We make painting with alcohol inks fun and easy with the best inks and art supplies for beginners to professionals. Create vibrant, abstract designs on paper, metal, clay, ceramic and more with quality inks, art kits and paints for every project.

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Alcohol Ink Paints

If you're an avid art and crafter who keeps up with the trends, there's a good chance you've heard of alcohol inks. Rich and jewel-like in colour, these inks are acid-free, fast drying and can be applied to many porous and non-porous surfaces for wildly creative and unique abstract designs.

Riot Art & Craft are leading online suppliers of alcohol inks in Australia from household brands like The Paper Mill and Art Spectrum. Our range of colours will give you the freedom to mix and experiment with our inks to create wonderfully original works of art, from jewellery and home decor items to wall hangings and glass decorations.

Just add your items to the shopping cart and checkout using our simple process to get your alcohol inks, tools and supplies delivered straight to your door!

Alcohol Ink - Abstract Art

The beauty of alcohol inks lies in their versatility and ability to create abstract patterns on a wide range of surfaces. They're inks with a high pigment that are then typically diluted with isopropyl alcohol and applied to surfaces, such as yupo paper, metal, clay, glass or canvas, and manipulated to create interesting patterns.

Alcohol inks sit on top of non-porous surfaces and spread out, making them difficult to control but great for experimentation. In fact, the unpredictable nature of this medium is why so many people love to work with them!

They also dry fast, are easy to clean up and can be reworked.

Many alcohol ink markers, such as Copic markers, contain alcohol inks in them and are available in the same colours and tones. However, you will have more flexibility when you buy the ink separately in a bottle as it goes further and allows you to mix unique colours and change the consistency to achieve different textures.

Materials, Supplies and Paints Needed

Painting with alcohol inks is fun and creative for both beginners and professionals. While they may be tricky to control at first, practice makes perfect and it won't be long before you discover your personal style. From amazing abstract patterns to intricate stained glass-like designs, you're only limited by your imagination. To get started, you'll need:

1. Alcohol inks - You can stock up on individual inks like our ones from Paper Mill, Art Spectrum and the Jacquard Pinata range or buy a handy kit with 6 selected shades
2. Blending solution - Use blending solutions for lightening colours, increasing fluidity and for cleaning up
3. Surface - Try yupo paper, canvas, metal, ceramic or glass
4. Palette - Use a palette to mix colours
5. Different applicators - Paintbrushes work great for adding texture and washes. You can also use cotton tips and popsicle sticks for different results
6. Rubber gloves - Protect your hands from stains with rubber gloves
7. Paper towels - Clean up any spills with a towel

How To Use Alcohol Inks

Alcohol inks generally require slick surfaces that are smooth and non-porous so that they can run freely and create interesting patterns and designs. However, you can also add these inks to porous surfaces such as fabric and clay, to change the colour of them and add tie-dye effects.

Yupo paper is one of the most common surfaces to work with as it's synthetic and non-absorbent. Our Tim Holtz and Paper Mill yupo paper is a great place to get started.

Take some paper and lay it flat. Use a spray bottle of isopropyl or blending solution to wet the surface, then use a dropper to drip a couple of ink drops onto it.

Then, move the paper to encourage the ink to run by tilting and turning it to create patterns. Let it dry and repeat with different colours to create layers. You can use alcohol inks diluted or undiluted for more vibrancy.

If you need more inspiration, check out some of our tutorials on Pinterest or Youtube to get those creative wheels turning!

Alcohol Ink Art Kits

We sell a stunning range of individual alcohol inks colours, from bold to shimmering and classic. Our Paper Mill alcohol ink kits make it even easier for beginners to get started. Richly pigmented, they come in six essential shades for either a bright or moody look with two blending solutions so you can get started on your new project sooner!

Alcohol Painting Technique - Blend Colours

There's a number of ways to control and blend alcohol inks. You can use a paintbrush to spread a pool of ink across a surface and soften hard lines. You can also use the bristles to add texture.

A straw can be used to blend colours by dripping pools of ink onto the surface and gently blowing the ink to create interesting effects.

Sponges are also useful for dabbing ink onto surfaces for a soft, stained effect. You can then use markers to define lines and add extra detail to your work.

Different Surfaces to Paint on Using Alcohol Inks

Alcohol inks are extremely versatile and can be applied to a wide range of non-porous and even porous surfaces. From wearable art to adding an extra splash of colour around the home, here are the most common surfaces you can use with alcohol inks:
• Fabric - Alcohol inks can be used to dye materials, such as fabric. Dilute the ink to get a faded, watery pattern on wall hangings, cushions and scarves or use undiluted for a brilliant tie-dye effect.
• Metal - Metal is a fantastic surface for creating professional alcohol ink art that really shines. From aluminium to brass and copper, you can stain the metal with brilliant galaxy-like patterns and transform it into pendants, earrings or wall art.
• Claybord and ceramics - Claybord is smooth and is great for boldly saturated designs that don't run. Ceramic tiles and vases are also perfect for using alcohol inks to paint abstract or life-like images.
• Yupo paper - Non-porous and synthetic, this paper is designed to hold alcohol inks with vibrant colour and make it easy to blend and flow inks.
• Glass - Glass allows inks to move freely and can be used to create a stunning stained glass-like finish. Follow with a fixative to seal it.
• Canvas - Use alcohol inks on canvas with other paints such as acrylic paints, pastels and watercolour for a mixed-media result.

Ink Applicator

Alcohol inks can be applied using a number of different tools for different textures and looks. The most common alcohol ink applicator to use are droppers which make it easy to distribute ink onto a surface one drop at a time. However, you can also use paint brushes, sponges, popsicle sticks and cotton tips.

To make the alcohol inks spread further, use our Art Spectrum extender to increase fluidity and keep inks wetter for longer so they can be reworked.

FAQs About Alcohol Inks

What Is Alcohol Ink Painting?

Alcohol inks are alcohol-based dyes with a high level of pigment in them that are used to create vibrant, abstract patterns on a non-porous surface. When mixed with a blending solution, like isopropyl alcohol, they take on a thin consistency which is great for fluid-style painting and making interesting and unexpected designs. They're fast-drying and can be reworked for the desired effect.

What Supplies Do I Need for Alcohol Ink Painting?

To get started with alcohol painting, you'll need:

1. Alcohol inks. We sell a huge range of exciting colours by The Paper Mill and Art Spectrum, from classic to shimmery and standard black and white.
2. Blending solution. Our solutions are made with 92% isopropyl alcohol to lighten colours and cause them to ripple outwards beautifully.
3. Painting Surface. Our Tim Holtz yupo paper is perfect for holding alcohol inks and enhancing vibrancy.

What Is Alcohol Ink Used For?

Alcohol inks are diverse and can be used to create a huge number of colourful projects with a free-flow, marbled look on a range of hard surfaces. Try them for:

1. Adding to a mixed media printing project
2. Stamping and stencil works
3. Colouring polymer clay
4. Dyeing fabric
5. Making jewellery
6. Cardmaking
7. Painting

What Kind of Alcohol do You Use for Alcohol Ink?

An alcohol blending solution is used to dilute alcohol inks and make them run into and around each other for stunning effects. Isopropyl alcohol is most commonly used, either in spray bottles or as a ready-made mixture such as our Paper Mill solution. Add drops to applied ink for a blossoming pattern or use it to lighten ink colours.