Final answer:
Paint is a mixture of pigments for color and a binder, such as egg yolk in egg tempera or beeswax in encaustic techniques, to adhere to surfaces. Modern acrylic paints use an acrylic polymer emulsion as the binder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paint is a combination of pigments and a liquid binder. The pigments provide the color, while the binder serves as a vehicle that allows the paint to adhere to surfaces and form a solid film after drying. Traditional paint forms such as egg tempera were made from a mixture of egg yolk, water, and mineral pigments. Additionally, encaustic painting involved the use of beeswax mixed with pigments and was recognized for its durable and resonant colors. Modern painting techniques include acrylic paints that consist of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion binder, offering durability and fast drying times without the need for heavy solvents.