LIFD Colloquium: seminar and workshop on paper marbling

LIFD Colloquium

Seminar and Workshop

Date: 15^th November 2023

Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location: TBC following registration

Register here- https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/lifd-colloquium-seminar-and-workshop-on-paper-marbling

Title of the workshop: Only skin deep: Science of Paper Marbling by Dr Liva Donina, Imperial College London

Description: Applying paint on a substrate is a process that brings together the fields of soft matter (suspensions, emulsions) and fluid mechanics. Artists and artisans have empirically explored the fluid mechanics of soft materials (paints) for centuries which has led to development of a variety of artistic techniques (Siqueiros accidental painting, Pollock’s pour painting) and surface decorating crafts. In this seminar we will take a closer look at the soft matter science behind paper marbling, a UNESCO Heritage craft. While the components of marbling are rather simple, ink, dispersant and water (often thickened with seaweed), the interplay between these components will determine a successful print and give rise to a range of patterns. In this session, we will look at the general scientific principles behind marbling, such as surface tension and Marangoni flow. Additionally, we will explore some of the most iconic marbling patterns and learn a bit about the physicochemical basis that governs them, such as feather pattern (viscosity),  Stormont pattern (emulsions) and Tiger Eye (demixing). The session will consist of 60 min lecture followed by 30 mins of hands-on marbling.