Marbling Specialist Decorating Technique

The art of imitating real marble dates back to the ancient Greeks and people have been attempting to perfect the skill ever since.

There are literally thousands of different types of real marble with as many different colours and shape of vein to give the viewer inspiration to create a marble effect with brush and paint.

Before we look for that inspiration we most first understand why slabs of polished stone, that is dressed marble, capture our interest. We can wonder at the many awesome colours the shape of flowing veins but there is one aspect we must look for and must imitate.

In almost all polished marble, and wood if it comes to that, there is a look and sense of depth, we can see below the surface, and it is this aspect that we must create if our painted imitation is going to look anything like the real thing.

On this page I will give you a look at some of my painted interpretations of various marbles.

Note: this page will be added to and links will be made to a description of the tools, materials and methods used in creating the various marble effects.

Sienna Sienna marble is quarried around the area of Siena in western Italy. This marble has a violet vein running through it and is, I believe, referred to in Italy, as the Violet marble.
Belgium Red As you can imagine Belgium Red comes from Belgium. This marble was quarried extensively in the Victorian Age and now the quarries, I would think, are just about extinct.
Black and Gold As far as I know this particular marble has already become extinct, but if someone out there knows for sure, then get in touch.
Vert De Mer Green of the Sea in English. Again a traditional marble that has been over quarried. There are many variations, in name and colour of this marble, but as you can see it has a great sense of depth and looks what a lot of people think of as marble.
Fantasy Marble Created on a Late Victorian black slate fire surround. The original black slate would have been given a marble effect by the water dipping process. A process that is done before it is built around the fire. If the fire surround has been built then the marble effect is created by hand, as I have done here. (click picture to see more detail)