Wondering what is the magic of marbling? Words can’t really convey that but this video will give you a taste and why people get so “addicted” to making the magic!
Opportunities to marble, to learn from others, and to build your technique and artistic sense are important. We have been offering people who already know the basics of marbling an opportunity to marble the second weekend of every month at Homewood Studios in Minneapolis. This will continue into 2024 until our studio is ready. Some pertinent information about signing up below:
- Marbling slots are on a first-come first-served basis.
- There are 4 slots per day (4 on Saturday, 4 on Sunday) for a total of 8 slots.
- Each slot is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, (make payment below) which includes 1 gallon of carrageenan which is enough to fill a 16×20 tray (this is the size of tray used to teach at Minnesota Center for Book Arts)
- If you require additional carrageenan because you have a bigger tray, please indicate that on the signup form. An extra gallon is $5.
- If you have the time and desire, you can sign up to make the carrageenan for the weekend on the Friday before and receive a $15 discount on the cost of marbling.
- Payment is expected
prior to the weekend and signups close the Thursday before, to allow the carrageenan maker enough time to make it. - Studio times are not fixed, but currently they are approximately 9am-5pm. Participants are expected to clean up, so please factor that into your scheduling.
Participants are expected to bring:
- Paper – Lots of different kinds of paper work – the rule of thumb is: if you see a paper you want to use, buy a few sheets and try it before investing a lot money in any one kind of paper. If you are a first timer, bring some Blick Sulphite Drawing Paper because that works!
- Paint (including holders, brushes, etc.) – most marblers here use Golden Fluid Acrylics but other brands of acrylic paint work. Common wisdom is to only use one brand of acrylic paint, however, because similar chemistry in the binders make
the paint work together better on the vat. - Something to hold the paints you are using – people use ice-cube trays or small cups in something so they don’t tip over (small PVC pipes from Home Depot or a tray will work)
- Eye droppers/pipettes – eye droppers are sometimes hard to find and expensive; more people these days are using plastic pipettes (just search pipettes online) 1 oz. is better for our purposes because they fit the cups you will mix paint in better. You can clean these pipettes for reuse using a green scrubbie (get someone to show you!)
- Combs if you have them — we have also made some combs for people just getting started and Parry teaches classes on making combs
While extra trays and combs are available, access to a specific tray or comb cannot be guaranteed. As such, you are encouraged to bring your own. Space is available if you would like to leave a tray at Homewood Studios for future use.
We want to keep this as flexible and as inviting as possible, so if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us at: (see Contact).
We use SignupGenius.com for marbling spot signups:
- June 2024, 8th and/or 9th: click here
Payments can be sent to Midwest Marbling, 228 Cecil Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or through PayPal.