Shades of color that pop, swirl, and change right in front of your eyes. The magic of abstract alcohol ink designs is like that. It’s paint that thinks for itself. It’s like seeing a cloud form when you watch two drops bleed together. You don’t need to have a Ph.D. in art or any expensive tools from long-gone Italian stores. You only need a sense of excitement and maybe some paper towels.
Fear of making a mistake? Not true! The perfection of alcohol ink art makes me laugh. In fact, happy events are what this place is all about. At one point, you’re seeing a streak go crazy. The next thing you know, you’re smiling at a painting that just appeared out of your barely controlled chaos. Don’t worry about the rules. This is where you write your own.
Let’s talk about things. No one expects you to steal an artist’s tools or spend all of your money on strange ones. You will need isopropyl alcohol, bright alcohol inks, a straw to move the paint, and a medium that doesn’t absorb it (like yupo paper or glossy tiles). There’s no need to be safe, but some tape to keep things neat helps. If you don’t want your fingers to look like aliens for days, gloves are helpful.
Take this advice. Don’t use too much ink, and make sure to have fun. Don’t get too attached to your ideas; inks like to go where they please. Most of the time, the first workshop starts with easy color exploration. “Should it look like that?” is always said out loud by someone. I promise you that the answer is always yes. That strange zigzag could be the star of the show later.
A lot of people find their style very quickly. Some of them splash around furiously, mixing colors like storms in space. Others do it in a Zen way, putting drops of ink on the paper one at a time in search of peace. It doesn’t matter how loud or quiet you do this.
It’s amazing to go through this process with friendly people. It’s amazing how many people who thought they “couldn’t even draw a stick figure” now feel proud of their work. Why? Because you’re not just making pictures; with every stain and splash, you’re telling a story. Part of the fun is making a mess!
Make sure you get a seat in class early because they fill up quickly. Bring an open mind. You can expect to laugh, say “oops!” a few times, and remember a variety of colors. You’ll feel lighter when you leave, and you might want more wall space at home. Come check out how much fun it can be tot chaos!