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QUIZ: PAINT MEDIA

These questions help us to consider the physical aspects of paint and how they might impact an artist’s choices for expression.

Answer the following questions:

  1. PIGMENT: Define pigment. What is it/what does it do ? 

  2. MEDIUM: Define the medium of a paint. What is it/what does it do ? 

  3. VEHICLE: Define the vehice of a paint. What is it/what does it do ? 

  4. FRESCO: Paint is applied to what kind of surface and/or surface material ? 

  5. BUON FRESCO: Paint is applied when the surface is in what state? And how fast is the paint applied? 

  6. FRESCO SECCO: Paint is applied when the surface is what state? And how fast is the paint applied? 

  7. ENCAUSTIC: What kind of binder is used for encaustic techniques ? How quickly would one work in this medium? 

  8. ENCAUSTIC: How were encaustic techniques used by the ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians?

  9. TEMPERA: What is the vehicle / binder for tempera paint ? 

  10. TEMPERA: What might be an artist use tempera paint ? 

  11. TEMPERA: What are other vehicles that can be mixed with the pigment to form tempera paint?

  12. GESSO: What is gesso made of?  

  13. GESSO: Why is gesso used? What does it provide? 

  14. OIL PAINT: What is the vehicle or binder for oil paint, and what is the thinner or medium for oil paint? 

  15. OIL PAINT: What are the characteristics of oil paint?

  16. OIL PAINT: Does oil paint dry quickly or slowly?

  17. OIL PAINT: Does oil paint need a gesso-covered surface? Why or why not?

  18. GLAZING: Is glazing one layer or many layers of paint? Is this technique opaque or transparent? 

  19. GILDING: What is the material used and where is it applied? 

  20. WATERCOLOR: What is another name for this watercolor? 

  21. WATERCOLOR: What is the vehicle or binder in watercolor, and what is the thinner or medium in watercolor? 

  22. WATERCOLOR: What would an artist do to create highlights when he or she is doing ‘pure’ watercolor? 

  23. ACRYLIC: What is the vehicle or binder for acrylic paint, and what is the medium or thinner for acrylic paint? 

  24. ACRYLIC: What are the characteristics of acrylic?

  25. ACRYLIC: Does acrylic paint dry quickly or slowly?

  26. ACRYLIC: Does acrylic paint need a gesso-covered surface? Why or why not?

  27. ENAMEL SPRAY PAINT: What is a ‘tool’ used to apply enamel paint? 

  28. ENAMEL SPRAY PAINT: What are some uses for enamel paint? 

  29. COLLAGE: Define what is meant by collage. What kinds of materials might be combined in a collage? 

  30. MIXED MEDIA: Define what is meant by mixed media. What kinds of materials might be combined? 

  31. PHILOSOPHY: In the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, what is the role of each line in his work? 

  32. PHILOSOPHY: Name an artist whose work you admire. What kind of paint is used and why does this matter?