What are the niche plays in Turkey? Experience the local art count, at the end of June last year reported to the Turkish group, wet extension painting is an arranged itinerary, a group of people in Istanbul Asian area to visit the artist couple, and learn how to paint a water extension of their own!

Before this, let's give you a popular science wet extension painting (marbling), wet extension painting is also called marbling paper art, called marbling in the West, is a hardcover book title page decoration paper. To put it simply, wet extension painting is a type of painting, which gently drops the pigment in the water and gradually opens with the water wave (the water is specially treated), until the water painting is completed, the creator will cover the white paper to absorb the pigment, and then slowly pull the paper away from the water. This magical "water painting" is the traditional art of the Ottoman period in Turkey.

It is made by preparing a large, flat container, mixing astragalus gum (now also known as methylcellulose overnight) with a certain amount of water in a bowl, and leaving it to sit for 12 hours, stirring occasionally during this time. In addition, it is also necessary to add edible cow bile, so that the color of the pigment can be more vivid. Of course, if you want the pigment to spread more in the water and become more vivid, you need to add more bile.


With the wave of a brush made from a horsetail, the paint drips into the water and into the container. Depending on the amount of bile, the pigment will disperse in the water, and the desired degree of diffusion is up to the operator. When the pattern and shape in the container achieve the desired effect, when the pattern and shape in the container achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to slowly sink the marbled paper from the left and right sides into the water.

After about 20 seconds, the drawing on the water passes through the paper, and then gently lift the paper from a corner in its direction, and then dry it in the shade. The marble-like pattern is printed on paper, and a unique work of art is completed.


practice is actually quite simple, there are also online to sell complete sets of equipment, you can start "art art"!



The teacher will show the tools, explain the principles, and demonstrate the techniques: the tip of the pen absorbs the paint, squeezes out the excess, holds the end of the pen with one hand, taps it on the tip of the other hand with inertia, and the paint falls into the water in a roughly circular shape, then gradually spreads out, and can be sketched with tools like a comb and crochet hook.

Although only five colors were given in practice, the finished products were very different from each other. The teacher would not interfere too much in the creation, but only stood on the side and kindly and timely gave a helping hand. In general, it is an easy-to-use and imaginative art form!

Water extension technique was included in the intangible heritage list in 2014, originated in China, and then passed into Turkey via the Silk Road, I originally hoped to experience the hand work in more than 25 years, did not expect to take a step abroad in 24 years, at first was holding the mentality of playing, and now the finished product has been framed by me in the room!

Handcrafted marble now appears on three-dimensional surfaces, lampshades, picture frames, fabrics, glasswork, leather, placemat, stationery, note cards, greeting cards, desk sets, and, as in the 19th century, is used in art, binding, or for lining antique cabinets and bookshelves. Emerging artists draw inspiration from Ebru and explore the application of painting techniques, experimenting with materials such as gouache, ink painting, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, oil paints, and using Ebru as an element in collage and mixed media works. Due to the mystery of the role water plays in its formation, this art form is also seen as a meditation spa.

Marbling developed around the world, forming various patterns such as the Dutch old slogan, the French shell or curl (snail pattern), the Spanish wave or moire pattern, the Italian vein pattern, the feather pattern, the bouquet pattern, or the peacock pattern (aka the waterfall pattern). Each country uses local materials and tools, employing different techniques and new forms to form water-based surface patterns.

The development of wet extension painting originated from the invention of paper in ancient China and the transmission route of the Silk Road. After more than 600 years of inheritance, it is the crystallization of the great human art that integrates the East and the West.