Great painting tip for painting detail

[Colin-Partridge]

I was in my local art store the other day and was inquiring about paint to use on wood carvings for painting detail. A lady overheard my conversation and asked me if I had tried Acrylic Ink. I told her I had not. She said that I may be really suprised how well it worked. I always am ready to try something new so I purchased a couple of bottles to try. Nothing ventured nothing gained I always say. Well she was absolutly right it works far better than I have ever got paint to work. When I try to paint detail I either get the paint too thick it blobs or too thin and it doent show and looks washed out. The two that I have tried are Liquitex Acrylic Ink and Speedball Calligraphy Ink both work like a charm for me. Not only does it work great comes in lots of colours and is really inexpensive. Takes a little longer to dry than paint now I say a little longer I am talking minutes not hours and cleans up with soap and water doesnt seem to harm the brushes either. I just thought I would share this for those of you that may want to give it a try. I am always telling the grandchildren you learn nothing when your talking only when you put your listening ears on and I am really glad I took my own advise and listened to this nice lady.
Colin
Colin

[Sean R]

Thanks Colin, being new to paint I may have to give this a try too.

[Bob K.]

Wow Colin that sounds great! I'm going to have to try it! Thanks for sharing!

[Wildbirdcarver]

Colin, thanks for the "ink' tip. I have a few questions if you don't mind. Did you use the ink for the dark marks on bird feathers? and if so, acrylics first then the ink or the other way around? It is difficult for me to get the dark markings on feathers to suit me. Thanks for your time. Dick

[Magicman]

Hi Colin
Can you get the Inks in transparent colors and will they overlay the regular acrylics we use? I'm thinking about airbrushing.
Larry

[Colin-Partridge]

I dont know about bird feathers as I dont carve birds but I would think paint ink first and then paint as the ink seems much deeper than paint. What I would try is experiment with a practice piece first the inks are only a couple of dollars a bottle that is what prompted me to try. As for transparent colours I am not sure I would think that the ink would air brush better than paint as it is a lot thinner consistancy. I will check it out next time I am at the art store. Also not being an air brusher I couldnt tell you. Having said that my kids brought me an Iwata air brush about ten years ago and I have never had the guts to use it I keep saying one day
Colin

[Colin-Partridge]

Sorry Larry yes they will overlay the acrylic paint I do know that as I have used them in conjuntion with paint seem to be no problem at all
Colin

[Magicman]

Thanks Colin
You aught to get that Iwata out and give it a try. Just get an old piece of light colored wood and try blending colors and it will get you interested real quick.
I was an Airbrush Artist for about 6 years, have'nt done much of it the last couple of years but I'm going to start. Painting wood is a little different then T-Shirts and License Tags.
Larry

[Donna_T]

Colin,
Thanks for the hint on ink. I've often wondered if there isn't a better way to put difficult detail on some of our carvings than with a brush. Plaids, eyes, flowers are just some of the issues that I think it might be helpful. Was the store a regular art supply or a place like Michaels or Hobby Lobby? Liquitex and Speedball are brands I recognize so I'll watch for them.

Hope you're well--I just spent yesterday carving and visiting with Harold Enlow and have a week's vacation starting tomorrow--will spend it in Arkansas at the War Eagle Carving Experience. Yipeeee! Will look for the ink on the way to and from Ark.

Thanks for sharing.
Donna_T

[Mike L Hasler]

Collin, I glanced at your post this morning, thought It would work for some feather details on a piece I'm doing. Didn't notice you said "Ink". While at Walmart I bought a pen in the craft section of Elmers "Painters" opaque paint. All they had was a fine point, They make an ultra fine. I'm liking not using a toothpick ever again for simple colors, can't really blend with it. Thanks for a new idea.