Painting is the process of applying pigments to a surface to create a picture, design, or decoration. The basic elements of painting are pigment, binder, and vehicle.
Pigment is the colored substance that gives paint its color. It can be made from natural minerals, such as iron oxide (red), titanium dioxide (white), or carbon black (black); from synthetic chemicals; or from organic materials such as plant dyes or animal blood. Pigments must be ground into a fine powder before they can be used in paint.
Binder is the material that holds the pigment together and gives the paint its consistency. It can be made from natural substances such as egg yolk or casein; from synthetic polymers such as acrylics or vinyls; or from inorganic materials such as clay.
Vehicle is the liquid medium in which the binder and pigment are combined to make paint. Water is the most common vehicle for water-based paints; oil is the vehicle for oil-based paints.