Art Class: Making Marbled Paper & Vases

Step into the mesmerizing world of water marbling, a centuries-old art technique where color floats, swirls, and dances across the surface of water before being transformed into stunning, one-of-a-kind designs. In this immersive, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to create beautiful marbled patterns by manipulating paint on water and transferring your designs onto paper and other surfaces. You’ll experiment with color, movement, and tools to create unique marbled prints on paper, fabric, and small 3-D objects.

This class is designed for beginners and curious creatives alike - no prior art experience is needed. All supplies are provided, and step-by-step guidance will ensure everyone can successfully create multiple finished pieces to take home. Along the way, we’ll talk about troubleshooting common challenges and how to continue marbling at home with accessible materials.

Water marbling is both meditative and playful, inviting experimentation and embracing the unexpected. Come ready to slow down, get a little messy, and enjoy the process of creating something truly unique.

The class will cover the following:

1. The four foundational patterns (stone, chevron, getgel, and nonpareil)

2. Tools, materials, and how to prepare for a water marbling session

3. Historical grounding into this art form

4. Water marbling examples from around the world

5. Tips and tricks for water marbling at home

This class will take place at Swoon City. Our address is 1716 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107. It's at the intersection of 17th and NW Market Street - kitty corner from Mighty-O Donuts.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class begins. Since these paints can stain, wear clothes that you wouldn't mind if they got a little splattered!

If you cannot attend class for any reason, we will offer an exchange to another class currently on our schedule up to 48 hours before the class. After that time, no refunds or exchanges are issued out of respect for our teachers who purchase and prepare supplies based on the number of attendees.

Our current masking protocol is that anyone attending an event can email us at Info@swoon.city to let us know they prefer that people wear masks up to 72 hours before the event begins. Your request is anonymous to all the other participants.

Attendees will receive an email before the class to let them know If we will be requiring masks.

Hello, I’m Sara M. Hospador. I’ve been a Ballard resident since 1994, and I’m genuinely excited to connect with other creative people in the community and spend time making art together. I’m endlessly curious about new ways to be creative, especially when a medium blends art with a little science and history. Those intersections - where technique, experimentation, and curiosity meet - are what draw me in and keep me inspired.

I have a deep passion for color, pattern, and personal expression, along with a well-documented love of art supplies. For me, the joy of making art is as much about the process as it is about the finished piece. Water marbling, in particular, invites play, patience, and surprise, and I love sharing a technique that rewards both intention and letting go.  

When I teach water marbling, my goal is to create a welcoming, low-pressure environment where students feel comfortable experimenting. In previous classes, I’ve had students tell me at the start that they planned to simply observe and learn. Before long, they were fully engaged - confident in the process, taking creative risks, and having fun. By the end of class, those same students left with beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces and a sense of accomplishment they didn’t expect.

I believe creativity should be accessible, joyful, and a little messy. I’m excited to guide students through this meditative and playful art form and to help them discover what’s possible when curiosity leads the way.