Suminigashi
Japanese Marbling Technique
Materials
Ink, Design Tools (needle, comb, two brushes), Paper, Tray, Water, Newsprint & Paper Towels, Propyl Alcohol
Process
Begin by filling the white tray with water, about an inch deep. Skim the water surface with a folded sheet of newsprint (goal is to get dust off). Fill color palette with desired colors. Mix colors together if desired! Dip one brush tip into ink color of choice, and the other brush tip into another color (black increases definition of the shapes).
Tap the one brush to the surface, then the other brush. Alternate until desired shape/appearance occurs. There should be a design of concentric circles, shifting gradually. When the design looks appealing, dip the paper, front down, onto the surface of the water. Lightly tap so the entire surface of the paper touches the water. Peel the paper up, then dry off on a stack of flat paper towels or rinse paper in water. Set the paper to the side to dry.
Additional Design Options
Add alcohol for a chemical reaction that alters the shape interestingly.
Use a needle or safety pin to draw lines in the circles.
Blow through a straw to move the ink around.
Experience
This was a fun and fast way to creating marbled paper. Once the paint was in the water, the design was constantly moving and changing. This led to a surprise every time I pulled the paper up. This method also led to less vibrant colors than other methods like shaving cream or traditional western. If possible, I would also rinse the paper in water right away instead of dabbing it on a paper towel. In the images provided, you can see the paper towel’s texture in the marbling.
Classroom Application
This method of printing would be effective for elementary students into middle and high school as a way to practice learning a technical skill in addition to creating beautiful paper.
As with other marbling paper, this would be a great way to start a lesson unit like creating weaving, journals/book binding or any lesson where you need paper to begin with.
