Making alcohol inks with pigment! *You really want to hear me out on this one!*

[@AugustsAcrylicArt]

Great PSA!!

[@ReneeB5]

Thank you Bree! Loved the demonstration… right to the point!

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thank you, glad it was helpful! ❤️

[@birgittejensen778]

Love love love when people know what they're talking about!! Thank you :) Saw a video saying that you could also use hair spray as a binder and then just mix mica with isopropyl? Have to try that out too - would be more inexpensive if it works?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

I have heard the hairspray suggestion, but I don't use it. I already had the proper product, so I didn't need to attempt it with hairspray. I am curious as to how it would hold up longer term, in comparison to the branded ink solutions in the video, though. I also don't love the idea of spraying the aerosol into a cup of fine mica powder, which is another reason I've refrained from bothering.

[@SezCreate]

That part of you showing the two examples....could be made into a short or something! So important to use a binder but fascinating to see exactly why! Thanks for sharing Bree! 😊

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks Sez, that's a great idea! I'll edit it in the morning (almost 3:30am for me 😅) 😘🫶

[@marisabermudez9891]

Hi Bree! Thanks to share! Can you do a video of why to mix them (well, the ratios more or less...)? Big hugs from Spain!

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Hey beautiful! There's no ratios, you just need to test it out to make sure it bonds to the substrate. If you can't wipe it away with your finger, there's enough solution😄

[@marisabermudez9891]

@@CoolBreezeArtStudio thank you!

[@HKYT649]

thx

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

No problem!

[@Carole_Williamson]

Thank you Bree. This is greatly informative. Lisa sent me/us and I really appreciate all you share. You are wonderful and your art is beautiful. Question though….about how much of what do you use to make Piggy Ink? Disperse in binder first? How much Piggy and Blending solution…about? And how much alcohol? I’m sorry if this is already in a video.

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks for your kind response Carole! I didn't make a recipe video- you haven't missed that info. I have been asked plenty so I probably should now 😆 It's a very forgiving thing, this mix, so there's plenty of room to play and see what works for you, but I think a good starting point is about a quarter of a teaspoon of mica, to approx 20 mls of blending solution or claro extender, and a splash of Isopropyl. I figure- don't go overboard with the iso in the mixture because you use a lot of iso during the art making, so you'll introduce plenty of it in the long run. Hope this helps, but remember to adjust if you think it necessary 💕

[@CozzyKorner]

Thank you, Bree 🙏🏻💖 I can’t really stand for my blooms right now, so playing with inks are keeping me sane.

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

I understand- my creativity needs the variety to keep my enthusiasm motivated as well 💖

[@suzanneprior4816]

Perfect and to the point! THANK YOU! Question: could you use guar gum as a binder?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks Suzanne! I haven't tried that- give it a go and see what happens! It would only take a small dash to test, so no major wastage if it flops! ♥️

[@leighbowman8797]

Thank you for sharing this info with us. I just ordered some claro and I’m waiting for the delivery!

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You are so welcome, hope you have fun creating! ❤️

[@briarharris3136]

Awesome thankyou so much this is exactly what i have been looking for. I have been wondering this for a long time off to the shops tomorrow for some binder

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You're welcome, so happy it helped you! 😊

[@soniaconnor8549]

Greatly appreciate ur PSA. Thank u. Love ur work.

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks, Sonia! 🫶

[@tammydecaroart]

Wonderful example and advice!

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks Tammy! X

[@gerripeter484]

Great PSA thank you now I have to go buy more binder

[@mywifetheartist]

Great information. Thanks for sharing. Can you do a video on how to do this.

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

There's no special recipe, you just need to test it out on your substrate. If it transfers to your finger when you wipe over it (on e it's fully dried), you need more solution ❤️

[@AUTHENTICALLYYOU88]

@coolbreezeartstudio could I use an acrylic medium i.e. liquitex gloss medium or the liquitex pouring medium and mix the alcohol and pigment in with one of those?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Unfortunately the acrylic mediums are incompatible with the alcohol. Alcohol is a solvent and it works unfavourably with acrylic mediums- you'll get a clumpy, goopy mess.

[@jocelynevans7069]

Thank you so much. 😊

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

💖

[@thislittlepiggy3349]

Love your PSA’s !! “BreeTedTalk” love ya girl 💕💕🐷

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

😘😘😘

[@ArtbySusanKing]

Great Info! Can you use a binder meant for acrylics or does it have to be meant for alcohol inks? Can you give me an idea on the ratios Pigment to Binder? Thanks

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You can't use acrylic binders, they're incompatible. I don't have a recipe to give (i don't add mica to my inkwork so have no use for a recipe, i did this vid because there were a lot of ppl asking how to), but you could start with 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of mica, a tablespoon or two of solution and a splash of Isopropyl. ***Please*** use this loosely- you may need to or want to adjust those amounts to suit what feels right for you. It's a very easy mixture to play with, and ratios really aren't something to hold so firmly to in this instance x

[@ArtbySusanKing]

Thank You, I've never used alcohol inks so this should be fun. @@CoolBreezeArtStudio

[@natalie-annebrideau339]

Thank you Bree for this information! Would you put the pigment with the binder first and then the alcohol? And what would be an idea of the proportions?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Thanks Natalie! Yes, add the solution to the mica first, and test it on your substrate to make sure it doesn't budge (once completely dry). You can then add a little isopropyl alcohol to your pre-mixed stash if you like, but don't use too much, because you will then likely be using isopropyl during your creative process, and you don't want to over-dilute it before you even begin. I unfortunately have no ratios to give you, it's just a matter of testing it out- but start small. Don't go using a tablespoon of mica right off the bat. That's waaaaaaaaay too much 😅

[@natalie-annebrideau4040]

Thank you so much for the well detailed informations! This is so helping!@@CoolBreezeArtStudio

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

@natalie-annebrideau4040 my pleasure! So happy to help ☺️

[@gratefulcreations]

Thanks love 💕

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

😘😘

[@HijinxStudios2020]

Perfect - love ya girl

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

🫶 back atcha, lovely! X

[@theymove5325]

So what you're saying is we need a binder? 😉 oh snap I didn't expect it to fall right off like that. What video do I need to watch So I can learn how to make my ink

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

Binderrrrrrrr!!! Haha 😄 I haven't made a video on recipe- it's really not necessary as it's very forgiving. Start with about a quarter teaspoon of mica, a tablespoon of claro or blending solution and a splash of iso. See how that goes, and tweak as needed. If the mica transfers, add more BINDERRRR 😂

[@theymove5325]

@@CoolBreezeArtStudio 😆

[@theymove5325]

Can we post pictures here?

[@aniawood]

Great info! I've heard of people DIYing blending solution by adding glycerin to 99% alcohol... I wonder if that might work here? Or is glycerin not "resinous" enough?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

I have always had the blending solution or claro extender, so never needed to attempt a diy recipe, sorry Ania! I can't even make a guess at this one xx

[@sandiguinnartescape]

What is the ratio of blender to pigment. I’m experimenting but so far not so good.

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

There's no magic ratio. You want to be generous enough to mix the pigment through without it being pasty. You want fluid. You need to test it out by drying some on your substrate thoroughly, and if you get no transference on your finger, you're good to go!

[@rinkelin123]

Can you make it with regular pigment?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You mean non-iridescent pigment, such as oxides? I have not, but let your curiosity guide you, and test it out!

[@sharonwaddell2548]

Do you use just the binder, or together with the alcohol?

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You can add in some alcohol if you like, yes. You can also make the mix with the solution, and then work on your substrate with just iso too. Just remember if you flood with too much, you might have some mica dusting/transference again if you over dilute. ❤️

[@kimlylondon5497]

How much binder do I need for a bottle

[@CoolBreezeArtStudio]

You're going to have to experiment with that. Truthfully, you can't use "too much" because the solutions are made specifically for alcohol inks anyway, it's more about how much mica you prefer in your mix (which really doesn't need to be much at all).

[@JohanneCourtright]

@@CoolBreezeArtStudiodo you still use ipa with the binder too?