Why marbleized paper, you ask? Because it is fun, and frankly very useful. You can use it as a background for art or photos (see the various picture frame projects I’ve posted on this blog), as end papers in handmade books, and in countless other creative projects. At the art supply store, marbelized sheets will cost you big bucks, so here is a way to customize your own using Photoshop.

In this example, I used the full spectrum of color — probably too much for a real project, but nonetheless a lot of fun.

1. Create a new document, and select the gradient tool. Display the Gradient Editor dialog box, and choose a gradient.
2. Set the tool to be a linear gradient and drag the tool across the document. You should have the entire document filled with the gradient.
3. Filter the gradient: Filter > Distort > Ripple. This will softly smudge the colors in the gradient. Play with the setting.
4. Next, filter the gradient with the Twirl to mix the colors more: Filter > Distort > Twirl. Again, play with the settings, but ultimately you want a whirlpool looking thing.
5. You want to filter it all again to totally distort the gradient: Filter > Distort > Wave. You can click the randomize button to make it really jaggy
6. Lastly just Filter > Wave to make it all more random. I doubt anyone will know it all began as a gradient fill.

Kevin : DIY Projects
July 30th, 2006