Do you own a set of alcohol markers but aren’t sure how to use them in your journal? It’s no secret that alcohol marker ink tends to bleed through pages and create ghosting. Hi, Friends! I’m Ian DJ from the Archer & Olive Ambassador team and RavenFox13 on Instagram. Today, I’m excited to share tips on how to effectively incorporate alcohol markers into your journal. Let’s explore how to harness their blending capabilities and even turn bleeding and ghosting into creative opportunities. I’ll walk you through simple, tried-and-true hacks to make the most of your alcohol markers in your journaling adventures!

The materials that we will be using today are

• Archer & Olive Notebook 
• Archer & Olive Washi Tape 
• Alcohol Markers
• Pencil and eraser
• Fine liners (Alcohol marker friendly)
• Extra sheets of paper, sticker sheet, and/or adhesive

You can use my code RavenFox13 for 10% your orders at Archer and Olive!

I’ve created a printable for you to test out the tips we’ll be discussing. I recommend printing it with a pigment or laser/toner printer to ensure the outlines won’t smudge when you use alcohol markers. You can use the printable as a visual guide, turn it into a stencil, or use it as a practice sheet to master your alcohol marker techniques.

1. Test Colors First

Always test your colors on a spare piece of paper or a designated test page in your journal, as the ink often looks different on paper compared to the marker caps. I like to organize my alcohol markers into color groups, ensuring each group has a good range of light and dark tones for smooth blending. Labeling your color swatches to match the pens can make future spreads much easier to plan. To prevent ink from bleeding through to the next page, place an extra sheet of paper underneath or use a special bleed-proof sheet for added protection.

There are several effective techniques for blending with alcohol markers. Here are three methods I frequently use in my artwork:

1. Light-to-Dark Blending
   Start with the lightest color as a base, then layer the mid-tone over it. Add the darkest color for depth, and finally, use the lightest color again to blend everything smoothly.
2. Dark-to-Light Blending
   Begin with the darkest color, then layer and blend the mid-tone into it. Finish by blending everything with the lightest color.
3. Circular Blending
   Combine the light-to-dark and dark-to-light methods, but use small circular strokes instead of linear ones for a softer, more seamless blend.

Try different methods like stippling, hatching, and layering to achieve unique textures and effects. Alcohol markers can mimic watercolor and even colored pencil effects with practice.

You can practice these methods on a blank sheet of paper or experiment with my mushroom illustrations from the printable. Test different color combinations and blending techniques to find what works best. Once colored, you can cut out the mushrooms and use them as ephemera for your next journal spread, adding a playful and personalized touch to your pages.

2. Let the ink bleeding and ghosting create opportunities 

You will notice that the alcohol inks from these markers bleed like crazy on the back of the paper. If you draw and color directly on your journal, the back part would probably become unusable because of this. 

Embrace ink bleeding and ghosting as creative opportunities! Instead of viewing them as drawbacks, let them inspire unique designs and layering effects in your journal. Use the bleed-through to create mirrored patterns or complementary artwork on the opposite page. Ghosting can serve as a subtle guide for tracing, layering, or adding depth to your designs. By working with these effects, you can transform imperfections into artistic features that enhance your journal’s personality.

In these journal spreads, I’ve embraced the bleed-through as a design guide to inspire the next spreads. It’s a fun and innovative way to spark creativity and challenge yourself to think outside the box. By letting the ink patterns guide your designs, you can create unique, cohesive layouts that flow naturally from one page to the next.

Feel free to use the organic pattern guide from the printable as inspiration for decorative borders or backgrounds in your spreads. You can also transform it into a stencil by cutting out the shapes after printing, adding versatility to your creative process.

3. If it bleeds too much cover it up

If the ink bleeding on the next page feels overwhelming, you can easily cover it up with washi tape, scrap paper, or decorative sheets. Not only does this hide the bleed-through, but it also adds charm and dimension through a layered effect, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your journal. Feel free to add those cute mushroom ephemera that you colored to match the overall color theme of the spreads. 

Here are some examples where washi tapes and the mushroom ephemera are incorporated in a fun spread. Always remember that you can always experiment with different materials you can use.

4. Things to Remember when Coloring and Working with Colors

Creating amazing blends with alcohol markers in your journal requires the right technique and tools. Here are some tips to achieve smooth and vibrant blending:

• To minimize bleed-through when using alcohol markers for borders or large areas, opt for pastel or light colors. These shades are less likely to saturate the paper heavily.
• Blend two or more colors to create custom hues, adding more dimension and uniqueness to your artwork. Use contrasting or complementary colors for shading rather than just darker tones. This can add vibrancy and depth to your work.
• Focus on coloring smaller sections at a time to maintain the ink's moisture for easier blending and smoother coverage. Alcohol markers blend best while the ink is still wet. Work quickly and blend colors before they dry for seamless gradients. Coloring over one spot too many times can cause the paper to saturate, bleed, or even tear. Let layers dry between applications.
• Brush-tip markers provide more control and a smoother blend compared to chisel or bullet tips, making them ideal for gradients and fine details. 

• Practice feathering with alcohol markers to achieve smooth color transitions. Use a flicking motion, starting with one color, and lightly overlap it with the second using the same technique for seamless blending.

• Enhance your alcohol marker journal spreads with finishing touches! Use a white gel pen to create highlights, fine details, or accents. For an extra pop, incorporate metallic pens to add a touch of shimmer and sophistication.

Blending is a skill that improves with practice, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different techniques!

5. Take care of your Alcohol Markers

Alcohol markers are an excellent choice for creating journal spreads due to their smooth application, vibrant colors, and quick-drying properties, which minimize smudging and ink transfer. They work especially well on thicker paper designed to handle marker ink, such as bleed proof or marker paper. Here are some things to remember so that you can use your markers longer without any issues:

• Keep marker tips clean by scribbling on scrap paper if colors start blending unintentionally. This helps preserve their vibrancy and extends their lifespan.
• Store markers horizontally to ensure even ink distribution between both tips. This prevents drying out and maintains consistent ink flow.

Keep your alcohol markers clean and well-maintained, for smoother use and better results in your journal spreads. Proper care ensures consistent performance and vibrant colors.

If you're curious about how I created the sample spreads featured in this blog, feel free to watch the full video below!

If you’re starting a new notebook or journal, be sure to check out my other blog filled with helpful tips and inspiration—I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading it!

I hope these tips on using alcohol markers on journals have sparked your creativity! Try experimenting with them in your new Archer & Olive notebooks. I’d love to see your journal spreads featuring alcohol markers—feel free to share your creations! For even more inspiration, follow me on social media—just search for RavenFox13 on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you create a page or two using the fun ideas I've shared here, don’t forget to tag me and @archerandolive, add these hashtags #AOShare and #archerandolive so the community can easily find your posts.

So let’s grab more notebooks to fill and share this blog with your friends. Remember you can use my code RavenFox13 and link for 10% your orders at Archer and Olive!

Stay Inspired, and doodle those worries away!