see something
New everyday. Quite mesmerizing
Mesmerizing is a common word that gets used (by me too) when looking at these pieces. And yes, so many different things to see. Lots of fun. :)
Thanks for stressing the dangers of your medium, having been messing around with acrylic pours and alcohol and inks and heat with never a thought, dum as I have bronchiectasis, I now have new respect of the dangers. Your work is so beautiful
Beautiful as always
Thanks so much, Lorie! You're very kind.
I also have been trying to get a technique for alcohol inks. I learned a lot from your video. Thank you!
Thank you, Maggie -- I really appreciate your feedback and it's my pleasure to post, in hopes of inspiring others. :)
Beautiful results. You make this look so easy. However, it shows your experience with the medium. Thank you for uploading.
Thank you, Diana! I really appreciate your feedback -- and it's my pleasure to share.
My goodness I am so glad I found you. Learned so much today . Thankyou
I'm glad you found me too, Sandy, and I truly appreciate your feedback. It is my pleasure to share.
I loved the bird at the top of the piece that was formed at the very first of your process. But you covered it up. 😢 It’s still a beautiful piece. I was just in awe of the bird that was so quickly formed!!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful technique! 🤗
My pleasure to share, Martha! I went back to look at the video and now see what you mean about the bird. :) Sorry I covered it up -- at the same time, not sorry because I really like how this piece turned out (and thank you for the compliment on the final result!).
I'm not sure if anyone else sees it but I see a face in the purple at 7:55 the white looks like teeth and there a nose. It's SO cool.
That *is* cool!
This is simply stunning... oh my gosh!
Myriam, I cannot even begin to tell you how flattered I am that you would check out my videos. You have been a great inspiration to me as I sort out my own style; thank you for your video tutorials. (I recommend those of you who want to learn techniques in all kinds of media, including alcohol ink, check out Myriam's Nature here on YT.)
Oh Kathryn, that is so so sweet of you! Seriously, your work is awesome. Your peony piece is fa...bu...lous! It’s so funny, when I saw the thumbnail I said “ooh, that looks just like peonies”, and then I read the title... PERFECT! I wish you much success with your channel and work. 😘💕
Thanks again, Myriam!
Myriam's
So Beautiful !!! Love your Technique !
Thanks! It's great fun and very relaxing for me.
Nice demo, Kathryn! I've added it to our alcohol ink demos playlist!
I'm honoured! Thank you very much.
Very cool, thank you for sharing and going into such detail!
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your feedback, Brooke!
FYI Brown happens when you mix colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel. Eg purple and yellow.
Another way of explaining it is, when you mix hot (red/orange/yellow) and cold (purple/blue/green) colours together wet. You can put them next to each other, but you will end up with muddy brown if you mix them when they are wet.
thank you for the hot/cold colors explanation...that is way easier to remember than 'don't mix purple with yellow'.
Love the lasy Susan setup, that makes it SO much easier.
Suggestion: How about attaching the paper onto a firm substrate like a thin cutting board? That way the corners would not curl up. I do that and it works great.
I love my lazy susan twice as much now that she's part of my art. I don't fret about my corners, but thanks for the great suggestion!
Wonderful descriptive voice-over to the magic of your creation.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Ruth!
Its gorgeous and you are so easy to understand
Thanks very much, Cheryl! I really appreciate your feedback.
Very neat, showing the prep and way the colours react with the wash. Also shows great restraint is best when working with alcohol inks as opposed to acrylics - less is more.
You're so right about restraint, Crystal. Less truly is more with this medium. Thank you for your feedback!
Love doing these, yours is divine
Many thanks, Daphne! It's a wonderful medium, for sure.
Absolutely stunning work. I just began what I call "The Adventures of My Alcohol Inky Pinkies". lol. I love your work and technique with the hair dryer. So creative!
Thanks, Rosetta! I hope you and your inky pinkies have a wonderful adventure.
The hair dryer is a portable two-speed (I most often have it on Low) that was hardly ever used.
Beautiful Work Kathryn!
Thank you so much, Tammy!
How do you do it, Kathryn! You give a serious (and much needed to know for beginners like me) homily on safety while not missing a beat on this beautiful piece of art! Thank you for both, as I have learned much from this about technique.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Susan! I'm pleased you learned more than you may have expected.
So nice will be trying out this teqhnique💖😄
Thank you, Keanna! I hope you enjoy it!
Very nice colors, thanks for the inspiration
Thank you so much for your feedback!
Have been recently been playing with Alcohol inks on Yupo paper - but had no idea you could use them on Vellum so I will definitely give it a try. Love the translucent effect and how ethereal it looks. Thank you so much! New subscriber here! :-)
The idea of using vellum came to me when I had my first couple of ink colors, but didn't have any Yupo (yet). I figured that since it is "paper vellum" -- a synthetic, like Yupo -- it might just work. I was pleased with my experiment and now use them both.
CraftingMyWorld I’ve often thought of playing with alcohol inks on acetate...it would make a pretty sun catcher
Really beautiful!!!
Thank you!
Gorgeous!
Thank you, Linda!
Beautiful piece
Thank you, Kelli!
So beautiful!
Thank you, Trisha -- and please accept my apology for the belated response.
Gorgeous
Beautiful!
Thanks, Rainee!
It's truly beautiful, I see a thumb, I'm going to give it a try.
Yes, the big purple one! I'm glad you're going to give it try, Tara... let me know how it goes.
Very pretty!!
Thanks, Debi!
Beautiful.
Thanks, Mandy!
Shout out from 🇨🇦!
Whoooooot!
Beautiful art
Thank you, Angelina!
I love your work & teaching style... Please don't stop doing tutorials 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for your feedback! I really enjoy creating tutorials and hope to have more uploaded very soon.
lovely!!!!
Thanks, Debbie!
"That's abstract art. ... That's art period" Great line 12:09 +
I say what I mean and I mean what I say. :)
I did not know you could use alcohol inks on vellum, I will try this tfs
My pleasure to share, Sue!
BEAUTIFUL
Thank you very much, Judi!
Really lovely. I'm sure you make it look easier to do than it is. What would u recommend as a basic starter set if someone (me) wants to try it?
Thanks very much, Katherine! I would suggest beginning with safety measures and ensuring you and your home are adequately prepared for dealing with alcohol fumes and the inherent risks of using alcohol. From there, I would start with the primary colors of ink, as you can mix them to create other colors. You'll also need a substrate like vellum or Yupo and a small craft or hair dryer (NOT a heat tool) that has a low speed and temperature setting. A lazy susan is helpful (but not absolutely necessary); as I note in the video, it can be used to help blow fumes blown away from you and to manage the flow of ink on your project.
Love your work. Can you share how you display your work? Thank you.
Thank you, Ann! I hope to do a video about this but in the meantime, work on vellum, like the piece in this video, is sometimes mounted first onto white cardstock to add visual light and physical weight and strength. From there, it is mounted on a card base and/or matted and framed. I also keep scans of some pieces that are printed onto fabric and other substrates and made into prints, pillows and other lifestyle items.
Beautiful
Thanks, Anabella!
thank you for this demo! Very nice!! How do you then mount/display your finished piece? Since it's on transparent vellum, how to you display it?
Thank you, Lisa! Most vellum pieces are mounted to white card stock, using double-sided sheets of adhesive. From there, I may display it in a frame on its own, cut it into pieces (or die cut it) for mixed media projects, greeting cards, shadow boxes, etc.
Wow! You are really strong! You handle that 55lb. paper like nothing...
Right?! Must be all those arm curls with the barrel on my pen. :)
I see a purple thumb. :) Beautiful!
Thanks very much, Laurie! Yes, that purple thumb sticks out like a... sore purple thumb! I enjoy finding things that make me smile in these abstracts. :)
Beautiful, I think I would have a hard time knowing when to stop
Thank you, Kat! That truly is the most difficult part of this technique. :)
Como se llama el papel que usas ?
Very pretty and interesting.
Thanks, Brenda!
Hi! Love your vid! Would I be able to do this on a canvas? Would it need to be a gessoed canvas?
Hello Mary! I've not yet tried alcohol ink on canvas myself, but have seen videos of people doing so. I suggest you search TH-cam for some and hopefully, their videos will also answer your second question about gesso.
super le papier velin est-il passé à l'alcool au départ avant de mettre l'encre ou non MERCI
Tanya, pour cette pièce, je n'ai pas d'abord mis de l'alcool sur le vélin. Vous voudrez peut-être commencer avec de l'alcool pour éviter que les encres ne tachent le vélin où elles sont déposées.
Love!!1
Thanks, Margaret!
Hi Kathryn, thanks for the health warning, did not realize this. When I saw your work, I fell in love with a new way to use the inks (not just resin). Is there any way to make your recording clearer or place the mic in front of you, there is a small echo that made it a bit hard to hear. Thank you so much for sharing and teaching!
Hi Patricia. I'll do my best to improve the mic sound when I record. It's my pleasure to share.
did you just use alcohol or a blending solution, this is so stunning its beautiful thank you for sharing !
Thank you -- my pleasure to share. As I explained at the very beginning of the video, I used a 91% strength isopropyl alcohol for this technique.
Lovely, but what do you do with the finished product?
Thanks! Some pieces are cut down and used as backgrounds for greeting cards, some are mounted as wall art, and others... well... I have a few ideas but nothing I can share just yet. Stay tuned...!
It's beautiful! Thank you for sharing this technique! Can you please tell what exactly is in the big bottle and what are the proportions there? Thanks!
Thank you, Ekaterina. The largest bottle (clear liquid) is a 91% concentration isopropyl alcohol. The smaller bottle (colored yellow) is the same alcohol, but with a couple of drops (or more, as you wish) of the yellow ink. It is not necessary to add the ink, but I chose to for this piece.
Thanks a lot! 🌸🌸🌸
@@katedanis9075 k(U
Great video. What brand craft dryer are you using?
Thank you, Diana! I'm unable to read the brand information as it's a very old hair dryer. You could probably find one very similar in most discount or drug stores. It's a small travel hair dryer with two speeds (high and low). If you can find one that blows cool air, that's even better.
I loved your video. Wondering what brand of blower are you using?
Thanks so much for your feedback, Janet! I wish I could tell you the brand. The label is long work off because of the alcohol I use. It's probably over 20 years old and is just a small portable hair dryer. I suspect similar ones are sold in most drug stores and big box stores. Mine does not have a Cool setting (just High and Low air flow); if you can find one that blows on Low and Cool, that would be ideal.
bonjour les points d'encre sont ils sèches avant de mettre l'alhool MERCI pour le partage
Parfois, ils sont secs et parfois non. Si vous ajoutez de l'encre à de l'encre mouillée, vous obtiendrez des variations de la couleur de base. Si vous ajoutez de l'encre humide à de l'encre sèche, la couche supérieure ne sera pas décolorée.
Just curious, do you dilute ALL your alcohol inks with alcohol? Is that a good way to make them last longer? And does it affect the color at all?
Hi Jennifer... the only ink I diluted in this video was one used for the alcohol wash. All the other ink I used was full concentration. I haven't experimented with comparing diluted versus undiluted, so I can't so for sure but suspect the diluted version of the color is toned down, based on the mix you use of ink to isopropyl alcohol. I hope that helps.
Beautiful thx
Thank you, Angelina! My pleasure to share.
Thanks, Angie!
Do you prefer vellum to Yupo?
Hi Maggie! I don't have a preference. The reason I began to experiment with vellum was that (at that time) I didn't have very large sheets of Yupo (they were 5' x 7' pads) and I wanted to create larger pieces of art.
Excellent!!! You are amazing!! The colors are ethereal and magical & other worldly! 👍🏻I love your explanation of how you move the ink! I just discovered you 😊yay! Also why is the alcohol your using dark? I get 99% but it’s still clear. I’m a Newby 😉
Thank you so much, Deb! I'm so glad you discovered me; welcome. For this piece, I added a few drops of ink to my "wash" of isopropyl alcohol. It just adds a wee bit more color as I'm working it.
Its beautiful and I see a finger. Lol!
Hahahaha! That darn finger! Thank you, Cynthia. :)
How do you finish this??? How to seal or frame??
Annie, it depends on what it's going to be used for... some pieces I adhere to cardstock. Some are left intact and framed, others are cut into smaller sections and used on greeting cards (or framed). Sealing is best determined based on the final use of the product and the risks you want to mitigate, such as UV rays. I'm not an expert and suggest specific questions about this be posed to someone who is (an expert).
I love this!!! I have wanted to try this technique although it always looked to difficult. Can I make alcohol ink from Distressed Stains? New subscriber here!
Hello and thank you for subscribing! Distress ink is water-based and alcohol ink is alcohol-based. As such, they act very differently so are not interchangeable. Having said that, you can get some very interesting effects with Distress ink (including Distress Oxide ink). Distress inks react with water, though, not with alcohol. Alcohol inks react with alcohol -- or other solvents -- but not with water. Hope that answers your question.
FYI, Distress stains are water based, just like the ink.
merci QUEL EST LE LIQUIDE ROSE QUI EST ARROSE SUR LES GOUTTES
Tanya, le liquide est de l'alcool isopropylique (91%) avec quelques gouttes d'alcool pour le rendre légèrement coloré.
merci
Tanya, veuillez également prendre note de mon avertissement. "IMPORTANT: IL EXISTE DES RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ D'UTILISER DE L'ENCRE D'ALCOOL ET D'ALCOOL COMME J'EXPLIQUE DANS CETTE ET D'AUTRES VIDÉOS SUR LA TECHNIQUE DÉMONTRÉE ICI, EXTÉRIEUR EST L'ENDROIT PREFERENTIEL POUR FAIRE CETTE TECHNIQUE. L'UTILISATION ET L'ENTREPOSAGE DES PRODUITS (ILS SONT INFLAMMABLES) ET LES RISQUES POTENTIELS POUR LA SANTÉ D'AUTRES PERSONNES DANS VOTRE MAISON, Y COMPRIS LES ANIMAUX DE COMPAGNIE, IL EST CONSEILLÉ DE PORTER UN ÉQUIPEMENT DE PROTECTION RESPIRATOIRE (VENTILATEUR). "
What type (%) of alcohol do you use? Very beautiful work.
Thanks very much, Gail!
I'm using a 91% solution of isopropyl alcohol.
🙂
Beautiful! You can maker on canvas?
Thanks, Sandra! I have seen others use alcohol ink on canvas, but I haven't tried it (yet) myself. Have you? I understand that canvas allows greater control of the flow of ink, so that sounds like it would have interesting possibilities.
I imagine if you seal the canvas well, then you can. You don’t want the inks to soak in or you lose the movability of the inks.
Just prep the canvas with 2-3 coats of Kilz
POURQUOI L'ALCOOL est colorée avec quoi ? merci pour le partage
Tanya, dans cette vidéo, j'ai coloré l'alcool avec de l'encre. Il n'est pas nécessaire de le faire; J'expérimentais. C'est un plaisir de partager.
Great video! If you had gloves on, than no problemos with getting oils, sweat etc on the paper. Also, protection from ink on your fingers. Rubbing alcohol may not be bad for you, but it’s for sure not good for you.
Thanks for your feedback!
I have a bottle of hand sanitizer (with alcohol in it) next to my desk and use it before I start working... and when I'm done, *if* there's any alcohol on my fingers (doesn't happen often).
Wow.. very nice.. but very dangerous to be breathing in those fumes... you really should be doing this outdoors or in a ventilated room with windows open using a respirator.
Thank you very much! In the narrative in all my videos about this technique, I'm very careful to talk about the ventilation needed (among other considerations in ones' home should they elect to use this technique -- or alcohol inks, period) and I also explain the type of ventilation systems I have and why I use the lazy susan as it pertains to the direction of the fumes. Perhaps you missed those parts?
Some peeps just dont listen to what you say.
I listened just fine... but having an oven fan running in the next room isn't going to prevent you from breathing the toxic fumes the hair dryer is heating up... you need to be outdoors or in a vented hood (or wearing a respirator)... just my opinion.... but a fan isn't going to help. Folks don't get it until its too late......
Great video but I’d invest in a mic, kinda echoey.
Hi Lynnea. I'm speaking into a microphone but I'm not in a studio so acoustics aren't ideal.
How stupid are people today that every video has to have so much safety information? I started watching these videos three days ago and today my doctorate degree came in the mail. There is always more information about safety than there is about the art.
I get it, Lilly. Some folks just want to be entertained.
Beautiful !
Thank you, Beth!
Beautiful.
Thank you, Darlene!