Today’s NYT Strands puzzle leans into the world of fine art — and if you’re not fluent in painting techniques and materials, a few of these words might leave you stumped. Whether you want a nudge in the right direction or you’re ready for the full answer list, this guide walks you through everything step by step.
What Is NYT Strands?
Strands is the New York Times’ take on the classic word search, but with a twist that makes it considerably harder. Every letter in the 6×8 grid must be used — nothing is left over. Words can run in any direction and even change direction mid-path, forming unusual shapes across the board.
Each puzzle has a theme that links all the answers together, plus a special word called the spangram. The spangram captures the theme in a single word or phrase and must stretch from one side of the grid to the other, either horizontally or vertically. You don’t get a word list — just a cryptic theme clue to guide you.
Today’s Theme Hint
Today’s theme quote is: “In the paint”
That phrase points squarely at the world of art. The words you’re looking for all describe specific art forms or painting techniques — things an artist would know well. If your knowledge of creative mediums goes beyond pencil and watercolor, you have a real advantage here.
Spangram Hint
Today’s spangram runs horizontally across the grid. Keep that in mind as you scan for a word that connects the left and right edges of the board.
Spangram Answer
Today’s spangram is MEDIUM.
In the context of art, a “medium” refers to the material or technique an artist uses to create a work — oil, watercolor, tempera, and so on. It’s a fitting umbrella term for today’s theme, and it spans the entire grid from side to side.
All Word Answers for April 9, 2026
Here are all seven answers for today’s NYT Strands puzzle:
- Fresco — a painting technique where pigment is applied to wet plaster, commonly seen in Italian Renaissance murals
- Enamel — a glossy, hard coating often used in decorative art and jewelry
- Pastel — a soft, chalk-like medium that produces muted, delicate tones
- Medium (spangram) — the overarching term for an artist’s chosen material or technique
- Watercolor — a transparent paint medium diluted with water, known for its soft washes of color
- Acrylic — a fast-drying synthetic paint that can mimic both oil and watercolor effects
- Tempera — one of the oldest painting mediums, made from pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder like egg yolk
Full Summary: How It All Connects
Every word in today’s puzzle is a type of artistic medium — exactly what the spangram MEDIUM tells you. The theme “In the paint” hints at the broad world of painting and visual art, and the answers span centuries of art history.
Fresco and Tempera are among the oldest methods, used by Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Botticelli. Fresco involves painting directly onto wet plaster walls, while tempera relies on egg yolk as a binding agent — techniques that predate modern synthetic paints by hundreds of years.
Watercolor and Pastel are gentler, more portable mediums, popular with Impressionist and plein-air artists who worked outdoors. Acrylic, by contrast, is a 20th-century invention — fast-drying, versatile, and favored by contemporary artists for its flexibility.
Enamel is the most unexpected entry on the list. While it’s a legitimate artistic medium used in jewelry, decorative arts, and even automotive painting, it sits outside the traditional “fine art” category — which may have made it one of the trickier words to find in the grid today.
Together, these seven words paint a picture (pun intended) of how artists across history have chosen to put color on a surface — each medium carrying its own texture, technique, and tradition.
More Daily Puzzle Help
Looking for hints and answers to other daily puzzles? Check out these recent guides:
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Shahid Maqsood is a digital entrepreneur and SEO specialist focused on building engaging web experiences. He is the creator of DotWordle, combining creativity with smart, user-friendly design.
