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Special topics in art history
Course: Special topics in art history > Unit 2
Lesson 7: Painting terms in action- Art Terms in Action: Turpentine Burn
- Art Terms in Action: Palette Knife
- Art Terms in Action: Stain
- Art Terms in Action: Emulsion
- Art Terms in Action: Enamel
- Art Terms in Action: Paint
- Art Terms in Action: Tint, Shade, and Tone
- Art Terms in Action: Viscosity
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Art Terms in Action: Enamel
Learn the properties of enamel paint and why artists use it. To experiment on your own, take our online studio course Materials and Techniques of Postwar Abstract Painting. Created by The Museum of Modern Art.
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A rose by any other name - would a Pollock with a different paint still be a "Pollock"?(3 votes)
Every type of paint has unique qualities that make it special. Using a different paint to recreate a painting would mean the copy will be (slightly) different.
A Pollock is a Pollock because Pollock painted the painting. Would Pollock's name be say David, the painting would be the same, and all David's would still be Davids. Changing the name of the object doesn't change the object itself.(12 votes)
- I am very much an admirer of Abstract art and have actually made a few pieces to show my art teacher back when I was in High school. Would it be easier to use enamel paints rather than acrylic? Or would it just be more professional from an Art Historian's point of view?(6 votes)
There are benefits to both paints, and each plays a unique role in the history of art, so it is really a matter of personal taste, style, and aesthetics (although acrylic paint is usually considered more "elite" than enamel).(5 votes)
- Did artists start using enamel paints because of the certain qualities it possessed, or because of cost? Which came first - qualities (chicken) or the cost (egg)?(5 votes)
- You should watch this video if you already haven't, it shows that the artist Franz Kline used these enamel paints because he preferred them. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/creating-conserving/how-to-paint/v/moma-painting-technique-kline
Then there is this one as well about Jackson Pollock painting with these paints.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/creating-conserving/how-to-paint/v/moma-painting-technique-pollock(1 vote)
What thinners are used to give enamel paints their low viscosity?(2 votes)
They mention in this video: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/MoMA/art-terms-in-action/v/moma-art-term-viscosity
Linseed Oil, Turpentine and other solvents.(3 votes)
I am confused here. Enamel paint is another type of paint, as let's say, oil paint, acrylic paint and tempera paint? I remember in a past video, you can decrease the viscosity of an oil paint by adding enamel paint.(2 votes)- Yes, enamel paint is another type of paint, it is the type of paint usually used to paint the walls of houses. Here are some links to videos that go into more depth of some artists's preferences and processes of using this paint for art.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/creating-conserving/how-to-paint/v/moma-painting-technique-kline
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/creating-conserving/how-to-paint/v/moma-painting-technique-pollock
Hope that helps you!(2 votes)
What is viscosity (spell check)?(2 votes)
Are there any specific brands of paint in the market today that we should be looking at in order to use for abstract art? Enamel paint that works well with traditional artists oil paint?(2 votes)
At0:36the guy started by standing up be was spreading the paint as if he was scribbling. What was he doing there?(1 vote)- so enamel paint is more for painting at home?(1 vote)
- whats the difference between poster colors and acrylic colors?(1 vote)
0:36Video transcript
Male: Enamel paints are
essentially household paints or automotive paints,
and they've been used by artists for a long
time as early as well, Pablo Picasso. In the early 20th century many abstract expressionist painters used it, but enamel is a tricky term because
it doesn't really tell you what type of paint you're talking about, but rather the properties of that paint. There is alkyd enamel paints. There is acrylic enamel paint. There are latex enamel paints. It just means that actually
the paint is quite fluid and you can see that it
has a very low viscosity as I'm pouring it from the can here. It also means that the paint has a high covering power. So, that for consumers
at home painting walls one coat should do the
trick so you shouldn't see brush strokes and things
like that on your wall. It also means that the
paint is self leveling, very, very flat. Usually dries to a hard,
often glossy finish.