The materials used for a painting, such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, and tempera. Each medium has its own unique properties and technique.
Paints: Different types of paints commonly used in painting such as acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, and tempera along with their properties, pros, and cons.
Pigments: The colorant that adds hue or color to paints along with their properties, classification, and pigment chemistry.
Solvents: Substances used to dissolve or thin paint in order to make it more spreadable and easier to work with.
Diluents: Substances used to thin paint without dissolving it.
Brushes: Different types of brushes used in painting and their properties as well as which types of brushes are best suited for certain types of paints.
Surfaces: Different types of surfaces commonly used in painting, including canvas, paper, and wood along with their properties and pros and cons.
Preparing the Surface: The process of preparing the surface such as stretching the canvas, applying gesso, and making it ready for paint application.
Mediums: Substances added to paint to achieve particular effects such as texture, transparency or opacity, sheen, and drying time.
Techniques: Different techniques used in painting such as impasto, glazing, alla prima, and wet-on-wet techniques.
Safety: The safety measures that need to be followed when working with painting mediums such as handling solvents, varnishes, and fixing agents.
Storage: Proper storage techniques for paints, mediums, and other supplies to ensure their longevity.
Clean-Up: The different methods and products used for clean-up, including brushes, turpentine, water, paper towels, and soap.
Oil Paints: Oil paints are known for their slow drying times, deep color saturation, and luminous finish. They are made of a mixture of pigments and oils, such as linseed oil, that make them durable and resistant to cracking.
Acrylic Paints: Acrylics are water-soluble paints that dry quickly and offer a wide range of effects, from thick impasto to thin washes. They are made of synthetic polymers that provide the paint with a strong adhesive quality and vibrant color.
Watercolors: Watercolors are translucent paints that flow freely with water. They are made of a mixture of pigments and water-soluble binders that give them their characteristic transparency and luminosity.
Gouache: Gouache is similar to watercolor, but it has a higher pigment concentration and is more opaque. It is a popular medium for illustration and design work.
Tempera: Tempera is an ancient medium that is made of colored pigments mixed with egg yolk. It dries quickly and is ideal for creating detailed, precise paintings.
Encaustic: Encaustic painting involves using melted wax mixed with pigment to create a painting surface. It is a highly durable and versatile medium that can be layered and carved.
Fresco: Fresco painting involves applying water-based paint to wet plaster. The paint is absorbed into the plaster and becomes a permanent part of the wall or ceiling.
Ink: Ink painting is a traditional East Asian art form that involves the application of black ink to paper. It is highly expressive and often incorporates calligraphy and brushwork.
Spray Paint: Spray paint is a highly versatile medium that can be used for graffiti, murals, and fine art. It is fast-drying and allows for the creation of large-scale works of art.
Pastels: Pastels are dry pigment sticks that can be applied to paper or other surfaces. They offer a wide range of effects, from bold and vibrant to delicate and subtle.