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Friday, October 31, 2014

the next indicated step


So, last blog post, I showed you my 2" pocket poems in progress. I'd been puzzling over what to do to the backs - and in the end the obvious answer was marbled paper. Besides, it's the traditional backing for vintage book covers (alas, these books were not vintage enough).


I researched it and tried 2 different techniques. These are the papers I made this morning - luscious is the word that comes to mind. Read on for the good old "how to's." If you are working with kids, process #2 is a great fit.

Process #1 (for use with alcohol inks)

You will need:
Alcohol ink
Water
Large tray
Copy paper or construction paper
Paper towels


Fill your tray with water. Drop ink colors onto the surface of the water. Many drops, applied gradually, and alternating colors. (There are several you tube videos showing this step much more easily than I can explain it.)


You want a "marbled" look. You can best achieve that by gently stirring the water with a chopstick or blowing on the surface of the water with a straw.


Carefully lay your paper onto the surface of the water allowing it to float and soak up the layer of ink. Lift it out, let it drip for a moment, then blot on a paper towel. Done. Now wasn't that easy?

Process #2 (for use with water base ink or paint)

You will need:
A cookie sheet
Shaving cream (not the gel kind)
A rubber spatula 
Ink or paint diluted in water
Paint brush or eye dropper
Copy paper or construction paper
Paper towels


Squirt out some shaving cream onto your upside down cookie sheet and spread in a thin layer with your rubber spatula. It's a little bit like frosting a cake.


Add color in random drops. Two or three colors work well. More than that and you will get mud.


Use a chopstick to swirl the colors. The easiest way is to go back and forth and up and down.


Lay your paper down on top of the shaving cream/ink and gently pat it into the surface. Let it rest there for about 3 minutes. 



Lift off and wipe and excess shaving cream off with a paper towel. That's it. Easy as pie.

Note- The reason for two processes is that water base inks will not float on water. I offer you two ways to make marbled paper so you can make a choice based on what materials you have.


6 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. I will say that the alcohol ink versions attract me much more than traditional marbled papers but these came out fantastic. xox

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  2. We did the shaving cream technique years back with my older girls and I still have the can of shaving cream (like 14 years!) and when I come across it I always consider tossing it but still have it. Now, I need to do this with my younger girls. Thanks for the boost! I think the water way would be a lot of fun too.

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  3. Great tutorial, thank you! I did the shaving cream marbelling years ago. It is really fun and easy - I marbelleld fabric and it works well.

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  4. just fabulous... the project and the marbled papers.. yummy work!

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  5. I love this post! i will try this soon in one of my collage classes.
    Thanks for this inspiring idea = )
    Please look at my art blog at:
    www.suemarrazzo.blogspot.com
    Have a good holiday next week!

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  6. This is such a cool posting. Oh, you are brave in trying new things, and generous in sharing them! I love marbled papers and would love to try this.

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