Water Thickener For Marbling

Mark one side of your watercolor paper with an a and use a sponge brush to apply alum solution evenly to that side of.

Water thickener for marbling.

Let the paper dry overnight or speed drying with a blow dryer. Although paper marbling has been around for ages i was recently intrigued to give it a go when i saw this cool japanese marbling technique also known as suminagashi paper marbling on a an artist friend s instagram. Make a double recipe of liquid starch by dissolving 4. You should also opt for an uncoated paper coated papers won t absorb any pigment.

Dissolve 2 tsp alum in 3 4 cup water. I prepared my water in a stock pot which has measurements marked out along the inside. If it s too thick the paper will push away the pigment when you gently lay your sheet onto the pigmented water. Mix 1 4 cup of methyl cellulose with 2 quarts of water for the best marbling consistency.

The floating paints are swirled into patterns. The best paper for marbleizing is thick enough to be absorbent while standing up to the water bath but not so thick that it s inflexible. Marbling colors are too thick. Marbling is easier than you think and once you ve learned the technique you ll be swirling and dipping everything you own from hats to totes to notebooks this tutorial is not to be missed.

It is also used in book arts as a paper sizing for paste papers and to slow the drying time of pva glues. Marbling is the process of floating fabric paints on the surface of a thick cellulose solution called size somewhat like oil on water. The size might be too thin or old. Add water to thin the colors skim the marbling base then test.

Methocel is a synthetic thickener that provides a viscous surface for fabric and paper marbling. Conforms to astm d 4236. Add 1 teaspoon of methocel methocelulose powder per gallon of solution or throw out and start a new recipe. The marbling paints sink to the bottom of the tray.

This package contains 8oz of methocel.