FALL IN LOVE

Handmade Slimline Card by Linda Fields

I’m created this card for the November 2022 Inspiration Challenge by Altenew.

MY MATERIALS

I like to gather all the materials I need first so my creative process won’t be interrupted. I used Yupo Paper but any non-porous substrate works when working with these wonderful inks. I used the Dark Chocolate, Buttercream, and Iceberg Alcohol Ink colors by Altenew. I also used Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution, 91% Rubbing Alcohol, a special cut Cutip, a fine detail paintbrush, an Air Blower, Hair Dryer, a black Sakura Pigma Micron graphic pen, and an alcohol filled mister.

MY VISION

I wanted an organic, Autumn themed backdrop. I imagined a blue sky, misty lake, a vibrant brown cliff decorated with leaves from a sleepy tree and sunshine yellow highlights dance between the shadows. Want to try alcohol inks? My advice is to let go. Let the inks tell you what they want to be no matter what your vision is.

MY TIPS

Rubbing Alcohol is easy to find but at what percentage? The lower the percentage, most commonly found around 70%, the higher the water content to alcohol ratio. The higher the percentage, 91%+ is usually recommended, the higher the alcohol. More water means your piece will take longer to dry. Even your environment or the weather where you create can affect your inks. Is it too dry? Maybe too wet? Machines can be used to increase or decrease the humidity in your work space.

GET MOVING

Alcohol dilutes and lightens the inks. The sticky, blending solution has bonding resins so it’s perfect when you want to gradually blend one color into another. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Move your substrate and you’ll get different effects. Tilt it, bend it, rotate, blow or puff the inks. A few drops goes far. The darker, deeper colors have beautiful tones to discover when you thin the pigments. Remember, you can always add but you can’t always take away if you use too much. Don’t despair – you can literally start over with an alcohol swipe!

What happens when you mist your artwork with alcohol?

An amazing chemical reaction!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

Use a detail brush dipped in alcohol to erase or change parts you don’t like. I used a Micron pen to draw the tree and leaves. Don’t get discouraged – this medium takes patience and practice but it’s so worth it. Fall In Love with alcohol inks.