Painting Media (Practice)

Tempera is a water-based painting medium made by blending egg yolks with water, or sometimes other materials such as glue. It is often used to paint frescos and panels, and is popular because it is relatively inexpensive and dries quickly.

The painting is by Winslow Homer, and is entitled, The Adirondak Guide. It was created using watercolors. Opinion on the artist choice of media (watercolor) will vary, but should be backed with at least one reason for their answer.

Gouache is a type of watercolor in which white pigment is added, creating a duller effect and a tinted feel with a smooth finish. The paint usually comes in tubes, with which the artist must add the vehicle (water).

Picture 1: It is an example of tempera. The vehicle used is water and the binder is egg yolk. Picture 2: It is an example of gouache. The vehicle is water and the binder is gum arabic.

Painting is one of the oldest forms of art. It is long lasting, and often very eye-catching with the artists' usage of color and details. We also tend to see painting in museums and other public centers, more than any other type of art. Opinions and reasons will vary for preference on painting.

Pigment: Ground up solids that contain color the color in paint. Vehicle: A substance that is added to color pigments that adjusts the viscosity (ability to move) of the paint. Binder: A liquid ingredient in a media's vehicle that binds particles of pigment together.

Fresco paintings are created by combining color pigments with water and then applying the substance to a plaster support, usually a wall or a ceiling. There are many beautiful examples of fresco art, however they are difficult to plan and create because the plaster dries quickly.

Oil painting is a medium in which pigments are held together using oils, usually linseed oil. The vehicle is the oil used.

This painting is by Mary Cassat. She chose to use oil paints. When Cassat chose to use oil paints, she most likely considered that oil paints are slow drying which can make them difficult to work with, but can also allow got mixing and blending of colors to created various affects. She also would have considered that oil paints are long-lasting and retain their vibrancy over time.

Watercolor is a mixture of water with gum arabic, which are usually applied to paper. Watercolor is applied in layers, applying the lightest colors first, and then adding the darker colors. Watercolor is unique because it cannot be painted over, such as an artist could if he/she was using oil, tempera, or acrylic.