Textures

Over the last few weeks I have been using my spare time to explore some different patterns and textures that I have wanted to experiment with for a while, but not had the time.

First up. Weird but really fun AND pretty.
Bubble blowing.

I've really wanted to do some marbling for quite a while, but as there's so much marbled pattern everywhere at the moment, I decided to try something different.

My thinking was that they would make great fabric backgrounds, however the paint that I was using doesn't leave much of a mark on the fabric (unless it soaks in and becomes a mess), so I'm not sure what they will be used for yet, but I love the nebula type patterns that are created once you start layering up the colours. I'd love to add a gold layer, and also try some collage with them too, so perhaps that's next.

If you want to do this then you don't need any specialist equipment!
You just need to lay out some paper to protect your table, then;

• a small quite short jam jar
• a few straws
• some paint (could be acrylic, poster, water colour)
• a jug of water
• washing up liquid 
• paper to work on

All you need to do is put a small amount of paint into the jar, (depending how dark you want the colour), add enough water to fill about a third of the jar, and add a few drops of washing up liquid. Pop a straw in the jar, and place on top of your paper.
Then all you need to do is gently blow! There's a bit of trial and error to get the right shapes and patterns. You may want to make the colour stronger, or even add more water.

You need to let the paper dry before each layer otherwise they will blend together.

Have fun with this. It's messy and made me feel like I was at playgroup, but getting the right colours and the right sized bubbles makes a really good result!