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Water Sprite - an alcohol ink painting and tutorial

Cyndi Lavin, 2018


Following in the tradition of En PointeFire on High and Tempest, this piece was done using the wet into dry technique with alcohol ink.  I used some discreet dots of ink near the top, and swirled them around a bit near the bottom before allowing them to dry completely. 

Then, using 91% rubbing alcohol in a squeeze bottle, I dripped the solvent onto one small area at a time, manipulating the running inks by blowing through a straw.  You can use a hair dryer (set on cool), canned air, or a heat gun (at a distance) instead, but the straw will give you those really interesting spots.  This is because of spittle!  It takes longer to dry than the alcohol, so the little dots end up having concentrated color.  If you don't like the dots, choose a different air source, because it's pretty much impossible not to spit on your piece!  :-D


Originals and prints of Cyndi's work for sale

This post contains affiliate links: Dick Blick

Copyright 2018 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. The tutorial only may be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

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