Why does the paint stick without bleeding?

ALUM! This is a drying agent that causes the paint to be “sucked up” into the item you are marbling! This process is the best applied to natural fibers....but can be tested on anything!

Alum comes in a dry form that is mixed with water.

ALUM(MORDANT): 4 cups of hot water to 1/4 cup alum. Whisk. Set aside. Check for sediment, remix if needed. This can be applied to any item you want to marble using a sprayer, brush, or by soaking.

Once applied the items will need a safe place to fully dry! I use a towel underneath and setup a clothing rack to hang items from. Do not handle until fully dry. 12-24 hours later.

Sometimes material or items you marble will be coated with a treatment to resist water. This needs to be washed, rinsed, or wiped off.

Want to learn more about how to prepare items to water marble?

We have a step by step tutorial on YouTube so you can test water marbling on all these different materials! Tap to follow the link!

Art Canvas

Glass

Fake Flowers

Wood

Wax Candle

What have you experimented with?

Some finished pieces!