When we talk about painting, it's not just the magic that happens with the brush strokes on a canvas, mural, or any surface we deem worthy of our artistic expression. Many artists enhance this expression by using mediums - special mixtures applied before, during, or after painting.
Mediums provide the underlying structure of a painting and can greatly influence the outcome. They mold our paintings, provide depth and texture, and significantly influence the overall visual impression.
In this guide, we'll peel back the layers and explore the best mediums for painting on top of, detailing what to look for and the factors to consider when selecting one.
The Concept of Painting Over Mediums
First, let's clarify the concept of painting over mediums. When used in painting, a medium can influence the character of the paint and enhance the depth and texture of your artwork.
Versatile mediums can be mixed with paint, sanded to create a rugged or smooth surface, or used independently for holding objects like collages. However, not all mediums are intended to be painted over.
Some variants dry to a glossy or textured finish that creates a barrier, not very amenable to subsequent layers of paint. Others may not have the level of adherence needed for a paint top layer. Therefore, it's crucial to understand which mediums are best suited for this purpose to avoid disappointing results.
Fortunately, several products work splendidly well when painted over and yield beautiful, creative, and resilient artwork.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Mediums for Painting Over
When deciding on a medium to paint over, multiple factors come into play to ensure the finish you desire. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Texture & Consistency
One of the most important factors is the texture and consistency of the medium. Some mediums are thick and heavy, ideal for creating a robust, textured painting, while others are thin and smooth, providing a flat, even underlayer.
- The thick mediums are excellent for heavy-body paints and building up thick, textured surfaces ready to be painted over or even mixed with color.
- The thin, smooth mediums are more suitable for making thin, transparent layers and delicate glazes.
2. Drying Time
Each medium carries its own drying time, which can substantially affect your painting method. Quick-drying mediums can be great for rapid layering, while slower drying mediums allow more flexible working time.
- Fast-drying mediums are excellent for those who like to work quickly or want to add several layers to a piece in a short amount of time.
- Slow-drying mediums might be preferable for artists who like to blend colors directly on the canvas or work wet-into-wet.
3. Transparency vs. Opacity
The transparency or opacity of a medium can have a notable effect on the final appearance of your artwork.
- Transparent mediums can create thin, translucent layers that allow underlying colors to shine through.
- Opaque mediums can help build depth and body, as well as cover or obscure older layers.
4. Flexibility
Artists must consider a medium's flexibility, especially if they’re working on flexible surfaces like canvas. A good flexible medium will prevent cracks or damage when the artwork is moved or rolled.
5. Compatibility with Other Materials
Artists often use various materials to achieve unique effects. Therefore, understanding how a medium interacts with other painting materials is essential.
- Oil based mediums can't be mixed with water-based materials, such as acrylic paint.
- Acrylic mediums can be mixed with water-based materials.
6. Permanence & Durability
Lastly, consider the medium's permanence and durability. A medium that maintains its properties over time and doesn't yellow or become brittle is crucial for preserving your artwork's quality.
By considering these factors, you can accurately select the best painting medium that matches your personal style, the techniques you prefer, and ultimately your vision for the masterpiece you wish to create. It's a calculated combination of these elements that shapes an artist's work and gives it its unique identity. So take your time understanding them, and happy painting!
Nova Color Mediums And Their Uses
Nova Color represents a superb line of quality artistic mediums, each with its unique properties and applications. Below, several mediums and their distinctive uses are explored.
#202 White Texture Paste
The #202 White Texture Paste is a versatile and widely-used Nova Color medium. It’s renowned for creating highly textured surfaces that can produce dramatic effects. This medium can indeed be mixed with paint but bear in mind you'll require a higher paint quantity to achieve the same vibrant color intensity due to its white hue.
The primary advantage of using this medium is its finish - rough, textured, and ready to be painted upon. This lends a valuable tool for artists desiring to add extra depth and dimension to their work.
#203 Black Texture Paste
Similar to the White Texture Paste, #203 Black Texture Paste is another outstanding product from Nova Color. Like its white counterpart, this one also mixes smoothly with paint, although the black color prevents the same vibrant color you'd achieve with standard Acrylic paint.
Nevertheless, despite this slight color limitation, the finish it provides is equally suited for painting over. Employing this dark-hued texture paste in your artwork can facilitate an extraordinary range of light and shadow effects.
#250 Coarse Lava Gel
The #250 Coarse Lava Gel is particularly famous for its unique, granular texture reminiscent of volcanic lava. This medium can be mixed with paint, but due to its gray color, it tends to somewhat dilute the vibrancy of standard acrylic paint more than other Nova Color mediums.
A better approach with this medium is to paint over it once it dries, leveraging the unique textures and patterns created by the Lava Gel to boost your artwork's visual appeal.
#213 Flex Gel
Last but certainly not least, the #213 Flex Gel is a versatile Nova Color medium that caters exceptionally well to fabric-based artwork. This medium can be mixed with paint and applied smoothly onto fabrics, providing a flexible finish that moves with the fabric without cracking or peeling.
A wonderful trick is to apply this medium onto the fabric before painting it, acting as a primer to enhance the vibrancy and longevity of the paint.
Conclusion
Understanding the unique properties of each Nova Color medium and how they interact with different types of paint can significantly enhance your artwork's quality and appeal.
Remember to evaluate the demands and limits of your project and select the mediums that best meet your artistic objectives.
The realm of artistic expression is boundless—don't hesitate to investigate your options and experiment with different materials and techniques. After all, the joy of art lies in its endless possibilities.