Liquid Spectrum - Concentrated Artists’ Ink

LIGHTFAST WATERPROOF
For Artists, Designers, Illustrators & Calligraphers

Brilliant, water-proof, lightfast colours, suitable for most surfaces. Unlimited mixing potential.
Large 50ml (almost 2fl. oz.) bottles. PLEASE ASK FOR COLOR CHART

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LIQUID SPECTRUM CONCENTRATED INKS Removable, Non-Spill Stopper Liquid Spectrum bottles are fitted with a convenient non-spill stopper to prevent accidental spillage. From this, ink can be dispensed drop by drop or in a steady stream into palettes, airbrush reservoirs etc. If you wish to access larger quantities of ink or use a dip-pen or brush, simply remove the stopper by inserting the point of a skewer (or similar object) into the hole and gently levering out.

Colour Mixing

Liquid Spectrum concentrated colours allow easy and unlimited colour mixing. The ‘non-spill’ stopper makes drop by drop dispensing of colour easy. No more clogged pipettes! Many superb colours can be obtained with simple 1:1 or 2:1 mixes if the basic colours. Opaque pastel shades can be obtained by adding equal amounts of white to a colour, or create a beautiful range of metallics by adding one part colour to four or five parts Pearlescent.

Extender / Medium Restores adhesion and water resistance in heavily diluted washes. Experiment by adding at least 10% medium to the wash of ink. May also be added to gouache or watercolour washes to provide a level of water resistance. Fabric Medium Mix with Liquid Spectrum in equal parts. Then hand paint or airbrush onto fabric. The mix will cure using a hot iron for 1-2 minutes. Place a thin cloth between the painted area and the iron to avoid scorching. Always test fabric beforehand.

Cleaner

Will remove dried Liquid Spectrum Ink from airbrushes, pens, brushes etc.  Can also be used to remove dried ink from artwork at any time.  Simply draw, spatter or brush Liquid Spectrum Cleaner onto an area of colour to be removed – wait a minute or two, then blot off with a clean moist tissue or cloth to reveal the original surface.

Sets

Various sets of six are available in addition to the individual colours. All colours available in 50ml bottles. All except metallics are also available in large 250ml size. (Metallics in 250ml to order.)


USING LIQUID SPECTRUM CONCENTRATED ARTISTS' INK

Liquid Spectrum is a non-toxic, acrylic based artists’ colour. It is suitable for use with brush, pen, colourshapers or airbrush and will adhere to most clean, non-greasy surfaces including paper, board, metal, glass, certain types of plastic, acetate and fabric.

The brilliant transparent colours of Liquid Spectrum have many applications. They can be used wet in wet, for graduated and multi-coloured washes, for tinting paper, calligraphy, multi-media works and even as a 'traditional' watercolour when diluted with water.

Oil Painting

The quick drying, high pigment content and strong adhesive qualities of Liquid Spectrum make it ideal for toning grounds and as a thin underpainting for oil colours. Stain type washes or deep, saturated areas are easily created. Excellent for blocking in areas of colour prior to overpainting with transparent or opaque oil colour (ensure Liquid Spectrum is dry before overpainting).  Sgraffito effects can be created by scraping or drawing into the wet paint with a Colourshaper or painting knife to reveal the Liquid Spectrum undercolour.

Coloured Grounds

Art Spectrum Artists' Gesso (for oil and general painting) and Colourfix Primer White and Clear (for pastel and multi-media) can be tinted with Liquid Spectrum inks to create single and multi-coloured grounds.

Enamel Effects

Pouring, dropping or trailing Liquid Spectrum onto a rigid support (heavy paper, board, timber, glass) can create slightly raised areas of shiny, enamel-like colour. Heavy or multiple layers of brushed ink will also dry with varying degrees of gloss. Absorbent surfaces will produce a flat effect, whereas sized or primed surfaces will enhance the enamel effect.

Watercolour

Watercolour paintings that are water resistant when dry are easily created with Liquid Spectrum Concentrated Inks. Dilute with water to create superb, transparent washes. Heavily diluted washes will become re-soluble (more like ‘traditional’ watercolour). If desired, water resistance can be restored by the addition of Liquid Spectrum Extender/Medium.

Collage

Using Liquid Spectrum Concentrated Ink only, it is possible to create multi-coloured paper collages. Being a relatively strong, highly pigmented acrylic adhesive, no other glue or paint is required. Lightweight papers, including tissue, can be saturated or painted with Liquid Spectrum and applied wet to a sized ground such as watercolour paper.

Calligraphy

The intense, permanent colours of Liquid Spectrum Inks make them ideal for calligraphy. Use with brush or all types of calligraphy pens. Be sure to wash equipment in water soon after use.

Airbrush

Liquid Spectrum Inks are ideal for use in airbrushes. They can be used straight from the bottle, or diluted with water. The addition of Fabric Medium opens up the creative possibilities for T-shirt and textile design.

As Liquid Spectrum is a fast drying, acrylic based ink, care must be taken to clean airbrushes in water soon after use.  Dried ink can be removed with Liquid Spectrum Cleaner.