Custom Tint Photos Using Alcohol Markers

I recently tried a new alcohol marker – Spectrum Noir markers for the first time. I wondered what all the buzz was about, they are just markers, right? Uh, no.

Spectrum Noir are alcohol based inks. They are unlike any markers I have ever worked with. None of my housework has been done for days, because I have been experimenting in my studio!

I want to share with you a technique that I stumbled onto, while I was playing. Custom tinted photos.

The ink made such a fun texture, and it is the perfect opacity for photos.

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Four wallet-sized black and white photos, with an identical element to color (I used the flower in my daughters hair.)

• Alcohol Markers (colors of your choice)
• Core’dinations Cardstock Tags
• Core’dinations 12×12 Jenni Bowlin Red and Black Collection (black, pre-embossed background sheet)
• Core’dinations Sand it Gadget/ Dust Buddy Combo
• Darice Silver Glitter Chipboard Alphabet
• Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board
• Adhesive
• Sewing Machine with White Thread (optional)

Directions:

The first thing you will want to do is select your colors for your photos. You will need a light and a dark tone of each color you choose.

You can begin coloring your photos. Use the light tone to completely cover the area you want colored. Do not worry if the color is a little splotchy. Alcohol inks dry very quickly.

When the area is all covered, go back to it, tapping the tip of the marker onto the already colored area to add dots of color. The alcohol ink will spread out and make a fabulous texture. Keep tapping until you get it to where you like it.

Let it dry for a few seconds, and then using a darker tone of your color family, tap some dots in the center of the flower.

The ink will spread, and blend on its own.

Check out this purple:

Isn’t that cool?

Continue with all of your colors.

We are going to put all of these custom colored photos on a layout.

Select some Core’dinations tags that match your colors.

Sand all the edges of the tags.

Score the tags at 4 3/4.”

Then tear the tag. Make sure the teared edge of the card will fold up on the front of the tag (to show off that core color torn edge in front.)

Add your photo and fold the torn edge up.

Repeat for all of your photos, and set aside.

Select the pre-embossed black border page from the Core’dinations 12×12 Jenni Bowlin collection.

Sand all edges using the Sand-it Gadget.

Can I put in a plug here for the Dust Buddy?

If you have never used one, it is a must have for sandable cardstock. I want to show you the difference.

Here is the cardstock before I rubbed it with the Dust Buddy:

Here is the same piece of cardstock, same area, after I rubbed it with the Dust Buddy:

It cleans up and almost buffs the paper!

The Dust Buddy is also great for picking up glitter and embossing powder.

I love that thing!

After you clean up your cardstock, adhere your photo tags, lining them up horizontally.

I machine stitched the strip of photo tags in place with my sewing machine, using a zig-zag stitch.

Next, computer generate, stamp, or hand-write your sub-title:

Using the same markers you used to custom tint your photos, color in the letters of your sub-title to match.

I used a gray marker to outline the letters. I wanted a very water-colored look.

The more times you “go over” your colored letters, the more the alcohol in the ink will spread the pigment.

When you are satisfied, add your sub-title tag to the layout.

Adhere your title letters to the sub-title tag.

Here is your finished layout!

I hope you are inspired to grab some markers and play!

Shaunte

Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).