Visual Art Paper 2 (Essay) Aug./Sept. 2021

Question 1

 

 

Write notes on the following painting techniques:                                                    

 

(a) impasto;

(b) fresco;

(c) tempera;

(d) sgraffito;

(e) alla prima.

Observation

Candidates’ performance was very good. The question was attempted by most of the candidates. They were expected to respond to the question thus:
(a)                    Impasto
-           It is an Italian word that means dough/mixture.
-           It is a technique in painting.
-           It is the application of thick paint or colour in oils, gouache or tempera to create a relief surface texture.
-           It takes longer time to dry and becomes completely harder after
drying.
-           It leaves the impression of brush, palette knife or any other tools used in
painting on the surface.

  • It is best applied on canvas and panels.
  • After drying, it provides the feeling that paint appears to be coming out of the canvas or panel.
  • It permits/allows paint to be mixed right on the canvas while painting.
  • It is a two dimensional art.

           
(b)                    Fresco
-           It started in Italy about 13th Century but perfected during the Renaissance.
-           It is an Italian word that means fresh.
-           Fresco is a type of painting that is executed with pigment ground in water.
-           It is a technique/method in painting usually executed on walls or ceilings.
-           It was developed by Sir Edward Poynter, Paul and Apollos.
-           There are three types of frescoes namely: buon fresco (true fresco); mezzo fresco (medium fresco) and secco fresco (dry fresco).
-           It can be either dry or wet.
-           It is mostly generally employed for large picture.
-           Colours are applied to a plaster ground usually on wall or ceiling while
still wet.

  • Example is the Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo, also found in Crete about 3000 years ago.
  • It is a two dimensional art.

           
(c)                    Tempera                     
-           A method of mural painting that is used in Europe on wood panel.
-           In tempera, pigments are mixed with egg yolk.
-           It is a two dimensional art.
-           Is the most permanent of all painting medium.
-           It does not crack easily.
-           It can be a combination of egg white, egg yolk, casein, glue and gelatine.
-           It dries quickly.
-           Tempera technique is also used in fresco painting.
-           It started in Italy in 13th and 14th Century by Duccio di Buoninsegna and Giotto.

(d)                   Sgraffito
-           It is an Italian word meaning scratched.
-           It can be grouped under 2 or 3 dimensional art.
-           It is a technique used in design, painting, pottery and glass.
-           A decorating technique in pottery/painting in which the design is produced by scratching through an over glazed paint applied to reveal the initial ground of colour.
-           The word was first used by Sir J.C. Robinson in 1862.
-           It is mostly effective with oils and acrylics.
-           It is best executed on paper/canvas/glass.

(e)                    Alla prima
-           It is an Italian word meaning at first attempt.
-           It also stands for a French word au premier coup.
-           Mostly used in oil painting.
-           It is a painting technique that can be grouped under two dimensional art.
-           It is a painting usually completed at a spot/sitting.
-           It makes use of a single application/coat of pigment/colour on the painting ground.
-           It is also known as wet-on-wet.
-           It is practicable impasto technique.
-           It is a technique whereby speed is applied in the course of painting.
-           Suitable for outdoor painting.