PAINT & PAINT TECHNIQUES

Paint & Paint

Techniques Release your creativity

Through the centuries, paint and painting techniques have changed, with the advent of technology, this has been even more rapid. When we think of painting, we think of oil, acrylic and watercolour, but there is so much more to explore. This will be a journey through paint and the techniques to bring out the artist in you - are you ready to try something new?

We start the journey with oil paint and move through the different mediums available.

PAINTS

Oil

Oil has been used for centuries - it is a slow-drying medium that is made from pigment suspended in oil. As it dries very slowly, artists can take their time creating. Oil paint can create wonderful textures as it is so thick, similarly there are techniques of blending that renders the image smooth with almost a photographic quality. It can be messy to work with and some of the pigments used are toxic, but for vibrancy and texture it is still a favourite of artists the world over.

Acrylic

Acrylic paint is available in a plethora of textures and drying times, not to mention colours. It is a water-soluble paint that dries quickly, is non-toxic, and relatively inexpensive, making it appealing for artists of all levels. Dominant bright colours and sharp brushstrokes and lines are a feature technique of acrylic paint. Compared to oil, it lasts longer as it’s not prone to cracking and yellowing. It can be combined with other mediums, allowing the artist freedom and flexibility over the final image. As it is water soluble when damp, cleaning up is no problem.

Watercolour

Most commonly painted on paper, watercolours can be painted on fabric, wood, leather and vellum. It is made from pigments suspended in a water-based solution. Renowned for the transparent layers they create, watercolour paint remains soluble even when dry, meaning that artists can make some corrections and additions even when the painting is dry. Conversely, the finished work must be protected carefully. Due to this medium being liquid and thin in

consistency, texture is not easily accomplished, but a depiction of texture can be achieved by the skill of the artist. There are many watercolour techniques that artists can use to create different styles of art, from realistic portraits to washed out landscapes.

Gauche

Gauche is like watercolour as it can be rewetted, however it is heavier as it has chalk incorporated into it. Gauche has similar characteristics to acrylic in that it's an opaque paint. It's often used together with watercolour. Because it is water soluble, it needs a varnish to seal the completed painting. Acrylic gauche is a new development and is water soluble when damp but resistant when dry.

Pastel

Though not technically a paint, it is sometimes referred to as “dry painting”. The use of pastels has been popular since the 16th century. Their stick form and lack of drying time make them an easy and portable solution for artists. The most popular pastels - known as soft pastels have chalk incorporated into them, but pastels are also available with an oil base. Colours are typically blended on the paper or support used. Water-soluble pastels are available and can be painted over for a watercolour effect. As the pigment is easily lifted from the surface, the picture needs to be framed under glass. �

TECHNIQUES

Encaustic

This is a technique dating back to ancient Egypt and it involves suspending pigment in hot beeswax. The coloured paste is then applied to wood, but you can also use canvas. Specialised tools are used to shape and sculpt the liquid before it cools and solidifies. Contemporary artists often use heat guns to extend the workability of the paint. Though encaustic—or hot wax painting— can be difficult to master, it is possible to create complex paintings with lots of dimension and colour.

Fresco

This is best known, thanks to Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel Ceiling. Buon Fresco is a very old technique that involves mixing pigment with water and applying this to still wet plaster, which forms a permanent bond when dry. Predominantly used for ceiling décor or walls, the water assists the pigment to bond with the plaster. Buon fresco (or true fresco) necessitates that the artist works quickly as once dry, the surface is no longer paintable. Another method, called fresco secco, requires a binding agent such as egg, glue, or oil to attach to a dry plastered surface. This method works better on a rougher surface but is less durable.

Spray Paint

Aerosol paint was first invented in 1949 and became popular in the 1970s, with the advent of graffiti artists. It adheres to almost any surface but is most used on brick and plaster and metal. Spray paint dries quickly and is fairly weather resistant, making it a durable choice for urban artists. Artists can pair the cans with special caps that control the width of the spray. As they have toxic chemicals, a mask needs to be worn for safety. Water based spray paint is also available for use on canvas.

Ink Wash

Ink wash, or literati painting, originates from China and East Asia. The use of black ink in calligraphy led to the popularity of brush painting using the same inks. Artists achieve different tonalities by varying the amount of ink on the brush and the pressure with which the stroke is applied. Brushstrokes are carefully studied, with calligraphy masters spending years perfecting their strokes. Though coloured inks are widely available these days, black is still the most common ink used.

Tempera

Tempera is one of the oldest types of painting and was traditionally created by grinding pigments into a binder. The most common type of tempera is egg tempera, which typically uses egg yolks mixed with a solution of vinegar or water as a binder. Tempera is a fast-drying paint and is applied in thin, transparent layers that are notable for its lack of colour deterioration over time. It’s still used in the Greek and Russian Orthodox church for religious icon paintings.

Enamel

Enamel is an oil-based paint which most often used for decorative painting and pinstriping. It dries to a hard, high gloss finish that is weather resistant. Enamel can be used on different surfaces like glass, ceramics, metal, wood, and canvas. Due to its toxicity, it's always suggested to work in a wellventilated area with a mask on. There are also water-based enamels that can be used on heavier papers like cardstock.�

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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