Pink Ink - DIY paper marbling

DIY Paper Marbling

Marbling is a printmaking technique that basically looks like capturing a galaxy on a page, except it requires neither subatomic particles nor superhuman skills. 

What you’ll need:

- A set of oil paints

- Turpentine

- A few sheets of uncoated paper—regular printer paper will work, as long as it isn’t glossy.

- A shallow rectangular container (like a baking tray) that is bigger than the size of your paper

- Smaller containers for mixing paint (like jar lids)

- Rubber gloves

- Utensils for mixing and spreading paint. These can be brushes or straws, or you can make your own marbling comb with toothpicks, cardboard, and scotch tape. Just make sure the length of the comb is smaller than the width of your tray, because you’re going to use it to drag the paint across the surface of the water.

Since you’ll be working with paint, you might want to wear old clothes, and cover your workspace with newspapers or a plastic tablecloth to prevent stains. You’ll need relatively easy access to a sink for clean-up, and if you can work near a window, the fresh air will help with the drying process.

Now on to the marbling:

1. Pour about an inch of water into the tray. Then choose the colors you want to use, and squeeze the paint into small, separate containers. Add some white paint if you want to get pastel shades.

2. Add some turpentine to the paint and mix. I suggest doing this in a well-ventilated space and wearing rubber gloves, because you don’t want to breathe in the fumes or irritate your skin. The proportion varies depending on how much paint you are using—I use about a teaspoon of turpentine for every ½ teaspoon of paint. You want the mixture to become liquid and smooth, but not too watery, like so:

4. If you’re happy with the design, you can skip this step, but otherwise, you can redistribute your colors by swirling the mixture gently with a toothpick, blowing on the surface through a straw, or using your marbling comb.

5. Carefully lay a sheet of paper on the water. To avoid submerging it, start at one end and move slowly down the length of the paper—don’t just plop the whole thing down at once. It’s ok if the face-up side gets a little wet, but keep it as dry as you can. Get ready to pick it up right away.

6. Remove the paper as soon as it’s flat! Starting at a corner, gently lift it out of the water. Again, you might want to use rubber gloves.

7. Lay the sheet out flat on a clean, protected surface. Once it’s been drying for a while, you can lay a heavy book on top of it to keep the edges from curling (slide a piece of paper in between to protect your book).

One tray of water is usually enough for three to five prints. Each one will be different from and lighter than the last, as the paint dissipates. It can take a few tries to get the desired effect, but every attempt will be mesmerizing. When it’s done, you’ll have a map of your own undiscovered galaxy—or some decorative gift wrap. It’s whatever you choose, so enjoy! 

Source:http://rookiemag.com/2013/01/diy-paper-marbling/