The Art of Marbling Paper

We appreciate a variety of art styles and recognise that there are many techniques which are no longer used but could be just as effective today. From the early days of man, drawing on cave walls and depicting their Gods, to today’s full classrooms of inspired children, creating everything from papier mache pieces to paintings. Art definitely comes in all forms.

One style we particularly like and thought we would look into the history of, is Paper Marbling.

History

Paper Marbling has a history in various countries, including East Asia, Central Asia and in Islamic culture. Believed to have become prominent in the 15th Century, the effect of floating colours on the surface of “sizing” (a substance used in paper and textile manufacturing) has been put to great effect in religious texts and historical relics.
According to an ancient text in China there was a method similar to this which was referred to as “flowing sand paper” but no evidence was found in China of them using marbled paper effects, it is purely similar to that which is mentioned in their historic texts.

In Islamic texts it would appear that they had their own similar method but which resulted in the same style, with a marbled effect. There was a panel created with a verse from the Qur’an which appeared in Iran and India and many other examples have been found through history after the 16th Century. It was clearly a popular method.

Technique

Using surfactant chemicals and brushing the colours with a paintbrush to gather the particles together, enables a unique effect which can then be transferred to a sheet of paper and will “sit” on the top, creating a “marbled” effect. Although techniques varied throughout history, it always involved placing a substance and paint into a tray of water, where the artwork was carried out and then placed onto paper. Manipulation is used on the water to create patterns (normally concentric circles worked best) and then the substance was lifted. The most well-known technique was the Turkish art of marbling which although, it didn’t originate in Turkey, it was the most popular amongst Europeans and Americans and the art was created on a viscous mucilage which was known as “sizing”.

Examples Today

You can see marble paper art in many museums but its most commonly used in book covers and book bindings today. It’s never really gone away but it is often forgotten as an art form. It creates great designs and shows unique examples of how an ancient art form can still be applied today.