PAINT MEDIA
Paint is a liquid media comprised of pigment, binder and solvent.
Pigments are made from metals, minerals, plants, animals, insects, seashells, blood, bones, soot and more.
Binder, vehicle, medium or base is a film-forming agent that mixes with and carries the powdered pigment.
Thinner or solvent dilutes the pigment-binder blend to make it less thick or more transparent.
Types of paint
Tempera paint is made of color pigment, egg and water, and can be thinned with water.
Oil paint is made of powdered color pigment with linseed oil, and can be thinned with turpentine.
Acrylic paint is made of color pigment and plastic acrylates, and can be thinned with water before drying.
Watercolor or Aquarelle or Gouache are made of color pigment and gum arabic and can be thinned with water.
Enamel paint is made of color pigment, glass or metal flakes, synthetic alkyd resins and can be thinned with solvent.
Encaustic combines wax, pigment and sand, or textured substances and is made soft with heat.
Surfaces
Paint can be applied to many types of surfaces.
Depending on what the paint is made of and how thick or watery it might be, the surface is prepared with a primer. This coats the surface, makes it smoother and allows it to hold the paint.
Raw, untreated canvas or linen fabric may be primed with gesso, a chalky, plaster-like mixture.
A wood or masonite panel may also be treated with gesso or an acrylic polymer to seal the surface.
Watercolor paper is drenched in water on both sides before painting so as to not curl as it dries.
A concrete or stone wall may need priming to smooth out grooves and pock marks in the raw surface.
Tools
Paint can be applied using many sorts of tools.
Beyond paint brushes, rags, palette knives, sticks, eyedroppers, combs, squeegees or sponges are all possible implements for applying paint.
Each tool will hold the paint differently and will create a unique pattern or mark. Combining tools as the paint dries can create layered colors and textures.
Brushes
There are specialized brushes made for oil, acrylic, watercolor, latex and enamel paints.
Brushes can be made of natural fibers made from animal fur such as sable, mink or squirrel. Synthetic fiber brushes are made from plastics and polymers - smooth, yet porous to hold and apply the paint evenly.
Tips of brushes might be flat, rounded or angled. Sharp or feathered edges will produce different quality strokes.
Paint media. http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/
Pigments. http://www.essentialvermeer.com/palette/palette_anatomy_of_paint.html