How to Make Water Marbled Pencils DIY with Gold Leaf

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

6:00 AM

How to Make Water Marbled Pencils DIY with Gold Leaf

A Fun Way to Upgrade Your School Supplies any time of year!

Marbling ordinary school supplies is one of my favorite simple upgrades—it's a fun way to turn something plain into something artistic and unique.

These EasyMarble and gold-leaf pencils are wonderfully customizable, surprisingly quick to make, and perfect for teachers, students, artists, or anyone who loves colorful stationery.

Whether you’re getting ready for a new school year, replenishing your stash, or crafting something beautiful for a gift, these marbled pencils are a creative win.

Let's get started!

These EasyMarble and gold-leaf pencils are wonderfully customizable, surprisingly quick to make, and perfect for teachers, students, artists, or anyone who loves colorful stationery. Whether you’re getting ready for a new school year, replenishing your stash, or crafting something beautiful for a gift, these marbled pencils are a creative win. Let's get started!

This project uses a 12-pack of classic Ticonderoga pencils, a shallow disposable tin dish from the dollar store, and a mix of different colors of Marabu Easy Marble.

With a little patience and a sheet of wax paper for drying, you’ll have beautiful dipped pencils that look like boutique stationery—with no extra cost beyond basic supplies.

I’m including affiliate links where helpful so you can easily find the materials used.

This project uses a 12-pack of classic Ticonderoga pencils, a shallow disposable tin dish from the dollar store, and a mix of different colors of Marabu Easy Marble. With a little patience and a sheet of wax paper for drying, you’ll have beautiful dipped pencils that look like boutique stationery—with no extra cost beyond basic supplies. I’m including affiliate links where helpful so you can easily find the materials used.

This craft is also a great option for libraries, art groups, or teen workshops—totally something I would have loved to make at the Library when I was younger--or last week!

Supplies Needed for Marbled Pencils:

affiliate links

Ticonderoga pencils (or any wooden pencils)
Marabu EasyMarble paints in different colors
Liquid gilding or gold leaf sheets and adhesive
Low-tack painter’s tape
Disposable aluminum baking dish
Toothpicks
Wax paper for drying
Gloves (optional)
Cup of clean water
Paper towels
Small soft brush (for gold leaf)

Optional alternative materials:

Food coloring, liquid watercolors, or shaving cream marbling for kids or non-toxic workshops—though they produce lighter color intensity.

Supplies Needed for Marbled Pencils: affiliate links Ticonderoga pencils (or any wooden pencils) Marabu EasyMarble paints in different colors Liquid gilding or gold leaf sheets and adhesive Low-tack painter’s tape Disposable aluminum baking dish Toothpicks Wax paper for drying Gloves (optional) Cup of clean water Paper towels Small soft brush (for gold leaf) Optional alternative materials: Food coloring, liquid watercolors, or shaving cream marbling for kids or non-toxic workshops—though they produce lighter color intensity.

There are so many fun shades of marbling paint.

If you want multiple colors you need to add them, these colors don't blend to create other shades.

Step 1: Prep the Pencils

Start by taping off each pencil.

Use painter’s tape to cover the eraser end of the pencil, including the metal ferrule.

Make sure the tape seals well so water and paint don’t seep under.

You can marble the entire wooden area or only dip part of it.

Place a sheet of wax paper nearby—this is where your marbled pencils will dry without sticking.

Step 1: Prep the Pencils Start by taping off each pencil. Use painter’s tape to cover the eraser end of the pencil, including the metal ferrule. Make sure the tape seals well so water and paint don’t seep under. You can marble the entire wooden area or only dip part of it. Place a sheet of wax paper nearby—this is where your marbled pencils will dry without sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Marbling Dish

Fill your disposable tin baking dish with room-temperature water, leaving enough depth to dip the pencils at an angle.

Shake your EasyMarble bottles well. These paints float beautifully on water and create natural swirls and darkest areas of color where the pigments pool.

If using food coloring or liquid watercolors, know that they will behave differently—more translucent with softer patterning—but still produce lovely effects.

Step 2: Prepare the Marbling Dish Fill your disposable tin baking dish with room-temperature water, leaving enough depth to dip the pencils at an angle. Shake your EasyMarble bottles well. These paints float beautifully on water and create natural swirls and darkest areas of color where the pigments pool. If using food coloring or liquid watercolors, know that they will behave differently—more translucent with softer patterning—but still produce lovely effects.

Step 3: Add the EasyMarble Colors

Drip various different colors of EasyMarble onto the water’s surface.

The paint will spread quickly, creating organic patterns.

Add a few drops of Tuscan Red, French Grey, or Warm Grey if you want more subtle or earthy tones.

Each drop expands, creating natural rings.

Step 3: Add the EasyMarble Colors Drip various different colors of EasyMarble onto the water’s surface. The paint will spread quickly, creating organic patterns. Add a few drops of Tuscan Red, French Grey, or Warm Grey if you want more subtle or earthy tones. Each drop expands, creating natural rings.

The colors won't blend with each other, and it's an enamel type paint...like nail polish, but thinner...so the working time is not long.

I recommend having all the containers of Easy Marble open and ready to use before even starting to drop it in the water.

Add drop after drop, creating a "bullseye" of color.

Some of the paint will spread out differently than other colors, just go with it and enjoy the variety!

Because the pencils don't have a very large surface area, it would probably work better in a smaller basin than I am using, but use what you have!

Try colorful rainbow tones, soft muted tones like French grey and warm grey, bold brights, or holiday palettes.

The darkest areas of pigment always make the patterns look professional and eye-catching.

If you want the color to appear on the pencil, you have to add it to the water, the colors won't blend and create new colors.

Use a toothpick to lightly drag through the colors, forming swirling patterns across the surface of the water.

Don’t overmix; the toothpick may even try to take the delicate layer of marbling with it...so just give it a few gentle movements will give you those gorgeous marbled veins.

Step 4: Dip the Pencil

Holding the pencil lightly, angle it downward and dip it straight through the floating paint.

As it passes through the water’s surface, the marbled pattern wraps around the wood in a single smooth motion.

Before removing the pencil, quickly use a piece of scrap cardboard or a piece of paper to sweep the remaining paint off the water.

This prevents the paint from sticking again as you lift the pencil back out.

Place the dipped pencil onto your wax paper to dry.

Repeat this process with each pencil, refreshing the water surface with new drops of EasyMarble paint as needed.

Before removing the pencil, quickly use a piece of scrap cardboard or a piece of paper to sweep the remaining paint off the water. This prevents the paint from sticking again as you lift the pencil back out. Place the dipped pencil onto your wax paper to dry. Repeat this process with each pencil, refreshing the water surface with new drops of EasyMarble paint as needed.

Note: this is where some gloves would have come in very handy.

Then clean off the surface of the water with a toothpick and start again, adding all the fun colors to the water.

Hold onto the taped end of the pencil and dunk it in for the perfect water marbling effect.

Hold the pencil under the water and move the remaining paint off the surface with the toothpick so the paint doesn't stick to the pencil when you pull it out of the water.

Repeat this fun and rather addictive process with all the taped and prepped pencils.

Set them on wax paper to dry completely.

School supplies are my favorite to accessorize and that means marbling and adding gold leaf to the standard #2 pencil.

I love seeing the yellow pencil under the light layers of the marbling!

You could paint a base layer on the pencil for a different effect if desired.

After the pencils are dry and cured, they are ready to use...

Or, they are ready to embellish more with gold leaf!

Step 5: Add Gold Leaf or Liquid Gilding

Once the pencils are completely dry, add a touch of shine using gold leaf or liquid gilding.

Apply random accents or a thin band around the base of the marbling—whatever suits your style.

The gold leaf adds a dimensional sparkle that pairs beautifully with the glossy marbled patterns.

It elevates simple pencils into luxurious handmade gifts.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Remove the painter’s tape to reveal crisp lines between the natural wood and the marbled design.

Touch up any edges if necessary.

These marbled pencils are now ready for school, office use, gifts, or simply adding a little everyday beauty to your desk.

Step 6: Finishing Touches Remove the painter’s tape to reveal crisp lines between the natural wood and the marbled design. Touch up any edges if necessary. These marbled pencils are now ready for school, office use, gifts, or simply adding a little everyday beauty to your desk.

Alternative Kid-Friendly Marbling Options

For classrooms, libraries, or kid craft stations, try these substitutes:

Shaving cream marbling—fluffy, fun, safe
Food coloring—bright, non-toxic
Liquid watercolors—swirly and easy to clean

These options create softer color blends and may not adhere as vividly, but they are great for younger artists.

I'd focus on marbling paper for children rather than pencils.

Alternative Kid-Friendly Marbling Options For classrooms, libraries, or kid craft stations, try these substitutes: Shaving cream marbling—fluffy, fun, safe Food coloring—bright, non-toxic Liquid watercolors—swirly and easy to clean These options create softer color blends and may not adhere as vividly, but they are great for younger artists. I'd focus on marbling paper for children rather than pencils.

Why This Project Works

It’s inexpensive—no extra cost beyond basic supplies
Each pencil becomes a one-of-a-kind artwork
Perfect for gifting, stocking stuffers, teacher appreciation, or first-day-of-school surprises
Uses minimal supplies and setup
Provides a fun way to experiment with marbling techniques
Stunning results even for beginners

That's it!

These EasyMarble and gold leaf pencils combine creativity, color play, and a bit of shimmer—an ideal DIY for the new school year or anytime you want to refresh your school supplies with personal style.

If you try this project, share your results—I’d love to see what you create. Happy crafting!

Like, Pin and Save!

These EasyMarble and gold leaf pencils combine creativity, color play, and a bit of shimmer—an ideal DIY for the new school year or anytime you want to refresh your school supplies with personal style. If you try this project, share your results—I’d love to see what you create. Happy crafting!

CHECK OUT THESE MARBLING CRAFTS TOO!

How to Paint Pour on Rocks!

Acrylic Paint pour on rocks with an awesome end result and unique design.

Pick your paint colors, elevate your cleaned rocks on a plastic cup and pour much paint to your hearts content!

Marbled Wood Slice Ornaments with Plaid Crafts!

Paint pouring on wood pieces is perfect for ornaments or blank gift tags!

These marble pour wood slices are easy to make and great for all skill ages.
No top coat needed!

DIY Marbling Stationery: Classic Black and White

Water Marbling is an awesome marbling technique!

Fill shallow disposable containers with clean water and drop Easy Marble into the water creating the marble effect.

Dip a piece of paper into the container and pull out to reveal the amazing afters!

Black and white Easy Marble marbling on white stationery cards and envelopes with hand lettering.

Acrylic Pour on Wooden Tray

Pick a wooden tray as the paint pour project.

Fill disposable cups with colors of paintings.

Use stir sticks to swipe twice into the cup and then pour onto the work surface.

Lift the tray and tilt it to make the fluid art fill the tray.

Galaxy Paint Poured Resin Coasters DIY

Resin paint pour in dark colors to make the perfect galaxies--with just a touch of white paint.

How to Make Resin Rainbow Coasters DIY

Resin pouring is a fun project if you are ready to use something beside water-based paints.

Mix a little mica powder or colorful craft paint into the resin and pour on coasters for the perfect sunset vibe.

Paint Pouring Canvas with Plaid Drizzle Paint DIY

The marble look is a great background for other works of art.

Add bright painting over the top of a paint pour for a gorgeous finished look.

Resin Flo Paint Poured Hairpin Leg Log Slice Table

There's no end to possibilities to marbling projects!

This paint pour is done with resin separated into a few separate cups.

After mixing individually, they are poured into a small cup and poured on the wood slice as a dirty pour.

Resin Flo Paint Poured Hairpin Leg Log Slice Table

Resin Glitter Light Switch Plate Cover

How to make a glittery light switch plate cover using glitter and resin!

Customize the color of glitter and top it off with High Gloss Resin for a smooth and shiny finish.

It’s a simple DIY craft that just takes a few minutes of work time and overnight drying.

Paint Pour with Plaid Marbling Paint

Marbling and Paint pouring is the latest and greatest art craze!

The beauty of abstract art is that you do not need to be an artist or have any realistic art skills.

Once you do a pour, you will be hooked!

You will look around your house, wondering what you could pour on.

Paint Pour Skin Pendant

Save that excess paint or drippings from other craft projects and turn them into jewelry and other pieces of art!

Rainbow Acrylic Pour

Start with a canvas of white paint and pour a rainbow right over the top using acrylic craft paint and a little silicone lubricant for these big cells.

Mix up your own fluid paints with some paint medium or flotrol and acrylic paint.