Technique: Pendant with alcohol ink
Win: Sort of — glimpses of potential, even if the result didn’t fully match the vision. It was more of a learning curve than a finish-line moment
Challenge:
• Creating a perfectly round, concave pendant while maintaining control over the surface
• Forming a flower using alcohol ink, which naturally resists precision
• Layering subtle leaf elements behind the flower so they peek through without becoming muddy
• Constructing a flat, rolled bail that is both neat and functional
• Trying to layer acrylic marker details over alcohol ink, even once dry
• Translating a strong mental image into a physical piece that actually behaves the way I imagined
Lessons Learned:
• Alcohol ink is unpredictable and difficult to correct — unlike working on Yupo, you can’t simply wipe them away
• Translucent clay combined with alcohol ink can produce especially rich, luminous colour effects
• Some techniques require a shift in mindset — guiding the material rather than trying to control it too tightly
• Acrylic-style detailing over alcohol ink surfaces can be unreliable and may require alternative approaches
• Alcohol ink contains dyes, which means fading over time is a consideration for long-term pieces
Lessons Learned:
• Alcohol ink has a mind of its own — it flows, spreads, and resists control, which means it needs to be guided rather than forced
• Acrylic markers don’t layer well over alcohol ink, even when it seems dry — surface compatibility matters more than expected
• Not every idea is ready to be executed yet — some techniques need more familiarity before they can
Confidence Level: 7/10
Notes:
• The gap between the “mind’s eye” and the finished piece is still very real — translating vision into execution is a skill that is developing, not a failing
• This technique feels like one that rewards patience and repetition rather than a one-time success
• There is clear potential in the colour and layering — even if the structure and control are not there yet
