An Explosion of Color - Alcohol Inks

I started noticing works created with alcohol inks last winter.  In the midst of the shortest days of the year, these colorful images burst into the "make and take" world of quickie studio art workshops.  Initially, the buzz about these creations was similar to the pub and paint retoric (one step away from "paint by number...")  In a society so desperate to learn how to appreciate and accept a range of art forms and images, the harsh criticism seemed ironic.

Paper gurus, like Tim Holtz (scrapbooking world,) have helped alcohol inks gain credibility, however, and helped move them from stamping and mailing to credible art materials.  The irony is that, although alcohol inks have become acceptable materials to use in the art world, finding quality products in appropriate volumes and prices is impossible - that's another topic.

Today I would like to delve into the development of an alcohol ink image.  The process begins with a paper that isn't really a paper at all.  Yupo is the most common substrate used in the creation of alcohol ink images.  It is a synthetic material that has it's origins in the depths of the petroleum pits of the world (I know, you are thinking....just what we need - another petroleum-based product to deplete our resources, pollute our environment, and generate demand in the oil industry - also  - another topic...)

Alcohol inks are bright colored dyes suspended in an alcohol base.   Once dropped, dripped, drizzled, brushed or dabbed on Yupo (I am very hesitant to call it "paper."), gravity moves the liquid around as the alcohol quickly evaporates.  Dropping additional ink, blending solution, or 91% alcohol forces the original surface of color/alcohol to move, creating pools or layers of color radiating away from the liquid.  Dragging rigid tools through the wet pools, or spattering additional layers of ink result in a range of texture and color modifications.   As with most materials, knowing when to quit can mean the difference between a pool of mud and a 'thing of beauty.'

The flower-like image on the header was created using this layering and experimenting technique.  I began with a leafy background of greens and golds and used the side of a drinking straw, lying on the ink, to create the vein-like patterns.

Next, I dropped on orange ink and used the straw to force air in the center, pushing the ink out to form petal shapes.  I dropped orange ink five or six time to push the petals far enough.

 The final color I added was yellow right in the center where I had added the orange earlier.  Notice the edge around the yellow.  This is created by a combination of the yellow pushing the oranges out AND the yellow running out and stopping - thus forming the edge.

After I was sure all of the ink colors were dry, I went back into the image with a NON-alcohol-based fine point marker to emphasize just a few of the details - like the lower petal lip on coming off the yellow center at the bottom of the center.  This is the perfect example of making the most of the image that presents itself!  

I am not sure this is an art technique I will spend a lot of time on - it is very difficult to control and the results are much more about making the most of what you get and not making the image what you want.  It provides a good opportunity for me to let go of some visual control issues, however.  I will be experimenting with alcohol inks for a few days to enjoy the wonderful colors! 

 I will try not to have every product look like a flower, however!!!