The Chemistry of Art > 1. Pigments in Painting > The Chemical Composition of an Identified Range of Pigments >
Identify data, gather and process information from secondary sources to identify and analyse the chemical composition of an identified range of pigments
- Most pigments contain a metal as to which a color or color range is often associated
- Iron = red – yellow
- Chromium = red – yellow
- Copper = blue – green
- Cobalt = yellow – violet (depending on co-metals)
- Examples:
| Pigment | Chemical Formula | Metal | Color |
| Malachite | CuCO3·Cu(OH)2 | Copper (Cu) | Bright green |
| Cinnabar | HgS | Mercury (Hg) | Red |
| Orpiment | As2S3 | Arsenic (As) | Lemon yellow |