Take advantage of supplies you have on hand ( or pick some up at the store for about $ 10 ) for an light composition project . This affordable marbling technique uses crafts paints adulterate with water ( about two tablespoons of color to 3tablespoonsof urine ) . It ’s a utter project to do indoors or out and is kid - friendly . you’re able to also use detail you have on hand in your kitchen to spread the diluted paint . Small spoonful , drinking straws , and toothpicks are all perfect options .

How to Make Marbled Paper

Basic craft paints can be used in this marble technique . We recommend stimulate six to eight colors in a mixture of cool andwarm hues . The paints are diluted with water , so they ’re soft to mix and utilize . Marbling inks are also available at foxiness and graphics stores if you want to dig deep into the proficiency .

What You Need

Step 1: Set up your marbling supplies.

Protect your piece of work surface with newspaper or a drop cloth . Dilute 2 Tbsp . of each paint color with 3 Tbsp . water in cup or jars ; stir to combine . Create the amylum bathroom by mixing 4 cups liquid amylum with 1 tsp . alum in a tray larger than your paper . Fill the 2d tray with weewee . The trays should be glass or aluminum Pan at least 2 inches larger than your paper ( do not use charge plate ) . We buy a two - pack of disposable bar pans for $ 1 .

Step 2: Drip paint onto mixture.

Usecocktail pale yellow , eyedroppers , or spoons to gently apply dilute pigment to the starch mixture , limiting the pallet to two or three colors . Start with small drops and random patterns , then layer additional colors . The paint should cling to the open . Continue adding paint until the control surface is intimately covered ; you could add more later if needed .

Step 3: Make marbled patterns.

Play with blusher drop , combs , and whirl to make patterns . Manipulate the colors by swirling a drinking straw or chopstick through the painted surface . Drip new pigment inside other colors to form concentric circles . Go slow to permit the paint spread organically for the best effects .

Step 4: Marbleize the paint.

An improvised rake is a nifty agency to make a feathered issue . Make one by tap toothpicks spaced 1/2 inch apart on a firearm of cardboard . examine multiple pulls , unlike directions , or zigzags . Paint will continue to shift , so have paper quick for the next step .

Step 5: Transfer paint to the paper.

Once you are pleased with the excogitation , carefully place one art object of composition on top of the painted starch to evenly cake the surface . Avoid overwhelm newspaper in the starch mixture , so it does n’t get waterlogged . skin report slowly off the aerofoil and rinse in the tray of water . Lay flat to dry .

habituate a paper towel to mop up pool piddle on the paper . Repeat with additional pieces of newspaper publisher , creating design in the paint between program program , until the starch is muddy ( we could do four pulls ) . Pour used amylum down the drain , running water for a minute after to quash clog dance .

Step 6: Finish your DIY marbled paper.

Once the newspaper is dry , press it on the unpainted side to get a fluid surface . Hang the ruined work out on a clothesline to make a gallery of your piece of work . Use the ruined projects as framed art , origami , talent wrapper , or gift tags .

How to Make Marbled Containers

you may also use a similar technique to utilize a marbleise look toclear chicken feed jars . You ’ll demand a bucketful and various colors of nail culture for this DIY marble container project .

Step 1: Pour nail polish.

Fill a disposable bucketful with urine . The water should be high enough to submerge the meth container you plan to use . easy pour various colors of nail polish into the bucketful . Be sure to mizzle the finish around the aerofoil ; do not dump it all out at once . Work tight , so the polish does n’t dry out .

Step 2: Swirl paint.

Use a wood skewer to whirl the colors in the pail . To get the best result , dip the skewer into the water straight up and down , not at an angle . Then , lento move the skewer around until you see your desired marble look . Draw the skewer directly up and out of the water system when done .

Step 3: Dip glass container.

As soon as you remove your skewer from the bucket , adjudge the looking glass container by the top and slowly souse it into the water supply . discontinue when you ’re about 3/4s of the path down and draw out the container back up . entertain it over the pail for a few second to get the drips return back into the container . You should make the dip as fluent and controlled as potential . swoosh the glass container in the pail can bankrupt the figure .

Step 4: Dry and finish.

put the glass upside - down on a batch of paper towel to dry . If desired , you’re able to paint a layer of decoupage medium over the marble effect to protect it from scratches .

hanging colorful marble paper

Credit: Buff Strickland

pouring alum into water

Credit: Dean Schoeppner

cups of watered-down paint

Credit: Buff Strickland

creating blue, green, and pink marble paper

Credit: Buff Strickland

paper marbling party women paint splatters

Credit: Buff Strickland

group creating marble paper

Credit: Buff Strickland

marble supplies in ceramic container