Painting is the practice of applying pigment suspended in a carrier (or medium) and a binding agent (a glue) to a surface (support) such as paper, canvas or a wall. This is done by a painter; this term is used especially if this is his or her profession. Humans have been painting for about 6 times as long as they have been using written language.
Drawing, by comparison, is the process of making marks on a surface by applying pressure from or moving a tool on the surface.
Painting is also the utilitarian painting of objects and buildings. This is often done to provide a protective coating or for aesthetic reasons. One possible process for decorative painting of the walls of a room is found in Work breakdown structure.
More specifically this article is about the painting of a surface for artistic reasons, considered by many to be among the most important of the art forms.
Today, many of the world's most recognized works of art, such as the Mona Lisa, are paintings. There exists some slight controversy as to whether or not works of art produced in non-traditional ways, or with non-traditional materials, can properly be called paintings. In a general sense artists using sound, light, fireworks, ink-jet pigment, computer monitor pixels and even pastel or pencil all have the same intentions as the more expected water, oil, gouache or egg tempera painters. The resulting work of art is often referred to as a painting.
Painting styles can be characterized by the method of application (loose or tight) or by referring to the art movement that most closely matches the predominant characteristics that the painting expresses. They include:
Modern Painters The high-production colour glossy is dedicated to ideas about art with broad appeal, devoid of artspeak and not necessarily written by art critics or historians. Current issue, complete works, and links. http://www.modernpainters.co.uk/
The Plein Air Scene Newsletter on California plein air painting, articles, a list of galleries, and events. http://www.thepleinairscene.com/
World of Watercolor An online magazine for watercolor, acrylic artists, and art lovers with articles, workshops and lessons, links, and a gallery. http://worldofwatercolor.com/
In View Focuses on painting with various visual arts references and resources. Includes galleries, links and past archives. http://www.noteaccess.com/InView/2-1.htm
Picklebird Alternative Art Magazine Online-only magazine features outsider art, lowbrow and contemporary folk art. Spotlights local artists of art brut, visionary work and the modern pop art style. Features, articles, reviews, letters, and update email list. http://picklebird.com/
Studio International The International Journal of Creative Arts and Design. Incorporating The Studio, founded in 1893. Current issue and some archived articles. http://www.studio-international.co.uk/
ApS LesGalleries.com Brief news e-zine featuring auctions, new artists and works, and a new contest every month to win original art. http://www.les-galleries.com/
Archives of the Secrets of Perfection An art journal including theory, criticism, art analysis, visual semiotics, galleries of painting, and pages from art history. http://www.is.lt/jurate/Archives.html
L'Aquarelliste Online magazine focused on watercolors. Includes gallery, technical tips and advice, book reviews, annual international juried show and touring exhibition. English and French. http://www.aquarelle.ca/aquarelliste/bulletin.anglais.html
Topix.net: Painting News about painting, collected from various sources on the web. http://rss.topix.net/rss/arts/painting.xml
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