Alcohol Inks
 

Where can I find a good tutorial on alcohol inks. I found some info on the Ranger site, but I'd love to have more. I've been playing with my 1st 3 bottles of Adirondack alcohol inks, and I'm lovin' them, but I still need help getting a truly lovely look.

Hi!

I took an entire day of classes from Tim Holtz. Mebbe I can help...

Tell me more about what you have created and how you want it to look. What about the effect are you not pleased with? What products are you using with the inks?

:D

A full day of classes with Tim Holtz? All I can say is WOW. Thanks for your reply. I found a tutorial on the blockheads site that is helpful, but I still can't get the softness that I want. The edges of each area of color look crisp, kwim? Especially if I leave open areas on the pad. Maybe I should let them soak into the pad a little longer? I am using the applicator tool with the felt pads on glossy CS. Should I be using a light pressure? I don't want to experiment too much, because the glossy CS is expensive. Is there some cheaper way to play with the inks? Maybe I should get some of the blending solution?

You definitely need the blending solution. It allows you to take off some color and soften the look. Have you seen the lunch box tin that Archiver's had a class on how to make? The class is over now, but I took it and the blending solution made all the difference. I will try to upload a picture of my tin when I get home.

Teresa

Oh, no I didn't take that class because I didn't want to make a lunch box tin. Guess I missed out. I'd love to see a picture of yours though :-)

Archiver's Alcohol Ink Class
 

Here is the lunch tin I made using the alcohol inks. The blending solution is used to make the color variations.

Teresa

I love your tin! I will have to use my alcohol inks on one for sure. Thanks for sharing! I have used mine on transparency sheets and even tried it on white card stock with the blending solution and a metalic pen.

ALCOHOL INKS TUTORIAL
 

I read the post above that said they said they saw the tutorial on blockheads, and I thought I would provide the link. I really like the effect of this technique. I am going to have to give it a try!!!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Here is the link...

http://www.blockheadstamps.com/Techn...ohol_inks.html

Chris

Oh, Teresa, the lunch tin is beautiful. I will definately try the blending solution. TFS.

Thanks Chris, for posting the tutorial. It gives some really good suggestions. When I made the lunch tin, I just used the felt applicator and kind of smoothed the ink on the tin. Then take a clean felt pad, apply the blending solution, and touch lightly in the areas where you want to remove color. If you don't like the look, just apply more ink and try again. The alcohol inks go a long way, at least the Adirondacks I used did. I don't know if you noticed the flower on the front. It is called a "ghost flower" and is clear plastic. We colored it using the same technique as is on the tin.

Have fun!

Teresa

Well these gals have been very helpful already!

The Blending Solution is the key! It's a must for the technique you are trying. :-D

Other tips he shared:

-work fast - as in, don't think too much about it!
-use a light hand

They're great to pretty much any nonporous surface: buttons, tins (as you've seen), hardware, and even stuff like light switch plates. And don't forget about coloring the mini brads. Here is some additional info:

http://www.scraplovers.com/forum/arc...php/t-750.html (be sure to cut and paste the links into your browser - there's some nice examples there).

I've tried them on the back of a cd, I'm going to turn it into a clock. Used the free cd's from internet companies. Makes an interesting stone look and free media to play on!

Thank you all so much! I've been playing with them and LOVE them. I got the blending solution - thanks Lisa! - and it is definately the key. Also, I'm learning to, as Lisa said, use a "light hand" - oh, the results are so pretty. And the color combos are endless! Oh, the pearl with denim, so soft and pretty. And the metallics! Awesome. TYFS.