Alcohol inks are a versatile and colorful medium that can be used to create a wide variety of artworks. If you’re new to alcohol inks, here’s a tutorial to get you started:

1. Gather your materials: You will need alcohol inks, a non-porous surface to apply the inks to (such as glossy paper, metal, or plastic/yupo), and blending solution (isopropyl alcohol or blending solution made specifically for use with alcohol inks). You may also want to have some cotton swabs or paper towels on hand for cleaning and blending. You can also use porous surfaces such as canvases. I started using these and love them. Grab a straw or something to blow the alcohol around.
2. Choose your colors: Alcohol inks come in a wide range of colors, so take some time to choose the shades that you want to work with. You can use just one color or mix and blend multiple colors to create new shades. For beginners I suggest 1-2 colors.
3. Prepare your surface: Make sure that your surface is clean and dry before applying the alcohol inks. If you are using paper, it is best to use glossy paper as it provides a smooth, non-porous surface for the inks to adhere to. Put down a protective cover underneath to protect the area. Alcohol inks can be harsh to different types of furniture.
4. Apply the ink: You can apply the alcohol ink to your surface using a dropper or a squirt bottle. You can also use a straw to blow, brush or cotton swab to spread the ink around. Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for you.
5. Blend the colors: You can blend the colors by misting them with blending solution or by using a cotton swab to swirl the colors together. You can also use a heat gun to blend the colors and create different effects.
6. Allow the ink to dry: Alcohol inks dry relatively quickly, but it is best to allow them to dry completely before handling the artwork.
7. Protect your work: Once your artwork is dry, you can protect it by spraying it with a varnish or by mounting it under glass. This will help to preserve the colors and prevent the inks from smudging or rubbing off. I suggest 2-3 coats of Krylon Kamar Varnish to seal your artwork. This spray will not react and change your finished artwork. After the varnish dries you can apply a UV archival spray, matte or glossy coat.
8. Bonus tip! Use uni-posca paint pens to add your own special touches to it. You can do this before or after you varnish. Some colors tend to bleed, and some don’t. Experiment with it!

With these steps in mind, you should be well on your way to creating beautiful artworks with alcohol inks. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques – the possibilities with alcohol inks are endless!

Below are Amazon links to help you get started.