Istanbul Ebru Marbling Workshop

Description

Traditional Turkish Marbling Workshop in Istanbul – Learn Ebru Art in Sultanahmet

Everyday : At 16:00 – ( Please ask for Alternative Hours )
Duration : 2 hours
Cost : 55 Euro per person
Location : Sultanahmet / ISTANBUL
Lesson Teachings : Available in English, French, Russian, Turkish

Discover the magic of Ebru — the art of painting on water — in the heart of Istanbul.

Join us for a hands-on Traditional Turkish Marbling Workshop and experience one of Turkey’s most enchanting and ancient art forms. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious traveler, or someone looking for a unique cultural experience, this workshop offers a deep dive into Ottoman heritage and creative expression. No experience needed!

What is Ebru?

Ebru, or Turkish marbling, is a mesmerizing technique where colorful patterns are created by sprinkling and brushing pigments onto the surface of water thickened with natural materials. These patterns are then carefully transferred onto paper, resulting in one-of-a-kind artworks.

This beautiful craft dates back to the 15th century and has been a vital part of Turkish and Islamic artistic traditions, often used to decorate calligraphy, book covers, and official documents.

What to Expect in the Workshop

• Introduction to Ebru
  Learn the history, philosophy, and materials behind the art of marbling.

• Live Demonstration
  Watch a traditional Ebru master create mesmerizing patterns right before your eyes.

• Hands-On Experience
  You’ll have the chance to create your own marbled artwork, using authentic tools and natural pigments.

• Take Home Your Art
  At the end of the session, you’ll leave with your very own marbled paper — a unique souvenir from Istanbul.

Additional Information ;

Here’s an overview of what typically happens in a Turkish marbling workshop:

1. Introduction to Ebru: Participants are introduced to the history and significance of Ebru in Turkish culture. They learn about the origins of the art form, its historical development, and its importance in traditional Turkish arts.
2. Materials and Tools: The workshop instructor explains the materials and tools used in Ebru, including special pigments called “size,” brushes, combs, and trays for holding the water. Participants learn how to prepare these materials and how to use them effectively.
3. Preparing the Water: One of the key steps in Ebru is preparing the water for marbling. Participants learn how to mix the size (a gel-like substance made from carrageenan or other natural materials) with water to create a viscous solution that will hold the pigments on the surface.
4. Creating Designs: Participants learn various techniques for creating designs on the surface of the water. These techniques may include dropping or splashing pigments onto the water, using brushes or combs to manipulate the colors, and blowing air through a straw to create intricate patterns.
5. Transferring the Design: Once the desired design has been created on the water, participants carefully place a sheet of paper or fabric onto the surface to transfer the design. The paper absorbs the pigments, creating a unique marbled pattern.
6. Experimentation and Practice: Throughout the workshop, participants have the opportunity to experiment with different colors, techniques, and patterns. They receive guidance and feedback from the instructor as they practice their marbling skills.
7. Finishing Touches: After the marbled paper has dried, participants may have the option to add additional embellishments or details to their artwork, such as calligraphy or gold leaf.

Turkish marbling workshops provide a hands-on experience for participants to learn about this beautiful and intricate art form. They also serve as a space for cultural exchange, creativity, and artistic expression, preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Ebru for future generations

Our Artists are Professional in Marbling – Ebru Art & Local Artisans.

Here is our adres : https://www.lesartsturcs.com/contact-us/

Google Maps : https://goo.gl/maps/uXuyRmELZsx

 Les Arts Turcs Culture Center 
Alemdar Mh. Incili Cavus Sk.
No: 19 Floor : 3 (Behind The Underground Cistern) Sultanahmet 34110
Istanbul, Turkey

Contact = +905442201022 ( Mr. Alp or Nurdogan )

Want to Ask a Question?

WhatsApp us or email at info@lesartsturcs.com
We’ll be happy to help you plan your visit!

TURKISH MARBLING, EBRU

Marbled paper, called ebru in Turkish, was used extensively in the binding of books and within the calligraphic panels in Turkey. The existing word ebre in Eastern Turkish, meaning variegated, points to the fact that marbling might have been known by the populations of Central Asia. Its origin might ultimately hark back to China, where a document from the T’ang dynasty (618-907) mentions a process of coloring paper on water with five hues. In the early examples from the 16th c. in the Ottoman-Turkish era, ebru appears in the battal (stone) form, namely without any manipulation. Interestingly, several variations developed in time, giving us types such as gelgit, tarakli, hatip, bülbül yuvasi, çiçekli (respectively come-and-go, combed, preacher, nightingale’s nest, flowered, etc.) An attempt has been made here to show some of its principal patterns, with samples by the master marblers of this century chosen from our collection.

Ebru technique consists of sprinkling colours containing a few drops of ox-gall on to the surface of the bath sized with kitre (gum tragacanth) in a trough. By carefully laying the paper over the bath, the floating picture on top of it is readily transferred to the paper; thus, each ebru is a one of a kind print. To obtain beautiful ebru results, one needs to have a light hand, refined taste, and an open mind to the unexpected patterns forming on the water. Patience and a good knowledge of traditional culture are characteristic of ebru masters.

After the 1550’s, booklovers in Europe prized ebru, which came to be known as ‘Turkish papers’. Many specimens in their collections and in the several album amicorum books are visible today in various museums. Also, early texts dealing with ebru, such as “Discourse on decorating paper in the Turkish manner”, published in 1664 by Athanasius Kircher in Rome, helped to disseminate the knowledge of this kind of marbling art. There is agreement amongst scholars that the so-called Turkish Papers played a colourful influence on the book arts in Europe.

Materials used in Ebru Marbling Art

The Timeless Beauty of Turkish Marbling: Ebru Art

Introduction
Turkish Marbling, known as Ebru, is one of the most visually captivating and historically rich art forms of Anatolia. Rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Ottoman Empire, Ebru involves the creation of colorful patterns on water and transferring these designs onto paper. More than a decorative technique, Ebru is a reflection of harmony, patience, and the meditative flow of life. Today, it continues to enchant artists and art lovers around the world with its unique blend of spontaneity and tradition.

Origins and History
The earliest examples of marbled paper can be traced back to 10th-century Central Asia, particularly among the Turkic tribes who practiced an early form of this art. By the 15th century, the technique had traveled westward along the Silk Road and evolved into the distinctive style now known as Turkish Ebru. It gained popularity in the Ottoman Empire, where it became closely associated with Islamic art and was often used in the decoration of books, calligraphy backgrounds, and official documents.

Ebru became a respected branch of the Ottoman fine arts, with well-known masters such as Hatip Mehmed Efendi contributing to its development in the 18th century. The art was traditionally taught through a master-apprentice system, emphasizing discipline, humility, and spiritual awareness.

The Art of Painting on Water
What makes Ebru truly remarkable is its technique. Artists float natural pigments (usually mixed with ox-gall) on a surface of thickened water called “size,” made from a seaweed extract like carrageenan or tragacanth gum. Using brushes made from rose stems and horsehair, the artist manipulates the pigments into patterns — from abstract swirls to intricate floral motifs — without ever touching the paper.

Once the desired pattern is created, a sheet of paper is gently laid on the surface and then lifted, capturing the image in an instant. No two Ebru pieces are ever exactly the same, which gives the art a spontaneous and organic beauty that is impossible to replicate digitally.

Symbolism and Spirituality
Ebru is more than just an artistic practice — it is a spiritual experience. The unpredictable flow of the paint, the quiet attention to detail, and the surrender to the water’s will all evoke a deep sense of mindfulness. In Sufi traditions, Ebru is considered a form of visual meditation, helping the artist connect with the divine through the act of creation.

Each brushstroke, each breath, and each decision is a reflection of the artist’s inner state. In this way, Ebru becomes a dialogue between water, color, and spirit.

Ebru Today: From Preservation to Innovation
In 2014, UNESCO recognized Turkish Ebru as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a testament to its cultural significance. Today, Ebru workshops are held not only in Turkey but across the globe. Artists are experimenting with modern techniques, digital integrations, and non-traditional surfaces, blending the old with the new while staying true to the soul of the craft.

In cities like Istanbul, visitors can participate in hands-on workshops to learn the basics of marbling, guided by skilled Ebru masters. These experiences provide a meaningful connection to Turkish heritage and allow people of all backgrounds to engage with this living tradition.