maaliliemejä

Maaliliemi, sometimes referred to as painting medium or binder, is a substance used in painting to carry and bind pigment particles together. It is the liquid component of paint that dilutes the pigment and allows it to be spread evenly onto a surface. The type of maaliliemi used significantly influences the paint's characteristics, including its drying time, sheen, texture, and adhesion.

Common maaliliemejä include water, oils (such as linseed oil, poppy seed oil, or walnut oil), and acrylic polymers. In watercolor and gouache, water is the primary maaliliemi, allowing for transparent or opaque applications and quick drying. Oil paints utilize drying oils which polymerize over time, creating a durable and flexible film. Acrylic paints use water-based acrylic emulsions as their maaliliemi, offering fast drying times and a versatile range of finishes.

Other maaliliemejä exist for specialized techniques or historical paint types. For instance, egg yolk is used in tempera painting, while natural resins can be incorporated into varnishes or certain historical paint formulations. The choice of maaliliemi is crucial for artists as it dictates the painting process and the longevity of the artwork. Understanding the properties of different maaliliemejä enables artists to achieve desired effects and ensure the stability of their creations.