The solution on which the colors are floated is referred to as the size the size can be made of several different types of gel or gum but the finest and most detailed marbling must be done on carrageenan size carrageenan is an extract from a seaweed called irish moss.
Carrageenan for marbling recipe.
That is how to prepare the water and thinking it for turkish sty.
Let pigment spread out 2 to 3 inches.
In this tutorial i will show you one of the most important steps when it comes to marbling.
Carrageenan size recipe for marbling.
It will never set after this point nature takes course and it starts to break down.
Carrageenan for water marbling with acrylic paint 1 2lb 8oz 226gr water thickener for diy silk and paper painting gel recipe blender type bitsysupply from shop bitsysupply.
I mix my alum a bit stronger than some recommendations just because i find it works better for me.
Many times online retailers don t specify which type of carrageenan they are selling and not all carrageenan is the same.
Increase ingredients proportionally to make larger quantities.
The carrageenan must sit for at least 12 hours to set properly and then you can pour it into the marbling tray.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of carrageenan in 2 cups of water you must stir it vigorously i use both a whisk and wooden spoon and then add enough water to make 1 gallon 16 cups while stirring.
4 tbsp 1 4 cup carrageenan powder.
Water quality is the main issue for marbling.
Of all the steps involved preperation of the size is the most important as without the right size the colours simply will not float that being said there has been numerous types of sizes that were used throughout the history of marbling including but not limited to carrageenan gum tracaganth and most.
Place a gallon of water in a bucket and use a wire whisk to stir in 3 tablespoons of methocel.
This recipe makes 1 gallon of size.
For example kappa carrageenan quickly turns to jelly whereas lambda can be left out for a couple days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Continue in this fashion adding color over color and letting paint spread out and form random shapes.
The example uses methocel for the size but you can follow the same instructions for carrageenan size.
Preparing for marbling is an art in its own right one that requires a strict precision.
The carrageenan is mixed in a high speed.
With a coffee stirrer drop paint onto several spots on surface of size.
Make marbling size.