Well goodness. Apparently, there are a number of people out there who don’t know what tempera paints are, so I thought I ought to share that information with all of you. I’m thoughtful that way.
Tempera (also known as egg tempera) has been around for centuries. In fact, it was the medium of choice before oils showed up and ruined everything for temperas. Originally, they were made with egg yolks mixed with pigment. Sometimes, they still are. Other times, the manufacturers use some unidentified biodegradable protein mixed with pigment. Yes, it all sounds pretty disgusting. But the slickery nature of the paints can’t be beat!
Sometimes, tempera paints are confused with what we in the US like to call “poster paints.” Poster paints are not tempera, as they contain no eggs or other unidentified biodegradeable proteins. Poster paints are actually gouache (gwash), which is a type of watercolor paint. It’s got gum arabic and extra chalk added, making is far more opaque than regular watercolors.
(And did you notice the new “Listen Now” buttons? You can listen to Natasha read my posts to you. I know Kathy calls her Phyllis, but I think Natasha is a cooler name. Just saying.)
Wow! I haven’t thought about or used Tempera paints since high school. So cool to see you write about them here! Thanks! 🙂
chat blanc’s last blog post… Disordered dozing
@Chat blanc… any art-related items that get me excited and happy are definitely fodder for a post!
Um… I don’t know why I’ve missed so many posts. But I just want to say thank you for answering this question. So do they smell bad???
@fragileheart… You’re supposed to come by every day, remember? LOL And the temperas don’t really smell bad at all. They certainly don’t smell like eggs, that’s for sure!