If there is something I have learned from this art journey, it is that the right materials really does make a difference.

My first attempt at painting with alcohol inks did not go to plan. I had purchased a small amount of ethanol alcohol to dilute the alcohol inks, not knowing that you need Isopropyl alcohol to get good results. Needless to say, my paintings did not turn out the way I had hoped.

If you are looking at starting with alcohol inks, or develop your skills further, it is important to have the right materials. In this blog post I will guide you through my favourite supplies.

THE INKS

The type of ink you use can determine the result you get.

My favourite brands of alcohol inks are Ranger, Pinata, ShinHan and Copic.

Ranger Alcohol Inks:
These inks are great for beginners as well as more advanced artists. They come in many different shades and are an affordable way to build your collection of inks.

Pinata:
Pinata inks are more pigmented and therefore more colorful than the other ink brands. I do not use these as much, as I prefer a more muted colour scheme, but they are great for artists who love bright and bold colours. Pinata also has an amazing range of metallic inks that I love.

ShinHan Refill inks
These are new to me, but I already love them. The ink bottles are bigger than Ranger and Pinata inks which is great when you use a lot of ink. ShinHan has an impressive range of colours to choose from and the price is great for the quality you get.

Copic:
This has been my favourite brand of alcohol inks for a long time. They are a bit more expensive than the other brands but the colours are just amazing. However, Copic has recently changed the size of the ink bottles to contain less ink for almost the same price.

THE PAPER:

When you paint with alcohol inks, you need to paint on a non-porous surface. Synthetic paper is a great option for alcohol ink artists. I use two different brands of synthetic paper.

Yupo Paper:
Yupo paper is a brand of synthetic paper and it is available in a few different thicknesses. The thicker the paper, the better the quality.
Nara Paper (affiliated link - use code JMD at checkout for an extra 30% in materials):
Nara is a newer brand of synthetic paper. It is 100% non-porous which means that you can wipe the paper clean if you are not happy with the result. Nara also comes in a few different thicknesses but is not as readily available as Yupo.

THE ALCOHOL

You will need to use 95% Isopropyl alcohol if you want to create alcohol ink paintings. Any other type of alcohol will not work and you will most likely end up being disappointed with the result.

THE PENS:

Posca pens
I use a brand of pens called Posca pens. They have an amazing coverage which means that you can draw light over a dark background. This is something I use to my advantage when drawing my botanical drawings. Posca pens are paint pens which means that you have to shake it to mix the paint inside the barrel.

THE VARNISH

Montana Matt Varnish
This is my preferred brand of varnish. It is alcohol free which is important when varnishing alcohol ink paintings. If your varnish contains alcohol, it will react with the alcohol inks on your painting and your painting will get destroyed. I like the matt varnish, but you can get the varnish in a gloss or semi gloss version as well.

THE ART BOARDS

Primed wooden art boards
These art boards are great for my botanical illustrations and creates a slightly textured look.
Aluminium Boards
These boards are great for my abstract art. They are made of aluminium and can therefore take a lot of heat, which is great when using a heat gun. They can also be wiped clean, which is very useful if you have made a mistake.

Looking for more inspiration?

Get my color chart with more than 60 different colours.

Interested in learning more?

I have both a beginner and a more advanced online workshop.

In the beginner workshop you will learn the techniques I use when creating botanical illustrations on paper. I will guide you through the process with easy step-by-step instructions and short process videos.

In the advanced workshop you will learn how to take your new skills to the next level. I will show you how to paint on art board, how to cover your paintings in resin, how to paint on black paper, add gold leaf and create alcohol ink illustrations in shapes.