How to make marbled paper
Have you ever wondered how they make the marbled paper drawings?
We would like to share with you a detailed tutorial published in the blog May Designs that teaches us step by step and in our house this millenary art of design printed on paper that simulates the texture of marble.
Materials:
100% cotton paper
Alum
Methocel
Acrylic paint
Ammonia
Dishwashing soap (colorless)
Tools:
Spray bottle
Measuring spoons
Deep pan the size of your paper or a little larger
Whisk
Bucket or large container (must hold more than a gallon)
Small cups
Straws or coffee straws
Clothesline + clothespins
Step 1. Prepare your paper
Fill your spray bottle with warm water, add two tablespoons of alum and mix well. When it cools, spray a light coating on the cotton paper and wait for it to dry. Be sure to literally mark the side where you have done this process as it will be difficult to recognize it when it is done.
Step 2. Prepare the base
In a bowl mix 4 tablespoons of Methocel and 1 gallon of distilled water at room temperature, also add a tablespoon of ammonia, and stir all the ingredients. Place the mixture in the tray at the same time you pour the liquid detergent and let it stand until there are no bubbles (It may take about 1 hour).
Step 3. Create a dispersant
Fill cups with 1/2 cup of water and a few drops of soap.
Step 4. Color
Separate the colors into cups and add water until it has a milk-like consistency and pour in a drop of the dispersant you created in step 3.
Step 5. Prepare your design .
Use one straw per color and pour them with small drops over the mixture already in the tray, they should be like small circles of paint, no matter the order, have fun and create interesting combinations of shades. Make sure that the whole tray is covered and that there are no blank spaces.
Step 6. Time to create the marble!
Take a clean straw and drag through the paint drips to create amazing designs. If you want some "paint-free" space, place a little dispersant in the tray as you did in step 5 with the paint. Here is a video that can guide you in the designs you can achieve.
Step 7. "Print"
Lightly place your paper on the previously prepared side over the design without exerting too much pressure, just let it absorb the paint. Run your hand over it to avoid getting air bubbles. Remove it by grabbing one of the corners as shown in the image:
Step 8. The final touch
If the base you applied on your paper is properly done you can do this step without care, since the paint will already be fixed on the paper and this step is just to rinse the soap residue from it. Use tongs to hang it on a clothesline or place where it can dry freely.
Recommendations
- The best paper you can use is the one with 100% cotton base. You can use other papers, but the finish will not be the same.
- Many of the materials can be found in restaurant cleaning supplies stores.
- Some people use the "blowing" technique to create their designs: they take a straw and blow on the paint drops to create a sweeping effect.
- To avoid wasting water, you can reuse the mixture after you have printed your design, removing the paint residue with an absorbent towel.
- You can also try it with textiles, just remember that these have to be 100% cotton or gauze preferably.
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