In short, I am busy: Art Workshop: Ink Marbling

 

Supplies

• Marbling inks
• Paper
• cardstock
• Muslin (optional)
• Ice cube trays (for ink)
• Brushes, toothpicks, masking tape, pens
• Large shallow tubs, water source
• A LARGE space or rack for drying
• Aprons, paper towels/towels, sink

Resources

• The best instructions I found here at Inner Child Fun
• Video of staff marbling paper

Introduction

I reminded everyone that this was messy and gave some basic instructions, emphasizing using small dots of ink and not dumping it in.

How it works

• Kids use the paintbrushes to tap, paint, drip, or splatter ink into the tubs, which are filled with about two inches of water. Then they drop the paper or muslin in, peel it out, and it transfers the design to the item.
• The main effort involved in this is my staff emptying and refilling the water tubs and labeling and moving the marbled art out to dry.

Evaluation

• 6-29-23
• Attendance: 4
• Notes: We included papermaking, which my associate runs (involves a blender, towels, and shredded paper). It was a weird day with oppressive heat, smoke, and the pool has been opening and closing due to the air quality, so I wasn't too surprised although it was a little disappointing that we had such a low turnout.
• 6-9-22
• Attendance: 30
• Notes: This worked much better in the Community Room. We could empty the tubs out the doors and had tables set up for drying. Some people just made a few and left and some stayed for a longer time. We did a drop-in from 3:30-5:30.
• 6-27-19
• Attendance: 20
• Notes: This is pretty time-intensive due to all the emptying and refilling of tubs. I was running it 3:30-6:30 and there was a major storm right after 5 and that kind of ended it.
• 10-2-18
• Attendance: 20
• Notes: This is a popular and easy art program. It's important to remember that construction paper doesn't work well for this (the art paper worked well and cardstock does well too). Different kinds of muslin work better than other kinds, but I forgot to note which ones worked better last time... one aide had a great idea to stick masking tape with the kids' names onto the shelves where we put the art to dry.
• 6-14-18
• Attendance: 30
• Notes: Some adults and teens wanted to come. One suggested fabric, so I brought several squares of muslin from home to experiment with. It worked really well - best was the white, plain cotton muslin.
• 7-7-17
• Attendance: 30
• Notes: Forgot to get the cardstock instead of construction paper. A lot of people who hadn't signed up came, but they came in groups so it was fine. This one works well with a large group.
• 7-15-16
• Attendance: 20
• Notes: Next time I think I'll show the instruction video first - a lot of kids had trouble grasping the concept of just dabbing the ink onto the water. Make sure I have cardstock next time - construction paper gets too wet.