Hello there creative friends! I hope you have kicked 2015 in the teeth so far. Since 2014 was so rough for me it was easy to start off a little better in 2015. RAWWWR! In my previous post, I told you and showed you my word of the year in a cool string art form. Today I decided to incorporate my word (rediscover) in a mini gallery wall above my nightstand trying a cool, new marbling technique for my photo mats. This is a really fun, although messy, project that gives you a different result every time. I just used photo mats and cardstock but I am sure you could use other surfaces as well.
Supplies:
Turpenoid – used for thinning the paints
Flat pan
Water
Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
Photo mats or cardstock
Small disposable cups
Disposable spoons
paper towels
1. Start by squeezing a bit of paint into a small disposable cup and then add some turpenoid to thin it out. Mix it well with a disposable spoon. You want it about the consistency of 2% milk. You can also add more white oil paint to lighten the color. Play with the color schemes you like and have fun making new colors. Make sure to protect your work surface with some newspaper or dropcloth.
2. Grab a flat pan, large enough to fit your largest mat or cardstock. Fill halfway with water.
3. Once all your paints are mixed slowly pour them on top of the water in the pan. You can tell if they are the right consistency if the paints float on the top of the water. Continue adding colors until there is no water showing. If there is water showing it will be a blank area on your cardstock or mat.
4. Once all your colors are added, take a bamboo skewer or toothpick and swirl the paint together filling all the gaps and creating a cool pattern.
5. Now slowly set your mat or cardstock on top of the paints making sure to not submerge your piece. It should literally float on top of the water.
6. Pull your mat off slowly and then set on a paper towel to dry.
7. As you use the paints you can either add more paint or just continue to dip your cardstock until all the paint is gone. You can see the variation from the pictures below. Your marbled pattern will get lighter and lighter with each dip. Here is a picture of the last dip.
8. Since it is oil paint it will take a couple of days to dry. After about an hour cover each cardstock with another piece of cardstock and add some books on top of it so it will dry flat. Once dry spray your mats with some clear sealer.
9. Add them to photo frames and display.
Here is a close up of each frame. You can see I used two marbled mats and then one piece of cardstock and added “rediscover” with some vinyl lettering on top.
A little encouragement for me to take 2015 by the horns this year! Go get ‘em TIGRESS!
Print from Birch Box
They reside appropriately above my nightstand so I can see them every morning. I am absolutely digging the amazing effect marbling gave the mats. It is way better than a ho-hum white mat don’t you think?
Originally published on: 
a partnership with Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts
It’s lovely! And, you can add whatever photos to each and they’ll still all “match”!!
I absolutely love this idea! I’m currently working on a picture wall and this would be perfect to add a little pop of color. Thanks!
Aren’t they fun!?! I’d love to know if you try it and see a pic!
Yep, the marbled effect would definitely make for a cohesive look!
I’m SO impressed — and dying to try this. I’m assembling my gallery wall and this w/b a perfect addition –
(altho’ we — in MA. — are pretty snowbound, so it may be awhile)!!
I am so glad you like this idea, Jeanne. I would love to hear (and see!) how your mats come out!