Casandra-4/11Homework

Watercolor

1.  Watercolor paint consists of pigment bound with gum.  Gum arabic is the most common medium used.

2.  You dilute watercolor with water.  You can also use additional gum arabic.

3.  Paper is the most common surface used in watercolor painting.  There are mainly three types of paper that are used: hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough.  Each type of paper possesses a different texture that will interact with the paints differently.  Hot-pressed paper is smooth and is the least absorbent of the three. Cold-pressed has a medium textured surface.  Rough paper has a very distinct textured surface.  The paper can come in varying tones but white is generally used.  The paper does not have to be primed.

4.  All watercolor is translucent to varying degrees depending on each pigment.  The more opaque colors are good for flat washes, and the more translucent colors are good for glazing.

5.  The size and type of brush for watercolor depends on your type of painting, the size of your work, and your own personal technique.  For example, a large flat brush is used to lay on washes.  Ideally, sable brushes work best with watercolor because they have the ability to absorb and hold watercolor paint better.

6.  Three techniques you can use with watercolor are flat washes, painting wet on wet, and using a masking fluid to create negative space.

Acrylic

1.  The binder for acrylic paint is man-made plastic.

2.  The solvent for acrylics is water.

3.  It is best to void surfaces that have oils or wax; the pain will peel off when it dries.  The surface should be primed with an acrylic gesso.

4.  The opacity of acrylic paints depend on the natural opacity of the pigment used.

5.  The type of brush that you choose to use for acrylics will depend on how you will use the paints.  For example, if you plan on watering down the paints and using them similar to watercolors, then a brush used for watercolors will be suitable.  While there are brushes made specifically for acrylics, if you have brushes for oil paints, those can be used as well.

6.  Acrylics can be thinned down and used in a watercolor style, scumbling, and sponging.

Oil

1.  The binder for oil pain is an oil, traditionally linseed oil.

2.  Turpentine or a turpentine substitute (petroleum substance) is used as a solvent for oil paints.

3.  Oil paints can be applied to almost any surface given that it has been properly prepared.  Canvases need to be prepared by being primed (unless you buy it already primed).  Wood panels require seasoning, and cradling to prevent warping; they also need to be primed.  Composite wood can also be used and does not need to be cradled, but steps should still be taken to prevent warping.  There is also specialty paper that has been primed for use with oil paints.

4.  Pigments vary in their transparency by nature, and the level of the transparence of a color is relative to the colors around you.

5.  The most useful brushes for oil paints are made from bristle.  There are also synthetic brushes made to be used for both oils and acrylics.

6.  Because oils dry much slower than acrylics or watercolor, colors of oil paints can be laid down next to each other and then eventually blended to create a gradation.  Oils can also be painted wet on wet, or by stippling.