[KwartzLab] Paper Marbling Workshop: Sun Jan 29 1-4pm

[Kevin Martin]

That online document is pretty much exactly what we'll be doing in the workshop... the actual marbling part, anyway, since we'll have the methocel all prepared already. We'll be doing a little more with the pattern manipulation than they mention.
I notice that they suggest adding a bit of fabric softener to the methocel (they also fool around with ammonia and vinegar) but don't explain why. Yet another thing I'll have to try.

With some paint/paper combinations the paint sticks fine without pre-treating the paper with alum but for most papers alum makes a difference in how well the paints stick. This matters most when a heavier layer of paint is used: without the alum, the paints run and smear, and trying to rinse off the smearing also washes off the desired pattern.

There is a bit of a trade-off regarding how much you let the alum solution dry off the paper. If you dry the paper completely as they suggest, the paper ends up a bit buckled and crisp even after ironing it, making it difficult to lay it on the surface without trapping air bubbles. On the other hand if you let the paper *almost* dry (so it looks dry but feels cool to the touch) the paper will be supple (almost too limp to handle if too damp) but the remaining dampness may slightly reduce paint retention.

By the way, I won't be at the Jan 24th TON.

-Kevin Martin
 the Papertrail Handmade Paper & Book Arts
 New Dundee, Ontario
 519-884-7123
 www.papertrail.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at kwartzlab.ca [mailto:discuss-bounces at kwartzlab.ca] On Behalf Of Agnes Niewiadomski

I found this document online from Golden  http://www.earthguild.com/products/riff/webbpdfs/wmargold.pdf 
Are your techniques similar? Is the alum a necessary part?

Yes, I believe the Magic Dip paints are oil based. I think I may have one bottle that hasn't dried out. I'll bring it to the lab next time I'm at TON.