Mother's Day DIY: Alcohol Ink Silhouettes

DIY Mother’s Day gifts are special. Alcohol inks and bold colors give the traditional silhouette a very modern update. This is a great project to do by yourself or with your little ones. The techniques are very simple and your kids will find it super fun!

Supplies

Alcohol Inks
Alcohol Ink Blending Solution
Rubbing Alcohol
Assorted paintbrushes
Latex Gloves
Straws
Yuppo paper (Photo paper also works if you have that in the house)
Posterboard or cardstock for mounting (shown in this project in 12 x 18 size)
Protective barrier for your table

How to:

Step 1: Hang your photo on a well lit window. Use blue painter’s tape to protect your photo.

Step 2: Place your yuppo paper over the portrait.

Step 3: Trace the outline of your portrait onto the yuppo paper. I used a white crayon to avoid any leftover outlines or creases in the paper.

Step 3: Cut the outline of your silhouette out of your yuppo paper.

Step 5: Begin dropping your alcohol inks onto the paper in random spots.

Step 6: Use your straw to blow the ink in different directions across the paper. The strength of your breath and the direction you point the straw or paper will vary the look of the ink drops.

Step 7: Squirt your blending solution and rubbing alcohol onto the inks. I poured the rubbing alcohol into a small metal tin and dipped my brush back and forth from the tin onto the ink to create this look.

Step 8: Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 continuously until your paper is full and you like the look of your portrait. Allow layers to dry and then create new ones. If you’d like to speed up the drying process use a hair dryer for 30 seconds on the wet paper.

Note: If you ever have too much wet ink on your paper you can use a small foam brush (pictured below) or paper towel to soak up extra ink.

Step 9: Allow your portrait to dry completely before moving. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the process. If you’d like to seal your artwork wait until it is completely dry and then spray a varnish layer on top.