Hey Guys! We hope all of you reading this are doing well and having fun with alcohol inks! Well this blog is for all you up and coming alcohol ink artists out there. Whichever field we are in, be it tech, finance, marketing etc, we all need a reference point and someone to look up to. NARA would like to present to you the top alcohol ink artists in India that you should follow and learn from. All the artists mentioned below are absolutely wonderful and talented and will definitely be a great source of inspiration for you!
We got in touch with all these lovely artists and asked them a few questions which we thought would be really helpful to you and they have some really amazing answers and fun stories to share with you! All these artists have a very unique style of working with alcohol inks hence it is impossible to rank them, so do note that the artists mentioned below are in no particular order. We would suggest you to read about these artists and find yourself the perfect mentor according to the style of working with alcohol inks you like or prefer!
Follow Her On – @anujaaggarwal
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I came across alcohol ink art through social media. I was looking for abstract paintings with watercolors on Pinterest and I saw some alcohol ink art and was totally mesmerized. I had to try it immediately.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“It has been phenomenal. Every day I practice or create art with alcohol inks, I discover something new and unique about this medium. Alcohol inks have so many possibilities and that’s why the journey has been delightful.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“Working with alcohol inks brings new surprises every day. Since they are relatively new, not everything has been explored and there are so many alternative ways to use the inks that can bring new excitement and surprises for artists.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“I get inspired by any artist who paints from their heart, is willing to break the rules, is creating art not based on what others are making but what they would like to paint, is dedicated and committed.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“My inspiration comes from my life experiences and nature. I often look at my old travel photographs and find some memory, feeling, or natural beauty that I would like to paint.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Practice, experimentation, and being independent is the key to get better in any field. Don’t think about the results, just keep creating; results will come automatically.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“Since the time I started, everyone around me used to doubt that alcohol inks will become what they are today. They kept pushing me to keep working on traditional art mediums. But now, I think people are opening up more and accepting alcohol ink art into exhibitions, homes, offices, and so on. This has made it a viable career option for artists.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I have been using Nara papers since the time I started working. I am happy that it comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses and that’s very important for professional art.”
Follow Her On Instagram –@artwave_byrupaarora
How did you come across Alcohol ink art?
“One day while I was scrolling through pictures on Pinterest, I found this amazing art. I was so impressed with the bright shades that Alcohol Inks have, and I thought of giving it a try right away.”
How has your journey as an Alcohol ink artist been so far?
“The overall journey has been amazing. I have been into art since childhood, but when I started with Alcohol inks, I had a feeling that this is my form of art. Being a Lawyer, never gave me much time, but the lockdown had been a blessing in disguise when it came to my art. I have tried so many techniques with alcohol inks and these inks never fail to surprise me. The best part is my journey of providing online workshops to national and international participants; it’s like building an art family out there.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks that you would like to share?
“Yes, definitely! When I was new to this art form, I was so fond of Ripples technique using hairdryers and I also thought of learning from a few artists. One day, I started making artwork and accidently explored the Ripples technique. I tried it again the very next day to assure whether I really achieved the effect or it was just a one time thing, but to my surprise I was able to work so well with it and now I have been teaching the same to my workshop participants.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“Yes, totally. Not only one but there are so many. Every artist has his/her unique way of working and I really love to check out their artwork and styles.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“My first source of inspiration is nature, as I am a nature lover and love to observe the color combinations, and then , my mother, who is a professional artist. She guides me a lot with new ideas and combinations.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Patience. Creativity. Lots of practice. Freedom in working with alcohol inks.
For alcohol inks we need to have some control on the flow of inks if we want to achieve something desired, so, practising a lot helps you to achieve that.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“As I have observed, being an Artist is not a preferred profession by people around, but I think that it’s a really good option provided you also think of it as a business opportunity. If you have a skill and talent, there is nothing like turning it into your career you’ll never get bored of, but always work with dedication and focus.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I like to work on synthetic sheets, acrylic bases and ceramics. Making functional pieces such as clocks, coasters and mugs are totally my favourite.”
Follow Her On Instagram – @rumi.arts_
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I found alcohol inks when my search for an art piece for my new home began about 2 years ago. I have always been into art and I wanted to create the art piece by myself. I began researching for frames, nameplates, murals and that is when I came across Alcohol Ink Artworks. And just the name and vibrancy of it caught my attention and I went on YouTube and did my thorough share of binge watching alcohol ink videos.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“I have been working with alcohol inks for almost 2 years now and I’ll say it has definitely been a journey of ups and downs. Merissa (@astuaryart) and Menka (@msmonocles) were one of the first artists whose work I saw and was so impressed by. My journey till date has been sort of a mixed bag of experiences and emotions. My initial days of working with the inks were kind of very frustrating. I used to work on them religiously but would never get the desired results. Even today, there are days where I am so inspired & motivated and I create something that I just want to treasure for my whole . But then there are days,weeks where I see no progress on my Instagram, nothing I do is worth uploading.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“Alcohol inks have a mind of their own. So everyday is a fun ride. To name a few surprising or funny incidents would be, once I poured a whole dose of diluted gold thinking it was the alcohol bottle and you can imagine how it must have turned out.. Haha. Another surprising incident was when I finally succeeded in making ripples after weeks of struggling. It was such a rewarding feeling!”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
There are so many artists I absolutely admire and am inspired from. To name a few, the first ones would definitely be Gautam and Vijeta (@pihooarts) Anuja (@anujaagarwal). Nikita @kokopelliaetstudio were of great support. Anne@annerossart @coyasauce are some among the many people whose work I totally love and am inspired by.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Social media is one of my major pathways of inspiration. The ideas and talent there are immense! There are so many people across the globe who are doing such similar things to yours and are going through similar phases. I take major inspiration and motivation from the artists I mentioned above. Pinterest is one platform which is so wholesome and I love spending time scrolling through it. Instagram, of course, is my absolute favourite and I am here because of it.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“One thing that I have learnt in these 2 years of working with inks and would like to tell upcoming artists is PATIENCE. There would be so many days where you wouldn’t get the results the way you want and alcohol inks would judge your patience. But the key is to keep going. Keep practising. You might face creative blocks, your social media may not do as well, but that doesn’t mean you lose hope. Having faith in your talent, your skills is very important. Be kind, be considerate and keep working.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“Alcohol ink arts is a very good option as a career. There are so many opportunities and so many surfaces that you can work on. I won’t lie, the initial investment is a bit high, but once you are in the game and are all set, seeing the desired outcome is all the happiness you need at the end of the day. Maybe you might not be able to get as many sales or customers in the beginning but with the right advertising and social media game, the stage is all yours to perform.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“In these 2 years I have worked on so many surfaces. Right from synthetic papers and canvases to ceramic, glass. But my top 3 have to be the NARA Artboards, acrylic coasters and synthetic paper”
Follow Her On Instagram – @meghanm_art
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“By Mistake .. haha yes it was absolutely by mistake..
I had been to one of my fav stores, “Art Station” (an art supply store) to get some supplies and instead of marker pens, I got alcohol ink markers. The variety of colours it offered was so attractive. When I realised my mistake I had to learn about what alcohol ink is. I saw a few process videos, bought a few more inks and blending solutions and gave it a go.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“Bumpy & meditative!
I had just chanced upon this medium and was so fascinated by it mainly because it wasn’t time consuming to make something look pretty. It became a great stress buster. I could actually never do yoga, as I couldn’t focus and found it too slow.. This form of art became my meditative process. It was my go-to thing because it didn’t have to make sense, just pour the inks and solution and let it all flow. Bumpy because every time I used the inks and solution, I used to get migraines and rashes. I had to avoid them for some time, learn the precautions and care to be taken and thereby invested in proper respiratory masks and gloves to let me work with it. I still have to time myself even today to work around my health issues.”
Have there been any funny/surprised incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“I am sure many artists have had only happy accidents with alcohol ink. One day I came home to find my daughter experimenting with inks and saw some fancy airbrush in her hand instead of the normal straw or lens cleaner blower. I was surprised where she got it from, so I immediately gave it a go to create some amazing effects. I was so engrossed in the effects it was creating that I missed to see it was the air brush I used for my cakes. The different effects created with varied air pressure is just amazing. It was much later I learnt that I could use my hair curler for the same art form.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
This would need a whole chapter divided in sub topics.. I love artworks in many forms and mediums. I could watch some artists work the whole day. Sometimes I keep admiring their work the whole day and actually don’t get any work done.
In the alcohol ink world I love the work of Ksenya , Marissa Recker
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“The colours in nature, photographer’s POV, and some amazing artists.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Please use the respirator mask and gloves. Different inks will use different amounts of IPA, so get accustomed to the brand of inks you have and their weight and performance.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“Although Alcohol ink is relatively a new art form it’s caught up very quickly and is penetrating the art world. More and more non artists happily give this art form a try because there are not many rules to follow and you can find your own rhythm. Needless to say, more art brings more happiness. Wider the audience the better the prospects career wise.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I have used ceramic, acrylic, grafix (not easily available in India), and Nara and without a doubt. I prefer Nara not only for their varied products but also for their amazing customer service.”
Follow Her On Instagram – @anjus_creations
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“Being a creative artist, I always try to do something new, which catches the attention of my audience. Since Childhood I am doing Art, I have done my graduation in Commercial arts so I have been involved in doing my artistic work on paper, canvas, fabric, and glass using various colors available in the market. I saw the emerging art form of Alcohol Painting by many international artists on youtube and I thought of trying it myself to get a feel of it. I searched the internet and purchased the basic minimum required items to start my first Alcohol Painting. I tried it and since then fell in love with this new art form. The vibrance and transparency of alcohol inks attracted me. My creative urge to explore more led me to Alcohol Inks”.
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“Initially found working with Alcohol Inks is a different ball game. Gaining knowledge about the flow of alcohol ink on the surface feels like a different adventure every day. One starts enjoying when you get the hang of it and I’m loving it. I have been into this medium for the last two years. And worked on different techniques of Alcohol Inks and still exploring more”.
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“Well, to tell you the truth, I was a bit scared when I started my first Alcohol Painting, I dropped ink on paper with IPA and blow it with a hair dryer. The liquid splattered everywhere … on the floor, on my hands, on the table, on walls everywhere except the paper. Then I spent a few minutes understanding the delivery of alcohol inks on the special paper, diluting the ink using a dropper, and then precisely blowing on the paper to achieve the required pattern. I did it for the next few days and picked up the technique with a little struggle which I initially thought to be very difficult”.
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“Artists who inspire me, the list is not small…so get inspired but create your own”.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Being an artist and a nature lover, I draw inspiration from mother nature and everything around me. For example, whenever I go out for a walk I keep watching the flora and fauna around my walkway, anything which attracts/inspires me and I click a picture of that on my mobile phone camera, which I then work to transfer the same on a paper using Alcohol ink…Sometimes metals and textures attract me like smoked wood, brick color then rusty metals, the color of coffee, etc. I just see them and pick my next color combination.
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“There are no secrets as such, but keep practicing and having patience are the main tricks”.
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“Alcohol ink is new to the art world and can be used on any surface. I can put my skills and talent to explore it and use it in many different ways. It provides an opportunity to grow in my art and boost my creativity, which attracts me to alcohol ink art as a career. The boundaries of learning are limitless and keep taking the challenge to grow it as a career”.
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“Firstly Nara is a blessing for all Artists, as its paper surface allows us to take care and redo our mistakes to create the best artwork. The surface is very forgiving to work on which is a big boost to the alcohol ink art world.
On this surface, I can undo my strokes if I want to delete or modify them it’s so easy. I have used almost all the Nara surfaces whether it’s acrylic coasters, clocks, slim boards, sticker papers, or synthetic sheets. My personal favorite NARA surface to work on is Synthetic sheets. it comes in all sizes and shapes and now a day I’m a big fan of Nara Rolls I can cut them according to my required size and shapes”.
Follow Her On Instagram – @art_by_ami_
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I am an avid art enthusiast, usually on the prowl looking for new art-related things on the
internet or local art store. I came across alcohol inks on pinterest for the first time when I saw an abstract painting. As I looked at it, I realised it’s not a medium that I have seen before, so I researched more information for the same and discovered Alcohol Inks. Since then, I started buying alcohol inks from local and international brands and started my ink journey.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“My journey has been nothing short of pure admiration for the medium. It started off as a hot and cold relationship where the inks were not responding the way I would want them to move. Shortly I started enjoying the process and soon after more practice and patience, I got my way around them. I still keep exploring different techniques, tools & surfaces to work with them.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“Besides the general accidental spills & spurts of Isopropyl or inks ruining my work, there have been no funny incidents but definitely Inks surprise you a lot. Initially I did not know how humidity plays an important part while working with inks so I did have a few unexpected surprises in that aspect.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“There are some supremely great artists out there who I definitely look-up to. From the beginning I’ve been surrounded by Astuary Art by Marissa Recker, Jenn Robertson, Jessica Young, Coyasauce by Sequoia, Anne Roos, Kokopelli ( Nikita Thakur) & Pihoo Arts (Gautam-Vijeta) to name a few.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“There’s a long list of things I like which are mostly influences from nature or incidents from my
Childhood. I try to draw inspiration from objects, textures, & my living space most often.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Alcohol Inks are a fun and challenging medium. No.1 tip would be “don’t blame the poor hairdryer” It comes from practice how to flow and tame those inks. Trick to having good pieces would be reworking on the inked areas a few times to have better flow and internal patterns or lines and also that helps taking care of humid patches.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“As the medium is recent, its eye-catching, contemporary, and modern. Its has opened up a new
avenue for many artists like myself to think about making a career in Alcohol Ink Art. Lots of hard work, patience & dedication; practice can surely have fulfilling results and outcomes, along with good returns. For a new artist starting out, I would say don’t quit and keep moving forward.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I love to work with a lot of Synthetic sheets, pre-laminated artboards & acrylic surfaces. They are so widely available in so many different shapes & sizes that I don’t need to look beyond that. I also like to work occasionally with glazed ceramics to create functional pieces of art.”
Follow Her On Instagram – @paintology_byvinisha
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“Via Instagram! It’s just there!”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“It’s been quite amazing. At first it was quite a task. I kept practicing. Practised nearly for 5-6 hours a day. And then finally it’s got me here. But there’s always to learn and innovate with Alcohol Inks which needs a lot of time to be invested in. Also to be very honest, we are super lucky to have Indian Alcohol Ink brands boost this art form in India, which has made this art form even more accessible for us!”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“So once I was just generally practising. I don’t know what happened and the way I was moving my hair dryer kind of started making ripples. Before this day, i nearly had tried to make ripples a hundred times, but then just right there, it happened! I couldn’t believe what i achieved that day and I was super surprised but happy to finally achieve my first set of ripples”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“Yes yes yes! Anuja Aggarwal is the one who inspires me every single day! I look up to her and she’s really really a brilliant artist and teacher! I am sure she is an inspiration to so many of us!”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Nature is the best inspiration one can have! But my utmost favourite is water!”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“The key is to keep practicing and never lose hope. I still haven’t achieved the perfect set of roses, but that doesnt make me look down upon. Every artist is different and all you need to do is keep creating and hang in there! It’s all about patience and practice!”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“It would be a great field for an artist. The most important part here is the comfort zone. If you feel comfortable, if you love to make the inks dance with your moves, this is the art form for you!”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“Acrylic is my most favourite! I also love to work on Nara Art boards!”
Follow Her On Instagram – @raishrutirai
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I came across some post on Instagram that looked so appealing and then after some research I got to know that it was alcohol ink artworks. Ever since I haven’t looked back.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“My journey hasn’t been as long as a lot of artists across the globe whom I look up to, however in this short span of time I’ve learnt a decent amount of art and have been teaching basics to people around the country as well.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“Yes, once I spilled ink on my artwork and thought I ruined it all but to my surprise that piece looked different in its own way after drying.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“Yes there are quite a few whose work I really admire but I would like to mention Anuja Aggarwal and Anne Roos. I’ve learnt from them as well.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Mostly from nature and from the artists I follow on Instagram.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Alcohol ink is not as easy as it seems on social media. You can get disheartened initially when you’re not able to make artwork like you see on Instagram and other platforms. Just keep calm and keep practising.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“In India this art form has taken a while to reach the audience however it’s gaining pace swiftly. It is amazing to choose as a career option if you’re dedicated and willing to practice.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I love the Nara Boards and also the synthetic papers. I also like working on Ceramics.”
Follow Her On Instagram – @huesbyashwaty
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I chanced upon Alcohol Inks in early 2019 through a demo video by an artist. I was fascinated by the textures and vibrancy of the medium.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“I have been working with alcohol inks for more than two years now and I am enjoying every bit of it. For me, the best part about it is the results I get each time. It is like the medium has a mind of its own, and when that amalgamates with the creative bent of the artist, the outcomes are unique and captivating.”
Have there been any funny/surprising incidents while working with inks that you would like to share?
“Oh yes! Once, I kept a completed artwork next to a piece that I was still working on, and while pouring IPA, it squirted at length, spilling onto the completed artwork that resulted in the inks being reactivated again. I ended up erasing the whole artwork trying to replicate it. While it did not turn out exactly like the previous one, the newer composition was far better and exceeded expectations. As much as this incident resulted in a pleasant surprise, it also was an important lesson learnt.”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“Every artist out there inspires me irrespective of the medium they use. Each artist has so much to offer in terms of style, perspectives, approach and thought process.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Inspiration lies all around us. We just need to keep our minds tuned to being present and seeing things for their distinctive character and beauty. For me, they have come in the form of conversations, nature, surroundings, and the worldwide web.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Practice Practice Practice! I cannot stop stressing on this point enough. As is the case in any other field, it is practice that yields results. It develops skills and paves the way for creative thinking and experimenting. Don’t be afraid to experiment either!”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“Art as a career possibility is much more a reality today than it was years back. Alcohol ink art being no different, has multiple opportunities – if one is ready to take it up full time as a career.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“My go-to surface is Synthetic Sheets. Apart from that, I like Artboards as well for the textures that they produce. The versatility of this medium is very high, and it allows you to work on umpteen surfaces, with each output having a distinct character of its own.
As an artist, I tend to re-work a lot. This medium gives the flexibility of re-working, and if the substrate/surface is forgiving (like NARA, allowing a blank canvas many a time), it makes it very comfortable.”
Follow Him On Instagram – @studio.artriso
How did you come across alcohol ink art?
“I stumbled upon resin art on Instagram in 2020 and soon found out about alcohol ink arts. I immediately fell in love with the simplicity of the medium and the way it produces an impactful final result. The more I found out about it the more I wanted to learn it. And that’s how my journey with alcohol inks began.”
How has your journey as an alcohol ink artist been so far?
“It has been a boon for Indian art enthusiasts to have home-grown alcohol ink makers like Nara. I had previously relied on foreign brands to experiment and learn but the easy access to all the required supplies for alcohol ink art domestically has exponentially increased my ability to use them on large scale applications and designs. The journey so far has been great. Ofcourse, there is no end to mastering an art form or technique, so I will keep practicing!”
Have there been any funny/ surprising incidents while working with inks which you’d like to share?
“In mid-2020, I started my own small business called Artriso where I focus on concrete décor such as planters and pots along with concrete DIY kits. Knowing that alcohol inks work best on non-porous surfaces, I had this itch to try them on concrete which is very porous!
I was not sure how to approach it but soon enough I found a great way to use alcohol inks on our white concrete pots and the end results are intensely satisfying. You can check my video collaboration with Nara Inks on their Youtube channel to learn how you can use alcohol inks on concrete!”
Are there any other artists who inspire you?
“I was inspired by so many artists to start my journey with alcohol inks. I absolutely love the works of @art_by_ami who is such an inspiration.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“I draw inspiration from a lot of things around me. But I would say Nature is my biggest inspiration. I love using greens and blues in my alcohol ink works and am a huge metallic gold fan. My favourite go to colors are Jalapeno stroke and Dotting blue by Nara inks.”
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with the young budding artists?
“Never be afraid to experiment. Find what your style is and practice to finesse it!
For alcohol inks specifically, learn to use the Isopropyl alcohol to your benefit.”
What do you think about alcohol ink art as a career?
“The world as we know is changing. Gone are the days of traditional jobs and careers and single source of income. If someone is determined to make a career in art with alcohol inks and is entrepreneurial enough to chase it, they can make it a really good side hustle if not the mainstay.”
The surfaces you prefer working on the most?
“I like using alcohol inks on traditional surfaces like Nara synthetic paper. And also on non conventional surfaces like concrete! If you are interested in experimenting with concrete and alcohol inks, do visit my instagram handle @studio.artriso or my website www.artriso.com for more details.”
Our Final Thoughts & Tips
We hope you got a lot of useful insights of the alcohol ink art world by reading what these amazing artists had to say. There’s so much to learn from our lovely artists, the experiences and stories that they have shared with us are so amazing! They have faced a lot of obstacles throughout their journey but they never gave up and that’s the kind of attitude you require in order to become a professional alcohol ink artist and turn your favourite hobby into your profession!
Our tips to you would also be very similar, keep practicing, enjoy the process and never stop learning! Alcohol ink art is very therapeutic in nature so whenever you`re feeling low just get your paper & inks out and start creating! If you ever need help with anything related to alcohol ink art please feel free to get in touch with us, we`re always here to help & guide you.
Lastly, do follow us on Instagram & Facebook for amazing alcohol ink art related content and other important NARA updates.
Are you an art enthusiast fascinated by the beauty of alcohol inks? These captivating pigments can weave intricate masterpieces, there’s a problem that often stands
Welcome to the world of alcohol ink art, where vibrant colours blend and dance on various surfaces, creating stunning masterpieces. If you’re an artist looking
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