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.