Interested in the basic aspects of drawing and painting.Charateristics of different types of paints. Pros and Cons of the paints. How they are applied.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting

On both of these webpages, in addition to all the information given, be sure to check out the links at the bottom of each page -- further references, external links, etc.

To understand the basic aspects of drawing and painting, it's essential to familiarize yourself with different types of paints, their characteristics, and application methods. Here's a breakdown of commonly used paints:

1. Watercolors:
- Characteristics: Watercolors are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution, giving them a translucent and delicate appearance.
- Pros: They are portable, easy to clean, and allow for layering and blending. They offer a unique and transparent effect.
- Cons: Once applied, it's challenging to remove or correct mistakes. They can fade over time.

2. Acrylics:
- Characteristics: Acrylic paints are made of pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion, giving them a quick-drying, flexible, and opaque nature.
- Pros: They are versatile, allowing for both thin and thick applications. They provide vibrant colors, are durable, and can be used on various surfaces.
- Cons: They dry quickly, so blending and creating subtle details can be challenging. They may require multiple layers for opacity.

3. Oils:
- Characteristics: Oil paints consist of pigments mixed with linseed oil or other oils, resulting in slow-drying, glossy, and vibrant colors.
- Pros: They offer a wide range of texture, can be easily blended, and allow for subtle variations in tone and color. They have high archival quality.
- Cons: They require a longer drying time (days to weeks), often need solvents for thinning and cleaning, and can yellow over time.

4. Gouache:
- Characteristics: Gouache paints are similar to watercolors but with added chalk or white pigment, resulting in an opaque, matte finish.
- Pros: They provide vibrant and solid colors, can be easily modified or corrected, and have good coverage on most surfaces.
- Cons: They dry quickly like watercolors, making blending and working with wet-on-wet techniques challenging.

When applying paints, consider the following techniques:

- Wet-on-wet: Applying wet paint onto a wet surface, allowing the colors to blend and create smooth transitions.
- Dry brushing: Using a relatively dry brush to apply paint to create texture or layering effects.
- Glazing: Applying thin layers of transparent paint over a dry layer to build up color intensity and create depth.
- Impasto: Applying thick layers of paint, creating a textured appearance.

Experimenting with different paints, techniques, and surfaces will help you understand their unique characteristics and find your preferred style. Remember, practice and exploration are key to developing your skills as a painter.