Alcohol markers – not just for paper!
Have you ever thought about experimenting with alcohol markers beyond paper? Unlike their water-based cousins, alcohol or solvent markers work on all sorts of semi or non-porous surfaces. The solvent suspending the color evaporates quickly, leaving the hue behind, adhered to materials such as vellum, plastic, glass and even metal!
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Class #4: Magical Marker Techniques
Your growing collection of alcohol markers aren’t just something pretty to look at. They’re there for you to USE, to MAKE pretty things! Feeling intimidated with all of those amazing coloring projects out there? Then, start with something totally different! The Magical Marker Techniques class doesn’t even talk about coloring in flowers to make them look realistic. Instead, the lessons focus on different ways you can use alcohol markers to create backgrounds, elements and even focal points, using different materials and other tools like stencils.
My Project
In my time, I’ve done a few projects with alcohol markers on metal. It’s an amazing look, and never turns out the same way twice. It’s kinda like watercoloring because the ink moves around in such different ways. But – it can become too much, really quick!
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Tips for coloring on metal
- If you’re coloring a stamp, you’ll need to emboss the image as the only kind of ink pad that will stick to the metal is solvent inks, and your markers will pick it up. Use LOTS of anti-static powder, and remember to stamp without smooshing or you risk the stamp sliding!
- Only use CLEAR embossing powder as colored powder (including black and white) will come off on your markers and ruin the nib! Yikes!
- You can use traditional coloring strokes – swirling to fill in large spaces, flicking to create shading and even stippling. You’ll see all three of those techniques on my design.
- Create an even cooler look by spritzing the design with rubbing alcohol or colorless blender. Spritz just a little and wait for the color to move before adding more. I did a little just to get the colors to blend together more like watercolor.
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I feel my design style evolving! I’m stepping back from over-orchestrated design and really thinking “does this contribute to the final look?”, or is it just “extra”? if it’s “extra”, I leave it off! I guess that’s what makes clean design so hard – knowing when to stop!
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This looks very cool Nicole but I would suggest that you post more photos of your project, esp close-ups.
Thanks so much for entering your beautiful work in the AECP assignment Gallery. Beautiful colors and design. Well done!
Thanks Erum – funny you would mention photography. I’ve been working on a plan to step up that aspect of my blog. Hopefully you’ll see some improvements soon!
Hello Nicole, I love your shiny alcohol inking on the metal! What a cool effect! Great write-up and sharing of your tips! Thanks so much for entering your beautiful work in Altenew AECP assignment Gallery. Beautiful colors and design. Well done!