AECP Level 2Magical Marker Techniques

This course is another example of expanding my imagination and my technique toolbox. This is yet another reason to participate in the AECP program! Alcohol markers can be used in many different ways!

Who Woulda’ Thunk It?

I’ve used alcohol inks on tile and on Yupo “Paper, but never thought of using alcohol markers on aluminum foil! That’s one of the great things about alcohol markers; they can be used on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

I scribbled several alcohol markers on thick aluminum foil, trying to blend the different colors a little bit. As alcohol ink dries fast, I didn’t have to wait long before gently spritzing with 100% Isopropyl alcohol. This is the fun part—watching the isopropyl alcohol affect the ink on the foil. It’s akin to watching embossing powder melt, something most crafters enjoy. Like melting embossing powder, the reaction transforms the image right before one’s eyes!

Next I cut several wonky strips from the foil, varying width and curving the lines. After this, I adhered the strips to my white cardstock panel, and colored (with matching alcohol markers) the edge of the panel where the foil met the edges. This detail improved the appearance. Then I adhered the panel to black cardstock.

I finished the panel by stamping a sentiment on another piece of white cardstock, colored it with a matching alcohol marker, and backing this piece with more black cardstock and black craft foam. Finally, I adhered this sentiment to the panel and adhered the panel to my card base.

I used several of the same markers to color some white hemp twine to match the foil, and tied it into a flower. However, when I placed it on the panel it distracted from the focal image. I decided to go without an embellishment. What do you think? Put it back on?

What if One’s Alcohol Markers Go Dry?

Many good lines of markers have refills. Olo brand has cartridges. Copic and Altenew sell the refills in bottles. Altenew has dozens, probably more than 100, of alcohol inks! While not one of my markers has gone dry, I keep on hand a fairly good assortment of their alcohol inks. I experimented on tile. Today I used HP photo paper that I saved from the garbage bin at work years ago. It was the Inspiration Challenge that led me to make this card.

Using these alcohol inks, I “made my own” cardstock to use with the Sunburst Azalea Layering Die Set. This was my first attempt at using a layering die set and also my first attempt to make something useful, instead of just playing on tiles.

I started on Yupo paper but was not having any success. I switched to photo paper but had the same problem—too much ink leads to an ugly, sticky mess!! I realized I should be diluting my ink with alcohol in a small bottle before adding it to the blending solution (more alcohol) on the paper.

My daughter came in my studio this morning and saw that my desk was running out of space. She looked at the mess and exclaimed, “Looks like you’re having fun!”