Different Types of Paint: Water, Tempera, Oil, Acrylic

Water-Based Paint
-Watercolour, acrylic, ink, dyes, gauche, and tempera media.
-These types need water to create a liquid colour.
-Adding water makes the colour vibrant or more transparent.

Tempera Paint
-Used egg yolk as a binding agent, mixed with coloured pigment to create a fast-drying and permanent medium.
-First known as egg tempera paint.
-Very popular in the 15th century.
-Today, tempera paint uses glue size as a binding agent, also known as poster paint.

Acrylic Paint
-First introduced in the 1950’s as a house paint.
-Can be diluted with water when they come out of the tube.
-Within a short period of time, they dry and become water-resistant.

Oil-Based Paint
-Made by suspending coloured pigment in an oil medium, such as linseed oil.
By the 15th century, many artists preferred this medium to any other type of paint.
It takes a long time to dry, and colours can be combined and mixed while on the surface of the canvas or board.

William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2025 | Creative Commons 4.0

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