This is a really fun way to use your Alcohol Inks. You can create backgrounds that you can chop up and use in cards, art journals or scrapbook layouts. But I loved this piece so much, I glued it into a frame to hang!
For this technique, I really would suggest that you use a heavystock Yupo paper, as you are going to bend and heat the paper quite a bit, so you want the most durable yupo you can get Start off by adding some alcohol ink to an area of your substrate that you want to be that starting / focal point. I used Monsoon, Laguna and Pistachio and added a couple of drops of Foundry Alloy and let these dry in that spot.
Then I flooded the ink with mostly Isopropyl Alcohol (in the smaller floline bottle), and a little blending solution. I held the Yupo in my hand and cupped the paper to ensure the ink ran in the direction I wanted it. You will land up with a lot of over flow in this technique, but it’s worth it for the finished effect!
Then I move around the page, adding more ink in the centre and flooding it with Isopropyl Alcohol and Blending Solution, cupping the paper to ensure a flow in the desired direction. I also use my Air Blower to help push the ink outwards. Remember that when you add an Alloy, you must add Blending Solution which will allow the alloy to bond to the substrate, otherwise the alloy may ‘flume’ (rub off the surface)
I repeat the process all the way around the paper. Adding different coloured inks as I go. You can also use an embossing gun to move the ink and dry it quicker too
Cupping the paper in your hand, really allows you to direct the flow of the ink. I cup with my left hand and use my air blower with my right hand to have full control of the flow of ink
Repeat the process until you are happy with the result
I would really suggest using a heavystock yupo for this technique, as you need the yupo to be strong and pliable
I keep a sprayer bottle with Isopropyl Alcohol. I used that to spritz the background which creates little lighter spots – almost galaxy like
I trimmed the background down to a size that would fit my frame
And matted it onto some coordinating cardstock
I adhered that to a thick piece of black album board which really helped to iron out any warping
I painted an old 3D frame I had and adhered the background to centre using No More Nails and then I added resin to the surface of the alcohol inked background. The resin really finishes it off!
It makes a gorgeous piece of art to add to your home or creative studio. But you can just as well chop it up and use it on cards, journals and more! I hope you get your alcohol inks out and get creative!