This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient c...
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Marbling is an ancient technique of floating colour on water and manipulating the surface using a variety of combs, rakes and brushes to form patterns that are then lifted off the surface using sheets of paper. This course will introduce traditional marbling using Carageen moss size, Turkish Ebru marbling and the ink and water technique used in Japanese Suminagashi styles of marbling. You will learn a little about the history of this craft and how to create a range of traditional and contemporary patterns.
What will we cover?
The tools, materials and terminology of marbling.
How to prepare carrageen moss size.
How to apply alum paper so that it is receptive to marbling.
How to make simple combs, rakes, and brushes.
How to use wetting agents, to to adjust and spread the colours floating on the size.
The reproduction of some common traditional patterns.
Experimenting with colour.
Health and safety considerations for materials used in making marbled papers.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explain and use marbling terminology correctly.
Hand marble paper effectively and with regard to health and safety considerations.
Prepare paper with alum as a mordant to fix the colours.
Create unique marble patterns using carrageen moss as a size.
Create unique marble patterns with ink and water,
Examine and replicate several common pattern.
Keep a notebook to record how patterns are made.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for beginners and for those with some craft skill. There is a creative element to the course so a willingness to experiment is an advantage.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will be through practical demonstrations and presentations and one-to-one support. Handouts will be provided. Group discussions and feedback form part of the course and are encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Basic materials are included in the course fee. You may wish to purchase extra paper and you will advised about this during the classes. Please bring with you a notebook and pencil and you may also want to bring an apron.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit Bookbinding runs a range of courses where marble paper can be used for projects. You might like to try:
VD262 Ten Projects for Beginners
VD261 Beginners' bookbinding II
VD442 Pocket bindings: books with reusable covers
VD359 Beginners' bookbinding: bind a letterpress printed book
VD202 Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth bound books.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/hand-marbled-paper156187Hand marbled paperhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture1_3.jpg399399GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Bookbinding/Courses/vm/Creative courses2285113211391141867312285113211391653<p>This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient craft.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Learning traditional paper marbling using carrageen moss as a size. The course takes you on a journey from the beautiful and abstract art of Suminagashi (floating ink on a still water surface) and its history through ‘the silk route’ (Persia & Turkey) and finally to traditional 19th century paper marbling in Europe.</div>25https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture2_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture3_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture4_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture5_2.jpg3029989Hand marbled paper399399https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture1_4.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Art & designVD402399399Hand marbled paper319259399Rachel Williamsonhand-marbled-paper/vd402-2627<p>This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient craft.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00<p>Marbling is an ancient technique of floating colour on water and manipulating the surface using a variety of combs, rakes and brushes to form patterns that are then lifted off the surface using sheets of paper. This course will introduce traditional marbling using Carageen moss size, Turkish Ebru marbling and the ink and water technique used in Japanese Suminagashi styles of marbling. You will learn a little about the history of this craft and how to create a range of traditional and contemporary patterns.</p><p>This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient craft.</p><ul><li>The tools, materials and terminology of marbling. </li><li>How to prepare carrageen moss size. </li><li>How to apply alum paper so that it is receptive to marbling. </li><li>How to make simple combs, rakes, and brushes. </li><li>How to use wetting agents, to to adjust and spread the colours floating on the size. </li><li>The reproduction of some common traditional patterns. </li><li>Experimenting with colour. </li><li>Health and safety considerations for materials used in making marbled papers.</li></ul><ul><li>Explain and use marbling terminology correctly. </li><li>Hand marble paper effectively and with regard to health and safety considerations. </li><li>Prepare paper with alum as a mordant to fix the colours. </li><li>Create unique marble patterns using carrageen moss as a size. </li><li>Create unique marble patterns with ink and water,</li><li>Examine and replicate several common pattern. </li><li>Keep a notebook to record how patterns are made.</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for beginners and for those with some craft skill. There is a creative element to the course so a willingness to experiment is an advantage.</p><p>Teaching will be through practical demonstrations and presentations and one-to-one support. Handouts will be provided. Group discussions and feedback form part of the course and are encouraged.</p><p>Basic materials are included in the course fee. You may wish to purchase extra paper and you will advised about this during the classes. Please bring with you a notebook and pencil and you may also want to bring an apron.</p><p>City Lit Bookbinding runs a range of courses where marble paper can be used for projects. You might like to try: </p><ul><li>VD262 Ten Projects for Beginners</li><li>VD261 Beginners' bookbinding II</li><li>VD442 Pocket bindings: books with reusable covers </li><li>VD359 Beginners' bookbinding: bind a letterpress printed book</li><li>VD202 Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth bound books. </li></ul>Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual319399259VD402NONEMon02/11/26 - 30/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRachel WilliamsonAvailable courses2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Art & design399399Hand marbled paperhand-marbled-paper/vd402-2627<p>This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient craft.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00<p>Marbling is an ancient technique of floating colour on water and manipulating the surface using a variety of combs, rakes and brushes to form patterns that are then lifted off the surface using sheets of paper. This course will introduce traditional marbling using Carageen moss size, Turkish Ebru marbling and the ink and water technique used in Japanese Suminagashi styles of marbling. You will learn a little about the history of this craft and how to create a range of traditional and contemporary patterns.</p><p>This course introduces the fascinating art of marbling. You will learn how to create beautiful papers that can be used on a range of craft projects, around the home or just enjoyed for their endless variations. You will learn about the materials, tools and techniques historically associated with Turkish, European and Japanese marbling and you can experiment with pattern and colour to create your own responses to this ancient craft.</p><ul><li>The tools, materials and terminology of marbling.&nbsp;</li><li>How to prepare carrageen moss size.&nbsp;</li><li>How to apply alum paper so that it is receptive to marbling. </li><li>How to make simple combs, rakes, and brushes.&nbsp;</li><li>How to use wetting agents, to to adjust and spread the colours floating on the size.&nbsp;</li><li>The reproduction of some common traditional patterns.&nbsp;</li><li>Experimenting with colour.&nbsp;</li><li>Health and safety considerations for materials used in making marbled papers.</li></ul><ul><li>Explain and use marbling terminology correctly.&nbsp;</li><li>Hand marble paper effectively and with regard to health and safety considerations.&nbsp;</li><li>Prepare paper with alum as a mordant to fix the colours.&nbsp;</li><li>Create unique marble patterns using carrageen moss as a size.&nbsp;</li><li>Create unique marble patterns with ink and water,</li><li>Examine and replicate several common pattern.&nbsp;</li><li>Keep a notebook to record how patterns are made.</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for beginners and for those with some craft skill. There is a creative element to the course so a willingness to experiment is an advantage.</p><p>Teaching will be through practical demonstrations and presentations and one-to-one support. Handouts will be provided. Group discussions and feedback form part of the course and are encouraged.</p><p>Basic materials are included in the course fee. You may wish to purchase extra paper and you will advised about this during the classes.&nbsp;Please bring with you a notebook and pencil and you may also want to bring an apron.</p><p>City Lit Bookbinding runs a range of courses where marble paper can be used for projects. You might like to try: </p><ul><li>VD262 Ten Projects for Beginners</li><li>VD261&nbsp;Beginners' bookbinding II</li><li>VD442&nbsp;Pocket bindings: books with reusable covers&nbsp;</li><li>VD359&nbsp;Beginners' bookbinding: bind a letterpress printed book</li><li>VD202&nbsp;Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth bound books. </li></ul>Contemporary craftsBookbindingconfigurable
