Friday, February 21, 2025

Alcohol Inks - information and WARNINGS about use!

I'm guessing that after this week's LAOTY Episode (see Review: Episode 5 Landscape Artist of the Year 2025 - Dinorwic Slate Quarry) there's going to be a fair few people dashing out to buy and try alcohol inks.

What I didn't realise is that this programme should have come with some health and safety warnings!

I went looking for more information about acohol inks as I was sure that others, like me, wanted to know more about them

I'm very glad I did - because this post about ALCOHOL INKS now includes some significant WARNINGS!!

Below ARE my quick jottings of what seem to me like decent sites providing more information about  alcohol inks.  I looked at a lot of different articles and snaffled a few words and phrases from some of them i.e. I am NOT an expert. 

If you know more and/or better, please let me know

Alcohol Inks

Alcohol Inks - what makes them different?
Photo by noah eleazar on Unsplash

What are they?

Interestingly, there isn't an article on Wikipedia about them! Despite the fact they are both toxic and dangerous!


BOTTOM LINE: DO NOT USE THEM ON A WHIM: I've learned enough to now know that you need to know a LOT before using them. 

DO NOT LET CHILDREN WORK WITH ALCOHOL INKS

Alcohol Inks - the UPSIDE

  • Characteristics of these inks are:
    • fast drying - and smudgeproof and water-resistant when dry.
    • highly saturated
    • dye-based - hence 
      • not archival
      • not lightfast and 
      • paintings must be kept away from sunlight or they will fade
    • can be applied to both porous and non-porous surfaces
    • protect artwork using several coats of a sealant/varnish
  • you can rewet them using rubbing alcohol 
    • which contains isopropyl alcohol i.e. a colorless, flammable, organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor)
You can use a brush, pen, or drop the ink straight from the bottle. Popular surfaces include paper, card, canvas, and panels. To clean, blot brushes on a paper towel before rinsing them with 70% alcohol. (Jackson's Art article)
      • often used in "pour paintings" and "fluid art"
      • you can get effects which are not possible when using any other media
      • The use of a hair dryer to both move them and dry them seems to be popular with some
      My initial impression is that alcohol inks are much loved by crafts people who seem to be able to do some amazing things with them. 

      Alcohol Inks: THE DOWNSIDE

      The alcohol in alcohol ink is ethanol, which is an organic, chemical compound. Once ethanol begins to evaporate, it becomes a volatile organic compound, or a VOC. Alcohol Ink SAFETY in 2025
      RISKS: The evaporation of the alcohol and toxic solvents - which makes them fast-drying - is dangerous
      • these are dangerous when directly inhaled
      • these should never be used in a confined space unless to have very good ventilation - and you wear a mask
      Marker pens which use alcohol inks also use toxic solvents are also dangerous
      Alcohol Inks are toxic and safety is very important. Always use a respirator mask when working with alcohol inks and make sure it has organic vapour filter cartridges. My favourite face mask is made by 3M
      You also MUST use nitrile gloves because if you get ink residue on your fingers, you need to remember that it is flammable!! Don't light a cigarette or start cooking before washing your hands thoroughly

      The Support:

      • You can use a resistant non-porous surface (i.e. one which the ink cannot penetrate). For those used to working on paper, Yupo paper is probably the best surface
      • Other surfaces you can use are metal pieces, glass pieces, plastic pieces. Use a felt applicator or refillable pen.
      • You can also use porous surfaces but effects will be different

      The Environment and kit you need

      You will breathe the microscopic, airborne, toxic particle present in the alcohol vapours - as the ink cures - and this will affect your respiratory tract - unless you use:
      • well ventilated studio - using them plein air as Sarah Stoker did in the LAOTY Heat is fine because of much better ventilation!
      • use an industrial mask for toxic solvents in the studio - which protects against VOCs - with a rating of rating of N95 equivalent
      • Nitrile or vinyl gloves (i.e. ones which are "impervious") - to keep from getting flammable ink on your hands. Note latex gloves are NOT SUITABLE
      You can also get poisoning from exposure to too much isopropyl alcohol as blending solution.
      To remove alcohol ink from your skin, the most effective method is to use rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer (which contains alcohol), or a similar product with a high alcohol content, applying it to a cotton ball and gently rubbing the stained area before rinsing with warm water AI Overview

      More Information

      Do please read all the matters you need to be aware of before you use alcohol inks and make sure you keep them away from children.


      Posted by Making A Mark on Friday, February 21, 2025
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