Ebru, also known as paper marbling, is a Turkish art form from Central Asia that dates back to the early 16th century Ottoman Empire.
Ebru developed from book decoration and the decoration of inside covers and front pages into an independent art form. It is an art style in which the artist paints directly on the water surface in a shallow tray. Once the design of the pattern is completed, a sheet of paper is placed on the surface to transfer the design from the water onto the paper.
A thin layer is needed for the marbling process, often treated with additives to achieve the right viscosity. Natural pigments, derived from mineral and plant sources, provide the vibrant colors used in the artwork.
