After getting so many wonderful comments and questions about the alcohol ink project I shared the other day, I thought I would share a tutorial with the process I used to create the page.
To create a page like the one I made, you need a clear acrylic page (mine was thin, like a transperency) and a page cut to the same size from pattern paper or cardstock.
Prepare your solid paper page by stamping an image, coloring the image as desired, and inking the edges. My paper here is BasicGrey's Jargon from the Basics collection. The label is from the Basics manila sticker labels. The sticker is stamped with Unity's Moments in Bloom stamp set . The sweet girlie is from Tim Holtz's The Girls stamp set. (She is also available in a single wood mount stamp Girls Rule.) Once you have your page done, set it aside.
On my clear page, I applied alcohol ink to the back side. To apply the ink, I use a Ranger Ink Applicator Tool with a clean felt pad. I usually apply three colors of ink to the felt pad. In this example I added three shades of blue. I dabbed the ink onto my page randomly.
Once the first application of ink was dry, I added another layer. This time I added a few more drops of blue in darker shades. As I dab the ink on, I turn the handle to vary the pattern of the ink. As you dab the ink on, you will see it react with the layer underneath it.
To add a different color, remove the felt pad and put a new one on the tool. Add color to the pad and apply as before.
I usually apply three or four colors to my pad at a time, but you can also apply them individually. Simply change your pad, apply the ink, and then dab onto your project.
As you work, you can continue to add more colors and layers. You can add additional layers of colors you have already applied as well. For me the key is to add in layers, letting each layer dry (which is very quick) before adding more. If at anytime you add a color that is not what you want, just add a layer of another color over it.
If you plan to do a window effect like I did, you will want to periodically place your clear sheet over the stamped image to decide if you want to add more color.
I decided on mine that I wanted to add a bolder color around the edges so I added a trio of purples just around the edge.
To clear the area to reveal the image below, I applied Alcohol Ink Blending Solution to a clean felt and dabbed it on the area I wanted to clear. Alcohol Ink Blending Solution will remove alcohol ink. I continued adding solution to my felt until I cleared the area I wanted clear. As you clear away ink, you felt may get pretty dirty. If it becomes too dirty (it will leave streaks of color), simply pull it off and put a new felt on along with more solution.
As an FYI- if you had an inked piece that you didn't like you could clear the entire piece and start again by using blending solution. Working on acrylic like this makes it a a mistake free project because you can always clean your slate and begin again.
As I worked, I checked my clear page with my stamped page to make sure I was clearing as much ink as I wanted.
In this example, I actually cleared more than I wanted. I simply re-applied a few layers of color where I wanted them.
Fresh color on dried color blends nicely. You really can't even tell where I filled in my mistake.
Once you are satisfied with your inking and the cleared area, apply adhesive to the front of your stamped page.
Place the clear sheet ink side down onto the stamped page which is covered with adhesive.
While you have your ink out, don't forget that you can apply alcohol ink to metal as well. I used the ink I already had on my felt to add color to several pieces of Idea-ology Foliage.
To finish out my page, I added some Idea-ology Ruler Ribbon along with the Foliage pieces to the front of the page.
I really love using and expirimenting with alcohol inks. They are so vibrant. The random effect of the ink and the way it reacts with itself is like ink magic!
