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Amazing Abstracts with Alcohol Inks

22/4/2015

12 Comments

 
alcohol inks on tiles
If you're looking to experiment with colour and pattern, and enjoy hearing excited squeals like 'wow!' and 'ooh!' from your kids, then this magical activity is a must for you!

You'll need cheap white ceramic tiles and a selection of alcohol inks. They are readily available from craft shops, Amazon etc. I bought Tim Holtz ones. They aren't cheap, however once you have invested in 5 or so bottles, they do last a long time.

Simply dribble the inks straight from the bottle onto a clean white tile and see incredible organic patterns form as the colours spread across the surface of the tile and begin to mix with each other - work quickly as they dry fast. You can blow the inks with a straw or just let them do their own thing!

One of the things I enjoy most about this activity is that you never know quite what will happen.

Below are some patterns that were created recently,  working with families in hospital. Time flew and everyone was truly absorbed in the activity.

I'll definitely be trying this at home with my 2 children. They loved marbling so I know this will be a bit hit too.

I have read on blogs that the tiles can be sealed with a varnish such as Liquitex but I haven't tried it yet. I like the idea of sealing the tiles, and glueing felt to the backs to make lovely coaster gifts. I also plan to buy some large cheap white plates to decorate - they'd look great on the kids walls.

I'd love your feedback if you give this idea a go,

Diane

amazing abstract alcohol inks
12 Comments
Hollie
22/4/2015 11:11:37

Oh these are great! What do you think about making and using them as kitchen backsplash?

Reply
diane pagan
22/4/2015 13:10:45

Hi Hollie, what a lovely idea! Providing they are varnished, you could just wipe them clean. I'd love to see a pic if you do it...there are a wide range of coloured inks available, including metallics and gold and silver, so you'd have great fun choosing the colour palette :-) Diane

Reply
Claire
22/4/2015 14:46:36

Thank you so much for sharing !!!

Reply
Diane link
23/4/2015 02:07:09

you're welcome Claire, glad you like them :-)

Reply
Casey
29/4/2015 19:27:12

Thank you for your post! I'm loving working with alcohol inks! Have you finished one with a backing? Did you use felt or something else? What did you use to adhere the felt to the back of the tile? I need guidance w/that. Thank you!

Reply
diane from the imagination box
29/4/2015 23:21:43

Hi Casey, great news that you are having fun with the inks! Yes I'd suggest drawing round the tile onto basic craft felt. Make the felt square a bit smaller than the tile and use PVA Glue or any strong craft glue to fix it - or double sided tape :-) best wishes Diane

Reply
Lise Sirois
30/4/2017 13:33:38

Reply
Lorrie Pitts
7/6/2017 12:15:42

Love this idea! I will be trying it out.

Reply
Jan Jackson
23/9/2017 16:25:46

What vanish are you using to protect the finished product.

Reply
Gloria
5/12/2017 00:48:10

I am sorry to say but resin is the only sure way to seal if used as coasters. Most other sealers do not hold up to coaster use.

Reply
Denyse
5/6/2018 04:08:29

I have done tiles also and will be making stepping stones with them. I also use the inks on switch and outlet plates sealing with a varathane spray.

Reply
Carol Rugghia
19/6/2018 01:51:45

For the steppingstones what did you use to seal those

Reply



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    Diane Pagan, The Imagination Box
    Welcome!

    Welcome!

    Hello! I'm Diane Pagan from Manchester, UK.
    My ideas are road tested by my 11 and 9 year olds - or at workshops I run with all kinds of kids and adults in schools, hospitals and community settings :-)

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about Diane Pagan

Diane Pagan uk

Hello! I live in Manchester, UK with my partner, and our two children. Luckily our house has a converted basement, where my art studio is packed full with art materials of all shapes and sizes!
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