Miniature Calligraphy

Miniature Calligraphy

Paper Marbling, an ancient art of printing multi-colored swirled or stone-like patterns on paper or fabric, produces patterns comparable to marble or other stones. The marbling pattern involves suspending paints or pigments on the surface of liquid (water or a viscous solution known as 'size'). Some paper or fabric is then laid onto the solution to absorb a distinctive design. Depending on the manipulation done on the pigments, the patterns may have swirls, spirals, dots, or splotches designs. After drying up, the paper or fabric can be used for various decorative purposes. Imitating a marble stone in appearance, the result is a non-replicable distinctively unique monoprint.

Often used in as a writing surface for calligraphy, bookbinding, and stationary, the oldest form of paper marbling is found to be Suminagashi. Suminagashi is a Japanese Paper Marbling technique, employing pigments such as Sumi, a dense black ink and Ai, an indigo ink. The Chinese later got inspired and adopted this Marbling art, gradually popularizing it in the Middle East and Europe. French artists mastered these methods and guarded them for quite a long time.

Paper Marbling has its own mixture of colors & patterns, and is a result of an accurate balance of paint by an artist. The density of water and paint also play a key role in the design. The paints used for Marbling should not be highly concentrated, as this blocks the free blending of colors. The infinite shapes and colors formed in mesmerize both the artists as well as the spectators.

Easy Tip for Beginners in Paper Marbling.

o Tools required

A large tray deep side

A jug of cool water

Some shades of Paper Marbling paints

A piece of paper similar in size to the tray

A pencil

o Simple Steps for Paper Marbling

Pour water into the tray in such a way that it fills half of the tray.

Add the paint/pigment and delicately create the desired formations and patterns with the tip of a pencil.

Take a paper and roll it on the tray. Place the paper on the surface and make sure it is not submerged completely in the water.

As the paint makes its impression on the paper, skillfully roll back the paper and set it to dry.

Your imagination can be put to the paper by using different materials (feathers, a strand of hair, toothbrush, or comb) to drag the paint, as this helps in creating some exclusive Paper Marbling patterns.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com

Spiritually speaking, should I make Rune carving my next big ambition after today?

Apparently I'm good at this thing called Chinese paper cutting, which is cutting intricate figures out of paper with a blade and miniature scissors. I've also proven good at sculpting and calligraphy (both western and eastern), so do you think I should give Rune carving a shot?
Please don't tell me to try painting because paint and I don't get along.

You should learn Arabic calligraphy, it is amazing and interesting.