Level: Easy- Intermediate

Step 1- Prep work

Who hasn't started a project without first having everything you need in your reach? But having everything set up and accessible makes water marbling even easier and hassle free. First, make your size according to the instructions on the jar. While the size is dissolving/cooling, get all of the supplies you will need and create your working area. Having your trays, papers, tools, garbage can and paper towels ready to go ensures a faster and worry free experience while making your art!

Step 2- Gather your paints

The color combos you can use for your flowers are endless. You can use the colors straight from the bottles, or you can mix your own custom colors! I will show you three different color combos and water marbling techniques to create a visually interesting origami flower. The following Water Marbling paint colors for this design are: Lavender, Pink, Violet, Green, Blue and Light Blue.

Step 3- Lay down some color

First, start by adding a base color of Pink by pouring a line of paint across the center of the tray. Then, pour alternating lines of Pink, Lavender, Light Blue, Green, Blue and Violet.

Step 4- Create more visual interest

Using a Water Marbling Stick, pull the tip through the pattern perpendicullarly from top to bottom across the surface. This creates a Gelgit pattern.

Step 5- Pulling the print

Holding the corners of a piece Water Marbling Paper, allow the center to touch the surface first and slowly lower the sides to come in contact with the paint. This will minimize the chance of getting trapped air bubbles, which will result in a spot with no paint on your print. Lay face down in a clean rinse bath. Slightly agitate to remove any access size or paint. Carefully remove your print by the corners and place face up on paper towels to dry. This gelgit pattern print will be the outside layer of your origami flower.

Step 6- Clean the surface

You will have paint left on the surface. I always take a second print! These prints always have nice movement and a softer color palette. These are great to have on hand for projects. To clean the surface for the next print, lay some of the Cleaning Papers onto the surface to remove the excess paint. Repeat until the papers come up cl

Step 7- Onto the next

For the next pattern, start by pouring a line of Violet down the center of the tray. Next, pour some Lavender across the center of the tray.

Step 8- Throw some stones

Using Light Blue, drop around eight drops of paint onto the surface. These circles are called "stones". Into those stones place a drop of pink in each. Add Blue drops inside of those stones.

Step 9- Add some tiny ones

Pour out some paint onto a non-stick surface. Dip the tip of a Water Marbling Stick into the paint and then touch the surface of each stone. This creates smaller stones. (The longer you hold the tip to the surface, the larger the stone will become.)

Step 10- And another one

Same as before, take your next print, then clean the surface using Cleaning Papers. This is a beautiful pattern to use for the middle of your origami flower. Rinse and place on paper towels to dry.

Step 10- Add some movement

The last print will be used for the center of the origami flower. Using Light Blue, pour a line of Light Blue for the base color and then drop random stones of Blue onto the surface of the size. Alternate dropping stones of each color until desired pattern and amount of paint is acheived. (The less paint you use, the lighter the print will be. And the more paint you use, the print will be more saturated and vibrant.) Using a Water Marbling Stick, swirl around the surface to create movement in the pattern. Take the print same as before and allow to dry.

Step 11- Add some heat

After all your prints are completely dry, place a clean piece of water color paper down on an ironing board. Lay each print face down on the watercolor paper and iron the back of the print until flat. Now they are ready to fold.

Step 1- Give them a trim

Measure and cut the first two prints into 8" squares. These will be the outer and middle layers of your flower. Cut a 1.5" strip off of the last print. This piece will become the inside of the flower.

Step 9- Fold and bring it all together

Now follow along each folding step to create the pieces of your flower! Fold the first two layers the same. Cut the second layer somewhat smaller than the first. Glue it all together using hot glue and you are finished! Create multiple different flowers using different color combos and techniques.