The Method of Marbling

This simplified process creates patterns that are looping, organic, and pretty. Use it for paper, leather, or fabric projects.

paper-coasters-with-glasses-0056-md110796_vert
Photo: RYAN LIEBE

Sources

Alum (#AL1), $3.50 for 1 lb., dharmatrading.com

Methocel (#METH8), $16 for 8 oz., dharmatrading.com

Dispersant (#DISP), $5 for 2 oz., dharmatrading.com

Multisurface craft paint, by Martha Stewart Crafts, $3 for 2 oz., michaels.com

What You'll Need

Materials

Instructions

  1. Prepare Materials: Mix 3 tablespoons alum per quart of hot tap water in a bin; let cool. Soak leather or prewashed fabric in mixture for 20 minutes, or brush onto paper. Let dry flat. (Reserve alum mixture in bin to use over several days.)

  2. Prepare "size," or base, for paint: In bucket, mix 4 tablespoons Methocel per gallon of warm distilled water. Add 1 tablespoon ammonia per gallon and mix vigorously with whisk.

  3. Pour Methocel mixture into second bin. Let sit until all bubbles dissipate. (This should take several hours; mixture will have a sheer, viscous consistency, slightly thinner than egg whites.)

  4. Squeeze paints into paper cups (mix some, if desired). Thin each with a drop of dispersant and slowly add water until paint has consistency of whole milk.

  5. marble-process-0541-md110796_vert

    Marble: With a coffee stirrer, drop paint onto several spots on surface of size; let pigment spread out 2 to 3 inches.

  6. marble-process-0572-md110796_vert

    Add another color, dropping paint into middle of previous color, if desired.

  7. marble-process-0641-md110796_vert

    Continue in this fashion, adding color over color and letting paint spread out and form random shapes. Repeat sequence in several spots over surface.

  8. marble-process-0666-md110796_vert

    Some paints will spread out more than others; the more concentrated the color, the more it will stay put.

  9. marble-process-0727-md110796_vert

    Drag stirrer through paint to add swirls and create designs; work over whole bin, or focus on specific areas.

  10. marble-process-0791-md110796_vert

    Gently lay medium flat onto size, and pat to remove air bubbles.

  11. marble-process-0805-md110796_vert

    Let sit until fully saturated.

  12. marble-process-0810-md110796_vert

    Pick medium up by two corners.

  13. marble-process-0847-md110796_vert

    Gently and evenly pull up. Rinse thoroughly under running water until soapy film is gone. Hang to dry. Lay paper towels on size surface, then lift to remove paint. Reuse size as desired for several days (cover bin with lid or plastic wrap when not in use to protect from dust).

Related Articles