HN 130: Chemistry and Color

Art is everywhere; so are the particles and forces that make art trigger our senses. In this course we will strive to understand how artists use material and light energy. We ill discuss the properties on light and color, both of which affect how we experience our environment, and are in turn used by artists to influence how we perceive their work. We will investigate the atomic composition of matter and the properties of elements and compounds. We will study reactions between elements and compounds that provide artists with materials such as pigments, binders, and polymers. We will occasionally work in the lab to produce paint, ink, and dye. Finally, we will discuss artwork analysis, performed to establish authorship and carry out restoration and preservation.