Marbling Workshop: The Art of Painting on Water
Wed, June 3, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
**Online on Zoom
on the unceded and occupied traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
Register here.
info[at]wepress.ca
All levels welcome and encouraged
This event is free.
Donations are welcome. If you can, we suggest donating to the DTES Response to support COVID-19 response efforts for the people at risk in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.
What is marbling?
Join us on Zoom to learn the magic of this mesmerizing art technique, which has a long and expansive history in many nations. This workshop will draw upon the techniques developed over hundreds of years, but with a simplified process that only requires household materials, so you won’t have a break the quarantine. The painting will mimic the flow of water as the artist creates endless colours and intricate forms. The balance between controlling the inks and the unpredictability of how they expand and change is mesmerizing. Every new piece is both a surprise and an accomplishment, a reaction that is shared from 5-year-old kids to professional artists to elders. You will be amazed at the intricacy and natural beauty of your painting.
The Workshop
During this workshop we will experiment with a simplified version of marbling using household materials. The materials that you will need for this workshop are:
1. Paper. Printer paper will do, but you can experiment with any kind of non-treated, porous paper. Glossy and treated papers will not work.
2. Paint. You can use any type of acrylic paint, watercolour, or nail polish.
3. Paintbrushes. If you are using acrylic or watercolour paints, you will need at least two paintbrushes, and ideally a paintbrush for each colour you intend to use.
4. Small containers for mixing the paints.
5. Salt. Any kind of household salt is fine. The salt will act as a mordant that will help the colours bind to the paper.
6. A few clean rags. You can also use a paper towel or toilet paper—this will be for resting the paintbrushes as well as keep the area clean, so be sure to bring enough.
7. Water
8. A baking sheet large enough to fit your paper inside of it.
Dora Prieto is a Mexican-Canadian artist and writer. She has worked in communications for a variety of arts non-profit organizations around Vancouver since moving here two years ago from central Mexico, and before that studied at Quest University Canada in Squamish. Dora is passionate about marbling, both as an art technique and as a vehicle for self-expression and well-being. Dora learned to marble at a young age from her art teacher, who is also her mother. Dora’s marbling work has been published in a book of poetry, a zine, and a chapbook. Dora believes that creativity is a human right and looks forward to showing you how to marble with household materials, in both English and Spanish.
Follow Dora (@marbledmagic) on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/marbledmagic/
What people are saying about the workshop
“I loved it, it got me out of my head and focused on something very soothing and fluid. I liked that it was really unpredictable how it came out so I couldn’t get precious with how perfect it had to be. I’ve been cutting my pieces into bookmakers and I’ve sent off a couple to my mum and my pen pal 💗 Honestly if space allows I’m gonna join your second workshop because even though I’ve wanted to marble again I just haven’t got my lazy butt to do it and this way – even if it’s distorted – it feels like I’m doing it with others.”
