Acrylic Paper Marbling for Beginners, Step 2: How to use acrylics for paper marbling

[@chessbathory]

I'd like a video on alum for my part. I'm a beginner in marbled paper and after several attempts I still haven't passed a single paper, it's demotivating... Thanks for your amazing work and videos, it's really useful and enjoyable to watch !

[@JamesMouland]

Hi, what kind of paints are you using?

[@chessbathory]

@@JamesMouland I'm currently using acrylic painting with some ox gall liquid, but the problem is my liquid I think, I can't manage to get it thicker with what I have... I'm trying many different materials I have at home but no one seems to fit yet. I ordered some carraghenane to try, because I can't seem to find methylcellulose in France

[@JamesMouland]

Ok hopefully the carrageenan is good quality, did you watch step 1 on how to mix it?

[@chessbathory]

@@JamesMouland i hope so too... yes, I did watch your other video too! It was really interesting and useful. I hope I'll be able to have the same result! Thank you so much for your help :)

[@JamesMouland]

My pleasure, I hope it all works out for you 😃

[@nikosvotshs2294]

Out of all the videos and the processes that i have seen to learn this beautiful technique you are one of the best, thank you so much for the break down of this whole procedure! Keep doing what you do people of art need you for sure!

[@JamesMouland]

Thank you so much, it’s very encouraging to receive such feedback, happy marbling 😃

[@margarethdemery488]

Another most enjoyable,informative awesome tutorial …. Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤

[@JamesMouland]

You are so welcome!

[@margarethdemery488]

Wow! James …. Absolutely amazing 🤩

[@JamesMouland]

Thanks so much!

[@toshirok4481]

Very nice tutorial. Thank you for the lesson and the explanation!

[@JamesMouland]

You're very welcome!

[@nathalieberna8106]

Merci pour tous ces renseignements très utiles et très intéressant

[@JamesMouland]

I am pleased that you found it useful😁

[@MoniqueAO888]

Sooo interesting...thanks for sharing !!!

[@JamesMouland]

My pleasure!

[@annettegradus9341]

Yes please to aluminium sulphate video.

[@JamesMouland]

It’s on the to do list ☑️

[@leodeluxe426]

Can u use regular acrylic or does it have to be a specific marbling acrylic?

[@JamesMouland]

Different types of acrylic can work without additives, but some will need diluting with a paint thinner, surfactant to help it spread correctly. It is a case of experimentation and trial and error. Make sure you keep good notes and only make small changes at a time.

[@marycarmenamezcua8516]

Helloww. Could we use watercolor paper?? Or just copy paper or mixmedia paper?? Thanks!!

[@JamesMouland]

In the demonstration I’m using copy paper

[@crafty_nerdette]

what is the best paper to use beside copy paper? I find that copy paper is hard for me to not rip when wet.

[@JamesMouland]

@@crafty_nerdette you’ll need to experiment with different paper types accessible to you, just try a slightly thicker paper and see how it goes. Some papers will need to be treated with aluminium sulphate to help with binding.

[@crafty_nerdette]

@@JamesMouland yes, I have been told to get any cold pressed paper, which i did, but its too thick. it is not very flexible while trying to lay it down on the water. And yes, I always treat one side with mordant.

[@JamesMouland]

@ paper marblers tend to favour a paper up to 110gsm if it is for book binding, for other craft it completely depends on the project. Have you tried the international marbling network on Facebook? You might be able to find somebody local to you that can recommend a paper stock.

[@JamesMouland]

Look up marblingmagpie on Instagram she is great at finding recycled papers and materials to marble

[@alisonk14]

Can you use this for Christmas ornament ?

[@JamesMouland]

Yes, it works with wood and some plastic depending on coating, you can use aluminium sulphate as a primer to help with bonding

[@amypearson4859]

What is the best brand of paint to get

[@JamesMouland]

@@amypearson4859 for beginners I’m using Pebeo

[@shellfishlady64]

Do you have any problems with air trapped under the paper leaving white spots? Are there any tips on doing glass bottles, do they need alum sizing for the paint to stick? Enjoying your very helpful videos😊

[@JamesMouland]

Occasionally, with practice you can overcome this. Glass must be very clean and then an apply a fine mist with spray bottle, make sure alum is completely dissolved in hot water first.

[@s00b00]

Hi, i am from india. New to marbling. The paints like decoart and pebeo are too expensive here. I read that fluid acrylic paints can be used for marbling by adding water and ox gall if required. I got hold of mont marte fluid acrylic paints, 2 colors i have tried so far black and green. Black disperses quickly and quite a width. Green not so much. I tried adding ox gall to green and also tried adding more and then adding more water to see what works. On its own green works okay but as soon as i put black and then add green again, green stays a dot and doesnt disperse at all. I have 2 questions: 1) In what proportion should water be mixed with the paint and how many drops of ox gall. 2) why is my green not working like black. What is the possible issue. Would really appreciate a video on how to prepare fluid acrylics for marbling and how to work the balance. Thank you so much.

[@JamesMouland]

Hi, thanks for your question. With acrylics that have different properties it is very difficult to get them to balance, it is down to how much patience you have to adjust them drop by drop and keep notes, treat it like a chemistry experiment. Small adjustments can make big differences. To make it even more complex the quality of your marbling water will also affect the outcome, which materials are you using?

[@Zara-ZAF]

Where did u get ox gal in india?

[@joespallino3945]

Can you dunk sneakers with this method?

[@JamesMouland]

Yes. I’ve not personally. You need to test the fabric type and prepare with alum