Suminagashi Art with Kids!

Suminagashi marbling is a great summertime activity for kids that takes only a few items to get started. Suminagashi is a Japanese marbling technique that involves floating inks on water and creating a design which can be transferred to paper, fabric or any porous surface.

Here's what you need:

Suminagashi inks - Boku Undo inks are formulated to float on water - order online

pan filled with plain water (size can vary)

two paint brushes (size 4, 5 or 6)

paint tray or plastic or styrofoam egg cups

paper towels

Here's what you do:

Find a willing child! Load brushes with ink and carefully tap the surface of the water with ink. Alternate with one color then another, making concentric circles. Continue until you have a series of circles or rings on the surface - as many as you want.

Gently blow on the surface of the water (can use a straw) or use a toothpick to create a design.

Lay your paper or fabric (cotton or silk) on the surface of the water, and the ink will immediately adhere to the surface. Lay it on a paper towel to dry.

Anything porous can be marbled, even a pair of tennis shoes! The tray would have to be deep enough to immerse the shoe (5 inches or so).