MarblingMarblingHistory and TechniquesHistory and Techniques

MarblingMarbling

• ““floating of colors on a liquid floating of colors on a liquid to form a pattern, which may to form a pattern, which may be lifted by placing a sheet of be lifted by placing a sheet of paper on the floating colors paper on the floating colors and then removing it.”and then removing it.”

• Marbling was invented in Marbling was invented in antiquity to fulfill the need for antiquity to fulfill the need for decorated paper in a simple decorated paper in a simple and practical way.and practical way.

Marbled Paper: It’s History, Techniques and Patterns

By: Richard J. Wolfe

• Marbling can be used on Marbling can be used on paper, cloth or certain hard paper, cloth or certain hard surfaces for decoration. It can surfaces for decoration. It can be used in books, artwork, be used in books, artwork, origami, house decorations, origami, house decorations, jewelry and more.jewelry and more.

• Today we will look at Today we will look at examples of different examples of different techniques from several techniques from several countries.countries.

Classic Turkish PaperClassic Turkish Paper

• Began as early as Began as early as the 16the 16thth century. century.

• In classic Turkish In classic Turkish Marbleized Paper a Marbleized Paper a background color is background color is first laid then a first laid then a design is created.design is created.

• Designs include Designs include flowers, landscapes, flowers, landscapes, and animalsand animals

• Turkish Papers Turkish Papers also include also include Combed Combed marbling marbling (traditionally has (traditionally has 4 to 5 colors)4 to 5 colors)

Spanish Moiré PaperSpanish Moiré Paper

• Created using Created using paper that has paper that has been folded or by been folded or by shifting paper to shifting paper to create irregular create irregular waveswaves

Simple peacock PaperSimple peacock Paper

• Created by Created by dragging dragging combs combs vertically the vertically the horizontally horizontally opposite ways opposite ways then vertically then vertically again while again while “waving”“waving”

Suminagashi PaperSuminagashi Paper

• Produced in Japan Produced in Japan since 7since 7thth century. century. They are considered They are considered to be the forerunners to be the forerunners of Turkish papers.of Turkish papers.

• They do not use size They do not use size (thickening agent) in (thickening agent) in the water and use ink the water and use ink instead of paint.instead of paint.

Make marbling bathMake marbling bath • Dissolve 2 teaspoons of size into 1 qt warm water Dissolve 2 teaspoons of size into 1 qt warm water

(in a coffee container)(in a coffee container)• Pour mixed size into clear tray (2 groups per tray).Pour mixed size into clear tray (2 groups per tray).• Let stand overnight.Let stand overnight.

Make marbling paintMake marbling paint• Consult with the others you are sharing a tray Consult with the others you are sharing a tray

with. Decide on what colors you want to use in with. Decide on what colors you want to use in marbling.marbling.

• Each person is assigned colors to create in film Each person is assigned colors to create in film canisters. canisters.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of paint with 3 teaspoons of Mix 1 teaspoon of paint with 3 teaspoons of water.water.

• Place a lid on the paint and use masking tap to Place a lid on the paint and use masking tap to label the color.label the color.

Cut Paper to sizeCut Paper to size• Take one sheet of drawing paper.Take one sheet of drawing paper.• Fold in half hamburger style (unfold).Fold in half hamburger style (unfold).• Fold in half hotdog style (unfold).Fold in half hotdog style (unfold).• Cut along fold marks to create 4 even Cut along fold marks to create 4 even

sheets.sheets.• Write your name on the back on each sheet.Write your name on the back on each sheet.

Newspaper stripsNewspaper strips• Each person should rip 10 strips of Each person should rip 10 strips of

newspaper (each strip should be 1-2” width)newspaper (each strip should be 1-2” width)