Tempera

Definition

Tempera is a fast-drying painting medium made from colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk. This medium has been used since ancient times and is known for its vibrant colors and matte finish, making it a popular choice among artists. Its quick drying time allows for layering techniques, enabling artists to build up depth and detail in their work.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera was historically used by Renaissance artists, who often created detailed and vibrant works on wooden panels.
2. The main binder in traditional tempera is egg yolk, which helps the pigments adhere to the painting surface while providing a smooth texture.
3. Unlike oil paints, tempera dries quickly, which can limit blending time but also allows for rapid layering and glazing techniques.
4. Tempera paintings are sensitive to moisture and should be handled carefully to prevent damage, as they do not have the same flexibility as oil paintings.
5. Contemporary artists often combine tempera with other mediums or explore new variations, like using different binders or pigments to achieve various effects.

Review Questions

• How does the use of egg yolk as a binder in tempera influence the characteristics of the medium compared to oil paints?
  • Egg yolk as a binder in tempera creates a unique set of characteristics that differentiate it from oil paints. The binder leads to a faster drying time, which affects how artists can manipulate the paint on the canvas. Additionally, because tempera dries to a matte finish and has lower flexibility than oil paints, it results in more distinct layers but can also lead to cracking if not applied properly.
• Discuss the historical significance of tempera in art during the Renaissance period and how it influenced artistic techniques.
  • Tempera played a crucial role during the Renaissance, serving as the primary painting medium before the widespread adoption of oil paints. Artists like Botticelli and Fra Angelico used tempera for its vibrant colors and precision, leading to highly detailed works that showcased depth through layered application. The transition to oil paints later allowed for greater blending capabilities, but tempera’s influence on technique and composition remained significant in shaping artistic practices of the time.
• Evaluate the advantages and limitations of using tempera in modern art practices compared to contemporary painting mediums like acrylics.
  • Tempera offers several advantages in modern art practices, such as its vibrant colors, quick drying time, and ability to create intricate details. However, its limitations include sensitivity to moisture and reduced flexibility compared to acrylics. While acrylics allow for greater versatility and blending due to their longer drying times and various formulations, tempera's traditional qualities can lend a unique aesthetic that some contemporary artists appreciate when seeking specific visual effects or historical techniques.

Related terms

Gesso: A white paint mixture consisting of chalk, gypsum, or another fine powder, used as a primer for painting surfaces, particularly in tempera and oil painting.

Pigment: A natural or synthetic substance that imparts color to a medium; pigments are combined with binders to create paint.

Acrylic Paint: A modern water-based paint that dries quickly and can mimic both the transparency of watercolor and the opacity of oil paint, offering versatile application methods.