Techniques For Making Alcohol Ink Tiles

By Joshua Reynolds


For those individuals who are creatively inclined, there are so many different mediums that might me used to make wonderful products. Every one of them will possess a unique suitability range and set of characteristics. Making alcohol ink tiles with beautiful marbling effects using multiple colors could be a great project for those who love this look.

Some of the ways this medium varies from others of similar nature is that the pigmentation is concentrated, it dries fast, has forgiveness, and contains no acid. The colors have a real vibrancy, though they can be diluted to obtain a range of versatility to be utilized in multiple methods. It is intended to be used on non-porous surfaces because it has a tendency to seep into porous materials and look faded.

To begin the project, one must first amass all the required materials and any embellishments they might wish to add. Ceramic pieces will be the working surface, and they come in many varied sizes and shapes, both in matte or gloss finish. The choice of the which specific items to purchase is entirely up to the artist as the techniques can be adapted to virtually any format and circumstances.

One may buy their inks singly or in kits with three colors that complement each other well. For enhanced versatility, additional products such as customizing pigmentation to create unique hues, metallic additives that can generate a polished or luminous appeal, and a blending solution, should also be gathered. Other tools for the project include refillable markers, straws, felt, clear coat sealer, canned air, gloves, and stamp pad applicators.

The first technique involves applying just a few drops of the desired colors directly to the felt attached to the stamp applicator. Once loaded, lightly dab the surface with the pad, repeating as often as necessary to achieve the target coverage or pattern. Keep in mind that by its very nature, felt will likely leave loose fibers behind, though this is nothing to be concerned over as they can simply be brushed away when the medium dries.

An alternative method is to apply the medium directly on the chosen surface, which allows better control of how much is used and precisely where it appears. These areas can be blended in various ways using compressed air, straws, gloves or fingers, or felt. To get a lovely fractured dispersal effect, droplets of blending solution can be applied to dilute the colors.

A third way of completing this project is to add a little medium to a bowl with water inside of it. The inks remain near the surface and as on dips their ceramics into the liquid, the colors will attach to the tile. This marbling affect has a slightly different look that is beautiful as is, or which may be altered as in the other two techniques.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment