Tempera is a painting medium characterized by the use of pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk, although other binders like egg white, casein (milk protein), or gum arabic can also be used. This process creates a fast-drying, durable paint known for its vibrant colors and smooth, matte finish. tempera was a dominant painting method from ancient times through the early Renaissance, before being gradually superseded by oil paints. It allows for a high degree of detail and precise layering, making it suitable for meticulous craftsmanship. Its characteristics include opacity, longevity, and the capacity to be worked and reworked, though blending colors while painting can be complex due to its fast-drying nature. Because tempera uses a quick drying binder, the artist typically applies thin, meticulous layers to the painting surface.
Tempera meaning with examples
- During art history class, we studied how the ancient Egyptians used tempera made with egg yolk to adorn the walls of tombs with intricate scenes of daily life and religious rituals. These artworks, thousands of years old, still showcase the color retention and resilience of the medium. The precise, fine lines in these paintings exemplify the control achievable with tempera.
- The artist meticulously prepared the tempera paint, carefully mixing the egg yolk binder with powdered pigments. This process required both patience and skill, but resulted in a paint which produced a luminous quality that enhanced his figures' expressions. He applied multiple layers of paint to develop the depth and richness of color for the portrait, showing a technique often used for tempera paintings.
- The museum curator highlighted the Renaissance masters' use of tempera in paintings like Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus.' The smooth, almost ethereal surfaces and vibrant colors are hallmarks of tempera. This type of work provides a showcase of tempera's ability to be worked in detail and demonstrate subtle gradations, creating luminous effects.
- For the community art project, the children learned to make their own tempera paints, experimenting with different pigment powders and egg yolk. This hands-on experience gave them a newfound appreciation for the medium and its historical significance. The quick drying time helped them learn new painting techniques, layering and blending colors in ways they never had before.
Tempera Synonyms
distemper egg tempera egg-based paint fresco (similar historical usage) gouache (sometimes)Tempera Antonyms
acrylic paint oil paint watercolorTempera Crossword Answers
11 Letters
POSTERCOLOR POSTERPAINT
12 Letters
POSTERCOLOUR