Thursday 20 August 2015

Experimenting...try, try again!

You know how sometimes you see a technique being demonstrated and think. "Ooh, I need to have a go at that!"?  Well, this happened to me with a faux dichroic glass technique being demonstrated using translucent polymer clay, gilding flakes and alcohol inks.  I had all the equipment needed, so off I went.
 All was going well - the alcohol inks gave lovely colours over the gilding flakes and I started to smooth the pieces on the surface, when the alcohol ink came off on the cling film and I was left with faded and washed out colours.
 This small square piece came out best, with two areas where the colour stayed put.
 I ended up painting this one with metallic acrylic paint to try and put some colour back.  "Oh well", I thought, "I need to leave the alcohol ink to dry for longer next time".  So, for the next attempt, I left the ink on the surface for most of a day and overnight, just to make sure.
 Guess what happened?  Yes, the ink still came off and I was left with washed out looking colours with the blue and green.
 The pink, red and yellow colours stayed on a little better and were stronger pigments.
This was another experiment using the scrap bits and pieces.  I do like the slightly muted and aged-looking colours.
So, my next step is to try again with foil rather than gilding flakes and perhaps also with paint, just to test the effects.  I also need to try using stronger alcohol ink colours.  I would love to be successful with the technique, so I shall keep trying.

4 comments:

  1. How frustrating for you. I do like the effect you achieved, but can understand your determination to achieve what your head tells you 'should' have happened. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, EC. I am thinking that the gilding flakes I used were too good at resisting the alcohol inks, so shall have another go using different foils and see if that makes any difference. I'll have another go and see what happens this time...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  2. I think they look absolutely stunning just as they are, but I still can't wait to see your next batch! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Josie. I have tried again, but with mixed results again. I have discovered that they look lovely as beads though...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete