βWhat ratio of oil paint to brush cleaning solvent did you use?β Β· Michele
Author Add enough solvent to get a smooth liquid without any lumps, roughly the consistency of washable paint.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom Β· February 2013
Ages4+
Prep25 min
Activity30 min
Levelmedium
MessHigh
Works for1:1 Β· Small group
Drop thinned oil paint onto a shallow pan of water, blow or stir the colors with a straw, then float thick paper on top to lift off a marbled print. It's an easy take on suminagashi, the ancient Japanese 'floating ink' marbling technique.
β οΈ Safety first
- Adult does all paint thinning. Brush-cleaning solvents, turpentine and other paint thinners give off fumes, can irritate skin and are flammable. Work in a well-ventilated area, keep them away from flames, cap them right after use and store them out of children's reach.
- Not taste-safe: oil paint and solvents are harmful if swallowed. Kids blow OUT through straws only, never sip, and should not mouth droppers, straws or paper.
- Keep paint and paint water away from eyes and faces. Supervise the whole time, and wash hands well afterwards.
- Don't reuse the pan for cooking. The author used an old pan that was on its way out.
- Oil paint stains clothes and surfaces. Cover the work area and wear old clothes.
- Don't pour leftover solvent or paint water down the drain. Follow local rules for disposing of paint and solvent waste.
Before the kids arrive
- Adult, in a well-ventilated space: squeeze each oil color into its own small clear cup and stir in brush-cleaning solvent until smooth with no lumps, about the consistency of washable paint.
- Set aside an old shallow pan you won't cook with again.
- Have thick drawing paper ready that fits inside the pan.
Steps
Pour shallow water into the pan and line up the cups of thinned paint beside it, with a dropper or spoon in each.
Drop a few colors onto the water, one at a time, and watch the patterns spread.
Blow gently through a straw across the water to push the colors into new shapes.
For more dramatic patterns, stir the water with the straw. Stir hard if you want the colors to blend.
When you like the pattern, gently lay a sheet of thick paper flat on the water.
As the colors start to transfer, lift the paper up gently and flip it to reveal your print.
Lay the print flat to dry.
Add more paint and make another one. Repeat until you're tired out!
Tips
- The thinning step is important: oil paint straight from the tube is not the right consistency, so a solvent is needed to thin it out.from the author
- Thin it until you get a smooth liquid without any lumps, about the consistency of washable paint.from the author
- Pattern quality seems to differ brand to brand. We tried two and found Reeves to be better.from the author
- Gentle air blowing gives open, separate blobs of color. Not-so-gentle stirring blends everything into a busy marble. It was beautiful to see varying degrees of mixing creating unique patterns.from the author
- Use a pan that's on its way out. Ours was a greasy old glass pan.from the author
- If your brush cleaner won't thin the paint, you can't go wrong with turpentine or linseed oil.from the author
- Large plastic cafeteria trays from a restaurant supply store work well for paper marbling, and for other messy art centers too.from readers
- One reader who teaches kids from age 2 up found real Suminagashi inks worked well, while the homemade alternatives she found online didn't.from readers
Make it your own
- Decorate each paper with embellishments.
- Cut out shapes and turn the prints into cards.
- Bind the papers into a book as a keepsake of the time you spent creating together.
- Try a store-bought marbling kit or real Suminagashi ink instead of oil paint.
Questions readers asked
What ratio of oil paint to brush cleaning solvent?
There's no exact ratio. Add enough solvent to get a smooth liquid without lumps, about the consistency of washable paint.
My acrylic brush cleaner won't thin the oil paints. What should I use?
The off-brand brush cleaner from the craft store worked for the author. For a sure thing, she recommends turpentine or linseed oil. Thinning is an adult-only job; use good ventilation.
What is suminagashi?
An ancient technique for marbling paper with ink. The name means 'floating ink'. It originated in China and has long been practiced in Japan. This version uses thinned paint instead of ink.
Can I use my baking pan again afterwards?
It's better not to reuse it for cooking. The author used an old pan that was on its way out.
What age is this for?
The author says it's good for kids 4 and above.
What readers say
π¬ 7 comments βοΈ 3 answered by the author π tried with 1 classes or groups
Answered by the author
βThe acrylic brush solvent wouldn't thin my oil paints. Do I need an oil solvent?β Β· Michele
Author An off-brand craft store brush cleaner worked for the author, but turpentine or linseed oil (oil paint thinner) is the sure way to thin oil paints.
π οΈ Troubleshooting
Acrylic brush cleaner didn't thin paint
A reader's acrylic brush cleaning solvent wouldn't thin her oil paints. TurkeyMom says turpentine or linseed oil (oil paint thinner) is the sure way to go.
βI bought the acrylic brush solvent like you suggested and it wouldn't thin the oil paints.β
π οΈ Troubleshooting
Aim for washable-paint consistency
How much thinner? Add enough to get a smooth liquid without lumps, about the consistency of washable paint.
βAdd enough to get a smooth liquid without any lumps.β
π In the classroom
Marbling with ages 2 through adults
A reader first saw Suminagashi inks in a middle school class and has used them successfully with kids aged 2 through adults. Homemade alternatives she tried didn't work.
βI have been using them since with great success with kids aged 2 through adults.β
β¨ Readers' twist
Use cafeteria trays instead of pans
The same reader marbles paper in large plastic cafeteria trays from a restaurant supply store, and reuses them for other messy art.
βI bought large plastic cafeteria trays at my local restaurant supply store for paper marbling.β
Read all 7 comments
Michele Β· Feb 2013
I bought oil paints and I bought the acrylic brush solvent like you suggested and it wouldn't thin the oil paints. Do I need to use an oil solvent instead of acrylic?
TurkeyMomAuthor Β· Feb 2013 Β· replying to Michele
hmmm.. The brush cleaning solvent did work for me. I used an off brand from the craft store. However, I do know that turpentine is the best way to go when thinning oil paints. I just took a chance with the brush cleaning solvent and it worked for me. If you want a sure shot thing, you can't go wrong with turpentine or linseed oil ( oil paint thinner) Let me know if these work out because this kind of marbling is so much fun for everyone.
Michele Β· Feb 2013
What was the oil paint to brush cleaning solvent ratio? I love this! Thanks for sharing!
TurkeyMomAuthor Β· Feb 2013 Β· replying to Michele
Add enough to get a smooth liquid without any lumps. To put it in perspective, you will get the consistency of washable paint.
Becky Β· Feb 2013
This is AWESOME! I just bought a kit a couple of weeks ago and we haven't actually sat down to do it yet. I absolutely love the way your turned out!!!! :) When I get my post up, can I link to you? I won't use any pictures, just refer to your blog. I already just shared on fb!:)
TurkeyMomAuthor Β· Feb 2013 Β· replying to Becky
Sure Becky. I want to use the kit and try using the actual ink as well.
frances rice Β· Feb 2013
I was first exposed to Suminagashi inks when I visited my son's middle school class. I have been using them since with great success with kids aged 2 through adults. I have tried homemade alternatives that I researched on the internet, and none worked, I am very excited to try your suggestion of using thinned oil paint! I bought large plastic cafeteria trays at my local restaurant supply store for paper marbling. I have also used them for painting with spaghetti, filling with texture items for the collage center.