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Chapter Eleven: Painting
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
• Encaustic
• Fresco
• Tempera
• Oil
• Watercolor
• Gouache
Works in Progress
Michelangelo’s Libyan Sybil
The Critical Process
Thinking about Painting: Fred Tomaselli’s Airborne Event
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
This Chapter Will:
• identify and distinguish between painting media
• discuss the expressive qualities of each painting medium
• illustrate the denotative and connotative aspects of painting
KEY TERMS
La Pittura solvent medium didactic
imitation/ mimesis ground tempera watercolor
denotative vehicle / support gesso gouache
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MyArtsLab RESOURCES
Closer Look: Giotto’s Arena Chapel
Closer Look: Sandro Botticelli, Primavera
Closer Look: Robert Campin, Mèrode Altarpiece
Closer Look: Hannah Höch, Cut with the Kitchen Knife
Primary Source Document: Hannah Höch (1889–1978) - Artists on Art
Primary Source Document: Vasily Kandinsky (1866–1944) - Artists on Art
Studio Technique Video: Egg Tempera
LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS
1. Traditional and Nontraditional Painting Media
Provide an historical overview about the development of painting media—from the
ancient techniques of encaustic, oil, tempera, and fresco, to the more contemporary media
such as acrylic and computer-generated painting. Emphasize the importance of binder
and vehicle appropriate for each media.
2. Encaustic
Artists have practiced the technique of encaustic painting for over two thousand years. It
is the oldest painting technique still in use today. One of the earliest applications of
encaustic paints dates back to ancient Greece, where artists highlighted the features of
painting, as evidenced by the famous mummy portraits (fig.282) excavated in Egypt’s
Faiyûm District (near Cairo). Greek or Greek-trained Egyptian artists commonly painted
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3. Fresco
Discuss the technique of fresco with the examples in the chapter, from Pompeii’s Still
Life with Eggs and Thrushes (fig. 283) to Diego Rivera’s public murals (fig. 698).
Include a discussion of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel (figs. 289) to emphasize the
3. Tempera and Oil (see the Studio Technique Video in MyArtsLab)
Compare the advantages of using one type of paint over another for visual effects. For
example, to achieve a jewel-like surface, the Master of Flemalle’s The Annunciation
(fig.’s 292-293) used oil and glazing to create a luminous surface quality. Have students
4. Watercolor and Gouache (see the Studio Technique Video in MyArtsLab)
Illustrate the characteristics of watercolor and gouache with the works of Winslow
Homer (fig. 300), Laurie Reid (fig. 301), and GJacob Lawrence (302). Stress the
5. Synthetic Media
Synthetic painting media was attractive to artists who desired a faster-drying paint. The
6. Mixed Media: Collage and Assemblage
Known for its spontaneity, Juan Gris’ The Table (fig.305) purposely contradicts the
tradition of painting by incorporating scraps of actual materials from real life into the
composition. The reasons that artists work in collage are many. However, one is that the
CRITICAL THINKING: More Opportunities to Think about Art
1. Works in Progress: Michelangelo’s Libyan Sybil
When Michelangelo returned to Rome in 1508, he was to paint the Twelve Apostles and
a few ornaments on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He, who had always insisted that
he was a sculptor, was to learn the art of fresco painting, and practice it on a vaulted
2. Works in Progress: Milton Resnick’s U + Me
Have students examine the life and work of Milton Resnick pertaining to the progression
of his painting U + Me from its early stage (fig. 297) to its final completion (fig.298).
3. Works in Progress: Hanna Höch’s Cut with the Kitchen Knife (see the Closer
Look in MyArtsLab)
Hannah Höch’s Cut with the Kitchen Knife (fig. 308) is featured in this chapter and
introduces the two-dimensional art form of collage. An important artist historically,
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
1. The History of The Great Wall
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2. Michelangelo, The Painter
It is a commonly known fact that Michelangelo despised painting. In his letters and
poetry he expressed his disdain for the medium, yet he managed to paint one of the most
HANDS-ON PROJECTS
For additional project ideas, remember to investigate the Hands-On Projects found on
MyArtsLab
1. Watercolor Vacation
Using a vacation photo as inspiration, students will create a watercolor painting in the
manner of Winslow Homer.
Other Suggested Websites:
Everything Encaustic is provided at www.encaustic.com/
Suggested Videos and DVDs:
A World of Art: Works in Progress, Milton Resnick (30 minutes)
Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting, 1997
Winslow Homer: Nature of Artist, 2000 (30 minutes)
