Methods For Creating Alcohol Ink Tiles

By Joshua Reynolds


There are a great many mediums that creatively inclined individuals might choose to utilize to produce something wonderful. Each one has its own unique set of characteristics and suitability for various surfaces. For those who like the appearance of marbled, or multiple colored backgrounds, creating alcohol ink tiles could be a fun and interesting endeavor.

The facts that it is forgiving, quickly dries, is made with concentrated pigmentation, and is free of acid, are what make this product stand apart from others. It comes in a range of vibrant color that can be diluted to provide the versatility to achieve a scale of hues for different techniques. This medium is not intended for porous surfaces because it is liquid and would saturate the material and look muted.

Before getting started on the project, one must obtain both the necessary materials and the optional ones they might use as embellishment. The working surface will be of ceramic which can be found in many shapes and sizes in either gloss or matte finishes. It is entirely up to the individual artist to decide the specifics of the pieces since the techniques are adaptable to almost any circumstance or format.

The medium can be purchased in packs of three complementary colors, or as single bottles. Metallic additives which can create a luminous or polished finish, a blending solution, and customizing pigment for making unique tones, can help add versatility to the inks and enhance the final project. Additional tools needed for this project include a clear sealant, felt, compressed air, coffee straws, gloves, refillable makers, and stamping applicators.

The first method is adding felt to the bottom of the stamp applicator and applying only a couple drops of the chosen colors to the pad. The next step is to dab the ceramic piece repeatedly until the intended pattern and coverage are obtained. Do not be alarmed if felt strands are left embedded in the ink, as that is the nature of the material, because they can be easily removed once the medium is sufficiently dried.

Another option is dropping the colors directly onto the surface, which gives the artist control over exactly where they go and in what amount. They can be blended together using the stamp pad, a gloved hand, a straw, or compressed air. Adding one or more droplets of blending solution will dilute and disperse the hues, giving the item a very beautiful fracture effect.

Yet another avenue is to have a bowl of water and add a bit of the medium to it, which will float along the surface. Slowly dipping the ceramic item into the container will pick up the colors as it passes through the liquid. This is a different type of marbling look that may be left as it is or altered using the variety of tools on hand.

Each technique's unique appearance can be changed by using compressed air or straws to blow the inks around, dabbing felt against it, diluting and dispersing it with blending solution, or adding details with markers. This medium is extremely forgiving, allowing one to wipe it off and reapply as often as one wishes. When the look is right, add up to three thin layers of clear sealant to protect it against fading or damage.




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