DIY Marbleized Paintbrushes

Other Supplies

• Stencil tape or painters tape,
• Paper towels,
• Support surface for paintbrushes while drying
• (Optional) Craft knife 

Instructions

1. Begin by applying stencil or painters tape around the metal brush ferrule where it meets the wood handle. Press tape to secure all around the ferrule edge. This will keep the marbling paints from running onto the metal ferrule.
2. Select colors to create a marbled effect or use some of these color combinations:
   • Blue, Sour Apple and Green
   • Blue, Green, and Yellow
   • Red, Yellow and Orange
   • Black Sour Apple and Green
   • Hot Pink, White and Green
   • Red, White Blue
   • Hot Pink, Yellow and Orange
   • Green, Yellow and Orange
   • Hot Pink, Black and White
   • Aqua, Hot Pink and White
3.  HINT: Visually divide the brush handle into thirds. While holding the paintbrush horizontally at the taped ferrule, apply a couple drops of the first marbling paint color, quickly add the next couple colors. Move the paintbrush handle around slightly tilting it allowing the paint to move and slide into one another creating a marbled effect.
4. Continue moving down the paintbrush handle adding a little more paint and tilting to swirl the colors.
5. Once the entire paintbrush handle has been marbleized, gently shake or allow any excess marbling paint to drip off. Next, tape the brush to a stable surface which will allow the brush to hang without touching anything. Air circulating around the paintbrush handle will help to dry the wet marbling paint. (I experimented and taped my individual brushes to both an arching lamp shade over my work area as well as kitchen cabinet doors vertically.) I also placed a paper towel under the hanging brush to catch any drips, however, I did not have any as the FolkArt Marbling Paint was applied thinly and also began to set soon after it was applied.
6. FolkArt Marbling Paint projects will begin to dry after an hour and will be dry to the touch within 24 hours. (Drying times may vary based on amount of paint used, air circulation, and humidity.) However, these marbleized paintbrush handles will not be cured for 48 hours.
7. Each marbleized paintbrush handle must be sealed with a top coat for added protection and to remove any slight tackiness. It is best to either spray seal with FolkArt Clear Acrylic Sealer or brush on a durable polyurethane varnish such as FolkArt Outdoor Sealer. Both products are available in matte, satin or gloss finishes.
8. After sealing the marbleized paintbrush handles, carefully remove the stencil or painters tape. If paint has run over onto the tape, it is best to first score along the tape line using a craft knife prior to removing the tape. NOTE: Once a paintbrush handle has been marbleized with FolkArt Marbling Paint and then sealed, the brush identification such as brush size or manufacturing stamp will be covered.