Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Playing with Paper Three

Alcohol and Acrylics

This is one of my favorite techniques for making background papers.  Here's what you'll need:

  1. Card stock pre-painted with acrylic paint. (artist or craft acrylics will both work)
  2. 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (I bought mine at Walgreens)
  3. Craft acrylics
  4. Water
Paint your card stock (or other heavy paper) with craft or artist acrylics.  You can use a solid color but I prefer mixing the paint right on the page. ( Using metallic and glitter paint yield striking results!)  Let it dry.


Get your alcohol ready by pouring a small amount into the cap.  A cap full is plenty for one or two sheets of paper.


Set your alcohol nearby.  Now mix craft acrylic with water in an approximate 60% paint, 40% water mixture.  I use an egg carton.  Apply the paint to your page with a brush.  Work quickly because you don't want the paint to start drying.  If it seems like it's drying too fast, add another brush full of water.


While it's still glistening wet, begin dropping alcohol into the wet paint.  I do this using my index finger to flick the alcohol onto the page.  I also sometimes sprinkle the alcohol directly from the cap by tapping my finger on the cap.  Experiment with the application!


The alcohol reacts with the acrylic paint, and the paint spreads out away from the alcohol.  Here I've used a contrasting color for the top layer so there would be more contrast, but for more subtle texture, use similar colors.


You'll have a stack of yummy, textured paper in no time with this technique!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

16 comments:

  1. I knew ya could do this with watercolor on top of acrylic, but didn't know about doing it with watered down acrylics... thanks for sharing <3

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    1. Hey, Jamie! I haven't tried watercolor on top of acrylic before. I'll have to give that a try!

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  2. How cool is that...love it! Love your rings too. ;)
    XOXO's,
    Marcia

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  3. Angelia what a cool technique. I have never tried that before but love it.

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    1. I think you'll really like it, Ana! So much goodness with such little effort.

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  4. Fabulous technique Angelia... striking patterns and colors... and gorgeous backgrounds... thank you for sharing...

    Jenny ♥

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  5. great tutorial - very clear and accessible. I'm going to try it!

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    1. Oooo....I can't wait to see your papers, Jessica! ♥

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  6. Fabulous technique! I finally found that alcohol here and have used it a few times. I love the results you can get with it. Great tutorial! And I love your rings :-)

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    1. Isn't it a fun technique, Denthe? It's mesmerizing to watch the paint move like magic! :)

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  7. Angelia, thank you so much for your travel journal idea. I have been so crazy with packing and trying to get work done and the dogs ready for camp, that I didn't even think about it!!!!!!!!

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    1. I hope you'll be able to put something together, Ana. You'll be glad you did!

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  8. You make me not afraid to try this! Thank you!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me! It's a pleasure sharing the creative world of art journaling with you. I love hearing from you, so comments and questions are always welcome.

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