Dry Media Rendering Materials
Dry Media Rendering Materials
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Choosing a paint to use can be overwhelming at times due to the various types out
there. Get the finish you want by using the right paint for your next project. Some
paints are more durable than others or completely change the look of the piece.
Depending on what you are creating, the right paint choice can be extremely
significant to the final success of your masterpiece. These 5 paint types are different
in style and properties but can make a big impact on your next art project.
Acrylic -
Acrylic paints are extremely versatile, and ideal for fine brushwork, glazing, staining,
water media techniques and many more. This smooth and light paint has excellent
pigment quality, color strength, and durability. The acrylic paint can be applied to
almost any stable surface like watercolor paper or canvas. It is quick-drying and can
be purchased in a variety of forms, like a tube or small ink-bottle varying in viscosity.
Oil -
added.
Watercolor -
Watercolor is a translucent paint containing pigment and a binder, typically gum-
arabic. The gum-arabic holds the paint together and ensures the paint will not flake.
The paint has color pigment suspended in water until the water dries and stains the
surface. The paint brushes with fluidity and transparency and dries fairly quickly.
Gouache -
Gouache is a water-soluble and opaque paint so the white of the paper surface does
not show through. It is a tad chalkier than traditional watercolor and absorbs light
rather than reflects it. The paint is diluted with water, but possesses a strong colored
pigment. This unique paint dries darker and a little of it goes a long way and takes
time to dry which means it can be workable for hours or even days after application.
Encaustic -
Encaustic is a wax-based paint with a strong color pigment. A versatile paint choice,
encaustic has no solvents added and is impervious to moisture. It is highly durable
and best used on a firm, absorbent surface. Artists can use a heat source and metal
tools to begin working with this hot liquid wax known as encaustic.
When it comes to choosing paint, select a paint based on the style and finish. There
are a variety of unique paint types to select from with varying methods of application
and viscosities. These paint types are guaranteed to be a premier choice for your art
project. With each paint supplying a unique look for you, the possibilities are endless.
Try one of these 5 different paint types on your next project.
BASIC TYPES OF DRY MEDIA RENDERING COLOR MATERIALS
1. GRAPHITE
Graphite is a metallic grey material most frequently used in pencil form, although
graphite powder is common as well. It is a crystalline form of carbon that has a
greasy texture. Graphite is soft and brittle, so unless being used in powder form, it
requires some form of protective casing.
The HB scale is used to determine the hardness and darkness of the graphite in
pencils. (See photo below.) The “H” stands for hardness – the higher the number
next to the “H” is, the harder the lead is. The “B” stands for blackness. The higher the
number next to the ‘B’, the darker the mark will be. “F” stands for firm and means the
pencil can be sharpened to a fine point.
2. CHARCOAL
Charcoal is a medium used for drawing, shading, and blending that allows for bold,
dark marks and subtle hues. It comes in many forms: compressed charcoal, charcoal
pencils, liquid charcoal, charcoal powder, natural vine charcoal (made from burning
grapevine), willow charcoal (made from burning willow twigs), and more. Charcoal
can also be used to make preliminary sketches prior to painting.
3. PASTELS
Pastels are made of pure powdered pigment and binder in a stick. Common types of
pastels include hard pastels, soft pastels, oil pastels, and pastel pencils. The amount
of binder in the stick determines the hardness or softness of a pastel. Soft pastels
contain less binder, more pigment, and usually have a round shape. Hard pastels are
normally rectangular and contain more binder and less pigment. Each type creates
different effects: soft pastels are better for smudging and blending, while hard pastels
are ideal for drawing precise details.
Pastel pencils are pastels that come encased in wood. They allow you to have more
control over details and create less of a mess. Oil pastels have an oily consistency
that creates a painterly effect. They behave in a way similar to traditional soft pastels.
Rough or toothy surfaces are best used when working with pastels. It’s important that
the surface has some type of abrasion because smooth surfaces are too slick to
accept them.
4. COLORED PENCILS
Colored Pencils have a core of colored pigment and a protective wood casing. While
standard pencils typically have a core made of clay and graphite, the core of most
colored pencils is made of pigments, wax, additives, and binding agents.
It is important to highlight the different kinds of colored pencils depending on their
intended use. Artist-grade pencils contain greater concentrations of high-quality
pigments than student-grade pencils do. Users should also be mindful of
characteristics such as lightfastness, durability, and resistance to water.
5. CHALK
Chalk is both cohesive and powdery. Marks can be created with little pressure and
minimal crumbling. It can be used for simple patterns or for broad, overlapping,
painterly marks.
A variety of techniques can be practiced to create art with chalk. For example, dense
and hard chalk can be used to create detailed images. It can also be smudged and
blended for different effects. Chalk holders are often used by artists to keep their
hands clean and protect drawings from smearing.
6. ART CRAYONS
Art crayons are typically made of wax and can be used for drawing, sketching, and
blending. They are ideal for mixed media art, crafts, and more.
Graphite crayons are also common and are great for sketching, layout, and design.
Conté crayons are some of the most well-known. Invented in the late 18th century,
they are made of compressed graphite or charcoal mixed with clay and colored with
pigment. They produce drawings with intense tones. Conté crayons are just one
choice among many artist-grade products that can be used for drawing.
1. ERASERS
KNEADED ERASERS
A kneaded eraser is an essential tool for erasing, as well as blurring edges and
highlighting. It is made of a flexible gummy material that can be easily molded to any
form. Kneaded erasers work well with graphite, charcoal, pastel, and chalk.
RUBBER ERASERS
Rubber erasers have a powdery feel to them and are in the middle of the scale when
it comes to firmness. They are best suited for erasing graphite on paper.
GUM ERASERS
Gum erasers are designed to crumble very easily while collecting the graphite so
they do less damage to the paper. They have a soft, gummy texture and can have a
slightly translucent appearance.
PLASTIC/VINYL ERASERS
Plastic/vinyl erasers are the firmest types of erasers. They give the most complete
removal of graphite. These erasers are firm enough to remove tough pencil or
charcoal lines, however, be careful to not damage the paper while using them.
2. BLENDING STUMP
A blending stump is a stick of tightly rolled up paper with two pointed ends. They are
used for blending or smudging charcoal, graphite, and other mediums. The side
works well for blending large areas and the tip allows you to blend small areas where
more detail and control is required.
3. TORTILLON
A tortillion is a short stick made from tightly rolled paper. It can be used for blending
charcoal, pastel, and graphite. They are smaller and are made with harder, scratchier
paper than blending stumps.
4. FIXATIVE
Fixative sprays protect pastel, chalk, charcoal, and graphite drawings from smudging,
fading, flaking, and discoloration. Workable fixative holds your medium to the paper
but allows you to still make adjustments. Regular fixative is used after completion of
your project and holds your medium firmly in place.
5. PAPER
Differences among the material, texture, weight, finish, and color of the paper you are
using can make a huge difference in how your drawing turns out. For example, the
texture will determine how well the paper holds the medium you are using. A rough
texture is better for charcoal and pastels. A medium texture is best for graphite and
colored pencils.
6. SHARPENER
Sharpeners
A sharpener can completely change the performance of your materials. It is important
to consider the type & diameter of your medium and the brittleness of the lead when
selecting a sharpener.
REFERENCE:
Max Menzel. Dry Media Basics Your Staff Should Know. Art Dog Blog by
MacPherson’s. https://www.artdogblog.com/dry-media-basics-your-staff-should-know/
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