These are spray-painted backgrounds, but don’t throw out that bucket yet!

Do these procedures outside or in a well ventilated area. If outside, make sure the wind is blowing away from you and will not blow the paint into your face.

We use Krylon spray paints whenever we can, but any brand will do.

Sample # 1:
Lay your sheet of Sheer Heaven with the rough (good) side up in a flat box. Dust it with Copper spray paint - by “dust it”, we mean to hold the can at least 12 inches away from the paper and move it rapidly so only a fine cloud of paint is distributed on the paper. You might want to practice on some scrap paper first until you get the feel.

Then dust it with Gold and Flat Black. Feel free to add a little more of each to get the look you want.

Let those colors dry for a few minutes, spray the sheet with Gold and then Webbing Spray (also by Krylon). Go lightly on the Webbing Spray also to retain the delicate look. This also takes a little practicing!

Sample #2:
This is a really unusual procedure that will give you lots of varied results. To make this look happen, it is important to have one of the spray paints be at least partly water soluble and the other not water soluble at all. We used Krylon Satin Black latex spray paint (a little soluble) and Gold Spray enamel (not soluble,also Krylon).

Fill a plastice bucket 3/4 full with plain water. Spray the black latex over the surface of the water and then the gold enamel. Dip your sheet of Sheer Heaven into the bucket vertically (do not lay it on the surface like you would with traditional marbling) and pull it right back out. It should look something like Sample #2. If not, dip it again, but act quickly because the paint dries quickly on the surface of the water and looses its capability to stick to the paper.

Remember one of the most exciting things about working with Sheer Heaven is its translucency. These faux marble backgrounds are beautiful when backlit!

Check out the Watercolor Techniques page for another marble-like example.

Sample # 1
Sample #2
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