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THE OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
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Oil painting

Oil painting is a painting technique well known to artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, this technique dates back to the end of the Middle Ages, gradually replacing tempora, which then consisted of an emulsion of egg yolk and egg white as well as colored pigments.

Its consistency was quite close to oil paint although it was later preferred for reasons of practicality.

If oil paint is popular, it is because it is a noble, rich, brilliant and creamy paint, particularly pleasant to work with for the painter.

Acrylic, a paint that adapts

Acrylic paint and its design

Acrylic is a paint whose solvent is largely composed of water. It is made from a mixture of pigments and acrylic resin and dries by evaporation of the water it contains.

The American printers Leonard Bocour and Sam Golden invented a first version of acrylic paint and put it on sale in 1949. Subsequently, the chemist Henry Levinson created artistic acrylic paint in 1963, diluted in water. Painters such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney used it very quickly. In Mexico, it was also designed around 1950. Chemists, in collaboration with Mexican mural painters, developed it during the creation of frescoes on the facades of the University of Mexico.

Watercolor painting

Watercolor is a transparent water-based paint, as opposed to gouache, which is opaque but of identical composition.

The same word is used to designate watercolor painting and works painted with this technique.

Many artists have explored watercolor painting in their studies, projects and outdoor work, due to the small equipment footprint and quick execution of this technique.

Pastel painting

History of pastel painting

The pastel technique has been used by artists since the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci used it and gave it its credentials. He appreciates in this process the fact of being able to give relief to the works.

However, it was later in the 18th century that painters specialized in this discipline. A big name from this era associated with this know-how is Quentin de la Tour. After them, many impressionists such as Mary Cassatt, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas were also seduced by pastel. Then the Nabis with Édouard Vuillard.

Mixed technique painting

What are mixed media?

In painting, the terms "mixed techniques" - also known as "mixed media" - designate a creative process which involves the use of at least two different art products, materials or binders of different nature.

One of the best-known classic methods is to first paint a work in tempera and then cover it entirely or partially with oil paint. Mixed media took off with the advent of acrylic.

In addition to being compatible with several art products, this painting can be integrated into different texture mediums, natural elements (paper, sand, shells, feathers, dried plants, etc.), collages, graffiti and transfer of picture. Which allows artists to express their creativity to the fullest.

Contemporary painting

From prehistoric times to today, painting remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists around the world. In addition to representing a field of contemporary art, it constitutes a means of expression with multiple forms. Indeed, the brushstrokes illustrated on a painting hide a concept or a subject. Whatever the theme you are looking for, ARTactif presents a wide range of contemporary paintings.

Contemporary art, contemporary painting: what is it about?

According to chronology, contemporary art follows modern art which was initiated between 1850 and 1945 by the impressionist movement. Contemporary art is therefore any artistic movement born after the Second World War. Pop art, graffiti art, Fluxus, Street art and digital art are examples.