Painting on water is a very ancient technique first used in Japan, where it is called Suminagashi.
This technique creates marbling effects on paper that are ideal for stationery. The patterns are the result of color floated on plain water or on a viscous solution, which is transferred to paper or fabric. It is also used as a writing surface for calligraphy.
This art reached Central Asia and the Islamic World in the 15th century, especially in Samarqand or Bukhara (Uzbequistan). It also became very popular in Persia and Turkey around the 17-18th centuries. Nowawadays, it is still a traditional technique and art in Turkey called EBRU.
The fluorishing art of painting on water reached the European countries and became very important for book binding and stationery.
Technique: it uses a rectangular tray with water or viscous liquid like carragen and special paints or inks on the aqueous surface, which are applied using a brush or straw. Circles are made on the surface and then crossed and divided to make the different designs. After the design is finished, a paper is carefully placed on top of the water and gently removed from the other side of the tray. The painting will thus be transferred to the paper. Then it is let to dry for about 2-3 hrs.
The photos that you will see here correspond to the EBRU made by Bertud and Ali at their atelier in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, in their interpretation of the LUZ MINERVA s flowers. We really appreciate this gentle act and want to express our thanks and gratitude through this blog.