Alternate Marbling Technique

Chapter twenty six describes a marbling technique that I've been using for years. It produces a stunning marbled panel, but is a rather elaborate procedure. If you'd like marbled panels on your instrument but are somewhat intimidated by the process, I've come up with an alternate technique that's simple, quick, and equally effective.

This method uses only two colors - the base color of your case, and a secondary color a few shades lighter or darker than the base color. The effect is much more subtle and mono-chromatic than the technique described in the e-book and is just about fool-proof. Of course, try it out on a sample board before using it on your actual instrument. Here's how to do it.


1. Paint your case with your base color. My current project uses Almond as the base color (just like the instrument in the e-book). Allow several days for the base color to cure.

2. Determine your secondary color. In my case, I took about a pint of my base color (Rust-o-leum Almond) and mixed in some Raw Umber (oil-based) from a tube. You can find an inexpensive tube of color in any art supply or crafts store. Mix the two thoroughly and keep adding the secondary color until you get the shade you want.

3. Mask off the areas of the case that will not be marbled using blue painters tape.

4. Working on a single panel at a time. Brush on a coat of glazing liquid - I used Alkyd Glazing Liquid by Ronan, but any oil-based glazing liquid will do. Sherwin Williams "Illusions" is another good one.

5. Brush a coat of your secondary color onto the wet glazing liquid. Cover the entire panel with paint.

6. Dab the paint with a crumpled up piece of Saran Wrap - available at any supermarket. Dab the entire panel with the Saran Wrap which will remove some of the excess paint/glazing liquid.

7. Cut a piece of Saran Wrap bigger than the size of your panel. Cover the entire panel with the Saran Wrap sheet (not crumpled). Lightly press the sheet onto the wet paint with your fingers.

8. Remove the Saran Wrap sheet and you're done. The marbling effect is produced entirely by the Saran Wrap.

9. Remove the masking tape and enjoy looking at your marbled panel.

As soon as I get some time, I'll make a quick video of the process and post it.
Happy building!
Ernie