by: callumasterman
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Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 Time: 5:43 AM -
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When we refer to painting most people will first think of the classic paintings by the famous artists of modern times, names like van Gogh, Constable, Picasso even Lucian Freud are some of the names given.
Article Source: DirectoryArticles.com
Certain artists are linked to certain styles of painting and with them the use of certain materials. Freud for example is famous for his nude portraits and use of very thin paints. He is also known for his use of a technique known as impasto, when thicker paints are used, often being combined on the painting itself rather than a palette.
Typically paints can be categorised into groups based on the raw ingredients used to create them. The major groups are oils, acrylics, inks, watercolours, and gouache. There are also pastels and other materials which could be classed as mediums for drawing, but are often made use of when painting. These options include charcoal and pencils of various types.
Some of the more unusual painting materials are used in more esoteric techniques like encaustic painting where wax and a pigment are heated to burn an impression onto the paper or canvas. A colour pigment, usually powdered paint is combined with beeswax and resin crystals called damar over a heat source until it becomes pliable and suitable for working into a painting design.
Different techniques canbe seen on cave paintings found in places like France, Spain and other parts of Europe. Some of these paintings are thought to be over 10,000 years old and given the painting materials that were used to create them, it is remarkable that they have survived in any form up until today. The artists of ancient times were limited in the materials available to them and included hematite and manganese dioxide or pyrolusite, which is a common black mineral, which was later used by the Greeks to create clearer glass. Vegatation was also used to create colours and the use of pine cones has been identified. Ancient cave painters also attempted to create their own paint by grinding up various materials including sea shells and even human and animal bones.
Modern painting materials are frequently based on older combinations of substances, which also allow painters to paint in traditional styles. Both gouache and watercolours are pigments held in water, the main difference between the two being particle size and the amount of water in the suspension. To prevent seperation gum Arabic is added, which is a tree sap from the acacia tree. Egg tempera paint uses yolks from egg to suspend the pigments.
Acrylic paints are a much more modern invention, having only been invented just 50 years ago. These paints also suspend a pigment like gouache but instead of water the pigment is suspended in an acrylic emulsion. This makes it more flexible use more water can be added or it can also be mixed with other substances like gels, grindings or even solvents to create alternative effects.
Painting materials will continue to develop as long as scientific advances continue to be made. We are currently seeing some of the metallic paints developed for the car industry, working their way into mainstream arts and crafts and even the use of nano-coatings or "liquid solids" is already in commercial use.
Finding a good source of cheap art supplies is a great way to start. You'll be able to purchase a range of painting materials and start experimenting. Callum has painted for many years and has used tried out of paints explained here.
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