This workshop will outline various traditional and DIY techniques for marbling paper and fabric. Demonstrations will be provided for several different kinds of marbling (water, sizing, shaving cream). Students will have the opportunity to watch the process and/or participate in their own homes. Students completing the full series of textiles and surface design can use their pieces from the previous workshops for this exercise.

Materials List

• 100% Cotton fabric (white or light color, muslin or a basic woven cotton is preferable, can be purchased or recycled from t-shirt or other cotton scrap)

• Low pan (like brownie pan, larger than the size of the piece you want to marble

• Shaving cream or sizing (irish moss/carrageen or methocel)

• Food coloring or marbling inks

• Toothpicks, fork, skewer, and/or chopstick

Marbling Materials Resources

This kit is great for marbling with water.

Please consider supporting IS183 Art School by making an additional donation.

Online Classes at IS183

Though IS183 Art School has temporarily closed its doors due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we are committed to our mission to provide hands-on art-making opportunities, keeping creativity alive during this challenging time. Our new Online Art series offers digital opportunities to work with talented IS183 Faculty Artists, bringing the studio experience to you!

How It Works

Register for a class (or series) on our website, and we will email you a Zoom meeting link along with instructions. Simply use the link to join the online class at the designated time! Download the Zoom app on your smartphone or tablet, or use your laptop/desktop web browser. The web browser client will download automatically when you join your first Zoom meeting. (Have a look at this Zoom overview.)

You will join a live, interactive lesson presented in real-time by an IS183 Faculty Artist. Small class sizes will allow you to engage personally with the instructor and other students, just like in the studio! Faculty lessons will primarily be demonstration-based, but may have segments in which students are challenged to work on independent assignments. Each class and faculty approach will be unique! 

Thank you for continuing to make art and support IS183 Art School! We look forward to seeing you in the (virtual) studios! 

Please see our policies on cancellations, refunds, and more.