Here are the results of a recent day spent Marbling, where I participated in a wonderful workshop, delivered by Maisie Brett at the new Central school of Craft in Dunblane. Being a lover of historic books, print and traditional processes, I naturally adore the art of marbling, learning the technique has been on my radar for some time. On a trip to Florence many years ago, I bought some beautiful marbled paper from a studio there and have held onto it since, as a reminder to find a way into studying the practice.
The technique of marbling hasn’t changed a great deal over the centuries, its origins though are tricky to pin down. Early examples of the technique are found through East Asian countries, Japan as early as the 12th century, through the middle east also, arriving in Europe around the 17th century. European explorers visiting the middle east, were bringing back its marbling treasures. A great deal has been researched and published on this subject of course, and with disputed claims from a number of countries as to the origin of the craft, I share this little slice of history tentatively!
We used carrageen seaweed powder to thinken the water bath and create our ‘size’ to support the ink on the surface, other plants and roots were used historically, fenugreek seeds and also onion amoung others. An alum solution was used to prepare the paper beforehand, the paper then needs to dry before application, this allows the ink to fix permenantly to the paper, otherwise the ink will just wash right off. We used Acyrlic inks and were shown a few techniques before being left to experiment and I could have carried on for weeks experimenting there, it was such a joy.
The samples pictured here are early experiments, but I have now gathered together the tools to continue experimenting and refining the marbling techniques back in my studio. Bringing fabric into the process is also a part of my plan, and with these fabrics, I will be making some very interesting things which I am excited about! but won’t be sharing until Spring 2023.
The exploration into marbling is also linked to the VACMA supported site specific research I carried out earlier this year. More to come…