Alcohol Ink Watercolor Background

Create abstract, watercolor-like backgrounds with alcohol inks and the colorless blender solution.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Fill each paint well with 3-5 drops of alcohol ink.

   

2. Step 2

   Slightly dampen brush with blending solution or pure rubbing alcohol. Dip aqua brush into well to pick up ink.

   

3. Step 3

   Swipe brush across the paper to apply ink

   

4. Step 4

   Continue applying ink using a variety of lines, shapes and brushstrokes.

   

5. Step 5

   Wipe off excess ink into scratch paper before changing colors.

   

6. Step 6

   Dip aqua brush into ink as necessary to pick up more color.

   

7. Step 7

   Continue to apply layers of color. Rotate the paper so that the brush stokes are more random.

   

8. Step 8

   For lighter washes of color, squeeze out more Colorless Blender solution, for darker shades, dry the brush on scratch paper before picking up ink.

   

9. Step 9

   Once dry, stamp a favorite quote or saying onto the Copic watercolored background.

   

10. Step 10

    Layer to complete project.

    

Video!

Variations

- Use only 3-4 colors on each individual background to help create a unified look.
- Let some of the ink layers dry before adding additional layers for less blending.
- Don’t over-brush the inks or they will muddy.
- Save the paint palette for future use, dried inks can be re-activated.
- Use a variety of surface types for different looks. (primed canvas, metal, acetate, vellum)
- No Various Inks? No problem…swipe a Copic marker across the surface to apply ink and then move it around and paint with the Colorless Blender filled aqua brush.
- Create home décor, greeting cards, scrapbook papers, and/or art journal pages with each unique Copic Watercolored background.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Alcohol Ink Watercolor Background. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.