Binders determine the two main categories of paint:

- The first are solvents: oils, thinned oil binders, wax polishes, wax resins (mastic, dammar, copal), glycerophtalics…

- The second are water based: paints with water, glue, gelatine, Arabic or adragant gum (gouache or watercolour), saponified wax, lime-based or casein-based paints, tempera…

Charges: Kaolin, blanc de Meudon, silica, quartz or marble powder, etc… These powdered elements do not influence the colours but modify their value or intensity and characterise the rendering.