Experimenting with Colorful Backgrounds Tom Campos Marbling Paper Experimenting with Colorful Backgrounds Tom Campos Book end papers from Europe 1860-1880s

Different colors and styles

Paper Marbling is a method of producing colorful patterns and designs similar to smooth marble or other kinds of stone. The patterns are the result of color inks and paints that float on either plain water or a viscous solution known as Size, and then carefully transferred to an absorbent surface, such as paper or fabric. These designs can be planned for an arranged look ; Feathered, flames, spirals or left as is in an abstract design with the colors ebbying and flowing throughout. Through several centuries, people have applied marbled materials to a variety of surfaces. It is often employed as a writing surface for calligraphy, and especially book covers and endpapers in bookbinding And much its appeal is that each print is quite unique. There are several methods and techniques for making Marbled Papers; Suminagashi, shaving cream, or paints over liquids with size mixed in.

Suminagashi which means "floating ink" in Japanese, is a Japanese technique; the oldest example appears in the 12th-century. In the 19th century, Tokutaro Yagi, was recognized as the Kyoto master of Japanese Marbling. The techniques and tools are the basics for most marbling papers. Use a shallow tray filled with water, and various kinds of ink or paint colors are carefully applied to the surface with an ink brush. Various additives or surfactant chemicals are used to help float the colors. A drop of "negative" color made of plain water with the addition of surfactant is used to drive the drop of color into a ring. The process is repeated until the surface of the water is covered with concentric rings.

Suminagashi method supplies

The floating colors result in concentric spiral designs which gives a slightly psychedelic effect. The design can then be carefully manipulated either by blowing on them directly or through a straw, fanning the colors, or one can use a split piece of bamboo to gently stir the colors, Then a sheet of washi paper is carefully laid onto the water surface to capture the floating design.

Paper Marbling using colors that float on water

Better Homes & Garden Magazine 2018

Colorful Ideas for use include: From its early development several countries: China, Japan and the countries of the Middle East have claimed this ancient method of decorating paper. Marbled paper is still made today, and the method is now applied to fabric and three-dimensional surfaces, as well as paper. Aside from continued traditional applications, artists now explore using the method as a kind of painting technique, and as an element in collages and museum exhibitions. The first International Marblers' Gathering was held in Santa Fe NM in 1989 sponsored by the Marbling journal Ink & Gall. Active international groups can be found on social media networks such as Facebook and Yahoo! as well as sites like the International Marbling Network Colorful Ideas for use include: Calligraphy over the design, (remember the Guild Valentine Day Party ) Frame a small piece of the abstracted marbling Bookend papers/ Covers Book-Marks Origami designs using thin sheets of paper Placemats / Coasters Clock face backgrounds Business Cards Stencil designs ( foreground or background ) Envelopes and Greeting Cards

Shaving cream method supplies