Sharing my process and some thoughts for people new to using alcohol inks on ceramic tiles. UPDATE: Made a video answering two of the most common questions I get about this video: • Alcohol Inks Tutorial FAQ
I just took a class on alcohol inks. The instructor said that if you're having trouble with the ink not sticking to the tile and making white "blooms", it because the tile has absorbed too much moisture out of the air. The remedy is before you use the tile, put it in a COLD oven and turn the heat to 200 to 300 degrees. Once it has warmed up, leave the tile in for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let it cool completely. This pulls the moisture out and should eliminate the problem. Thanks for showing how to make those great textures versus simple 'blobs"!
I never know if RU-vid artists see comments from work they did 8 years ago but .. I'm just dipping my toes into inks after years of acrylic pouring. Which I still like, but my mind wants to expand. Thank you for inspiration and you are talented and a great teacher. I really enjoyed watching this video and will subscribe to see your newer works. Aloha.
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments. I'm planning on doing more videos soon, but life has been pretty crazy. In the last month I've gotten married and moved to another state, so... yeah, haha. Keep working on your art, and push those boundaries! Best of luck to you all! :)
Very excited about the technique of using holographic paper plus printouts and reversed glass in a frame for the finished look. I have friends who love science fiction and now I know I can make them something really personalized and awesome for a gift!
i recently seen one of your older videos. i liked it but it was lacking for me, the designs i mean. ive been searching and searching for other videos from others that would be nicer designs with no luck then stumbled onto this video of yours. your technique has improved so much and developed into even more than what I was hoping to see in my search! great job
THANK YOU--for making this tutorial!! I also have watched a bunch of tutorials that basically looked the same, pretty, yes, but not quite what I was looking for. Using A.I. on crumpled foil got me alot closer, but the tighter designs are what I really wanted. Your presentation and show and tell have pointed me in the right direction for trying endless possibilities! I'll be 'staying tuned'! Linda
I think that what you call "juvenile" is people just getting the "wow factor" from something basic. It's not that it's juvenile, it's just that most people who use alcohol inks are not professional artists and maybe just use the same techniques because they're too afraid to try something new. I'm an acrylic abstract/surreal painter/drafter/collage artist and I love trying the weirdest techniques I can dream up. I agree with you that a lot of alcohol ink videos are the same but that's why us weirdos have to make more videos! ;-) Oh, and by the way, I LOVE your art tiles! Dude, you got it going on!
+DrummerGrrrl Yeah, looking back at that video I sounded pretty mean, lol... wasn't my intention at all! I just got so sick of seeing the same stuff over and over, which is what led me to trying to push the boundaries of the medium. Thanks for watching, and for the compliments! :)
The thing you're finding is a lot of people who are generally into 'crafting' getting their hands on new techniques. The only issue that I find with it is that people just don't break out of the mold. They try something they were taught at a tim holz or stamping class then they go 'teach' it to everyone else and don't think about the possibilities. Its like 'yupo'. Its literally just polypropylene but its being sold as art paper to people who don't know better.
Hey! Thanks for checking my music out! That's awesome. All I use is FL Studio 10 right now, but it is enough to let me do what I do and experiment with different sounds. I am an amateur at it, but it is something I like to do. The possibilities with that program are endless.
Not even halfway through your video and I'm so happy I found it. Got the inks, got the rubbing alcohol and did the whole 'blobby' tile last night (just to play with and get the hang of the inks, blew air through a straw, dripped on rubbing alcohol, etc), pretty cool but was hoping to find something more advanced (since you see SO MANY really intricate looking tiles on Pinterest and such) and this video is it. Now I realize I actually need that Tim Holtz stamper! Ok...going to finish watching your video now :D
Those tiles look great. Your earlier ones look more like what I consider to be abstract art. I really like the later tiles and can't wait to try this too. Thank you.!
This was a fantastic tutorial and I learned so much. I feel inspired and stretched in my thinking as to what I can apply the alcohol inks to. Thank you so much!
Hi beetlewing. I'm sure you have a name. You might have said it. Thank you so much for your inspiration and help with ideas. I can't believe how talented and innovative you are with your art. You're a great instructor and a genious artist. I've been a little frustrated and don't just want to do these big globs. You've shown me how to go to the next level and beyond!! Keep videos coming!!
Thanks Judith! I do have a name, but I haven't disclosed it because I'm not sure I'm quite ready to give up what little Internet "privacy" I have left, haha Plus, I DO sell my work, so I'm hesitant to let my customers in on ALL of my secrets ;)
This guy is truly amazing! So talented! I can see these being use as a kitchen back splash, bathroom back splash, etc. Your pictures are good enough to have a showing in an art gallery! My cousin has done this and her work isn't half as good as yours. As a retired professor, I can say that you're a good "teacher", too. All the best, Liz
I enjoyed your tutorial very much, those tiles look so sweet! And I found a way around the repelling-ink tile. You can make an alcohol spray from Sharpie markers and alcohol in little travel-sized spritzer bottles. I used 91% alcohol, not sure if that matters, but that's what I need for other things I do with alcohol, so that's what I have on hand. (shrugs) Tear open the marker, drop in the nib and the ink tube into the bottle (2 or 3oz sizes work best) after cutting open the tube. Not the hard part you'd hold, but the felt-centered part needs cutting open. Fill the bottle with alcohol and let sit for a few hours prior to use. The ink works really well for a solid coating. Haven't found good bottles to try doing your sort of thing with them, but that would be super fun, if I could find such bottles...!
Thanks! I buy my alcohol inks in craft stores, in the scrapbooking section. They're Adirondack brand, found with the Tim Holtz vintage-looking stuff. They come in the bottles you see in my videos, with fine drip nozzles... sold 3 in a pack.
I just come across your video. I love what you are doing with the inks. I've been " playing " with my inks and I love the freedom. I just love the idea of using it on glass. May have to try that. I clean my tiles real good with rubbing alcohol real good before using ink on them. Not sure if that will make a difference for the white spots or not. Thank you so much for sharing. Darlene.
love the holograph paper idea! thanks i love your ideas. have really wanted to try alcohol inks with a difference. was looking how to make an oil look, this works.
Thank you for sharing all your ideas and accomplishments so far. I looked for more, but none yet. Would be great to see how you are coming along! Julie
These are awesome!! You have inspired me to do more :) Thank you. Can you tell me what kind of polyurethane you used? Would I be able to put the tiles on my kitchen wall as a back splash?
I enjoyed your video and thank you for posting. I just bought some ink to experiment as a painter. I would like to admonish you on what can be perceived as insulting to many craft people as a juvenile practice which , for them, is experimentation. After all, that is how we all learn. I do not scrapbook, journal, etc however I see the value in it. I am about to go to a hospital to do art therapy with people who would be lucky to pour a drop out of a bottle they are so injured so I am making stencils with hot glue for them to paint over or spray over with acrylic ink. Just thought I would point out people have limitations.
+Martha Nelson You can admonish me all you want. I was very clearly stating "for ME"... "I wanted more out of it", etc.... I understand what you're saying, but I'd like to admonish YOU for implying that I'd say such things about someone who was obviously incapable of more. I'm so tired of this "shame on you for having an opinion because it probably offends someone" attitude the world has these days. I find THAT offensive. What you're saying is nobody can ever teach anything on an advanced level simply because some people can't do it, without the teacher feeling guilty about it. Get a grip. Thanks for watching.
+beetlewing I totally agree with beetlewing! Too many negative, nasty people out there condemning others out of their own spin, which is perverted. I say live & let live and shut the hell up with your condemning negativity. This guy is nice.
Thanks for sharing. These are truly works of art. I don't quite understand how you got the black & white robot to look like it does. Can you elaborate a little. The colour around it is so precise. Thanks
Thanks Buddy! It's not precise at all, haha... Here's a video showing it taken apart: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mZQB9SjxF5M.html Hope that helps! :)
great! U seem a little hard core with your verb age........love your work.....just learned about alcohol inks two weeks ago....keep making your breath-taking art
Thank you for the interesting tips about the felt and textured ink. Very interesting results. Congratulations on your marriage and hope to see more of your videos.
I might have a solution to the tile repelling the alcohol inks and causing white spots. I take a damp magic eraser sponge and scrub the tile with circular motions and then clean it well with acetone. So far this has worked on the tiles that were previously repelling the ink. Hope this helps someone.
+Jac Cruick Thanks for watching! I don't use much alcohol (if any) when doing the tight patterns with the stamper on tiles. I find I use a lot on yupo paper though, for washes.
Hey buddy do some more videos! I have been using dry rice and beans and pasta to make textures as well! Those little hairs that stick on really aggravate me! I am experimenting with other cloths.
Hi, I don't know if you're still having problems with the white or where it's not sticking to the tile you might want to clean it with isopropyl alcohol first. But I have never ever had that problem but I also use blending solution or 91% isopropyl alcohol as well but I've never had the ink repel off of the tile ever. I don't know if it's the certain brand you're using, there are some brands of alcohol inks that are just terrible. Ranger inks are really really good. But there's a lots of things you can make I make gorgeous flowers out of mine where they're just masterpieces and people want me to make prints of them and they want one. You can do scenes with alcohol inks. I have a friend who does gorgeous sunset over water on with alcohol inks, you can do lots of different things it's not just a bunch of dropping inks in circles or bubbles. if you put blending Solution on the tile first then when you put the colors together you tip the tile around it makes some gorgeous mixing of colors far more sophisticated than just putting a bunch of drops on tiles just as an fyi.
I'm a fan of polyurethane too. Big question is if I coat flat porous plaster type material with polyurethane, can I then do the ink magic on top and then top coat again to seal everything.?
I've watched all of your video's and have learned a lot from you. question - have you ever had a problem with ink coming off of the tiles after you have sprayed with sealer?I seal with Helman's poly, 3-5 layers, and have a problem with ink coming off from water.
Ive never had that issue, but I also don't use mine as coasters. For coasters you'd want something much tougher, like maybe a pourable clear resin. All of mine get mounted for wall art, so I haven't really messed with other sealers, sorry.
OMG...Your work is amazing. This is the first time that I am going to attempt an art piece for a wall in my home and you have totally inspired me. I have seen other alcohol artwork with the glass and they light it on fire to burn alcohol off. Is that what you do with your artwork or do you just let it dry and then seal it with a polyurethane?
Your videos are good and I´ve learned a few things about the alcohol ink technique, thanks! Please, Beetlewing, leave the tiles on the table, don´t move them up closer to the camera! they all go out of focus!. Also, please, show clearly, on the table, bottles lying down, the names of the colours that you are going to use. At the beginning of the video?... Thank you, take care and keep going!
awesome work! :) i just bought my first set of alcohol inks and a box of tiles, i'm super excited to get started, but i'm curious...what brand and type of polyurethane spray do you use? i've read that minwax and others that are meant for wood will not work on ceramic tile.
I use Minwax :) See the video below for my process, but keep in mind it depends on the final use of the tile. Mine aren't meant to be coasters, etc... I intend for them to be hung on the wall, as art, like a painting. Clear coating: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XR_sUFAUSgE.html Hope that helps!
Hiya , thanks for such an inspiring and fab video love all the tips and techniques x can i ask you about the last 3 framed ones you shared ? did you print the tree and robot designs onto copy paper or was it slick photo paper ? and secondly did you not colour the robot at all did you just ink on the glass ? thanks in advance xmaggiex
I haven't found a great sealer.. to use these as coasters. I tried the spray on sealer, but it soon chips off with the ink attached, now there are snow caps on them there hills! Any ideas... from anyone? Would like to have Girl Scouts make these.
I've been thinking about switching to resin, but haven't gotten around to playing with it yet. Not sure that'd be the best option for Girl Scouts though, since it usually needs to cure overnight.
