BobBlast 553 - "Making Bubbles with Isopropyl Alcohol"

Weekly BobBlast Issue 553 Making Bubbles with Isopropyl Alcohol Welcome Back to Another BobBlast! Isopropyl alcohol when splattered sparingly on a very wet acrylic painting causes an intriguing bubble effect. It’s like watching magic happen right before your eyes! The end result will be patterns of various sizes of rings and bubbles. Technically, this out-of-control playfulness happens when isopropyl alcohol (70% up to 99%) splashes on top of a very wet acrylic surface. The droplets repel the wet paint away, causing a crater-on-the-moon visual effect. I do this for both a visual surprise and wanting a pattern or texture in a solid color area. Admittedly, it’s a gimmicky technique and I enjoy doing it! Watch the demo - you will see me practicing this technique. Using a brush, apply acrylic gesso your watercolor paper first, let dry. Then apply the very wet paint, thickly applied first - moving to a thinner coat. Sprinkle or spray the isopropyl alcohol on the painted areas. You will see the results vary due to the amount of paint you use - and how wet it is! Follow these steps exactly and this goofy technique works every time: Step One - 300 lb or 140 lb watercolor paper, hot or cold press Step Two - Brush on a coat of acrylic gesso. Let dry. This seals the paper and dries to a harder, sealed surface - important. Step Three - Next, paint a color loosely and lightly with a large, soft brush. Don’t scrumble or push the paint. Layer it in gently. Step Four - Now, while the paint is wet, lightly splash or use a coarse spray of isopropyl alcohol on the paint. Depending on how wet and thick the paint is, a variety of patterns begin to form. Step Five - STOP. Let all this move around for a few minutes. Step Six - BTW, when this dries, repeat again with a totally different color for a variety of colorful ringlets and circles. Warning: Don’t spend too many hours on this magic show… and get back to your painting! Upcoming Online Workshops •February 25, 2025 Painting Light & Shadow Click here for more info •April 22, 2025 Neutrals—How to Create and Use! Click here for more info Upcoming Online Demos •February 14, 2025 Diptychs and other Multiples •March 10, 2025 Painting Heart Air Balloons Click here for more info Come Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, CA 2025 Mentor Workshops! •March 13-16, 2025 •August 7-10, 2025 •September 25-28, 2025 •Nov 6-9, 2025 Click HERE for more 5 day and 3 day Studio Workshops Traveling Bob – In-Person Workshops! •April 6-12, 2025 Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage Hudson Valley Art Workshops, Greenville, NY Contact Kim LaPolla (518) 966-5219 or (888) 665-0044 Click here for more info •May 19-23 2025 Abstract Painting & Collage Retreat & Gallery Show at GOH Gallery of Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, CA Contact (323) 364-6606 or [email protected] Click here for more info It was so successful last time, we just had to do it again! Burridge Online Coaching • Private one-on-one Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Strategies Click here for more info