HINTS FOR ARTISTS
MARBLIZING
Marbling Show Cards, Backgrounds For Photo Engravers, Lampshades, Box Tops Paper, Etc.
Figure 1.
Very little practice is required in this most fascinating art.
1. Thin any oil paint or printer’s ink to the consistency of water with turpentine, gasoline or kerosene, any number of colors. Mix each separately.
2. Fill a pan, wash basin, or bath tub two-thirds full with water. Size of vessel to be determined by size of card to be marbled.
3. A teaspoonful or more of each color which will readily float on the water is the next step. (See Fig. 1.) A little black used along with certain colors produce very satisfactory results.
4. With your hand or paddle agitate the mixture of water and color and before the turbulent waves subside, immerse card face down (See Fig. 2) being careful to wet entire surface.
To avoid air pockets (wide open colorless spaces) bend card or paper slightly as shown in figure 2. Mottled marble effects are obtained when waves are nearly settled or quite still.
Figure 2.
The coloring adheres to the sheet instantly and it is needless to hold it under water. Colors will run if used in excessive quantity or failure to thin enough. If air pockets form, wait until thoroughly dry before redipping in solution.
White oil paint or printer’s ink may be mixed with colors to form tints before same is thinned. More thinning of colors also make lighter shades.
Over painting on these backgrounds should be executed with color ground in Japan to better adhere to the slightly greasy surface.
Show card writers may obtain rather unique effects with the following:
On a blank card paint or draw all or part of the lettering and border with show card writer’s white which is soluble in water.
When thoroughly dry dip into marbling solution as has been previously described, when dry, place in running water until all show card writer’s white is washed free. A clean soft brush will help loosen it.
The marbling colors should be a trifle darker with less agitation. The darker background will help show to better advantage the pure white border and lettering.
White material is best for marbling. White, a neutral color will not alter the various colors and tints applied in this process. However, colored board may be used to good advantage for certain purposes.
DRAWINGS RESEMBLE PRINTING
To Make Drawings Resemble Printing—Black and White or a Variety of Colors
First—Make light pencil sketch of subject on any good paper or cardboard such as is used when water-colors are employed. Outline all high lights and other portions which are to remain white.
Second—With brush or pen fill in all high lights and other portions which are to remain white with show card writer’s white, which is soluble in water, and let dry.
Third—Partly fill any shallow tray or dish with (water proof) ink, black or colored, if desired. Now dip drawing and let dry.
Fourth—When black or colored water proof inks are thoroughly dry place into running water until the white is washed free from drawing, exposing the clean surface of material. Place between blotters which have been weighted and let dry.
With this process your drawings can show no brush marks. The solids will remain smooth and dense as though printed. If plates for printing purposes are to be made from drawings, you will obtain splendid clean cut results by using this dipping process.
Show card writer’s white and (water proof) black or colors may be obtained at any art shop.
SPATTER
Most everyone is familiar with spatter work. Shading and background effects for drawings, show cards, art candles, etc., may be treated with spatter in one or more colors.
Color in the form of fine dots is thrown upon the unprotected portions of material by rubbing the inked bristles of a brush on a sieve or with a knife blade.
Necessary materials: India or common writing ink, a tooth brush, pocket knife, rubber cement, cardboard and some thin transparent tracing paper. The latest and most effective method is to spatter through a sieve, with a round medium stiff brush as shown in the accompanying illustration.
With point of knife cut out letters which are traced from painted show card and paste with rubber cement, or weight with small objects to prevent color from running under the edges, directly on the face of each corresponding letter and apply spatter. Remove these masks when the work has dried.
High lights may be added to spatter drawings with touches of Chinese or show card writers white with a pencil brush.
Gold ink spatter shows well on dark materials; white is effective on black material. Pleasing backgrounds are produced by thinly covering material with rice, flax seed, leaves, sawdust, etc. Apply spatter and let thoroughly dry before disturbing to prevent smearing.