Tempera

Definition

Tempera is a painting medium made by mixing pigments with a water-soluble binder, such as egg yolk or gum arabic. This technique allows for vibrant colors and precise details in artworks. Tempera is particularly known for its use in fresco and panel painting techniques, where it produces a matte finish and works well on various surfaces.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera dries quickly, which allows artists to build layers and achieve fine details but requires rapid application to prevent errors.
2. Historically, tempera was widely used in Byzantine and early Renaissance paintings before the rise of oil paints in the late 15th century.
3. Egg yolk is the most common binder for tempera, providing a strong adhesive quality and a rich, lustrous finish to the colors.
4. Tempera is less flexible than oil paint and can be more susceptible to cracking over time if not applied correctly.
5. In addition to traditional uses in painting, tempera has been adapted for modern art practices, maintaining its relevance in contemporary artwork.

Review Questions

• How does the use of tempera influence the visual qualities of fresco and panel paintings?
  • The use of tempera significantly influences the visual qualities of fresco and panel paintings due to its fast-drying nature and matte finish. In frescoes, tempera allows for vibrant colors that bond well with the plaster as it dries, enhancing durability. For panel paintings, tempera creates intricate details due to its quick drying time, enabling artists to layer colors effectively while maintaining precision.
• Compare and contrast tempera with oil paints regarding their application techniques and effects on artwork.
  • Tempera and oil paints differ significantly in their application techniques and resulting effects on artwork. Tempera dries rapidly, which requires artists to work quickly but allows for sharp details and a matte finish. In contrast, oil paints dry slowly, enabling extensive blending and glazing techniques that create depth and richness. While tempera was favored in earlier periods for its quick-drying properties, oil paints gained popularity for their versatility and ability to produce luminous effects.
• Evaluate the role of tempera in the context of ancient artistic practices and its transition into modern art forms.
  • Tempera played a crucial role in ancient artistic practices, especially during the Byzantine and early Renaissance periods when artists sought durability and vibrancy in their works. Its transition into modern art forms reflects its adaptability; contemporary artists still utilize tempera for its unique qualities despite the prevalence of oil paints. The historical significance of tempera underscores how traditional methods continue to influence modern artistic expressions, maintaining its relevance across centuries.

Related terms

Fresco: A mural painting technique that involves applying water-based pigments onto freshly laid wet plaster, allowing the colors to bond with the wall as it dries.

Pigment: A substance that provides color to materials, used in various art mediums including tempera, oil, and watercolor.

Panel painting: A method of painting on a flat surface, typically wood or metal, where tempera was commonly used before the widespread adoption of oil paints.