Why Does Ebru Paint Sink? Common Mistakes and Solutions
A common problem in Ebru art is that the paint sinks to the bottom or does not spread properly on the water surface. This is usually caused by incorrect preparation of the materials.
For clean and clear patterns, water, paint, and ox gall must be properly balanced.
The paint sinks to the bottom
If the paint sinks immediately, the consistency of the water is too thin.
- Too little thickening agent (carrageenan)
- The water is too liquid
Solution: Use more carrageenan and prepare the mixture correctly.
The paint does not open
If the paint does not spread, it is usually due to too little ox gall.
- Too little ox gall
- The paint is too thick
Solution: Add more ox gall and adjust the paint.
The edges become frayed (jagged)
If the patterns are not clean and the edges appear “frayed,” the water mixture is too thick.
- The water is too dense / too thick
- The colors cannot open properly
Solution: Dilute the mixture slightly so the colors can spread better.
Other typical mistakes
- Colors are not mixed properly
- Too much or too little ox gall
- The water was not prepared long enough
Conclusion
For good Ebru results, the right balance between water, paint, and ox gall is essential. Small adjustments can make a big difference.