Isabella Flores
The term painting is typically used to describe both the act of applying paint, pigment, colour or another medium to a surface, as well as the final work of art itself. However, this has raised questions about what to call a work of art that uses a different medium, such as ink or charcoal, instead of paint. Some artists feel that calling such a work a drawing is demeaning to their artistic process. In galleries, such works are often described by their specific medium and surface, for example, graphite on paper. Pastels are another medium that resembles the technique of painting and are thus referred to as pastel paintings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medium | Ink, graphite, charcoal, pencil, pastel |
| Surface | Paper, canvas, wood, glass, lacquer, pottery, leaf, copper, concrete |
| Technique | Pastel paintings |
| Description | Graphite on paper, charcoal on paper, ink on paper |
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What You'll Learn
Pencil, graphite, charcoal, or ink on paper
If you are creating art with pencil, graphite, charcoal, or ink on paper, you are generally considered an artist who creates drawings. However, some people find the term "
In a gallery setting, your work would likely be described by its specific medium and chosen surface, for example, "graphite on paper, 30cm x 20cm".
Ink paintings are done with a liquid that contains pigments or dyes and is used to colour a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink is used for drawing with a pen, brush, or quill.
Pastels are considered a form of painting, as they resemble the technique of painting more closely.
Ultimately, the terminology used to describe your work may depend on the specific context and setting in which it is being presented or discussed.
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Ink paintings
In China, ink wash painting was associated with the scholar-official or literati class, who often illustrated their own poetry and produced paintings as gifts. It was considered a gentlemanly occupation connected with poetry and calligraphy. Chinese scholar-painters of the Song dynasty generally preferred ink-based paintings over colourful, pigment-filled paintings. Calligraphic techniques and the manipulation of brush and ink were foundational to the artistic approach of renowned calligrapher Zhu Da, who developed a distinct personal style characterised by sharp, angular brushwork that softened in his later years.
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Pastel paintings
The technique of applying pastel varies, with some artists using the broad side of the pastel stick for light tones and the tip for more defined, saturated strokes. Pastel paintings may also involve the use of loose powdered pastel, which can be applied with brushes or other tools. This loose powder allows for the creation of innumerable ready-made hues and tints. Artists like Edgar Degas utilised this range of colours to place strokes of complementary and contrasting hues side by side, creating intricate tapestries of colour.
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Fresco paintings
Fresco (pl. frescos or frescoes) is a type of mural painting executed on freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. The technique involves using water as a vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and as the plaster sets, the painting becomes a part of the wall. The word "fresco" is derived from the Italian adjective "fresco", meaning "fresh", and is often used inaccurately in English to refer to any wall painting.
Fresco painting is an ancient tradition that came to prominence during the Italian Renaissance, with works by artists like Michelangelo and Raphael. The technique involves mixing pigment with room-temperature water and applying it to a thin layer of wet, fresh plaster called the intonaco. The chemical makeup of the plaster eliminates the need for a binder, as the pigment mixed with water sinks into the intonaco, which then holds the pigment. As the plaster dries, the pigment particles are fixed, resulting in vibrant colours and great permanence.
The process of creating a fresco demands technical skill from the artist, as they must work quickly while the plaster is wet and cannot correct mistakes by overpainting. This challenge has led to the development of the buon fresco, mezzo fresco, and fresco secco techniques. Buon fresco, or true fresco, is the most prominent and popular technique, where pigments are applied to a layer of wet lime or gypsum plaster, fully absorbing the pigment as it dries. Mezzo fresco, or medium fresco, is created on nearly dry intonaco and was popular during the Italian Renaissance. Fresco secco, or dry fresco, involves painting on dry walls soaked with limewater and requires a binding medium like glue adhesive or egg yolk.
Fresco painting has been used throughout history to adorn churches, cathedrals, and public buildings, often depicting Biblical scenes, saints, or luxurious details. The technique adds depth and space to the surroundings, as seen in the works of Fra Angelico and Giotto di Bondone. While oil painting eventually superseded fresco during the Renaissance, the technique has been revived by various artists since, including in the 19th and 20th centuries by Pre-Raphaelite painters and those associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement.
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Oil paintings
Oil painting is a process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil, such as linseed oil or poppy seed oil. Oil was sometimes boiled with a resin like pine resin or frankincense, creating a "varnish" that was prized for its body and gloss. Oil paintings can be created using an "Alla Prima" method, which means that the painting is created entirely in one sitting. Oil paints can also be mixed with an alkyd medium to speed up their drying time. Alkyd is a synthetic resin that dries through solvent evaporation, and alkyd-based oil paints are often sold as "fast-drying oil colour".
In terms of what to call an oil painting that isn't made with paint, it is common to refer to the specific medium and surface used, such as "ink on paper" or "charcoal on paper". If the work resembles the technique of painting, it may be referred to as a "pastel painting". It is worth noting that the term "painting" is quite broad and can encompass a range of media and techniques beyond traditional paint.
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Frequently asked questions
If a painting doesn't use paint, it is typically referred to by the medium used, followed by the surface, for example, "ink on paper" or "charcoal on paper".
If you don't want to refer to your work as a drawing, you can specify the medium and surface used, as mentioned above. Alternatively, you can refer to yourself as an artist and your work as visual art.
If your work incorporates multiple media and surfaces, you can still specify them all in the description. For example, "ink and charcoal on paper and canvas".
