Wax on Wednesdays #4 Alcohol Ink Magic

This is Wax on Wednesdays #4. Please join me all summer long on my blog www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com for some fun encaustic painting ! This is not a workshop , just a peek into the studio on how I approach my encaustic paintings, and some of the supplies I use. Hope you enjoy!

[@karenturner5443]

Amazing how people can be so creative

[@ShariReplogle]

Thank you Karen ! I think we all have creative instincts , it's just a matter of finding what makes you curious, and then following that road with passion.

[@lynchdavid8104]

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@suritanel9775]

Fascinating. I never knew one can use alcohol ink so successfully on wax. I have only used it directly onto the encaustic gesso.

[@craftingwithshirley4829]

I just love this one!!!! What a wonderfully creative technique!

[@ShariReplogle]

Hi +Maria Miranda , Thank you ! I used alcohol inks from "Ranger" brand for this project. Acrylic based products and encaustic wax do not mix. Each layer can be fused with either a heat gun , embossing craft gun, or a small torch. So glad you enjoyed it !

[@ShariReplogle]

+emily kinder Hi Emily ! When we use it with encaustic we know what to expect because it is flammable as the alcohol is burning off. Just like a flaming dessert burning off the alcohol, only on a much tinier scale as we are using just a drop. Safety is always a very good thing ! :) And , if you weren't expecting a little flame I can imagine it would be dangerous. I have all safety precautions in place before releasing an open flame in the studio . Hope this helps!

[@ShariReplogle]

+emily kinder Hi Emily ! When we use it with encaustic we know what to expect because it is flammable as the alcohol is burning off. Just like a flaming dessert burning off the alcohol, only on a much tinier scale as we are using just a drop. Safety is always a very good thing ! :) And , if you weren't expecting a little flame I can imagine it would be dangerous. I have all safety precautions in place before releasing an open flame in the studio . Hope this helps!

[@TeresaMArsenault]

Very cool. I love the grass. It was fun to watch the ink 'grow' along your etched lines.

[@catherinejones123]

I have been using alcohol inks on encaustics when embedding gauze etc. The effects are amazing!!!

[@maureenzmak1541]

Thank you loved how you used alcohol inks with the wax ❤️

[@ShariReplogle]

Thanks Maureen !

[@angelicinspirations]

I'm hooked already and I've only watched two of your videos. Thanks so much for sharing your skillls. I'm off to play now :-) x

[@kimberlypollard3317]

Thank you for replying to everyone's questions. I'm just starting this medium and am learning lot's from your videos and answers. Ready to start soon. Thanks again for the time you give to all:0)

[@paintingangel]

Fun painting! Love how you pulled it all together

[@ShariReplogle]

Thanks so much !

[@susancoltellaro748]

What an inspiring direction, thank you for foraging ahead! lol

[@alycherry6459]

Wow that is something else! I just want to touch it lol! Beautiful

[@ShariReplogle]

Joanna Posey Hi Joanna, This one was done on a 7/8" deep cradled Birch wood panel .

[@angela14962002]

I love the way the ink flows into the lines...I can't wait to try that! :)

[@ShariReplogle]

angela14962002 That's my favorite part as well. The lines it makes , and the way the colors spread are really beautiful close up.

[@beverleyoshea1712]

I absolutely love your work! It's mesmerising watching the videos you create😀

[@ShariReplogle]

+beverley o'shea Thank you Beverley ! I am so glad you are enjoying the series , Happy Creating :)

[@haleywhitehall7942]

Thank you for sharing this technique. I am learning a lot from you. I just subscribed.

[@JanetLaird]

Amazing! Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I just love it!

[@ShariReplogle]

Janet Laird Thank you so much Janet :)

[@mickwinters8484]

Thought that was absolutely wicked, cant wait to give it a go. loved it

[@ShariReplogle]

Thanks Mick! Hope you have fun with it .

[@mredford24]

wow!! this is so beautiful you are really an Artist no dought.. for sure... Thanks.!! MaryR

[@rainstarlemoine1337]

Mary Redford doubt*😊

[@barbkramer3581]

stunning, thanks for sharing.............never tried working with wax shall have to put it high on my list of next to do crafts...............barb UK

[@ShariReplogle]

+Barb Kramer Thank you Barb ! I hope you give it a try . Endless possibilities !

[@lynnesachs2330]

Looks good. I am confused.. I thought you couldn’t use acrylics because there plastics but I see u used regular gesso and acrylics then wax?

[@GailWhimsy]

This video rocks it! TFS

[@ShariReplogle]

Gail Bretz Thanks so much Gail !

[@johanssonstudio]

Unique. Are these balloons or flowers?

[@lynnesachs2330]

Just wondering you didn’t put the wax over the entire picture? Is the reason why is it would have come out too cloudy

[@RozWilloughby]

Love this technique!

[@ShariReplogle]

+Roz Willoughby Thanks Roz , Have fun!

[@lovesart99]

phenomenal!

[@trudiemoore3054]

Thank you Shari for your reply to me. I also use a heat gun to blow the wax, and also a heated stylus. I was thinking more of just applying the wax with the iron onto the card, and then dropping or dribbling the alcohol inks on the card to see what effects.?

[@ShariReplogle]

Trudie Moore Hi Trudie , Yes! I have actually done one similar to this coming up this month (August) using 3 different paper types to show the different reactions and outcomes the alcohol ink creates depending on what type of paper substrate you use. This method is fun with or without wax as well if you are just creating mixed media background or journal pages. PS: I love the stylus tool as well :))

[@suzyqcrafts5440]

Pretty! Tfs💙

[@miranda2303]

I like it a lot! What is spry ? Dry with fire ?? The inks are acrylic or stained ?

[@encausticdoris5655]

I love it!!

[@ShariReplogle]

dorisdorfer encaustic Thank you so much Doris ! It is fun :)

[@angel19441]

Love it

[@joicevelasquez2269]

Diferente essa tecnica mais dificil mas gostei muito parabens

[@judystih6465]

wait!!!!!!!! when did you add all those brown flowers??? and what did you do with the stems.one minute they are single lines and the next they are filled in you need to show us how you filled in those stems...on the next wed wax...darn.

[@debwilliams3286]

I love this and can't wait to try it..do I need to end with a layer of fused medium, or just fuse the final layer of ink and leave it?

[@MsJenniferS]

Could you advise if there is a clear top coat that can be used to protect from scratches? Thank you

[@ritagjefle3995]

Love it! If I'm using MDF board, do I need to apply encaustic gesso first?

[@leigh-annh2544]

So much fun to watch. It was like grass growing at one point. I really enjoyed it. Was that ink you used after you scratched the surface?

[@ShariReplogle]

Hi Leigh-Ann , Thank you ! This one was all alcohol inks :)

[@leigh-annh2544]

Thanks

[@lindamontgomery7100]

Shari Replogle

[@sylysyly9759]

Very nice but I didn't understand what kind of wax you used at the beginning it went too fast

[@ChristinaFurnerWebber]

Hi, I really enjoyed this tutorial and love how the ai works with the wax. I've been so interested in trying encaustic painting, but of course it's way too expensive to even begin. I have yet to really master any painting, i.e., wc, oil. Is encaustic something you jumped into or did you work your way up to it? I hope I'm making sense :-) Thanks in advance for your help and any advice and thank you for sharing your tutorial.

[@ShariReplogle]

Hi +C Webber , I understand completely. Starting any new art medium can be expensive, and encaustic medium itself is not cheap. Last year I devoted a whole month to using "alternative colorants" where encaustic projects were created without the added expense of all the expensive oil sticks and encaustic paint colors. Here are a few of the links to those videos : kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIrPkKZ5h998psk kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHymin2afbaGnJo kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4DapnyoodCsiKc Jumping in is the huge beginning step, create and practice , practice , practice, and practice are the next 1042 :) Enjoy your creating journey wherever it takes you ! xo Shari

[@ChristinaFurnerWebber]

Shari Replogle Thank you so much for your help and the links. Practice - I'm always jumping ahead of myself LOL! It just seems practicing takes too long Ha! Seriously though, I know you're right. Thanks again!!

[@debash1291]

This is beautiful! Where can you purchase a little heat gun like the one you use?

[@ShariReplogle]

+Deb Ash Thank you Deb ! In this one I am using just a small butane torch. I originally purchased this one at Ace Hardware but I don't believe they carry this model any longer. My favorite torch currently is my Iwantani !

[@dodecaheathenblue8132]

Lovely!!! You are an amazing artist!

[@Mamsab9]

Amazing! Wunderbar!

[@ShariReplogle]

Mamsab9 Thank you so much Mamsab9 !

[@trudiemoore3054]

Hello. I love your work. I have a question, as I do a different style of encaustic using a craft iron and other heat tools. I don't mix my wax with resin or fuse any layers. I was wondering do you think I could use alcohol inks with that type of encaustic? many thanks. Trudie

[@ShariReplogle]

Trudie Moore Hi Trudie, Thank you! I am certain you could use alcohol inks , it would just have completely different effects, and out come, with a craft iron. Would be very fun to explore that I think : ) I would think that the iron would be acting as your fusing tool in your case from the way you have explained it . What other heat tools are you using besides the iron?

[@spinycactus]

Love this! So it's safe to use encaustic wax and this ink together? Do you heat the final work (torch) or let dry? Thank you!

[@ShariReplogle]

monte brown Hi Monte Thank you ! Yes, it is safe to use them together , but caution must be used when fusing it ,as the ink that has pooled does ignite an uncontrolled flame and burn off the alcohol like a flambe :) For that reason you will want to have a nice clean work area, and remember that the larger the area of ink that has pooled , the larger the flame it creates so do be very careful. On the other hand it is a lot of fun to watch the changes the ink makes in the wax as the alcohol burns off !

[@bettykeane6911]

Have you said what kind of heat gun you are using? LOve you work

[@TriciaNelson_]

Shari: I love your videos! I purchased alcohol inks based on watching this video, but after dropping a drop of ink onto the wax and using the torch, it just sat there as a blog of ink, with no transformation the way your video portrayed. I would heat the droplet right after with the heat gun but nothing happened. And the longer I heated it, the ink drop just moved around in the wax medium, the still shape of a drop in tact. I was so disappointed! Please let me know your thoughts on what I may be doing wrong...thank you!

[@ShariReplogle]

+Tricia Greaves Nelson HI Tricia ! Ok , what brand of alcohol ink did you buy specifically ? It shouldn't matter but just curious. The reason for the effect you see here in the video , is the alcohol in the ink is burning off when lit . This should happen in absolutely any ink you purchase that has an alcohol content, just like a flaming dessert with alcohol in it :) One thing to note is that I am simply " igniting" the alcohol . I am in no way heating it for any period of time . I am quickly lighting it with a butane torch and stepping back and letting the ink do all the work. No heat source is held on the ink . Hope this helps out !

[@TriciaNelson_]

+Shari Replogle Hi Shari: Thank you so much for replying. The inks I used are Piñata by Jacquard. And when I put the flame on them nothing happens. Is it possible the alcohol has left the bottle and it's just ink? In which case adding alcohol might help? Don't want to blow up my picture...LOL

[@melissaedwards7431]

This makes me wonder too. I have just started with alcohol inks and some are more successful than others.I have not used Pinata though. Just tried Ranger. I have just purchased my wax and will be trying this. Shari's work great!

[@ritagjefle3995]

Tricia Greaves Nelson - When I use Piñata in my paintings, I thin it down with alcohol before using. It has more dye in it than Ranger. I haven’t used it with wax but I thought this might be helpful for you to know.

[@Vickilou92]

Shari, just stumbled onto your channel, and subbed! Question:alcohol inks have a reputation for being fugitive. Any experience or other info?

[@ShariReplogle]

+vicki ross Hi Vicki! I have not found any fading of the alcohol inks even over time , once they are fused in with the wax. Glad you are enjoying the videos :)

[@beckyrook8418]

Hi, I love working with alcohol inks! Would you be able to tell me what you put down first to the canvas? Thank you, Becky??

[@ShariReplogle]

Becky Rook Hi Becky My first few layers are plain encaustic medium , and then 2-3 layers of titanium white tinted encaustic medium on a birch board substrate.

[@rachaeljacobs7199]

Where can I buy the encaustic wax and how stable are the pictures when they're done. I mean, they won't melt after they're finished, will they?

[@ShariReplogle]

+Rachael Jacobs Hi Rachael . You can purchase encaustic wax at most art ( not craft) stores. There are several brands with R and F and Encuastikos probably being the most popular brands here in the US. You can also make it yourself with an 8/1 ratio of purified beeswax and damar resin. Both of which can also be purchased in the same brands . Encaustic medium is very durable because of the damar resin added ,which hardens the wax over time. As long as you don't leave it in your hot car , or set it in front of the stove or fireplace it will be just fine :))

[@juliabond7748]

Shari Replogle p

[@rachaeljacobs7199]

Shari Replogle Thanks so much for the info. I just hope it's not too expensive :D

[@marylong7873]

I buy my wax in bulk from a candle/soapmaker's website and add the color myself

[@rachaeljacobs7199]

Thanks . . . again for the info!

[@tinelepoutre]

Waw beautiful

[@ritastel1315]

Did you prepRe your board before you started

[@carrytop8179]

Amazing

[@ShariReplogle]

CarryTop Thanks CarryTop!

[@knotaway]

What kind of support are you working on?

[@derickelsner9006]

what brand of alchol inks did you use

[@RebeccaLivingstonCook]

What kind of small torch are you using?

[@ShariReplogle]

Hi Rebecca, I am using a Lenk Butane torch on this project because it is a small piece. For a larger project I would use a propane torch . Here is the link to it on Amazon . www.amazon.com/Wall-Lenk-LPT-500-Pro-Torch/dp/B000HE57PM I really like it , but it has gone way up in price since I originally purchased it a few years ago. Any small butane torch will work fine on a project this small. :) Shari

[@RebeccaLivingstonCook]

Shari Replogle thank you. I have a larger one, but I'd really like to have a smaller one as well!

[@BaxterBono]

Lots of ink used not sure if this piece worked, other more economical ways to get the effects your doing. Looks like your enjoying though *0)

[@EncausticAtelier]

nice work :)

[@ShariReplogle]

Thank you!

[@ashleymariablair4396]

Are you using a heat tool?

[@ShariReplogle]

Ashley Blair Hi Ashley, I am using a Lenk brand butane torch in this one.

[@rubybegonia9948]

Why the frantic Music ?

[@GeetaGalaway]

As an artist I really wanted to like this video. I kept waiting for the picture to look good but it just looked like a hot mess. Maybe it's just me? Or maybe you delete the comments you don't like.

[@alemapretsof]

There always has to be one. At least one.

[@chickie5249]

Didn't enjoy this one...more planning before you started with intent could be what's missing. Fill your heart first before you begin....

[@reeractivist7561]

a simple narration would have been far more beneficial and enjoyable than that annoying ass music.

[@traceyloftis7689]

Love it