Master DIY Alcohol Ink Painting: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Tutorial for Stunning Results

This tutorial is Part 2 of the Instructions for the Alcohol Inks Artwork Making Kit that you can find here. Find Part 1 of the Instructions: How to Make DIY Alcohol Ink Blending Solution here.

What is Alcohol Ink

Alcohol ink is a highly fluid pigment that is alcohol and water based, not oil based. It dries quickly and is perfect for capturing motion, color, and gradients because they are slightly transparent.

They dry quickly but can be removed and/or with rubbing alcohol to further the gradient affect.

Sharpies are a type of alcohol ink and are a great addition for detail!

Supplies You Need

There are lots of brands of alcohol inks and no two are exactly alike. Once you get started, it may be worth it to try the most popular Tim Holtz/Ranger and Jacquard Piñata. You may notice that Tim Holtz is pretty pricey, so these may be best to try after you get the hang of alcohol inks and want to try something higher end.

What Types of Surfaces Work with Alcohol Ink?

It’s more versatile than you may first think! The standard go to is Yupo Paper. Or you can try any paper that is non-porous like Yupo paper. You can also try:

Glass
Mirrors
Ceramic (especially ceramic tiles to make coasters or ceramic planters)
Acrylic sheets
Metal

Basically anything that is non-porous. All of these non porous options will allow you to use rubbing alcohol to remove the pigment. Darker colors may stain a bit. But all of them can be removed.

Supplies You May Want

In addition to your alcohol inks and surfaces, there are a ton of fun supplies you can try. First of all, you will want rubbing alcohol to remove and layer the pigment. And you will want Alcohol Ink Blending Solution. You can buy it, but even better, you can make your own using the recipe below. In addition you may want to try:

To Protect from Alcohol Inks

A Safe Surface, Plastic Tablecloth, Parchment Paper or a Box to Work Inside of
Disposable Gloves: Use these to protect your hands because alcohol inks will stain any porous surface.

For Moving Alcohol Inks

Canned Air: This will create a strong affect, remember canned air is pressurized!
Blow Dryer: Only use the cool setting for safety.
Pipettes: These can be used interchangeably to drop inks or to create little bursts of air.
Straws: This is especially fun for kids!
Paint Brushes: Dip them in ink, rubbing alcohol, or blending solution.

For Removing Alcohol Inks

Q-Tips: You can even dip these is blending solution or rubbing alcohol!
Reservoir Brush Pens: This is a watercolor supply that can be filled with alcohol to create planned movement of ink.
Spray Bottle: These can vary so test your spray bottle of rubbing alcohol on a piece you don’t care about before you use it on a piece that you do.

For Adding Detail to Alcohol Inks

Sharpies: I especially love using Ultra Fine Sharpies for detail!
Copic Markers: These are a gorgeous professional pen and you just can’t beat the range of colors they come in.

How to Make DIY Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

Here is the full recipe on how to make your own DIY Alcohol Ink Blending Solution. But the process is simple, use a spray bottle or my preference of a bottle with a small nozzle. Fill the bottle almost completely full with rubbing alcohol and add a small amount of vegetable glycerin. Shake before use.

Blending solution is a lot like rubbing alcohol but will help create even more fluidity than alcohol.

How to Paint with Alcohol Ink

Now for the fun part! Here’s how to actually use your alcohol inks to make gorgeous paintings. Start with your surface of choice. I recommend Yupo paper because it’s a beginner friendly surface to work with.

And prep your surface by working on a disposable table cloth or placing wax paper or parchment underneath where you plan to work. Last, put your gloves on!

Remember that alcohol inks will stain anything that is porous.

Alcohol inks will have dropper lids so you can drop the ink directly on the surface. Make a few drops in your chosen locations. Then begin to layer color, rubbing alcohol and blending solution.

You can tilt the paper to make swirls or stripes.

By tilting in one direction you make ground and greenery. But tilting around in circles you can make organic shapes like seashells or flowers.

You can create spikes or bursts with canned air or straws.

But best of all, just have fun with it! Try something new and spend some time building a gorgeous color palette. You can continue to layer inks, rubbing alcohol, blending solution and movement until you are happy with your piece. It’s hard to know when it’s done, just use artist eye to decide!

Each time you make a piece try new colors and new movements until it start to feel second nature.

How to Protect and Seal Alcohol Ink Surfaces

Alcohol inks will fade over time with exposure to light. But you can protect the color by sealing them with Kamar Varnish, UV Spray, or coat in resin. Here are the two most popular:

Krylon Kamar Varnish: You will want to use 3 coats of this spray seal. Wait 24-40 hours after your project is completed to take outside and gently mist. Be sure to follow the bottle directions carefully.

Krylon UV Resistant Clear: This is a more subtle way to protect your artwork that also comes in an easy spray for outdoor use.

Resin: This will create a thicker, glossier, smoother finish.

Alcohol Ink Safety

There are basics that you should always consider like keeping art supplies away from kids and pets. But the most important precaution is that alcohol inks and rubbing alcohol are flammable. So store away from heats and fire. And if you use a blow dryer, be sure to use it on the cool setting.

Some brands of alcohol ink will recommend use with a ventilator mask or outdoors. I have never seen this in my practice, but I often hear of this through the grapevine. So with that in mind, read all package directions carefully!

Other Ways You Can Use Alcohol Inks

You can use alcohol ink as a fun mixed media tool, but one of the most popular and one of my favorites is to combine with Resin. You can drip alcohol ink directly into liquid resin as it’s setting to create vibrant colors. Or you can coat your alcohol ink projects with resin to seal the ink and create a gloss finish.

Ready to have your own adventure with alcohol inks? Check out this DIY Alcohol Ink Mirrors Craft Kit here or our Alcohol Ink Artwork making kit here!

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