Lena Savoie
Alcohol inks are best used on non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. However, many artists also use alcohol inks on cotton canvas. To do this, the canvas must be primed with a sealant to prevent the ink from bleeding through. A popular choice for priming a canvas for alcohol ink is KILZ 2® LATEX, a fast-drying, water-based, multi-purpose primer, sealer, and stain-blocker. After priming, it is recommended to let the canvas dry for 30 to 45 minutes before applying alcohol ink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials to be avoided | Porous materials like paper, untreated wood, cardboard, sponges, and fabric |
| Materials to be used | Non-porous surfaces like glass, plastics, metals, varnished wood, and Yupo paper |
| Primers | KILZ 2® LATEX, Nippon Latex Interior Primer, Dulux Golden Ultra Interior Primer, Asian Paints Ultima Protek, gel medium, gesso, Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze |
| Brush type | Foam brush |
| Primer coat | One coat is usually enough, but use your judgment |
| Primer dry time | 30-45 minutes |
| Primer colour | White or clear |
| Canvas elevation | Place the canvas on risers while priming and painting to prevent pooling |
| Canvas levelling | Level the canvas to maintain control of the inks |
| Sanding | Lightly sand the primer with fine-grit sandpaper for an extra smooth surface |
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What You'll Learn
Priming a porous canvas
Alcohol inks are best used on non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. To use alcohol ink on a porous surface like a canvas, you will need to prime it.
One of the most popular primers for canvas is KILZ 2® LATEX. This fast-drying, water-based, multi-purpose primer is readily found and relatively inexpensive. It seals the surface of most canvases so that they will not absorb the ink or allow it to seep through. Other primers that can be used include Nippon Latex Interior Primer, Dulux Golden Ultra Interior Primer, and Asian Paints Ultima Protek.
To prime a porous canvas, start by applying a good single coat of primer to the top and sides of the canvas, making sure you don't see any of the little holes or cotton weave texture any longer. To avoid the appearance of brush strokes, use a large foam brush instead of a paintbrush. These disposable foam brushes are readily available at most art supply and hardware stores. After applying the first coat, you can run over it with a clean and dry foam brush to ensure the surface is smooth and that minimal brush marks are visible. Usually, only one coat is needed, but use your judgment—you want to ensure it is completely dry before applying any alcohol inks or you could end up with bleeding through the canvas.
If you don't have access to KILZ 2® LATEX primer, there are other options. Many have had good success with other latex-based house paint primers. Gel mediums, gesso, or even wall primer sealer can also work as they coat the surface to make it non-porous. However, be sure to test before beginning a serious piece as every brand is different, and some might react or lift when you apply the ink.
Once you've finished coating your surface, let it sit for about 30 to 45 minutes before you begin painting with your inks. Do not start painting if the canvas is not completely dry.
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Choosing a primer
Alcohol inks work best on non-porous surfaces. Hence, the primer you choose for your canvas should be able to seal porous surfaces and make them non-porous.
KILZ 2® LATEX is a popular choice for priming a canvas for alcohol inks. It is a fast-drying, water-based, multi-purpose primer, sealer, and stain-blocker. It is also inexpensive and readily available. You can use a foam brush to apply a single coat of this primer to the top and sides of the canvas. Ensure that you don't see any of the little holes or cotton weave texture anymore. Then, let the primer dry for about 30 to 45 minutes before you start painting with alcohol inks.
If you are working on a black canvas, you can use KILZ Klear. This primer also comes in a clear variant, which is perfect for black canvases.
If you don't have access to KILZ 2® LATEX in your region, you can use other latex-based house paint primers. Gel mediums, gesso, or Nippon Latex Interior Primer are some of the alternatives. However, be sure to test before beginning your artwork as different brands may react or lift when you apply the ink.
If you are priming a canvas, it is important to remember that you want to ensure it is completely dry before applying alcohol inks, or the ink could bleed through the canvas.
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Applying the primer
To start priming a canvas for alcohol ink, you will need a primer to seal the porous canvas and make it non-porous. Alcohol inks work best on non-porous surfaces like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. The most popular primer for this purpose is KILZ 2® LATEX, a fast-drying, water-based, multi-purpose primer, sealer, and stain-blocker. Other options include Nippon Latex Interior Primer, Dulux Golden Ultra Interior Primer, Asian Paints Ultima Protek, or any other latex-based house paint primer. You can also use gel mediums or gesso, but be sure to test before beginning your artwork as some brands may react or lift when you apply the ink.
Once you have your primer, use a foam brush to apply a single coat to the top and sides of the canvas, ensuring that you don't see any of the little holes or cotton weave texture anymore. To avoid the appearance of brush strokes, use a large foam brush and go over the first coat with a clean, dry brush to ensure a smooth surface. If you want an even smoother surface, you can lightly sand the primer with fine-grit sandpaper, but be careful not to sand too hard or you'll remove the primer.
After applying the primer, let it dry completely before applying any alcohol inks. This usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes. You can test if the primer is dry by touching the canvas gently; if it feels dry to the touch, you can start painting. It is important to ensure that the primer is completely dry to avoid bleeding through the canvas.
Additionally, if you are using a black canvas, use a clear primer like KILZ Klear to make the colours pop.
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Drying time
When priming a canvas for alcohol ink, it is important to allow sufficient drying time for the primer. The recommended drying time for KILZ 2® LATEX primer, a popular choice for priming canvases, is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This allows the primer to fully dry and seal the porous canvas, creating a non-porous surface for the alcohol ink application.
It is crucial to ensure that the primer is completely dry before proceeding with the next steps. Applying alcohol ink to a canvas that is not fully dry can result in the ink bleeding through the canvas, creating undesirable effects in the final artwork. Therefore, artists should exercise patience and allow the recommended drying time to achieve the best results.
While the drying time for KILZ 2® LATEX primer is generally consistent, environmental factors such as humidity and temperature can influence the drying process. In humid or cold conditions, the drying time may be extended, requiring additional patience from the artist. On the other hand, warm and dry conditions can accelerate the drying process, potentially reducing the waiting time.
To ensure the primer is completely dry, artists can perform a simple touch test by gently touching the primed canvas surface after the recommended drying time. If the primer feels tacky or sticky, it is not yet fully cured, and more drying time is required. A dry primer will feel smooth and no longer have a wet or damp sensation.
Once the primed canvas is completely dry to the touch, artists can proceed with the next steps in their creative process, such as applying alcohol ink or additional layers of primer if desired. It is important to remember that the drying time can vary depending on the primer used and the environmental conditions, so artists should always assess the dryness of the canvas before moving on to the next steps.
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Painting with alcohol ink
Priming the Canvas
Priming a canvas for alcohol ink is crucial because alcohol ink is best used on non-porous surfaces. A porous canvas will absorb the ink, causing it to bleed through. To transform a porous canvas into a non-porous one, you can use a primer like KILZ 2® LATEX, a fast-drying, water-based, and multi-purpose primer.
When applying the primer, use a foam brush to avoid noticeable brush strokes. Coat the top and sides of the canvas smoothly, ensuring no canvas texture is visible. If you desire an even smoother surface, you can lightly sand the primer with fine-grit sandpaper after it dries.
Painting Techniques
Once the primer is dry, you can start painting with alcohol ink. Canvas allows for more control and finer details due to the reduced flow of inks. You can create beautiful artworks with intuitive colour choices and fast reactions, as alcohol inks dry quickly and create permanent stains.
When working with large amounts of ink, detach the canvas from your workstation to prevent staining. Keep additional cardboard or scrap paper underneath to ensure your painting always rests on a clean, dry surface.
For a smooth wash, pour a generous amount of ink and rock the canvas back and forth before the alcohol evaporates. Applying paint over a wet layer creates soft blends, while waiting for the previous layer to dry results in sharper colour contrasts.
Other Surfaces and Primers
While canvas requires priming, alcohol inks work best on naturally non-porous surfaces like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. You can also use an aluminum board without priming.
If you don't have access to KILZ 2® LATEX, other options include latex-based house paint primers, gel mediums, or gesso. However, always test these alternatives first, as some brands may react differently when ink is applied.
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Frequently asked questions
The best primers for canvas are fast-drying, water-based, and able to seal porous surfaces. Popular primers include KILZ 2® LATEX, Nippon Latex Interior Primer, and gel mediums.
To apply primer to a canvas, use a foam brush to avoid noticeable brush strokes. Use the widest brush available and coat the top and sides of the canvas. If you want an even smoother surface, lightly sand the primer with fine-grit sandpaper after it dries.
Wait at least 30-45 minutes for the primer to fully dry before applying alcohol ink.
If you don't have access to KILZ 2® LATEX, you can use other latex-based house paint primers, gel mediums, or gesso. However, always test before beginning your artwork as different brands may react differently to alcohol ink.
