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Post by lovestocreate on Jun 27, 2020 4:41:04 GMT
I want to love these darn inks, but I am struggling with them. I love the beautiful projects I've seen with all the colors flowing nicely together, and the beautiful wispy splotches. My projects keep ending up looking like a muddy mess! Actually, I've made one rainbow card I'm pretty pleased with, but that must have been luck as the subsequent tries have not turned out well. Do you have alcohol inks and love them? Any tips, tricks, or favorite tutorials to share?
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,374
Jun 28, 2014 21:14:36 GMT
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Post by kitbop on Jun 27, 2020 11:41:09 GMT
Jennifer McGuire's youtube videos with alcohol inks are beautiful and she really explains what she is doing/using. There are quite a number. I have held off on purchasing them because they are such an investment and I'm not convinced I'd use them enough to justify it. I also don't think I'd use it on my layouts, only on cards, and I like flexibility for my money. But I have been SOOOO tempted when I watch those videos!
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,286
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jun 27, 2020 14:30:45 GMT
Yeah, I pretty much fail at alcohol inks, too.
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clio
Full Member
Posts: 113
Dec 3, 2017 13:07:05 GMT
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Post by clio on Jun 28, 2020 0:09:31 GMT
I love them, but try to limit myself to roughly 3 or 4 colors and the same rules of color mixing as watercolors - otherwise it’s mud. Admire all those multi color cards, but just not happening!
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Post by riversong1963 on Jun 28, 2020 0:43:09 GMT
I love, love, love alcohol inks! I've watched a lot of YouTube videos. There are many, many instructional videos out there. Here is one by Jennifer McGuire, but I've watched many other videos by artists as well. She uses alcohol lift ink on these cards, but you can just make the backgrounds by themselves. Alcohol Lift Techniques
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Post by curiouscrafter on Jun 29, 2020 0:09:15 GMT
I have about 15 bottles from when they first came out and all the rage. I couldn’t get the hang of it. Put them away. Brought them out a few times in the past 10 years - still doesn’t work for me. They all look like crap. I’m not yet ready to get rid of them yet, but in reality I should. I need to just come to terms that this just isn’t my thing. And that’s okay.
And yes, I’ve watched so many You Tube videos and still no luck.
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,628
Location: Northern California
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Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Jun 29, 2020 0:48:20 GMT
I made alcohol ink coasters for Christmas for my co-workers. I found that using a standard % of alcohol that I had on hand didn't work well. I got some 90% (or maybe higher) and this worked much better.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Jun 29, 2020 1:41:53 GMT
This makes me feel better—maybe these won’t be something I have to try anytime soon! I’ve got enough new techniques and inks to try right now!
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,433
Jul 6, 2014 23:59:59 GMT
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Post by peasquared on Jun 29, 2020 3:31:22 GMT
I agree with leeny. You have to use 90% or better isopropyl alcohol. It really makes a difference.
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Post by grammadee on Jun 29, 2020 3:45:26 GMT
I like the effects on metallic surfaces, like foils. And I try to stick to one side of the colour wheel.
The flowing designs are a problem sometimes for me b/c the different inks seem to build a little gummy fence between themselves.
When I use them with plastic transparencies, I do my alcohol colouring on one side, then once it dries, I flip it over and put the smooth side up. Looks good on white cs.
Saw a cool video where she used an outline sticker on plastic, dripped alcohol ink into the openings and let dry, then put a duplicate sticker over the first one to cover up any smudges. That looked pretty, but I haven't tried it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 7:05:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 6:37:44 GMT
Watch art videos and not crafting videos to really understand the properties of these inks and how to create with them. I am going there- Watching craft videos on art tools will start teaching you bad habits. Use the crafting videos as tips to add to your art arsenal after you get a good knowledge from artists. I use both Alcohol blending solution and 90% alcohol to get different effects. Now, I am really going to go there and admit something. I got hand sanitizer the other day that had similar properties as Tim's blending solution. It worked the same. Yes, I use precious hand sanitizer during the epidemic for my art. Hanging head, kind of. When I saw the properties I had to try. It was an overwhelming need, lol. I still have a full bottle of that hand sanitizer. Don't yell at me to much. Also don't put the alcohol or blending solution right on top of your inks. Put it near your inks when working with your felt applicator. Follow color theory rules so they don't turn to mud. Less is more and build up layers. Higher rubbing alcohol is the trick. Fifty percent is fifty percent water so you are watering down inks and their potency like if you watered down your glass of brandy kind of example. That's why we need to use 70% higher alcohol during this pandemic as another example. If you add a bit of glycerin to your alcohol it helps a lot with the flow and to keep the vibrant coloring. I hope that helps a little bit.
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Post by lovestocreate on Jun 29, 2020 6:39:15 GMT
I guess I'm glad to know it's not just me, but sad we don't all love our inks. I didn't think about using them on a transparency. I'll have to try that! Great tips, @amayalylac
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Post by melanieg on Jun 29, 2020 18:08:07 GMT
Tim Holtz had a 2 part class on FB over the past 2 weekends using his alcohol inks and making backgrounds.
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Post by scrapcat on Jun 29, 2020 19:29:37 GMT
I just tried alcohol inks for the first time yesterday. I watched a lot of tutorials, but def would recommend Tim Holtz's recent Q&A, if you don't have FB, they are available on his blog. They are long (like 2-3 hours) but so worth it for the info included.
I def feel like I used way more ink than I see used, but figure it's just a thing to get used to. I also used his blending solution as well as 91% isopropyl alcohol, there is def a difference and a need for both. I also am using the yupo paper, which he basically said is a must when you first start to understand how they work. The one part I forgot about was drying in between too, so will try that next time.
I feel like it's like most things, like coloring with alcohol markers, just takes time to get used to it and get better.
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Post by artemisiagenx on Jun 30, 2020 15:10:15 GMT
Agree with all of the above re: color families. I tend to follow the Dyan rules for combining Dylusions...it works well with alcohol inks to stay warm or cool. Tim Holtz has great videos on his blog, too, although he likes much different color palettes.
The guest video Mindy Eggen did on Jennifer McGuire’s channel was helpful as I struggle with getting wispy looks. Also, Myriam’s Nature on YouTube has a ton of good advice and supply videos.
I also took an in-person class with Manifest Jess from Instagram (before Covid!) and I learned a lot. It’s somehow a lot easier when you’re all set up in the right space with the right tools (well-ventilated!) and you can see what others are doing.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 7:05:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2020 6:38:05 GMT
On the note of substrates you don't have to use Yupo. I find Yupo an advanced alcohol ink technique. It is one of the newer substrates to work on. For years we were all using tiles, lol. I know Yupo can be cost restrictive. If you are just getting into alcohol inks there are so many other great substrates. My favorite is a "claycoated" cardstock. Ranger use to make one but I don't know if they still make it since releasing their own Yupo under their brand name. You can find "claycoated" at Marco's paper or even your junk mail. Poster Board is beautiful to do alcohol inks with. Photo Paper, yes the photo paper you cuss out all the time because it won't go into the printer correctly. It is an excellent substrate. Use the backside and not the glossy side. I have used the glossy side and got good results to. The felt applicator I just buy felt from the craft aisle. I can get over fifty pieces for my applicator from one piece of felt. I have made my own applicator to. If you can afford it try to get the blending solution. Rubbing alcohol will give you a different look. I think you should have alcohol and the solution in your alcohol ink toolbox. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V89VZumCHDsI did mention glycerin to add to your rubbing alcohol in a previous post. That helps a lot.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 1, 2020 13:17:54 GMT
I find the Yupo very easy to work with. If you watch TH's first alcohol ink video, he shows the results you get with different types of paper. I've tried all of them, and my preference is definitely the Yupo, with glossy cardstock coming in second. The back side of photo paper has cool effects too. It's a matter of personal preference. I like the way the inks move around and blend on the Yupo, and they stay bright and wet longer. Play around to see what you like. If you make mud, you can usually clean off the Yupo with some blending solution or alcohol (if you can find some). You can find good prices online, and Ranger isn't the only brand. Have fun!
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oceanchyck
Junior Member
Posts: 56
Jun 29, 2014 16:45:53 GMT
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Post by oceanchyck on Jul 5, 2020 18:48:12 GMT
I'm great at dying my fingers lots of beautiful colors, the paper not so much.
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craftgranny
Full Member
Posts: 174
Jul 30, 2020 11:56:27 GMT
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Post by craftgranny on Dec 4, 2020 14:04:11 GMT
Tim Holtz had several FB demo's on how to use alcohol inks, substrates to use and blending solutions vs isopropyl alcohol. They are very helpful!
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