From the Studio: The Craft of Marbling
A colorful selection of marbled papers created for The Garden Journey
Each card in The Garden Journey features a hand-marbled frame, which complements the illustration framed within.
Marbling is a type of printmaking technique whereby each print made is unique due to the nature of the process: pigments are made to float on top of a solution, by dropping or splattering with different brushes or other tools. Then, the pigment is manipulated directly on the surface of the water to create a beautiful pattern.
Finally, the paper is "printed" by laying it down onto the surface of the solution, then removing it carefully.
For the development of the marbled paper used for The Garden Journey, Joanne primarily used acrylic paint in a carrageenan solution. Acrylic paint provides the vibrant colors needed to complement the evocative palette of the card design.
The carrageenan gel used for marbling, prior to sitting overnight
The acrylic paint used as pigment for marbling
The surface of the marbling tank, ready for the paper to be laid down.
The High Priestess painting, set against a complementary marbled paper background.
Each marbled print was uniquely developed to complement the botanical illustration it would accompany on the final card design.
The nature of marbling as a craft is that it requires diligent preparation, as well as a willingness to let chaos play its part. In contrast to botanical illustration, the act of dropping or splattering pigment across the marbling tank is a form of guided randomness. We love the interplay of the delicate chaos of the marbled paper set against the precise renderings of the flowers and plants of The Garden Journey and hope you do, too.
Some resources about marbling to get you started!