Characteristics Of Media

Front 1

It smudges easily, can be rubbed and blended, highlights can be picked out with a putty eraser or by using white chalk. It requires the use of wire fixative.

Back 1

Charcoal

Front 2

Can be brushed or scraped on with a knife, does not blend easily but will blend if used with turpentine and a brush on cotton wool. It can be used on top of an acrylic but acrylic can not be used over it. When wet, it takes a while to dry so colours can be moved around the surface.

Back 2

Oil pastel

Front 3

It can be used neat - diluted with water. It dries rapidly so you can overpaint without disturbing the colours beneath. It can be used thick and solid applying with a palette knife, can be mixed with other media, is transparent, produces perfect washes without hard edges, water based, dries to a matt finish.

Back 3

Acrylic

Front 4

Common types; Indian, Chinese. Variety comes in a range of colours - black being the most popular. Can be diluted to give a lighter effect. Smudges using a brush. Good for achieving tonal effects using lines. Good effect can also be achieved using it with wax or oil pastel. Can produce a freer and more rapid drawing method.

Back 4

Ink

Front 5

Can be used as paints, diluted with water, mixed with other media, smudged, rubbed, blended, highlighted with eraser. Cotton wool can be used for blending. Requires the use of a fixative.

Back 5

Chalk pastel