How to prime your canvas for alcohol ink [41]

Alcohol ink on canvas - and how I prime it.
When I first started with alcohol ink I didn't really like how different the ink looked on canvas compared to paper. Took me a while to realize that it actually looks awesome.
I also spend some time finding something to prime my canvas with - and now I always use a latex primer. Feel like the ink flows a little bit better then with gesso.
Please share what you do to prep your canvas - it would be really nice to hear different approaches to painting on canvas. And your knowledge might be helpful to others.
#alcoholink #alcoholinkoncanvas

[@TampaBMan]

That turned out great! Love “there’s always time to mess it up” too funny 😁

[@randihart5731]

🤣🤣

[@hannahalexander7005]

some people sand prime and sand prime again let sit over night even though it drys fast it hold the ink better

[@randihart5731]

I do that too on big canvases

[@rayray714a]

Hi Randi! I use a primer and sand in between. I feel the canvas with my hand and sand til smooth in between coats. I’ve used Kilz spray primer and I’ve used Kilz2 that you paint on. I found the spray easier and worked the same as the Kilz2. Sanding for me is key to getting the smooth surface. And you still get that canvas texture too. Thanks for sharing this!

[@randihart5731]

Hi Mary Ann 😃 I’ve never tried a spray….. maybe I’ll try it out. The latex primer I use, usually leaves a very smooth surface - but if it’s not a smooth as I’d like or if I do a second coat, I sand it too. And it doesn’t take much time, very easy to do 👍 thank you for sharing. I get a lot of questions about kilz, but haven’t tried it myself. So maybe others will benefit from your comment 😍

[@kathryncurry2662]

I’ve never tried a canvas, but heard they use Kilz in the US. I want to try it now!

[@randihart5731]

You should, it’s fun 👍 yes I heard many who use Kilz, haven’t tried it myself

[@claudinedulaba7871]

You're my favorite artist to learn from. So much useful info, and inspiration! 💜

[@randihart5731]

You are very kind 🙏 so glad you find it useful 🧡

[@ceciliachesta4469]

Hola, para la imprimación, hago una mezcla de látex, pegamento [cola fría] y polvos talco o fécula de maiz. La proporción es 1 parte de látex, 1/2 parte de pegamento y 1/2 parte de polvos talco o fécula de maíz. Si queda muy espeso añado agua. Pongo 2 capas para imprimar la tela. Gracias por tus videos, he aprendido mucho.

[@randihart5731]

👍🥰😘

[@amberfairley6176]

Hi, would love to know what the Brass is? Is it an ink?

[@randihart5731]

Hi 👋 yes it’s a metallic alcohol ink called piñata brass

[@rayk13]

do u wait for the latex to dry before painting? and can i mix acrylic paint with alcohol to get alcohol ink? thank u

[@randihart5731]

Yes let it dry first 👍 and no, that will not work

[@barbaracabrera207]

Had no idea you could use alcohol inks over primer paint. It makes sense though. Thx for info and the video. Austin,TX USA

[@randihart5731]

You’re welcome ☺️ yes latex primer is really good for inks

[@dianacarter_art]

Hello, I just started painting with alcohol inks and I was worried that the inks would simply absorb into an untreated canvas. So I painted 3 coats of white acrylic paint on and let it dry. I realised later that the canvas is already primed with gesso so I probably didn't need to do that. I'm glad I did though because it left some brush marks that have come through the inks and it is also very shiny. So shiny that it looks wet. So the brush marks add texture and interest and the gloss looks pretty. Happy accident lol 😆 Thank you very much for your videos. I enjoy them very much and am learning lots from you 😊

[@randihart5731]

So glad you like the videos. And I LOVE happy accidents 🤩🤣 I don’t like using canvas with just gesso…. Too absorbent. I think it needs a little soft extra.

[@rich7200]

Thanks for the useful tips. Looking for latex paint in the UK, I came to realise we call it emulsion paint. Strangely, latex paint contains no latex.

[@randihart5731]

You’re welcome ☺️ I have no idea how they come up with names for these things lol

[@mkellyfluidart]

I really appreciate that you in particular always ask us for input and ideas for working with inks. It makes your tutorials more interactive. I enjoy working on canvas and I’ve used pre-primed canvases straight from the packaging and also some that I add additional coats of gesso. The technique I most enjoy using on canvas is infinity circles. I first dilute my inks with iso and apply puddles with either a pipette or a mini squeeze bottle. Doing it this way I find is great for keeping a circular shape. Canvas does not warp so a heat gun or embossing tool is perfect to use and get crisp rings. Typically I’ll choose a few colors and apply several rings around the canvas, some overlapping and some with leaving negative space. My final step is to then create infinity rings with brass diluted in a mini bottle until it is cloudy in appearance. I apply puddles of brass to most of the areas with negative space to join the rings and also some diluted brass on top of a some of the color rings. If you search my name Michelle Midyette Kelly in the Facebook group alcohol ink techniques you can see examples of what I’m trying to describe. Thank you again for your fantastic interactive tutorials. I always look forward to seeing your posts. Michelle

[@randihart5731]

Hi Michelle 😊 I’m so glad you like the videos - I really like it when we all share our experiences and maybe learn a thing or two. I hope that my little KZbin channel will continue to be interactive and a place where people connect. And thank you for your input 🙏 I will search for you on Facebook. Ps. Infinity rings are so much fun

[@yeespace17]

Beautiful painting 😄🎨🌻🌹🌸. Awesome 👍~ Interesting ☺️🌸🌼 my dear friend.

[@randihart5731]

Thank you very very much 🙏🧡🙏🧡

[@helenwarren3903]

Really love your work and your easy manner. I loved you tree too. I am terrible at trees so if you could do a tutorial on that I feel it would be very helpful. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge. x

[@randihart5731]

Thank you very very much 🙏🙏 trees are my passion, just like ink 😀 don’t know if I will be doing tutorials on trees….. but never say never

[@barbaracabrera207]

@@randihart5731 Yes, I'd love to see a process video on TREES too.

[@randihart5731]

@@barbaracabrera207 maybe..,.

[@deasolis333]

Is it just about helping the ink move smoothly? I’m new to this. I wonder if Mod Podge or white or clear glue would work…🤔 I’m looking at the smaller scale, cheaper end.

[@randihart5731]

Haven’t tried it, so don’t know if it will work….

[@Jill-u9c]

Hello. I've not been painting for too long, and have only used ink once, I put a coat of white on the canvas not too thin but enough that would move with the ink as I attempted to do a blow out, it was a success, I used 2 colors but it dried nice. I was happy with it. I am going to attempt what your doing here. I like it. And the colors are beautiful together. Thanks for sharing

[@randihart5731]

You’re very welcome 😊 I hope you have much success and fun with your inks

[@litawales5964]

What is Latex-Grunder please, I live in South Africa and can't get it under that name.

[@randihart5731]

It’s a primer. You can try a high gloss white paint

[@leilakirkdietzolsen6741]

Hej Randi, hvor kan jeg finde Latex grunder? Tak for hjælpen 😍❤️🇩🇰

[@mariannedal9068]

Tak for fin video,, Kunne man spray male og opnå lignednd resultat

[@randihart5731]

Velbekommen ☺️ har ikke prøvet det, så aner det ikke. 🫣 du må prøve

[@salondesireesalondesiree5065]

Cam i use white gesso to prep?

[@randihart5731]

In my experience gesso doesn’t work nearly as good as the latex primer - but some people use it…. You should try gesso and see if you like it. If not, I would recommend the latex 😊

[@DeAnnaMonetTV]

Very pretty!! Thank you for sharing your technique ☺️

[@randihart5731]

You’re very welcome ☺️

[@jamesf1165]

Interesting technique. I think it looks like a hummingbird with blurred wings due to the speed.

[@randihart5731]

🤗🐝🦋🦄

[@rogerfitness6276]

Can I get the name that you use for your dryer please . I would like to buy the same you Using on this video

[@randihart5731]

It’s a Remington volume and curl. Very similar to the Revlon that many use. There’s a Amazon link for the revlon in the description for many of my videos

[@alicemesa4840]

Love it. I just got some alcohol ink and I was wondering should I cut the tips to open them?

[@shattonzubieta9533]

Yes, but not too deep. You may be better off just pushing a pin thru the dropper so you don't drop to much ink

[@alicemesa4840]

Ok thanks.

[@randihart5731]

If there is no hole/opening, you might have bought a different kind of ink, mostly likely for resin. The inks for painting doesn’t need to have the tip cut of.

[@christinenaylor4912]

If I was to use watercolour paper instead of canvas, would I still prime it first please?

[@randihart5731]

Watercolor paper does not work well with ink ✍️

[@mpetersen2586]

Question…..what heat speed do you have your hairdryer? Thanks….

[@randihart5731]

Lowest speed and lowest heat 👍

[@ppg7916]

Loving the colours, they work well together 🧡💜

[@randihart5731]

Thank you very much 🙏🙏

[@Carole_Williamson]

What brand inks do you use/like the most?

[@randihart5731]

Hi 😊 I mostly use Copic and Ranger. Just answering your other questions - a lot of people use gesso but I personally prefer latex primer or latex paint. Less absorbent I think. The hairdryer is my favorite kind to use, there is a link below this video for one that is very similar to mine and used by many ink artist. Hope this helps 🙏

[@morganapendragon4951]

Will gesso work as well?

[@randihart5731]

I don’t like gesso as much 😊

[@zenos.5315]

Beautiful work,you should be proud.

[@randihart5731]

Thank you

[@joannafaraday9124]

Love your videos Randi. Thank you!

[@randihart5731]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@norinemueller4588]

2 ? When you blow your inks is it on the cool setting? I want to buy those bottles you use for the alcohol but there are blue ones and yellow which do you think are better or it doesn’t matter Love the painting

[@randihart5731]

I always use low heat. I use the yellow one for alcohol, needle has a tiny bit bigger opening than the blue. But you can really use either one

[@norinemueller4588]

@@randihart5731 thank you so much

[@randihart5731]

@@norinemueller4588 you’re very welcome ☺️

[@tjscrafts7953]

What kind of primer to use it would be my first time doing canvas. Thanks Terri

[@randihart5731]

Like I said in the video, I use a latex primer 😊 you can also use high gloss paint, like the kind you would use to paint a bathroom or kitchen. Anything that makes the canvas less absorbent 👍

[@wendybrunhild33]

@@randihart5731 Hi I loved the video, thank you for sharing. Could I use something like Golden Matte Medium or Liquitex High Gloss Varnish? Thank you.😊

[@randihart5731]

You’re welcome 😉 I haven’t tried those so I don’t know, sorry. But try it…. It might work

[@debbiestrotz6917]

Gorgeous!

[@randihart5731]

Thank you ☺️

[@Gennytrot]

I didn’t know we could do alcohol ink on canevases! Does the result come up pretty the same as it does on yupo or Nara paper, in terms of fluidity and softness of colors and is it as easy to work with?

[@randihart5731]

Almost the same. I use a latex primer on canvas, the ink flows pretty well

[@louisehansen3810]

Hvor køber du grunder henne?

[@randihart5731]

Hos krealaden.dk 👍

[@DoreenBraun-z1q]

I love that you free lance..great choice color vibrant

[@randihart5731]

Thank you 😊

[@fatimamalik1757]

Can we use distemper

[@randihart5731]

I don’t know what that is….. sorry 😊