Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic is a natural gum obtained from the trunks of acacia trees. It is also known as acacia gum and Senegal gum. Since it is edible, it is used not only in art but also in the food industry as a stabilizer. As this natural resin is water-soluble, it is primarily used as a binder in watercolor painting. Sometimes, it is also used as an auxiliary material in watercolor techniques. Throughout history, painters have added this resin to their paints as a binder and gloss enhancer.

Uses of Gum Arabic

One of the most important features of Gum Arabic is that it is non-toxic. Tribes living in the deserts of Sudan survived by consuming Gum Arabic obtained from acacia tree trunks. As it is a natural and non-toxic resin, it is also ideal for artistic use. In medieval painting, Gum Arabic was used in the tempera technique and gilding. In ceramic art, it is used during glazing and then placed in the ceramic kiln. In Akkase Ebru, we use Gum Arabic to mask areas where we do not want the second layer of marbling paint to adhere, preserving the first marbling layer. You can refer to the attached images.

Purpose of Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic is sold in separate bottles as an auxiliary material and is used to increase the brightness and adhesion of watercolor paints. It is generally mixed in a ratio of 1 part Gum Arabic, 2 parts water, and 1 part pigment. Some artists prefer to add Gum Arabic to the water in which they mix their paint rather than directly into the paint. Additionally, it increases the density and consistency of watercolor paints, allowing them to dissolve better in water. In high-quality, premium watercolor paints, the addition of Gum Arabic is unnecessary if sufficient Gum Arabic is already present. However, excessive amounts can increase the gloss unnecessarily and cause cracking when the paint dries. Gum Arabic is a versatile material and is also used in marbling art.