Mediums
The earliest painters used red ochre (a type of clay) to compose cave paintings, such as those at France’s Grotte Chauvet. Over the course of history, many new types of media have been developed. Finding the style which works best for you is an important decision for any painter, as spray painters and oil painters create vastly different types of work. These are the most commonly used types of paint.
- Acrylic
Developed in the 1950s and known for its fast-drying speed.
- Dry Pastel
Powdered pigment with a binder.
- Enamel
Air-dries with a glossy finish.
- Guache
A type of water-based paint with a higher ratio of paint-to-water.
- Ink
Blend of dye and pigments.
- Oil Pastel
Pigment mixed with oil and wax.
- Spray Paint
Paint kept under pressure in an aerosol can.
- Tempera
Fast-drying paint consisting of pigment and binder.
- Watercolor
Pigment suspended in a water-soluble substance.