Vehicle

DEFINITION

Liquid in which pigments are dispersed so that paint can be mixed and spread. The Vehicle is that which carries the color, binds it together and causes it to adhere to a surface. Source: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques"<br><br>The entire liquid contents of a paint.<br><br>The liquid used as a binder in the manufacture of paint.<br><br>In the visual arts, that which carries a paint&#39;s pigments, and is also called a medium or a base. The vehicle is what determines what kind of paint is produced. A painter can mix a vehicle with its solvents, pigments and other substances in order to make paint (or dye or ink) and control its consistency. A variety of vehicles are available that provide a matte, semi-gloss, or glossy finish. Just as motorized vehicles move us around on our planet, think of these substances as moving pigments around on various supports.The Vehicle for the Paint vehicle paintlinseed oil oil paintgum arabic watercolorgum arabic gouachecasein (milk-glue) caseinegg-yolk egg temperagum triganth student temperabeeswax or other waxes encausticfresco plasterBe careful not to confuse "vehicle" with " solvent." Thanks to Julie Shaw at BCC in Chico!Also see binder, casein, gouache, tempera, miscible, solvent, turpentine, viscosity, watercolors, water-soluble, and wetting agent.