The Two Elements Of Painting: Pigment And Vehicle

Painting is a visual art form that involves applying paint, pigment, colour, or any other medium to a solid surface. The two components of any painted medium are the pigment and the binder. The pigment is the coloured powder, while the binder is the substance that holds the pigment together and adheres it to the surface. Different binders and pigments create different types of paint, such as oil, watercolour, acrylic, pastel, and tempera. Each type of paint has unique characteristics, such as viscosity, miscibility, solubility, and drying time, which contribute to the final appearance of the artwork. Artists select specific paint types and combinations to achieve their desired effects and express their creativity.

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Oil painting: one of the oldest mediums, oil paint is made from pigment and binder (oil)

Oil painting is one of the oldest mediums in the world, with the earliest surviving examples found in Asia from as early as the 7th century AD. Oil paint is made from two components: pigment and binder (oil).

The process of making oil paint involves mixing pigments with binders, such as linseed oil, walnut oil, poppy oil, or safflower oils. These drying oils absorb oxygen and harden, creating a permanent coating. Oil paint is versatile and can be used on various surfaces, including canvas, paper, and wood. It is known for its rich, deep colours and distinctive smell.

To make oil paint, artists or manufacturers first mix the pigment with the binder on a glass or marble slab to create a crumbly mass. This mixture is then gradually ground to a smooth, ultra-fine paste, which is later placed into containers. Handmade oil paints allow for greater control over texture and consistency, while factory-made paints offer convenience and consistent performance.

Oil paint has practical advantages due to its waterproof nature and slow-drying properties. It is commonly used in the finishing and protection of wood and metal structures, such as ships and bridges. Additionally, oil paint has been used in paint-on-glass animation due to its slow drying time.

Oil paint is a versatile medium that has been used for centuries, offering artists a wide range of creative possibilities and a distinctive style.

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Watercolour: a transparent or opaque medium, watercolour is made from pigment and gum arabic

Watercolour is a versatile painting method that artists use to create soft transitions between colours. It is a transparent medium, but it can be made opaque by adding Chinese white. Watercolour paints are made from pigments suspended in a water-based solution. The pigments are finely ground and can be natural or synthetic. The quantity and quality of the pigment in the paint determine the intensity of the colour and the price of the paint.

The other main component of watercolour is the binder, which is usually gum arabic. Gum arabic is a natural gum made from the hardened sap of acacia trees. It is a key ingredient in watercolour paint because it helps the pigment particles spread evenly and bind to the surface. Gum arabic also affects the viscosity of the paint, making it thicker and easier to handle.

Watercolour paints also contain additives that alter the paint's appearance and performance, as well as extend its shelf life. For example, glycerin is often added as a plasticizer to make the paint softer and easier to dissolve. Moisturizers such as glucose or honey are added to prevent the paint from drying out too quickly. A small amount of brightener may also be added to enhance the colour of the pigment.

Watercolour paintings are usually done on paper, specifically watercolour paper, which is often made partially or entirely from cotton. This gives the paper the right texture and minimizes distortion when wet. Other surfaces that can be used for watercolour painting include stone, ivory, silk, reed, papyrus, bark paper, plastics, vellum, leather, fabric, wood, and watercolour canvas.

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Acrylic paint: a fairly new medium, acrylic paint dries quickly and can be applied to various surfaces

Acrylic paint is a relatively new medium compared to other painting mediums like oil painting. It is a water-based paint that dries quickly, usually within 30 to 60 minutes, and becomes flexible and waterproof once dry. This fast-drying property makes it a suitable medium for artists who work quickly. Acrylic paint can be applied to various surfaces, including canvas, paper, wooden panels, and walls, as long as the surface is slightly absorbent and free of dust and grease.

One unique characteristic of acrylic paint is its ability to bond with many different surfaces. It can be applied directly to canvas without priming, unlike oil paints, which can eventually rot the canvas if not properly primed. Acrylic paint can also be used on a variety of other materials, such as paper, wood, and household objects. However, when using porous surfaces like medium-density fiberboard, it is recommended to seal the surface first with an appropriate sealer to ensure proper adhesion.

The versatility of acrylic paint extends beyond the variety of surfaces it can be applied to. Acrylic paint can be thinned with water or an acrylic medium and used in a similar manner to watercolour paints, creating washes and layers that allow for a range of effects. The use of an acrylic medium gives the paint a richer, glossier appearance, while adding water results in a more matte, watercolour-like finish. Acrylic mediums also help to prolong the drying time of acrylic paint, allowing artists more time to blend colours and create the desired effects.

Acrylic paint is known for its versatility in mixed media applications. It can be used in combination with other art forms, such as pastel (oil and chalk), charcoal, and pen, allowing artists to create unique and diverse artworks. Additionally, acrylic paint is easy to use and clean, making it a popular choice for beginners. It does not require special brushes or cleaning tools, and any paint residue can be easily washed off with soap and water.

Overall, acrylic paint offers a wide range of creative possibilities for artists. Its quick-drying nature, versatility in application, and ability to bond with various surfaces make it a dynamic medium for artistic expression. Acrylic paint's compatibility with different techniques and tools encourages experimentation, enabling artists to discover and develop their unique style.

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Tempera: an ancient medium, tempera paint is made from pigment and a water-soluble binder, typically egg

Tempera is an ancient medium that has been used for centuries due to its fast-drying ingredients and long-lasting pigments. It is also known as "egg tempera" because it traditionally uses egg yolk as its base. Tempera paint is made from pigment and a water-soluble binder, typically egg. The term "tempera" initially indicated the use of a water-soluble binding element, usually egg, to hold powdered pigment. While different ingredients such as wine and vinegar were often added for different effects and applications, the simplest formulation consisted of egg, pigment, and the milk of fig branches (for its water-resistant properties).

The use of egg as a binder in tempera paint has several effects on the painting process and the final artwork. Firstly, it creates a fast-drying medium, which can be advantageous for artists who want to work quickly and layer multiple coats of paint in one session. However, the fast-drying nature of tempera also makes it technically challenging to use. The paint must be made fresh, and for the egg to properly "set," it must be applied and then left alone, without any additional manipulation.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used the encaustic medium, also known as hot wax painting, which involves using heated beeswax mixed with coloured pigments. This mixture is then applied to a surface, typically prepared wood, although canvas and other materials can also be used. Unlike tempera, encaustic paint can be manipulated with heated metal tools even after it has cooled, allowing for more intricate techniques and effects.

Another important distinction between tempera and encaustic paint is their finish. Tempera paint dries to a matte finish, while encaustic paint can be polished to a high gloss. Encaustic paint is capable of being sculpted and mixed with other media, offering more versatility in terms of artistic expression.

In conclusion, tempera paint, with its ancient history and unique properties, has played a significant role in the evolution of artistic techniques and styles. Its fast-drying nature and vibrant colours have inspired techniques that greatly impacted how artists viewed and rendered their subjects. However, the challenges posed by its quick drying time and the need for specific application methods have led to the exploration and development of other paint mediums, such as encaustic paint, which offers a different range of artistic possibilities.

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Encaustic: also known as hot wax painting, encaustic involves using heated beeswax with added coloured pigments

Painting is the application of pigments to a support surface to establish an image, design, or decoration. The two components of any painted medium are the pigment and the binder.

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, is a form of painting that involves using heated beeswax with added coloured pigments. The simplest encaustic medium can be made by adding pigments to wax. However, recipes typically consist of beeswax, damar resin, and pigment. The wax is heated and melted before being mixed with the pigment. This molten mix is then applied to a surface, usually prepared wood, although canvas and other materials such as card, paper, and pottery are sometimes used.

The encaustic technique was first recorded over 2,000 years ago and was described by the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder in his Natural History from the 1st Century. The oldest surviving encaustic panel paintings are the Romano-Egyptian Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt, dating from around 100 to 300 AD. Encaustic art saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s, with artists using electric irons, hotplates, and heated styli to work on various surfaces.

Encaustic paints require a rigid and absorbent surface to adhere properly. A wooden panel is an excellent choice as encaustic paint can be applied directly to raw wood. However, an absorbent gesso can also be applied first. The paint solidifies at room temperature, so it must be melted before application. Each layer of paint is fused to the previous one using a heat tool, such as a heat gun, torch, or hot air gun. Metal tools and special brushes can also be used to shape the medium as it cools.

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