鉒精曵斫襲程 is like going on a wild ride. It’s less like a clean museum and more like “Wow, is that really supposed to do that!” As you dream of magical ink splashes and hypnotic color blooms, make sure you have the right tools before you press “start.” I wish someone had sat me down, given me a coffee, and said, “Friend, let’s talk about supplies. The ones you choose can make or break those first fun experiments.” Read here to see recent information!
Let’s make some pictures. It might look easy to use brushes, right? But for drawing with alcohol ink, synthetic bristles are better than natural ones. Alcohol-based paints damage real hair. It won’t weep or wilt over synthetic. Size is also important, so start with medium-sized flat brushes. Do not use calligraphy brushes right now because alcohol-based inks do not move like water-based pigments do.
It’s not just paper here. The trick is to use surfaces that don’t let water in. Not just any artist’s book or typewriter paper. Don’t look for paper made from leaves; look for Yupo paper. Yupo doesn’t soak up the ink; instead, it lets the colors mix and dance. It’s okay to use glossy picture paper if you’re short on cash, but colors tend to dry faster and become streaky. Try out small pieces first; you don’t want to waste a whole expensive Yupo sheet, which would be heartbreaking.
You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store when you pick out inks. Ranger, Jacquard, and Copic are just a few of the names. Alcohol paints dry quickly and have a lot of color. Lighter colors are better for beginners. You can’t get rid of dark, but you can add it. Choose three or four colors to begin with. This will help you learn.
Remember to bring rubbing alcohol. 91% or more. It is this wizard’s job to move the ink around and make those “bloom” effects. You can use either a dropper or a spray bottle as a magic wand. Little known facts: you can blow ink through a straw to get ruffled looks, and cotton swabs can fix (and sometimes make) wild mistakes.