Pigments of Your Imagination (Book) Review

Creating with Alcohol Inks

Few things are more relaxing than escaping into a great art project, be it working with fabrics, metals, inks, or even just good old crayons. But getting started in a new medium can be a bit intimidating, especially for those of us who consider ourselves to be more hobbyists than anything else. With Pigments of Your Imagination, author (and artist) Cathy Taylor walks newcomers to alcohol inks through many different techniques that can be used to create a variety of effects. Whether you’re new to alcohol inks specifically, or creating artwork in general, Pigments of Your Imagination is an accessible way to begin the process of creating your own masterpieces – and having a great time while you do it.

Pigments of Your Imagination is a very visual book – fitting for a book about artwork. Each page is filled with vibrantly colored images that practically leap from the book, making it as interesting to page through and gaze at as it is to read. For each technique given, readers will first see an image of a piece of art, created either by Cathy Taylor herself or another artist. These pieces are followed by step by step instructions on how to create similar pieces on your own. Each step has both written instructions and photographs depicting it, making it very easy to follow along with.

The techniques themselves are as varied as the artwork they create, and Taylor isn’t afraid to try out new things to create different effects. Many of the techniques use random household items into different ways, which makes for an inexpensive way to get the looks you’re hoping for. One of the earlier techniques has readers use drinking straws to blow the inks into various shapes and patterns, and it’s reused several other times in the book to enhance different techniques. Many other household items make an appearance as well, from credit cards to toothbrushes to hair dryers. It’s both creative and easy on the wallet, a plus for new artists who have just started building their art toolboxes.

The book ends with a gallery of different pieces by a collection of artists, all done in alcohol inks. It’s both something interesting to look at, as well as a nice goal to aspire to. With practice, readers can look forward to some frame-worthy pieces of their own. Pigments of Your Imagination is an interesting how-to for beginners who want to try their hand at creating art with alcohol inks. Although the book seems aimed at newcomers to both alcohol inks and artwork in general, the creative use of standard household items makes for interesting techniques that any art lover can appreciate.