What kind of paint do I use for paper Marbling?

Question

I want my 2nd graders to try paper marbling to cover their composition books to create personalized journals.

I want to drip paint into a tub of water. What kind of paint will stay and float on top of the water and not sink, so that we can dip cardstock into the water and get the swirled paint to stay on the paper?

What kind/brand/type of paint and where to buy it cheap?!?

Answer 1

Check this out - tempera paint poured on top of shaving cream - how brilliant is that? lots of cool ideas on this link - have fun!

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/marbling.htm

Answer 2

Check out the craft stores in your area. The paint is oil based and is very hard to clean up so you might want to try this method. I have used water based paint in a shallow pan. You do not need a lot of paint and tempera paints will work as well. Instead of dipping the paper vertically, you place the paper on the paint horizontally.

To get the effect you are looking for... Put several small puddles of paint in the pan. Use a tooth pick or craft sticks to swirl through the paint, this will create the pattern. Try not to overdo it or you end up with one color. You can add more paint as needed.

Hang the paper over a drop cloth or news paper to catch any drips. The running paint adds to the design. OR dry the paper on a flat surface covered with news paper.

Keep in mind that "less is more" and clean-up is easy.

Vic (Art teacher K -12)