Tutorial for Painting an Aurora Borealis with Alcohol Inks

Many people have asked me within the Alcohol Ink Art Community group for a tutorial on how to paint an Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) painting with alcohol ink. I’d love it if you’d watch the whole video as I narrate it and offer some very helpful tips, and I’ll even explain interesting things like why I use a #2 nylon watercolor brush instead of a super tiny 10/0 brush and how I make my blending solution. But if you fast forward, that’s OK- I know we all have busy lives! I really hope you enjoy this tutorial- if you do, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss my future videos! Thanks for watching! -Vera

[@lisengel2498]

Very poetic image that radiates Cosmic beauty and sacred stillness 🎶💙💚🎵

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you! And such a lovely description 💚

[@Garbo422]

Excellent! Enjoyed the narration and giggles. A lot of helpful tips and the tile is beautiful ❤

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you Garland, I’m glad you enjoyed!!

[@annek8979]

Thank you Vera, I cannot wait to paint it on paper.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

You're welcome Anne, I hope you enjoyed my video!

[@noraorrico7152]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. You do a wonderful job explaining your methods. I tried it on Nara and it came out great. I had a little trouble blending the sky because it’s cold in my garage where I work .I have a little parrot, so no iso fumes for him.Overall, it came out nice and I am very happy with it.Alcohol inks are finicky when it comes to temps. Thank you again!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

You’re very welcome, thank you for watching! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and that you were successful with your own painting, that’s wonderful! Happy painting!

[@paulettekinasewich6305]

Thank you so much for providing this tutorial!! I am just starting and it’s Thanks to amazing artist like yourself sharing how to create that gives me ideas and confidence to try. You are fun an love ❤️ this video

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thanks so much for your kind words!! Happy creating! 😊🎨

[@audreyboal5852]

So beautiful, thank you for your tips and showing your techniques.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thanks so much and you’re very welcome!

[@audreyboal5852]

❤

[@user-vh4gz3xs1b]

great video, learned some new tips and tricks. Thank you.

[@carmenkomish8647]

Thank you! I've been trying to create northern lights and have watched many videos, but yours is the bomb! Can't wait to try this out. I'm from the Yukon, we all love the aurora here!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Carmen Komish you’re very welcome! Lucky you, seeing the northern lights in person is on my bucket list! Have fun painting!!

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

OMG!!!!! Best tip ever and i am only 15 seconds in 😳 NOW THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO!!! ❤❤❤❤ ok I am 41 seconds in😂😂😂

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thanks so much Heather!! I hope you enjoyed beyond the first 41 seconds, LOL!! 😂😊

[@sarahwoodward4453]

Gorgeous!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you Sarah! I hope you enjoyed my video!

[@charbrooks-mitchell8530]

I watched this video about 2 weeks ago. Then I began to get my supplies together (had to order a few items you listed). All came in...and I was so excited to give this a try..and wouldn't you know it..I could not find this video for the life of me. I have been searching for days and today...I was blessed with locating it once again. I sent a copy to my email, I saved it to KZbin so I would not "misplace" it again! Can't wait to start. It's a great video, you explain everything so well. I have never worked with Glycerin so will give that a try too. Thanks again for your videos, Char

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Char Brooks-Mitchell you’re very welcome, have fun!!!

[@dbell1213]

I love, love, love this painting! I paint tile so this is such an inspiration. Especially as night skies and trees are my favorite subjects. I will be practicing to create something like this. And thank you for all the tips.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

You are most welcome!! I’m so happy you enjoyed my tutorial 🥰

[@nancishufritz5499]

This is the first of your videos that I’ve seen and I love it! Your narration is very fun and informative and yes, I watched the whole thing! 😁

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Nanci Shufritz thank you very much, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! I’m looking forward to making more videos 😊

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Nanci Shufritz thank you very much, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! I’m looking forward to making more videos 😊

[@denisekatsabanis2590]

So fun!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you!

[@SaltLifeGypsy68]

1st, That's Gorgeous! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 2nd, I did watch the entire video! 2 thumbs up! 3rd, Loved watching you paint tiny trees! I'm in the midst of an Altered Book, mixed media, just added Alcohol inks, of all Trees. I've been taking pictures of Trees for years. I call my album "Wicked Roots" Thanks for sharing. Instant Fan! 😍

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked my video!!

[@nancyholwerda3896]

Thank you for your helpful hints. Looks terrific!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Glad it was helpful, thank you for warching!

[@annemariechiappetta1731]

This was a great video. I wish you talked through your other videos. You are so good at explaining. I've already tried it. They turned out great!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Anne Marie Chiappetta im so glad you liked my video, thanks!!

[@nadinemercader3209]

What a great informative video! Thank you for explaining the products that you use so well. Lovely final product; looks very much like the photos I have seen of the Aurora Borealis.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Nadine Mercader thank you very much! I’m so glad you enjoyed my video 😊🥰

[@nancylockner3424]

Thank you for sharing your technique, and your tips and tricks. Lovely .

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Nancy Lockner you’re very welcome, and thank you!!

[@darlachesnet8176]

Really beautiful and thanks for the great tips and excellent narration. I'm brand new to alcohol ink painting and I love it. I appreciate you taking the time to capture the whole process of creating this piece.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you Darla, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I have a few other video tutorials to watch too if you’re a newbie 😊

[@darlachesnet8176]

@@WorthingtonFineArt I will be watching!

[@theresawatamaniuk6930]

love watching your videos Vera...great tips and beautiful painting!!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Theresa Watamaniuk Thanks so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed!!

[@terikat573]

Thank you for sharing all your tips!

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Teri Katawicz you’re very welcome!!

[@alysonwillett8010]

Thanks! I really enjoyed it and you did have some great tips.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you liked my tips, thank you for watching!!

[@deborahsmart6194]

Thanks so much for sharing, Vera! Terrific video :)

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Deborah Smart you’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed!!

[@sarannapolis]

Beautifully done - thank you so much.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

sarannapolice thank you, you’re very welcome!

[@pamcoles2530]

Fabulous video, Tks so much for sharing I’ll give it a go ❤️

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Pam Coles you’re very welcome, have fun!!

[@ReneeW59]

Thank you for this. I was wondering how to do it.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Renee Webb I hope you learned something 😊

[@nanettesrainycitypours]

Oh my God you're so hilarious obviously you're a great artist but you really cracked me up and I couldn't even finish watching the whole video before I had to post this comment you probably wouldn't even see the comment but yeah I thank you so much for the great tutorial and you're wonderful said to humour

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you so much Nanette, I’m so glad you enjoyed my tutorial! Please subscribe, I gave a couple of videos I plan to post soon 😊

[@paulettekinasewich6305]

I bought the all the colors and I must have attempted to do this 10 times now 😆!! That night sky and patina blend is so tricky to get!! How do you stop the ink lines from happening to get that smooth blending look ?? Thank goodness I am on tile !! I can just wipe away and start again :)

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Hi Paulette! The trick is to start with a super wet tile, lay down the colors very quickly, and blend quickly with a brush. This also works best when the humidity is low, so use a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner in your studio. Good luck!!

[@LorrieBrewer]

This is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this 😃. I really appreciate your tip about the grain alcohol. I have been getting quite a lot of headaches from the isopropyl and was considering using a respirator, but I think I’ll give this a try first (assuming I can find it somewhere lol). Do you know if any 190 proof would work as well, or does it need to be Graves? Thank you again! This is incredibly beautiful and you did an amazing job on your tutorial part! 😃💜

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Thank you and you’re welcome! Lorrie Brewer it can be Everclear brand or any grain alcohol at 190 proof 🙂

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Lorrie Brewer BTW- unless you have a ventilation box like I have with a fan that sucks the air out the window you will still need a respirator. It’s the fumes from the inks them selves that can make you sick.

[@LorrieBrewer]

WorthingtonFineArt Thank you 😊! I work in a room with a vent fan over my work space, but I definitely need a box like yours that I can put closer by to suck out the fumes. I see a project in my hubby’s future lol.

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Lorrie Brewer sounds like a good plan! Always protect your health!

[@shaz8486]

Thank you for this fabulous video! I love your finished painting......would this work the same on a plastic type yupo paper fro the sky ? Not bored at all ! You do so well with the tiny brush ! 💙💙💙😁

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Shaz you’re very welcome I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! I think if you used Craft Plastic or Nara Paper or even Ceramic Tile Paper you could certainly do this! You need a very slick surface to work on so you can remove ink from the sky to dot in the stars. I’ve tried on Yupo and it doesn’t work that well, the inks stain the paper. Test it on whatever substrate you have. I’m sure you’ll get fabulous results, have fun!

[@shaz8486]

WorthingtonFineArt thank you, I am waiting for some S-Ink which is non staining 😁💙

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Shaz I’ve never heard of those inks, please keep me posted with how those go on Yupo!

[@shaz8486]

WorthingtonFineArt ....hi 😁 S-Ink is the name of the paper, I haven’t tried it yet but waiting for an order. It’s made in Australia and she does ship to the US ....if you are interested just google the name and will bring up the website....you just send Katherine an email then she will send you a paypal invoice. ....lots on fb tell me it wipes back to white and doesn’t stain. So trying out A4 to start with, I am still a newbie to AI. 😁😁💙

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

Shaz that sounds great! I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes 🙂

[@jacquelynjackson7814]

My efforts to lay down original ink and move it around ends up with paint brush strokes. Not sure why it is not blending and fading like yours. Perhaps more blending solution?

[@WorthingtonFineArt]

That’s probably it! You need to SOAK your tile with blending solution and ink. Hope your next try works!