What technique involves painting on wet plaster?

The technique that involves painting on wet plaster is known as fresco. This method has its roots in ancient art practices, where artists would apply water-based pigments onto freshly laid wet plaster. As the plaster dries, it absorbs the pigments, resulting in a durable and cohesive bond between the artwork and the wall surface. This permanence is one of the defining features of fresco, making it particularly effective for murals and large-scale paintings.

In contrast, oil painting utilizes a different medium, where pigments are mixed with oils, providing different properties and drying times. Acrylic pouring involves a technique that uses acrylic paints mixed with a pouring medium, typically resulting in fluid and abstract forms, not associated with plaster at all. Tempera, while a historic painting medium, is characterized by the use of a water-soluble binder like egg yolk, and is generally applied to dry surfaces rather than wet plaster. Each of these techniques has distinct characteristics, but fresco stands out for its specific application on wet plaster.