Paints for children

Paints

— classical artistic paints are materials for drawing in the form of a liquid or semi-liquid substance applied with a brush or other special tool. However, some specific varieties are also included here — for example, felt-tip paints (described in more detail below). But paints for fingers, on the contrary, are usually included in a separate category (see the relevant paragraph).

The most popular types of paints are as follows:

— Watercolour. Water-based paints, initially solid, but in a special way soluble in water during painting. Watercolour is considered a relatively simple material, it is with it that acquaintance with drawing in elementary school begins (here it is also worth noting that such paints are non-toxic and safe even for small children). However, high-quality world-class works of art are also created in this technique. The properties of watercolour allow you to create uniform tones without pronounced strokes, use the features of paper to create certain artistic techniques, and mix paints to obtain different halftones. However note that dried watercolour remains sensitive to water, and a special coating is required to securely fix the drawing.

— Gouache. Another type of water-soluble paint, denser than watercolour, and almost non-transparent — in particular, it allows to overlap one layer of paint with another (while watercolour paints are mixed in the process). Gouache is very popular as a means of designing posters, wall newspapers and other similar products, but it can also be used for drawing, including in rather complex works (although this is not common). It should be noted that there are two categories of such paints. "Children's" gouache is inexpensive, but it is impossible to accurately select the shade of colour for it: the paint lightens slightly when it dries, and the colour may initially not correspond to the standard one. This does not create problems for simple tasks, but can noticeably "complicate life" in professional drawing. Therefore, professional gouache is produced for experienced artists — its shades are checked for compliance with standards.

— Acrylic paints. Another type of water-based paint, using polyacrylates as a colouring material. They combine the properties of watercolour, gouache and oil paints. So, "acrylic" can be diluted and applied in different concentrations — from liquid to pasty; at the same time, having dried, it becomes moisture resistant and can be dissolved only by special solvents. To give the paint the desired shade, various admixtures can be used. Acrylic paints allow the same techniques as with oil, but when dried in a thick state they do not crack. Also, special additives allow using acrylic to imitate watercolours, or to achieve a completely original colour reproduction. These paints can be difficult for a beginner in painting, but they are great for professional work and for serious learning.

— Felt-tip paints. Paints that resemble a combination of crayons and felt-tip pens. Products in hard sticks enclosed in plastic cases; the stick is usually made retractable, for this you need to turn the top of the case.

— Oil paints. A variety of paints, quite deservedly associated with professional painting. In artistic paints, high-quality linseed oil is usually used. Such materials give the artist many opportunities, but require serious skills. In addition, there are more convenient and easy-to-use acrylic paints (see above). Therefore, "oil" is quite rare.