Getting To Know Painting Media

Summary

This script introduces various painting media, tools, and materials, guiding viewers through the setup for painting, from choosing a studio to selecting supports like canvas or paper. It delves into different types of paint, including watercolors, inks, tempera, acrylics, and oils, highlighting their unique characteristics and uses. The video also explores painting techniques, color mixing, and the importance of maintaining tools. It encourages viewers to visit art supply stores for inspiration and to appreciate the work of famous artists in museums and galleries, emphasizing the joy of exploring painting media.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Painting requires preparation including an apron and a suitable space to prevent messes.
• 🖼️ A dedicated space for painting is known as a 'studio', and the surface to paint on is called a 'support'.
• 📦 Supports can vary from paper, canvas, wood, to walls for murals, and each may require a primer like gesso.
• 🖌️ Brushes are essential painting tools with different bristle materials, shapes, and sizes for various painting techniques.
• 🔪 Palette knives can be used for mixing colors or applying paint in a different manner than brushes.
• 👐 Artists can use unconventional tools like fingers, sponges, feathers, or even vegetables for unique painting effects.
• 💧 Water or other mediums may be needed to thin paint, and paper towels or rags are useful for clean-up.
• 🎨 Palettes for mixing colors can be made from a variety of materials, including heavy paper or recycled containers.
• 🌊 Watercolor paints are portable, inexpensive, and transparent, allowing the white of the paper to show through.
• 🌿 Ink painting shares similarities with watercolor but has a history deeply rooted in calligraphy and nature-themed subjects.
• 🥚 Tempera paint, one of the oldest types, often used in schools, can be opaque and is thinned with water like watercolors.
• 🛢️ Acrylics and oils are popular among older students, adults, and professionals, known for their versatility and rich color.
• 🏛️ Visiting art museums or galleries provides insight into different painting media and can inspire one's own projects.
• 🤔 When analyzing paintings, consider the subject, story, mood, the artist's interest, paint application, light usage, space creation, and composition.

Q & A

What are some essential items needed for painting to avoid messes?

An apron or paint smock is needed to keep clothes clean. Additionally, a suitable place to paint, either inside or outside, is important to ensure mess won't be an issue.

What is the term for a designated space specifically for painting?

A designated space for painting is called a 'studio'.

What is the term used for the material or surface on which paint is applied?

The material or surface on which paint is applied is referred to as a 'support'.

What are some examples of supports mentioned in the script?

Examples of supports include paper, canvas, and wooden boards.

Why is a primer like gesso used on canvases and boards before painting?

A primer like gesso is used to seal the support and help the paint adhere to it.

What are the three main parts of a brush used for painting?

The three main parts of a brush are the bristles, the handle, and the ferrule, which is often metal and holds the bristles onto the handle.

What materials can bristles of a painting brush be made from?

Bristles can be made from natural hair such as camel hair, goat hair, rabbit hair, and horse hair, or from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester.

What is a palette knife and how is it used in painting?

A palette knife is a tool used by artists to mix colors or even to apply paint directly onto the support, offering an alternative to traditional brushes.

What are some unconventional tools that can be used for painting besides brushes and palette knives?

Unconventional painting tools include fingers and toes, sponges, feathers, sticks, strings or yarn, cotton balls, Q-tips, toothbrushes, eye droppers, straws, and objects for stamping.

What is the difference between watercolor and ink painting?

Watercolor is a pigment mixed with water that is transparent and allows the white of the paper to show through. Ink, while not paint, is used similarly to watercolor but can be opaque and is often used for detailed work such as calligraphy.

What is the significance of the white of the paper in watercolor painting?

In watercolor painting, the white of the paper is crucial as it contributes to the transparency of the colors and is used to create lighter shades, including white, by showing through the pigment.

What is the term for a painting applied directly onto a wall?

A painting applied directly onto a wall is called a 'mural'.

How does the texture of watercolor paper contribute to the painting?

Watercolor paper often has a slightly bumpy texture which helps absorb water and adds visual interest to the painting.

What is the term for a painting technique where crayon is used before applying watercolors?

The technique of drawing heavily in crayon and then painting over it with watercolors is called 'crayon resist'.

What are some differences between tempera paint and other types of paint mentioned in the script?

Tempera paint is one of the oldest types of paint, often opaque unlike watercolors, and can be thinned with water. It is commonly used in schools and comes in various forms including thick liquid, cakes, and even in jars or jugs.

Why are acrylic and oil paints often preferred by professional artists?

Acrylic and oil paints offer a wide range of applications, from thin glazes to thick impastos. They can be used on various surfaces and supports, and are known for their versatility and the depth they can add to a painting.

What are some characteristics of oil paints that differentiate them from acrylics?

Oil paints thin with oil and turpentine, dry slower than acrylics, and are generally more expensive. They are known for their rich color and the ability to create a wide range of textures.

How can one enhance their understanding of painting techniques and styles?

Visiting art museums or galleries to observe the works of famous artists can provide insights into various painting media and techniques, offering inspiration for one's own projects.

What are some elements to consider when analyzing a painting?

When analyzing a painting, consider the subject, story, mood or feeling, the artist's interest, how the paint is used, how light and space are utilized, and the overall composition.

What does the term 'composition' refer to in the context of a painting?

The composition of a painting refers to the arrangement of its elements and how they work together to create a unified whole.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Painting Essentials

This paragraph introduces the basics of painting, including the necessary tools and materials. It emphasizes the messiness of painting compared to drawing and the need for an apron or paint smock to avoid stains. The importance of finding a suitable place to paint, like a studio, is highlighted, along with the various types of supports such as paper, canvas, and wood. Primers like gesso are mentioned for preparing supports. The paragraph also covers different painting tools, primarily brushes, which can be made from natural or synthetic materials and come in various shapes and sizes for different painting techniques. Additionally, it mentions alternative painting tools like palette knives, fingers, sponges, and other everyday objects.

05:00

💧 Exploring Watercolor and Ink Painting

This section delves into watercolor and ink painting, two distinct yet related art forms. Watercolor is described as a portable and cost-effective medium that dries quickly and is transparent, allowing the white of the paper to show through. Techniques such as mixing colors on a palette, using water to create varying levels of transparency, and employing wet paper for free-flowing effects are discussed. The paragraph also covers ink painting, which, despite not being paint, is used similarly to watercolor. It touches on the historical significance of ink in art, particularly in Asian calligraphy and painting, and the use of ink washes to create different shades and effects. Notable artists like John Marin and Rembrandt are mentioned to illustrate the unique qualities of watercolor and ink paintings.

10:03

🖌️ The Art of Tempera and Traditional Painting

This paragraph explores the ancient art of tempera painting, which dates back to medieval and renaissance times. It explains that tempera paint is made by mixing pigment with a binding agent, traditionally egg yolk, and can be opaque unlike watercolors. The versatility of tempera is highlighted, as it can be used with water to create various effects and is commonly used in educational settings. The paragraph also briefly mentions other types of paint like acrylics and oils, which are popular among professional artists for their unique properties and applications. Examples of famous artworks and artists, including Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, are provided to showcase the use of these mediums.

15:08

🌻 Analyzing Painting Composition and Elements

This section focuses on how to analyze and appreciate paintings by examining various elements such as subject, story, mood, artist's interest, paint application, light usage, space, and composition. It encourages viewers to consider what the painting's subject matter is, the story it might be telling, and the emotions it conveys. The paragraph discusses how paint is applied, from thick impasto techniques to thin glazes, and how light and shadow contribute to the painting's mood. The use of space to create depth or a sense of flatness is also explored, along with the overall composition that ties all these elements together. Famous paintings by artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Paul Cézanne are used as examples to illustrate these concepts.

20:09

🌈 Engaging with Art: A Creative Approach

The final paragraph encourages an imaginative and interactive approach to engaging with art. It suggests that viewers use their senses to imagine the experience within a painting, considering what they might hear, smell, and feel in terms of temperature. The paragraph also prompts viewers to look for the painting's subject, story, mood, the artist's interest, and how the paint, light, space, and composition contribute to the overall artwork. By doing so, it turns the act of looking at paintings into an adventure, promoting a deeper appreciation and understanding of the art form.

Keywords

💡Painting Media

Painting media refers to the various types of paint an artist can use to create a work of art. In the video, it is explained that there are different kinds of painting media, such as watercolors, inks, tempera, acrylics, and oils. Each type has unique properties and techniques associated with it, which the artist can exploit to achieve different effects and styles in their artwork.

💡Support

In the context of the video, a 'support' is the material or surface on which the paint is applied. Examples of supports mentioned include paper, canvas, wood, and even walls for murals. The choice of support can affect the final appearance of the artwork, as different materials interact differently with the paint and may influence the artist's technique.

💡Easel

An easel is a stand or frame that holds a painting surface at an inclined position for the artist to work on. The video describes how an easel can support a canvas or board, allowing the artist to paint on it in an upright position. Easels are particularly useful for larger works or when the artist needs to step back to view their work from a distance.

💡Primer

A primer is a preparatory coating applied to a surface before painting to seal the material and improve the paint's adhesion. The video mentions gesso as a common type of primer used on canvases and boards. Priming is an essential step in preparing the support for painting, ensuring that the paint stays on the surface effectively.

💡Palette Knife

A palette knife is a painting tool used by artists to mix colors or even to apply paint directly onto the support. The video script describes it as an alternative to brushes for creating texture and blending colors on the canvas. The palette knife allows for a different style of painting, offering a thicker application of paint and the ability to create distinct effects.

💡Watercolor

Watercolor is a type of paint that is mixed with water to create a fluid, transparent medium. The video emphasizes the affordability, portability, and quick-drying nature of watercolors. It also explains that watercolors are transparent, meaning they allow the white of the paper to show through, which is a key characteristic that influences the appearance of the finished artwork.

💡Ink

Ink, as discussed in the video, is a pigment mixed with a liquid binder to create a flowing medium similar to paint. Ink painting has a long history and is associated with calligraphy and traditional Asian art. The script mentions that ink can be used for both detailed drawing and broader washes, offering a range of artistic possibilities.

💡Tempera

Tempera paint is one of the oldest types of paint, traditionally made by mixing pigment with egg yolk. The video script explains that modern tempera paint is created with pigment and various binders, and it can be opaque, unlike watercolors. Tempera is often used in educational settings and is known for its versatility and ease of use.

💡Acrylics

Acrylics are a modern type of paint that are made from a synthetic polymer. The video mentions that acrylics can be thinned with water and dry quickly, making them a popular choice for many artists. Acrylic paint is versatile, allowing for both thin glazing techniques and thick impasto applications, and is often used for its durability and quick-drying properties.

💡Oil Paints

Oil paints are another type of paint medium that has been used by artists for centuries. The video script notes that oil paints are thinned with oil and turpentine, and they dry much slower than acrylics. Oil paints are known for their rich color and the ability to create deep, complex layers and textures in artwork.

💡Composition

Composition in art refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a work of art. The video script discusses how the composition can guide the viewer's eye and create a sense of balance or movement. It uses examples from famous paintings to illustrate how composition can be used to direct attention and create a harmonious or dynamic visual experience.

Highlights

Painting is messier than drawing, necessitating protective gear like aprons and paint smocks.

A studio is a designated space for painting, where mess is not a concern.

The material or surface for painting is called a support and can vary from paper to canvas.

Canvases and boards require a primer like gesso to prepare for painting.

Painting tools include brushes with bristles made from natural or synthetic materials.

Palette knives are used for mixing colors and can also be used as a painting tool.

Innovative painting tools can range from fingers and toes to sponges and feathers.

Water or other substances are used to thin paint for different effects.

A palette or mix tray is essential for mixing colors in painting.

Watercolor paints are unique for their transparency and affordability.

Watercolor paper's texture contributes to the painting's absorption and visual interest.

Ink painting shares similarities with watercolor but has a history rooted in calligraphy and nature.

Tempera paint, one of the oldest types, was traditionally mixed with egg yolk.

Acrylic and oil paints are popular among professionals for their versatility and drying times.

Different types of paint, such as enamel and encaustic, offer unique properties for artists.

Famous artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet used oil paint in their renowned works.

When viewing paintings, consider the subject, story, mood, and composition to understand the artwork.

Artistic techniques such as crayon resist and ink washes create distinctive effects in paintings.

The use of light, space, and texture in paintings contributes to the overall visual experience.

Imagination plays a role in engaging with paintings, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the artwork.

Transcripts

[Music]

getting to know art media

painting media

painting tools and materials

[Music]

to get ready to paint here are some

things that you might need

painting is messier than drawing

so you might need an apron or paint

smoke

to keep from getting all messy

you'll need a place to paint

you can paint almost anywhere

inside

or outside

[Music]

as long as you make sure you find a

place where mess won't matter

[Music]

if you have a special place that's just

for painting

that is called a studio

you'll also need something to paint on

the actual material or surface that you

paint on is called a support

there are many different kinds of

supports

like paper

which you can tack up on a wall

to paint large projects

or

you could put your paper on a table

to paint smaller projects

this woman is painting on a canvas

which is a strong cloth

stretched over a wooden frame

her canvas is on an easel

easels can hold a canvas or a board in

an upright position while you paint on

it

another type of support is wood

or any board

[Music]

canvases and boards need to be covered

with a primer

to seal them

and it helps the paint to stay on

gesso is a common primer

[Music]

of course you can paint on walls too

[Music]

this is called a mural

you can even put your support on the

floor

where you can drip or spatter your paint

you'll need something to put the paint

on with

brushes

[Music]

or other painting tools

a brush is a painting tool with bristles

and it has three parts

the bristles

the handle

and the feral

which is often metal and holds the

bristles onto the handle

bristles can be made of soft

or stiff materials

bristles can be made from natural hair

from an animal

like camel hair

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goat hair

[Applause]

rabbit hair

[Music]

and thicken horse hair

or from synthetic or man-made materials

[Music]

like nylon or polyester

brushes come in many shapes and sizes

depending on how the artist plans to use

them in a painting

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there are tiny brushes for detail work

giant brushes to cover big areas

there are round

and pointed brushes

and square brushes

and lots of others

artists sometimes use a tool called a

palette knife

to mix colors

or even to paint with

[Music]

you can paint with other things besides

brushes and palette knives including

fingers and toes sponges feathers sticks

strings or yarn cotton balls and q-tips

toothbrushes eye droppers

straws and many many more

you can also stamp with objects using

sponges stamps corks pieces of wood and

fruits or vegetables

you'll probably need water or something

to thin your paint

maybe some paper towels or rags to clean

up spills

you'll also need a pallet

or mix tray for mixing colors

you can use lots of different things as

pallets

heavy paper

wax paper

plastic containers or lids

recycled aluminum containers

and boards

if your paint can't be saved wash or

wipe your palate

[Music]

you can paint on all kinds of objects

you might want to visit an art supply

store

look around to see all the wonderful

choices for painting tools and materials

and remember to take good care of your

painting tools and materials

remember to wash your brushes

wash your pallets

and make sure all of your paint

containers are closed up tight

if you keep your materials clean and

properly stored they'll last for much

longer so don't forget cleanup

watercolor and ink

[Music]

when watercolor paints are mixed with

water they start to flow so you can

paint with them

watercolors can come in semi-moist cakes

in tubes

or even bottles with eyedroppers

watercolors are unique or special

because

they are not too expensive

[Music]

they're easy to carry with you

watercolors dry quickly compared to oil

paints

and they are transparent

when we say watercolors are transparent

that means they let the white paper show

through

true watercolor sets don't have a color

white

the white of the paper is used to get

the color white

so for example to mix pink you'd use a

very watery red

the white of the paper showing through

makes the watery red work as pink

the more water you add to the paint the

more transparent it becomes

watercolors can be applied in

transparent layers or washes to make

beautiful effects

[Music]

watercolor paper often has a slightly

bumpy texture

helps absorb the water

and adds interest to the painting

when mixing colors be sure to keep your

cakes clean

use a mixing tray and rinse the brush in

water between colors

[Music]

then your colors will stay true and not

muddy

for very free effects try painting on

wet paper

[Music]

the paint colors will flow into each

other or bleed

to create detailed effects and textures

use a dryer brush

to mop up a puddle or spill

use a completely clean and dry brush

[Music]

you can draw heavily in crayon and paint

over the drawing with watercolors

this is called a crayon resist

because the wax in the crayons resists

or pushes away the water

the effect is very cool

here is a watercolor by the famous

artist john marin

it has a quick fresh feeling

[Music]

you might want to try ink painting too

like watercolors ink is a pigment mixed

with a liquid to make it flow

ink is actually not paint but it is used

in much the same way as watercolor paint

ink painting is thousands of years old

there is beautiful artwork in ink from

all over the world notably from asia

which can include a way of writing which

comes from pictures called calligraphy

artworks in ink can include drawing and

painting

asian style painting subjects are often

from nature

[Music]

this ink painting of grasses is simple

and full of movement

[Music]

these horses are painted with quick

lively ink brush strokes

[Music]

like watercolor paint ink can be mixed

with water to create ink washes

[Music]

an ink wash is lighter than ink alone

and the more water you add the lighter

it becomes

[Music]

here is an ink painting by the famous

artist rembrandt

see how he used small brushes for lines

and details

[Music]

and larger brushes and ink washes for

shading and texture

[Music]

you can use ink on wet paper for very

free effects

artists sometimes use ink and watercolor

together because of their similarities

as in this painting

[Music]

tempera paint is one of the oldest kinds

of paint known to man

many medieval and renaissance master

artists

used tempera

as their medium of choice

hundreds of years ago

egg yolk was mixed with pigment

to create egg tempera

and was often painted on wood

now tempera paint is created with

pigment and a variety of materials

which can come as a thick liquid in jars

or even gallon jugs

tempura can also come in cakes

like watercolors

tempura paint is often used in schools

where it is also called poster paint

you thin tempera with water just like

watercolors but unlike watercolors they

can be opaque which means you can't see

the paper through them

[Music]

you can mix all sorts of great colors

with tempura paints

[Music]

so you can see that even though tempura

paint is one of the oldest paints

it is still easy

and fun to

other use of paint

[Music]

older students adults and professional

artists may use other paints in addition

to watercolors inks and tempera paints

two of the other types of paints they

may use

are acrylics

[Music]

and oils

both acrylics and oils often come in

tubes

[Music]

oil paints thin with oil

and turpentine

acrylics thin with water

[Music]

they can both be used in a thin glaze

[Music]

or a thick impasto

[Music]

acrylics are really a kind of plastic

and will harden on brushes and pallets

acrylics dry more quickly than oils

and generally cost less

many house paints are acrylic or latex

which is similar

there are other kinds of paints as well

there are enamel paints

which are especially hard drying and

permanent oil-based paints

there are also encaustic paints which is

a way of painting with hot wax

[Music]

all these paints can be used on many

surfaces and supports

acrylic and oil painting are often done

on stretched canvases or on hard boards

many paintings in museums are oil

paintings

[Music]

or acrylic paintings

[Music]

here is a self-portrait by vincent van

gogh in oil paint

showing himself with his easel and

palette

here is a work by the french painter

claude monet

it is a wall-sized oil painting of water

lilies on a pond

[Music]

this is a photograph of monet in his

studio with one of several paintings he

did of water lilies

look at the huge palette he is holding

do you know any artists who work in oils

or acrylic paints

looking at paintings

it is always fun and educational to

visit art museums or galleries

you can check out what famous artists

have done with their painting media

or you can get ideas for your own

painting projects

[Music]

when you look at paintings ask yourself

questions

what is the subject of the painting

sometimes that is easy to answer

as the subject of this painting

is the sunflowers

the subject of this painting

is the person

the subject of this painting is a winter

landscape

the trees have no leaves

the houses have snow on the roofs

[Music]

and there are people playing on the

frozen water

the subject of this painting is a summer

landscape

there is a man standing in the field

a sunny farmhouse in the distance

and the trees and plants are in full

bloom

[Music]

if you aren't sure what the subject of

the painting is look for clues

sometimes with an abstract painting the

title will give a clue

this painting is titled landscape with

houses

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what story does the painting tell

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what story could this painting be

telling

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these children are holding hands and

running but what are they doing

are they playing a game

the title of this painting is crack the

whip

does that give you a clue

what is the mood or feeling of the

painting

color and shape are some of the many

things that help create the mood

what mood do you feel from looking at

this abstract painting of circle forms

what is the mood in this painting of a

girl standing in a doorway

how does it make you feel

[Music]

what did the artist like about the

subject

maybe this artist loved the bright

colors of the parrots

he repeated several birds to create a

rhythm or pattern

[Music]

edgar degas love to paint ballet dancers

because of their graceful movement

and their beautiful costumes

[Music]

how is the paint

used it is also fun to look at how the

paint was used

in thickly painted works

the brush strokes show

giving the painting texture

in thinly glazed paintings

the brush strokes can be almost

invisible

how is light used in the painting

[Music]

is there strong light

and dark with shadow

or a more even or flat light

or really bright light

how is space used in the painting

in the background of da vinci's famous

portrait called mona lisa

we see a magical landscape

that seems to stretch far into the

distance

this gives the painting a feeling of

depth

[Music]

in this painting called table with

guitar

the space is very flat

with bright shapes and colors that seem

to sit on the surface of the canvas

like paper cutouts

what is the composition of the painting

the composition of a painting is the way

everything about the painting works as a

whole

in this portrait by cezanne much of the

painting is blue

the books on the table stand out in

white

[Music]

and like stepping stones they lead our

attention from the bottom of the canvas

up to the hands

and eventually

to the face of the man at his desk

[Music]

in this painting by edgar degas

the composition grabs our interest

by giving us a pattern to enjoy

[Music]

two dancers with the same pose

more dancers form a background pattern

of graceful dancers arms and legs

[Music]

you can use your imagination when

looking at paintings

it's fun to imagine you are in the

painting

what would you hear

smell

is it cold

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or warm

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when looking at paintings

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look for subject

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story

mood or feeling

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and the artist's interest

how is the paint used

[Music]

how is the light used

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how is the space created

and what is the composition

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enjoy looking at paintings whenever you

can

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it's an adventure

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you