Alcohol inks

Alcohol inks are liquid colours dissolved in alcohol that dry on smooth surfaces in a few seconds and blend into marble-like patterns. Here you’ll find Cernit Alcohol Ink in 20 ml bottles in almost 30 shades, including gold, silver, copper and pearlescent, as well as Renesans Aura Ink in 15 ml bottles. Sets of five bottles and a starter set with paper, gloves and a straw are suitable for getting started. The range also includes a thinner for lightening shades and a cleaner for tools.

Which surfaces are suitable for alcohol inks?

Alcohol ink needs a smooth surface that won’t absorb the colour, allowing it to flow freely. Cernit primarily intends it for polymer clays before baking, but also lists paper, cardboard, wood, glass, leather, metal, plastic, ceramics, stone and resin. Renesans recommends Aura Ink for metal, glass, plastic, film and synthetic paper. Paintings made using the alcohol ink technique use non-absorbent synthetic paper, on which the shades blend together to create smooth transitions.

How do you work with alcohol inks?

• Drip the colour straight from the bottle through its precision tip, apply it with a brush or pipette, or dab it onto the surface.
• A few drops of Cernit Blending Solution thinner lighten the shade and help the colours blend together.
• Use a straw to blow the drops of colour across the surface before they dry — they dry very quickly in the air and have a glossy finish once dry.
• Cernit white, gold, silver, copper and pearlescent colours cover the underlying surface; the other shades are translucent and can be layered.
• Cernit sets (basic, metallic, warm and cool colours) contain three colours, white and thinner, so you can start mixing your own shades straight away.
• Wear gloves to protect your fingers and protect your work surface too; use Cernit Cleaner to clean your tools and table.

Alcohol inks or alcohol markers?

Alcohol inks are liquid colours in bottles that you pour onto a surface and allow to blend together. For drawing and colouring precise lines with a tip, use alcohol markers. You’ll find traditional drawing and calligraphy inks in the Inks category.