Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Easy Paper Marbling Tutorial: Learn Japanese Suminagashi for Mixed Media Art
A few weeks ago, I was reminded of this incredible Japanese technique called Suminagashi while cleaning out my art books (yes, I'm finally organizing that pile!). The moment I saw those floating, swirling patterns, I knew I had to try it in my mixed media artwork.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through my process for creating these gorgeous marbled papers using the ancient art of Suminagashi. Don't worry if you've never heard of it - I’ll break down the step so you can create stunning results on your first try.
What you'll learn:
✨ The simple setup for Suminagashi (you probably have everything at home!)
✨ The inks and papers that work (and don’t work) for me
✨ Troubleshooting tips for when things don't go as planned (trust me, I made every mistake!)
✨ Suggestions for using your finished papers in collages and journals
I love this technique for those days when I need something meditative but still want to create something beautiful. There's something magical about watching the ink dance on water before it transfers to paper.
Have you ever tried paper marbling before? I'd love to hear about your experiments in the comments! And if you create some Suminagashi papers using this technique, please share a photo in my community (see the link below)
_____________________
⭐️ Join My Free Resources Community ⭐️
Want more mixed media tutorials and free resources? Join my incredible community of people in the Confident Creative Collective (it's free to join!) for access to templates, supply guides, all sorts of creative resources.and my complete gel plate video course. You can join here: painted-paper-studio.kit.com/free-resources-community
_____________________
☕️ Buy me a cuppa? ☕️
If you've enjoyed this video and would like to support this channel, you can buy me some coffee, and I will think you are an angel!
buymeacoffee.com/paintedpaperstudio 🥰
_____________________
🎨 Supplies for this session 🎨
Black Sumi Ink
amzn.to/42yQ0CK
Calligraphy Brush Set
amzn.to/4bwPitS
Water Bath Tray (the one I used was super flimsy) so I would try these instead) amzn.to/49rlsFh
Dish Soap
amzn.to/42HnrDm
Blue Nitrile Gloves
amzn.to/3SUeX8E
Sheet Pans (mine are the 18x26”)
amzn.to/3QGQJ0l
Pant Hangers
amzn.to/40meJcw
Newsprint 12x16"
amzn.to/3t9RHsU
Watercolor Paper 11 x 15
amzn.to/47tYf4I
Wet Strength Tissue Paper
amzn.to/3rwiU8I
Legal Size Copy Paper
amzn.to/3NtquZg
Rice Paper 9x13" (I don't recommend this paper for this purpose, but it was in the video)
amzn.to/45nGRwH
Stencil used - Matisse Stencils joggles.com/stencils/joggles-elizabeth-st-hilaire-stencils-and-masks/joggles-elizabeth-st-hilaire-the-matisse-collection-cut-outs-leaves-1-75090.htm
The links listed above are Amazon affiliate, or other affiliate links to supplies that I actually use. By using these links, I may receive a small commission on every purchase. Purchasing supplies through these links will not add any additional cost to you, but it helps to keep my channel going!
💜 I genuinely appreciate your support! 💜
Please visit the Painted Paper Studio website: paintedpaperstudio.com
_____________________
VIDEOS I THINK YOU'LL LOVE:
- How to Use Your Painted Papers in Collage: youtu.be/E_LTmz2Dsc4
-Storing YouMixed Media Papers: ttps://youtu.be/ewMo_Jf64c4
- Acrylic Ink Techniques - A Mixed Media Art Tutorial: youtu.be/zeL2vHxZunM
- Easy Painted Tissue Paper for Texture And Translucency: youtu.be/gEvJIuJ940U
_____________________
ARTIST MENTIONED
Jeppe Ringsted - instagram.com/jepperingsted
_____________________
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:53 My inspiration
02:35 My first attempt
05:50 Trying two inks
09:18 Second water bath
16:06 The stencil trick
19:39 Not Suminagashi, but cool
21:33 My studio journal
22:33 Review of papers created
#Suminagashi #PaperMarbling #MixedMediaArt #JapaneseArt #ArtTutorial #PaperTechniques #MixedMediaTutorial #ArtJournaling #CreativeProcess #HandmadePapers
Easy Paper Marbling Tutorial: Learn Japanese Suminagashi for Mixed Media Art
A few weeks ago, I was reminded of this incredible Japanese technique called Suminagashi while cleaning out my art books (yes, I'm finally organizing that pile!). The moment I saw those floating, swirling patterns, I knew I had to try it in my mixed media artwork.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through my process for creating these gorgeous marbled papers using the ancient art of Suminagashi. Don't worry if you've never heard of it - I’ll break down the step so you can create stunning results on your first try.
What you'll learn:
✨ The simple setup for Suminagashi (you probably have everything at home!)
✨ The inks and papers that work (and don’t work) for me
✨ Troubleshooting tips for when things don't go as planned (trust me, I made every mistake!)
✨ Suggestions for using your finished papers in collages and journals
I love this technique for those days when I need something meditative but still want to create something beautiful. There's something magical about watching the ink dance on water before it transfers to paper.
Have you ever tried paper marbling before? I'd love to hear about your experiments in the comments! And if you create some Suminagashi papers using this technique, please share a photo in my community (see the link below)
_____________________
⭐️ Join My Free Resources Community ⭐️
Want more mixed media tutorials and free resources? Join my incredible community of people in the Confident Creative Collective (it's free to join!) for access to templates, supply guides, all sorts of creative resources.and my complete gel plate video course. You can join here: painted-paper-studio.kit.com/free-resources-community
_____________________
☕️ Buy me a cuppa? ☕️
If you've enjoyed this video and would like to support this channel, you can buy me some coffee, and I will think you are an angel!
buymeacoffee.com/paintedpaperstudio 🥰
_____________________
🎨 Supplies for this session 🎨
Black Sumi Ink
amzn.to/42yQ0CK
Calligraphy Brush Set
amzn.to/4bwPitS
Water Bath Tray (the one I used was super flimsy) so I would try these instead) amzn.to/49rlsFh
Dish Soap
amzn.to/42HnrDm
Blue Nitrile Gloves
amzn.to/3SUeX8E
Sheet Pans (mine are the 18x26”)
amzn.to/3QGQJ0l
Pant Hangers
amzn.to/40meJcw
Newsprint 12x16"
amzn.to/3t9RHsU
Watercolor Paper 11 x 15
amzn.to/47tYf4I
Wet Strength Tissue Paper
amzn.to/3rwiU8I
Legal Size Copy Paper
amzn.to/3NtquZg
Rice Paper 9x13" (I don't recommend this paper for this purpose, but it was in the video)
amzn.to/45nGRwH
Stencil used - Matisse Stencils joggles.com/stencils/joggles-elizabeth-st-hilaire-stencils-and-masks/joggles-elizabeth-st-hilaire-the-matisse-collection-cut-outs-leaves-1-75090.htm
The links listed above are Amazon affiliate, or other affiliate links to supplies that I actually use. By using these links, I may receive a small commission on every purchase. Purchasing supplies through these links will not add any additional cost to you, but it helps to keep my channel going!
💜 I genuinely appreciate your support! 💜
Please visit the Painted Paper Studio website: paintedpaperstudio.com
_____________________
VIDEOS I THINK YOU'LL LOVE:
- How to Use Your Painted Papers in Collage: youtu.be/E_LTmz2Dsc4
-Storing YouMixed Media Papers: ttps://youtu.be/ewMo_Jf64c4
- Acrylic Ink Techniques - A Mixed Media Art Tutorial: youtu.be/zeL2vHxZunM
- Easy Painted Tissue Paper for Texture And Translucency: youtu.be/gEvJIuJ940U
_____________________
ARTIST MENTIONED
Jeppe Ringsted - instagram.com/jepperingsted
_____________________
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:53 My inspiration
02:35 My first attempt
05:50 Trying two inks
09:18 Second water bath
16:06 The stencil trick
19:39 Not Suminagashi, but cool
21:33 My studio journal
22:33 Review of papers created
#Suminagashi #PaperMarbling #MixedMediaArt #JapaneseArt #ArtTutorial #PaperTechniques #MixedMediaTutorial #ArtJournaling #CreativeProcess #HandmadePapers
