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Some fluid mechanical aspects of artistic painting

Roberto Zenit*

  • Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-360, Coyoacan, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico and School of Engineering, Brown University, 184 Hope St, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA

  • *zenit@unam.mx; zenit@brown.edu
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Phys. Rev. Fluids 4, 110507 – Published 18 November, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.4.110507

Abstract

Painting is a fluid mechanical process. The action of covering a solid surface with a layer of a viscous fluid is one of the most common human activities; virtually all manmade surfaces are painted to provide protection against the environment or simply for decoration. This process, in an industrial context, has been vastly studied and it is well understood. In the case of artistic painting the purpose is different. Painters learn how to manipulate the nonuniform deposition of paint onto a surface, through lengthy empirical testing of the action and modifying the physical properties of the fluids, to create textures and patterns of aesthetic value. In this paper, an analysis of some notable painting techniques is presented from the point of view of fluid mechanics. In particular, we discuss the so-called “accidental painting” technique, originally devised by David A. Siqueiros, which is the result of a Rayleigh-Taylor instability. An analysis of several techniques used by Jackson Pollock is also presented, showing how he learned to carefully control the motion of viscous filaments to create his famous abstract compositions. We also briefly discuss how pattern and textures are produced in decalcomania and watercolor painting. These investigations indicate that it is possible to establish concrete scientific discussions among modern fluid mechanics, art, art history, and conservation.

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2019 Invited Papers

Physical Review Fluids publishes a collection of papers associated with the invited talks presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics.

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Phys. Rev. Fluids 4, 110507– Published 18 November, 2019
  • Received 13 July 2019
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