Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Alcohol Ink On Acetate


Creating a watercolor effect using Alcohol Ink and blending solution on Acetate is a technique that I've been looking forward to trying out for the longest time. My friend JAN and I decided to begin a monthly technique challenge between ourselves and post our results on our blogs. I was excited when Jan suggested that our first challenge be to use alcohol ink and blending solution as a watercoloring medium and to use acetate as our painting surface. You can view Jan's beautiful card that she created, titled "Pocket full of Posies" HERE.

For my card I began with a clear sheet of acetate and stamped the vase of flowers image using Stazon black ink. One immediately discovers that you have to have a steady hand when stamping and to lift the stamp directly. Even though the stamp does "stick" a bit to the acetate with the stazon ink, the risk of smears is high since the acetate is like an ice skating surface.

After I inked the surface with my stamped image and used a small plastic paint palette and put a drop of each of the colors of alcohol ink I wanted to use on the image in the little "bowls" in the palette. I don't have too many alcohol ink colors (YET!) so I blended some of the colors for various shades.

Next I filled a water brush with alcohol ink blending solution and used the blending solution to regulate the intensity of the colors as I painted it on the acetate. The colors just flow so smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed this painting technique and can see myself using this frequently in the future.

If you'd like to see a tutorial using Alcohol Ink and Acetate, click on Michelle Zindorf's blog, Freedom in Creating, HERE.


I think this technique will be great for coloring highly detailed images when you want the stamped lines to be predominent in defining the image.

Thanks Jan for the challenge! I loved using this technique.

13 comments:

  1. A beautiful breath of spring - - that was my first thought. Your card is GORGEOUS! I see techniques I really like and then when I have time to stamp, I go back to the way I always have. Maybe someday. Just like maybe someday spring will really arrive and not just on the calendar.

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  2. Beautiful work Jennifer! What fun to read your experience and see how different our work is. Most striking to me is how you covered tiny flower blossoms so beautifully while I was looking for big areas to swish my brush across. I began with a few collage stamps I couldn't get right because of little details. Perhaps I need the smaller brush. Your results are fantastic and I look forward to trying this technique again as well as hearing about our next challenge! Cheers!

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  3. Jennifer, this is so beautiful! Your card is very elegant! That technique is a must try! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. Oh my gosh.........that is absolutely over-the-top gorgeous! I am impressed. TOTALLY impressed! Fabulous job, my friend!

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  5. This is stunning! Thank you for your explanation and the link to the tutorial.

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  6. Jennifer, I have no words to describe this card....yes, I do...it is STUNNING! It just took my breath away, my dear! You always give me so much pleasure in my days when I check your blog! Thank you!

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  7. Simply and sublimely spectacular Missy!

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  8. I just wanted to tell you how much that I have been admiring and enjoying your work that you have posted on 2Peas. Your work just takes my breath away...OMG!

    You are unbelievable! I can't seem to get the right words that I am wanting to say about your work.

    Thank you so much for sharing and I will continue to watch for your new cards.

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  9. Absolutely beautiful Jennifer, totally lovely and soft!

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  10. Beautiful results, Jennifer. Absolutely stunning.

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  11. I love the softness of this card. You really rocked the technique. I'm very curious about how you adhered your acetate to the card. I spy some gold leaf pen on the edges and am thinking you hid the adhesive under that.

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  12. That's an absolutely beautiful card!! I would definitely frame that one :) Thanks for sharing how you made it with us!!d

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