marbling - I've been learning how

Edge of the Waves, marbling, collage and coloured pencil, Vivien Blackburn

(unfinished work in progress)

I've been learning how to use marbling techniques to create gorgeous papers - I've got a lot to learn but it was fun! I wanted to use the papers in collage and my first experiments are here.

They are done with torn and cut marbled papers, some watercolour and a little coloured pencil.

Tides Edge, marbling, watercolour, collage, Vivien Blackburn

Oily inks were dripped into a large tray of water, they float on the surface and I swirled them with the end of a paintbrush, breaking up the globs of ink and creating swirls and drifts of colour. Then a sheet of paper was dropped in, sometimes lifted out without dragging and sometimes dragging it to create extra movement of the swirls. I used watercolour paper and cartridge paper, for the effects I wanted the cartridge paper worked better, the ink continued to move for a little as you lifted the paper out. With the watercolour paper it gripped and stayed.

I've got several sheets to experiment with :>)

I wonder if it would work with oil paint and Liquin or Linseed oil? has anyone tried that? any suggestions on managing with the materials I already have?

.

Comments

harry bell said…
I like the results, although I read both of them as winter landscapes. I did a little marbling once using oil paint thinned with turps, but it was difficult to get the right consistency for floating.
vivien said…
I can read the top one as a winter landscape but not so much the bottom one


Tbanks for the info on turps not working well - maybe needs to be much oilier? Linseed oil?
pete said…
If you've got the space to experiment without ruining your house (!) why not try everything!

I recently poured emulsion on a board, injected acrylic paint, then tilted it this way and that. It isn't marbling, but it was interesting.
harry bell said…
I think I've seen fells here in the north east that looked like the second of your images.

Yes, adding linseed oil might make a difference to the floating potential
vivien said…
Pete I do like pouring diluted acrylic paint or acrylic inks and letting them flood into each other - really interesting on UNprimed canvas as well :>)

Harry yes, thinking of the remote high valleys in Scotland I can see what you mean.

Melanie sent me a great email on marbling using shaving foam - I hope she's going to do a blog post about it and I'll link to it, she'd done some lovely work that way. Thank you Melanie :>)
Lindsay said…
I'm completely crazy about your marbling experiments. You are so adventurous with your media. I love how you are using them and still working in your own unique style! Your recent posts are lovely too. I'm just getting caught up now after a busy week.
vivien said…
Thanks Lindsay :>) - you are doing a fair amount of experimenting yourself! I've found the silk ones really interesting

Hope you've checked the Flying Pictures website - there are some great pictures from your book that Ronell has posted - I think you may be the first to get your book back!
Kari Gibson said…
What lovely results - I have never tried marbling, it looks like great fun.

Hope to see more experimentation from you!
Anita said…
very definitely landscapes - and as stunning as all your work. I've always wanted to try marbling. I am always so inspired by your experimental nature - I really need to step outside the box myself and be more daring!
vivien said…
thanks Anita and Kari :>)

Melanie is going to do a post (Ihope) about an easy way of doing marbling - I'll link to it when she does you may like it
my croft said…
okay, okay, :-)
I have a post up. I considered doing some marbling and shooting a step-by-step, then remembered who I am and realized I'd never get the post up if I tried that. So I've explained in words, but it's a simple process and words whould be enough.

fondly,
Melanie
vivien said…
:>D great! I'll add a link for those who would like to try it
Robyn Sinclair said…
I thought 'waves' immediately, Vivien - and the second is a natural beach. So clever, so beautiful, so tempting!

I remember doing this in Primary School, the delight has never left me, but I've never tried again. I am now writing out 100 times, I must not take on yet another art technique until I produce something I want to sign!

Enjoyed Melanie's shaving cream marbling explaination, and thank you for the pointer to her blog. It's beautifully written.
vivien said…
thanks Robyn :>)

I'd never ever done any marbling so it was fun!


I know what you mean about taking on too many subjects/techniques!

Popular posts from this blog

current exhibition, paintings from Wales, Cornwall, Leicestershire, the Cotswolds and Yorkshire

looking at non traditional composition and quiet vs busy areas in paintings

paint or sketch trees: challenge