Step into your first Alcohol ink painting and you might wonder: am I here to make art or just to make a mess? Trust me, you’ll do both—and you’ll be glad about it. Alcohol ink painting has exploded in popularity over the past decade. Social media feeds are bursting with bright, ethereal abstracts, and students everywhere are hunting for those elusive “magic” techniques.

Let’s pull back the curtain. What will you actually take away from your first ink painting class? For starters, your teacher will cover the bare essentials. You’ll get hands-on with alcohol inks—those bottled, color-soaked wonders. Most courses supply a starter set: bold primaries, classic black, and at least one metallic to kick things up a notch. Expect to learn the difference between Yupo paper and regular cardstock. Spoiler alert: Don’t try this on grandma’s tablecloth. That pigment stains.

Blending is where the real adventure starts. You’ll learn how alcohol ink seems to have a mind of its own, blooming outwards in whorls and tides. With a straw or a quick puff of air (hopefully not after eating garlic fries), you’ll move colors in exciting, sometimes unpredictable ways. The magic happens when you let go of control.

Safety comes up quickly, too. These inks smell strong for a reason; they contain isopropyl alcohol. Ventilation is important. Many beginners are surprised to find themselves a little lightheaded after an afternoon session, so bring a fan or open a window. Gloves? You’ll need them. Ink-stained fingers are a badge of honor, but the smell can linger for days.

Techniques stack up quickly. By lesson two, you’ll be manipulating inks with a brush or even a cotton swab. Dropping alcohol onto nearly dry paint creates wild, ringed “cells”—think psychedelic tree rings. Some instructors demonstrate how a hair dryer can dance color across the surface, creating ribbons and veils. Your brush won’t be the hero here—air and gravity do most of the heavy lifting.