Question about Using Inks/Stains

Hey I have stained with archival calligraphy inks, but mine are water based. I am not sure how different the alcohol based ones are but here are some general tips I have:

1.) All pieces absorb inks and stains differently. Some spots will suck it right up, and others will need a bit more the achieve darker tones.

2.) Start a little at a time. More ink = darker color. And GO SLOW, once its on, its not coming off and cannot be repaired by just adding a new layer/color as paint often can. Patience is key. Try to allow layers to dry completely, so you don’t water-log the poor thing. Doing so can help prevent details of the piece from wearing from the liquid.

3.) If using water based ink, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use a water based brush on varnish such as acrylic. Use a spray, and in very thin layers. The alternative will have a bleaching affect.

4.) Remember that as the piece sucks up the medium (ex. alcohol, water, etc.) It leaves the ink/ tea pigment on the surface. This means constant handling can fade and remove any un-protected pigment as you are working. Just something to keep in mind.

5.) Also, as the stone is absorptive, it can absorb your skin oils, which can have varyied affects as to how it will absorb the ink. Acrylic, and other primers will also absorb at different rates and amount leading other varied affects.

And as a final note, Sunlight, overtime will fade ink pigments. The affect is much more noticeable with ink than other paints, so a UV preventive varnish is recommended. I very much like working with the ink, and absolutely love the affect it gives the PYO’s, which is vastly different than paints. It helps to keep in mind, to just go slow, take your time, and don’t put ink anywhere you don’t want it. Have Fun!

I have used many, i have about 12 different finishes on my shelf right now. A good basic cheap one (runs about 5.95- 6.95 a can) Is Mod Podge. It is nothing fancy, but comes in matte and gloss. I like using Matte or satin finishes over the inks but its you own disgrestion. Btw, if you plan on doing acrylic or anything with stain as a base you have to pray it in between.

One i like that is a bit more pricey, is Golden Archival Varnish w/UVLS. It goes on kind of thicker than the Mod Podge, so you have to be careful. Lots of (4-5 but as many as 9) really thin layers is much better than 2-3 thick layers. Thick layers dull the pigment. The UVLS is important, because ink likes to fade in the sun. So I recommend this, with 1 layer of a thinner cheaper brand underneath. (Mod Podge, Krylon etc.) The reason is that the cheaper brand has weaker spray, and the strong spray of the other can blow of some of the pigment. The golden usually runs at 25 ish for a can, but look around, I’ve seen it as low as 21 in store, and Blick ( http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-archival-spray-varnish/?clickTracking=true ) has it for 15.75, but it has restrictions as to where they can ship it.

I know the UVLS can be very pricey, but you can make one can go a long way, and it can be very important to how much and how fast the inks can fade in sun if you are selling. I hope that this helps.

This is very interesting.I have never heard of this nor have a seen a piece done this way.I don’t think so anyway.Can one of you post something you have done?I want to see what it looks like please? Also,do you not put a base coat on the pyo before the ink like we do with paints?

Ya, I’ll post give me afew min. and yes, NO BASE COAT. Acrylic and other base coats don’t like to absorb the ink as well as the platser itself.. I have only doen a few in ink, but I have pics of the first one.

EDIT**** ok here she is.

Keroa the sunset phoenix. She is the only one I have pictures of currently, and she was never treated for UV so she is not this bright anymore. Anyways, the rock was primed w/ white acrylic prior to the stain, so a totally different affect. She was my first stain and my second completed PYO. I have four others in progress right now, Including one I am using partial ink stains, one w/acrylic stain/detail and pastel, one in pan pastel and leafing, and a fourth that im thinking i will stain. I’ll really have to add some photos to my pyo thread when I have them and some time.

EDIT** 6/3/13

Here is a kyrin i am working on as well as a stained portion of a gryffin in progress.

kyrin

and the griff
his claws beak and some of the neck feathers (the greys and blacks)

the difference between the green and the gray on the griff is a great reference to show how differnt ink appears compared to paint. done properly they can accent each other quite well.

sorry typos in a hurry. hope this helps!

Do folks usually do a base coat on gypsum? I always just paint the colors on… 🙂

I don’t usually put on a base coat, unless I’m working with a particularly un-opaque color – like this one red I have.