It is a method of aqueous surface design, which can produce patterns similar to marble or other stone. The patterns are the result of color floated on either plain Water or a Viscous Solution known as size, and then carefully transferred to a sheet of paper (or other surfaces such as fabric). This decorative material has been used to cover a variety of surfaces for several centuries. It is often employed as a writing surface for calligraphy, and especially book covers and endpapers in bookbinding and stationery. Part of its appeal is that each print is a unique monotype.
The important items that are necessary for Ebru or Marbling:
1. Gum tragacanth: A white substance obtained from the plants of the Astragalus family common to Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus region and Afghanistan. It is a glue-like substance that gives the water used a degree of viscosity. To prepare it, tragacanth is soaked for two days in water. The preparation is filtered to ensure there are no undissolved particles remaining. The strained liquid is then put into the shallow vessel used for the dyeing process.
3. Brushes: The brushes are made from horsehair and rose branches. The brushes are made in different thicknesses and lengths for easier control of the paint.
4. Basin: The liquid used for ebru is placed in a basin that is the same size as the paper being used. Traditionally the basins were made of unknotted pine, but now they are made of many types of wood, as well as metal. These are shallow containers, only 4-6 centimeters in depth.
5. Water: The water used must have very low levels of calcium, chlorine and lime. Distilled water is ideal for ebru.
6. Paper: The paper used must not be lacquered or polished in any way. The best paper is handmade, acid-free and absorbent.
7. Gall: This is the key ingredient to ebru. Ox bile is boiled to prevent spoiling, and it is used to lower the viscosity of the base liquid and enable the paint to disperse evenly across the water. Without gall, the colors simply sink to the bottom of the basin. It prevents the dyes from bleeding into each other, and it helps the dyes adhere to the paper. The gall is also used by the artist to mix different shades of the same color.
The Way is Ebru Made:
A metalic cap rectangular, big and squat in shape is used for Marbling work. Tragacanth (Kitre), the glue, is mixed with water in a certain proportion. Flax seed, quince seed, kerosene or salep can also be used instead of it. The mixture of Kitre and water is left for 12 hours and sometimes stirred. Kitre is solved in water and mixture becomes denser. Then, paints for Marbling are prepared in small cups. They are sprinkled with the brush to the surface of the densed water in the special cap.....
