How to Marbleize Paper Using Shaving Cream

Mix paint with shaving paper to create swirled designs on paper.

Marbelizing paper with shaving cream can entertain children of all ages. Each piece of marbelized paper looks unique, depending on the effect and intensity of the paint and the placement of the paper. Students appreciate the creative process, as it uses color to learn cause-and-effect, depending on the type of design they use.

Things You'll Need

• Shaving cream
• Watercolor or tempera paint
• Paper plates, disposable trays or tins to hold paper
• Combs, brushes, toothpicks or craft sticks
• Paper cut to size (6-by-6-inch works well)
• Cardboard
• Sponges

Instructions

1. Place an inch of shaving cream on your pie plate, dish or tray.

2. Scrape the surface with a piece of cardboard.

3. Use a runny, water-based paint to create different shapes, such as stripes, triangles, circles or squares, on top of the shaving cream.

4. Swirl the top of the paint with the comb, brush, stick or toothpick. The paint should stay on top of the shaving cream.

5. Place paper pieces on top of the shaving cream and paint mixture. Press the paper into shaving cream, then pick up the paper carefully.

6. Scrape off the extra shaving cream with the cardboard. Your design will remain on the paper. Allow the paper to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• You can reuse the shaving cream and paint mixture up to eight times, until the paint fades.

• Use the marbelized paper as a mat for another piece of art, such as calligraphy.

References

• PrincetonOnline: Shaving Cream Marbling
• PBSKids: Marbleized Paper
• A Place of Our Own: Shaving Cream Art