Easy Paper Marbling Methods for All Ages

Paper marbling creates one-of-a kind art on paper, using paint, a suspension medium, paper and some basic arts and crafts supplies. Crafters from preschoolers to adults make marbled paper, using the technique that is age-appropriate.

Easy Paper Marbling Methods for Preschoolers

Preschool children and kids in Kindergarten can use this safe paper marbling technique.

Supplies for the preschool paper marbling project:

One can of cheap foam shave cream
One tray, which could be a plastic food tray or a clean and rinsed produce tray
One ruler
Craft sticks
Paper
Non-toxic watercolor paint or kids' poster paint

Spray a layer of shaving cream into the tray. Use a plastic ruler to even out the shave cream into a flat surface. Wipe excess shave cream off and set aside, or place into a second tray.

Add water to watercolor pans or paints to make them watery. Use only two or three colors at a time, to avoid creating a brown and muddy mess. Drip, drizzle or spatter the colors onto the shave cream surface.

Use the craft sticks to make swirling shapes in the shaving cream and to mix the paint colors slightly.

Place a sheet of paper on top of the swirled paint design to make a print of the marbeled paint colors. Leave the paper and art to sit overnight and dry (if you can wait that long).

Wipe of the dried shave cream the next day, with a clean rag. The cream will come off, and the design will remain.

Experiment with different paint color combinations, "drawing" tools and paint consistency.

Easy Paper Marbling Methods for Adults

Art students, hobbyists and adult crafters can make more complex marbling with a different set of tools and materials.

Supplies for the Adult paper marbling project:
Deep tray or tub
Oil paint
Mineral spirits
Paint brush
Paper or canvas
Comb, toothbrush, craft stick

Add enough water to the container to completely cover the bottom.

Dilute some inexpensive oil paint, including the colors you don't tend to use in your artwork, with mineral spirits. Use two or three different hues.

Dip your brush in the diluted oil paint and drip the paint onto the water. The oily color drops will float to the top of the water, and not mix with it. Add more colors until you like what you see.

Blend and swirl the oil colors with a craft stick, an unused hair comb, or even a toothbrush. Place a piece of paper over the colorful oil slick, placing it flat down onto the surface. Go from left to right, or right to left, as long as you avoid pesky air bubbles which will leave white spots in your design.

Remove the paper and let it dry. Make more prints using the same marbling bath, no two will be exactly alike.